Do not believe that there is nothing worse than working out and not feeling any pain?
You’ve all heard it: “No pain, no gain”. Fitness influencers on social media are quick to promote a world where you have to work out to achieve your goals. But how difficult is too much?
You should never hear a professional athletic trainer suggest painful exercises to achieve gains. On the contrary, experts warn about the “no pain, no gain” myth.
What does “no pain, no gain” mean?
Gym-goers have been using this saying for a long time to motivate them to keep pushing through hard workouts. Many gym-goers believe that if you are not able to feel pain while you exercise, you are not working hard enough to be physically strong.
The belief is the following: You have to exercise until you feel pain and then through the pain to build up the endurance and toughness required to grow stronger muscles.
Is that true?
The problem with “no pain, no gain”
Pain is a signal your brain sends to let your body know that it is time to stop. Pain can be linked to a variety of causes, but one thing is for sure: The brain doesn’t send the signal to test how tough you are. It is a warning signal.
If you disregard the pain signals that you are given, you are putting your body in danger. Pushing forward even when you are very hurt can cause you harm. It can cause serious injuries. It is very useful to know what triggers the signal and what you should do when it occurs.
Why do I feel pain when exercising?
When you feel pain, it means that something is wrong with your exercise. But it could be linked to your overall fitness level at the time or even your posture. Because the problem usually doesn’t come from within the body, you can understand it better so that you can respond to it more appropriately.
Pain can signal that you are performing the same movement too often and too much. This could lead to muscle strains or fractures in severe situations. A good workout program that varies from person to person can help you avoid injury.
Pain can also indicate that you are not performing a movement properly, such as lifting weights with a rounded back, for example. Practicing with an experienced personal trainer can ensure you master the right postures. Pain can be your indicator that your performance is improper, for example, lifting weights with a rounded back.
Even though pain may help you challenge yourself, it does not mean you must keep going if you continue to suffer pain. Pain is the way your brain is trying to tell you to stop what you are doing.
Muscle soreness vs. pain
Most people mistake pain for muscle soreness when they work out. People develop sore muscles, or delayed onset muscle soreness, which is a natural response to any challenging routine. It is annoying and painful, but usually disappears after a short rest. Soreness affects the whole area you’ve trained.
On the other hand, pain is more localized and can be sharp. It limits your range of motion and causes you to feel a lot of pressure. It can appear only for specific movements and pressure points. When it is associated with pain, it may lead to swelling, an inflammatory reaction, or even bruising. When pain like that occurs, it is usually a sign that there is a risk of injury or that you have an injury. You should stop doing certain activities and avoid causing problems for others. It is very important that you stop doing what you are doing when you feel pain.
Are you looking to improve your fitness levels, but you struggle with persistent pain? It can be helpful to reach out to your doctor to check for potential injuries or weaknesses. You should also spend time practicing good postures and proper techniques when you work with a good personal trainer.
Want more information on getting fit and healthy naturally? Future Fitness offers a team of fitness experts who can provide people with the best fitness advice and services to help them feel as comfortable as possible while they work out.