Do not believe that there is nothing worse than working out and not feeling any pain?
You’ve probably heard it many times: “No pain, no gain”. People promoting hard fitness methods on social media want you to work hard to reach your goals. But how hard is too hard?
The truth is that you’ll never hear a professional athletic trainer recommend pain to get gains. We need to understand why some people have never told people that they should go through some kind of pain in order to gain a lot of muscle. Instead, experts say that “no pain, no gain” is a myth.
What does “no pain, no gain” mean?
Gym-Goers often quote this motto as a way to encourage themselves to push through hard workouts. Many gym-goers believe that if you are not feeling pain in your muscles, you are not working hard enough to get physical results.
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.
When you ignore the sensation of pain, you put your body at risk. Pushing through the pain can have harmful consequences and even lead to an injury. 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. It may also be related to your posture or your fitness level. The sooner you understand where the issue comes from, the sooner you can react to it accordingly.
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. If you use a professional personal trainer, you will eventually have the right posture. 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. When you feel pain, your brain is telling you to stop doing 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 can be uncomfortable but typically disappears after a rest period. 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 usually only appears when you do certain movements or when you apply certain pressure points to your body. When it is associated with pain, it may lead to swelling, an inflammatory reaction, or even bruising. This type of pain is indicative of a risk of injury or an existing injury. You need to stop when the pain occurs.
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 focus on correct postures and movements during your personal training.
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.