3. No Pain, No Gain
“No pain, no gain”, is a phrase that is used so frequently when referring to work out habits, that it has become somewhat of a cliché. This myth does have some truth to it in the form of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, (DOMS) a condition that athletes and fitness enthusiasts are proud of. DOMS generally happens 6-8 hours after a person starts a new exercise routine they are not used to. The muscles haven’t gotten used to the new workout and repair themselves, resulting in DOMS. It is most common among people who are just starting to get into strenuous exercise routines, but can occur in experienced athletes as well.
However, excessive pain is not a part of DOMS and is either an indicator that the person has intensified their workout too quickly, they have injured themselves, or they are not giving their body an adequate resting period. In these scenarios, it is advised that the person changes their workout to progress at a slower rate.
Another idea relating to no pain, no gain is that if you are no longer getting DOMS from your workout, then there is no benefit to continuing the same routine. A lack of soreness from a fitness routine is a sign that your body has gotten used to the routine. Continuing the same routine will eventually lead to less gains in athletic performance over time. However, the same exercises are still useful in maintaining the same level of fitness achieved up to that point.
Fitness routines are as varied as the people who are doing them. Tailoring your personal fitness plan to your needs is necessary, but it’s also important to keep these three workout myths in mind. The biggest goal is to find a workout plan that provides everything that you need and is enjoyable in the process.
John Alas is an intern at Marketing Zen Group and a student attending San Francisco State University. He is working alongside Promax Nutrition through Marketing Zen. He is excellent at emphasizing the positive qualities of companies and products, providing content that highlights the unique aspects of a client. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fitness, and playing JRPG’s.
