I am often asked questions by dedicated gym members who want to know if they should push through pain.
The first question to ask yourself is – is it a good pain or a bad pain? This is a difficult question to answer if you are not in tune with your body so I encourage you to start listening to what your body is telling you.
If you’re feeling a burning sensation in the belly of a muscle, it’s probably “good pain.” This means you’re working your muscles efficiently and, yes, keep on going within reason. A good fitness coach will never give you more than you can handle.
If you’re feeling a stabbing or pulling pain in a joint area or somewhere that you think you probably shouldn’t be feeling the burn, that would be “bad pain.” Tell your fitness coach immediately if this is the case or seek the advice of one if you’re exercising on your own. You might either have bad form or a muscle imbalance that needs to be addressed with different exercises.
In conclusion, learn to listen to your body. This is one element of exercising that we often ignore or forget! By listening to your body you will develop the ability to gauge when something isn’t right and you also will get more out of your workouts. You will be able to push through those extra couple of reps when you’re feeling good and you will know when to stop when you’re not!
Ashley Brodeur
Personal Fitness Coach
413.519.9641
http://ashleybrodeur.com
