No pain, no gain

Posted by bodybuilder

Posted: May 16, 2008 - 8:35 pm

There is much controversy in the fitness field about the term, "No pain, no gain." Some hardcore folks live by this motto and feel that unless you are pushing yourself to absolute muscle failure and limping through the next week- you aren't making the most of your workout. I happen to be a part of this crowd. Years of lifting experience teaches you the difference between muscle strain- pain and just a great workout. Some damage happens to our muscle tissue when we lift weights, which is normally nothing more than microscopic tears in the muscle.

This soreness dissipates after a few days, but can sometimes last as long as a week if you haven't worked out in a long while. I live for a deep burn while lifting and welcome muscle soreness the day after. I've grown to understand the way my body reacts to certain things and I pay attention to which exercises cause the most muscle soreness after doing them. I've learned to tweak the intensity of the workout by adding supersets, trisets, heavier weight and less rest time in between.

On the other side of the spectrum, some people believe that you should feel no discomfort during or after a workout. I've never understood why because no change can be made in the body- or in life for that matter without some degree of discomfort. If you are doing all the right things to compliment your fitness routine, including proper diet, rest and keeping your workouts safe, then discomfort and pain will not last long and for the most part are remedied with a hot epsom salt bath, massage and sleep.

Proper form and the appropriate weight along with a spotter will keep you safe and injury free in your workouts. Be smart and focus on what you are doing because letting your mind wander will take away from what you are doing and a rotator cuff injury or ACL tear are the kind of pains that will bring NO gains.

I am not an advocate of takining NSAIDS or any other pill for muscle pain, but instead recommend my clients take two cups of epsom salt in a hot bath and chill out for a good fifteen minutes or so. The salts contain magnesium which is a natural muscle relaxer and will melt you like butter after a hard day.

Our bodies regenerate while we sleep and with the healthy foods we eat, not in the gym. While training, you are breaking the body down and with rest you are giving it time to build back up and make the proper repairs. Getting adequate protein and carbohydrates while drinking water all day will assist the body while it goes to work rebuilding. The time you devote to regenerating your body is just as important as the time you spend working it at the gym. If pain persists in a specific area for longer than 2 weeks and especially if it is located in a joint area, check in with your doctor just to be safe. Otherwise have fun!

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