I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying, “no pain, no gain” but is this really true. The answer is NO, it is a myth that has been passed around for many years through many sources. While some muscle pain may occur during or after an intense workout, it is important to understand that you DO NOT need to feel the pain in order to have an effective workout. If you are experiencing any pain other than normal muscle soreness due to intense training, you should stop and consult your physician immediately.


Marines are well known for their saying “pain is weakness leaving the body.”  This saying is typically referring to the pain associated with giving 100% effort.  It can be a painful experience to pump out 100 push ups without stopping or to do 100 non-stop sit-ups, but this is a good pain that will cease almost immediately after you are finished with the exercise.  Of course, it may result in some muscle soreness later on but this is typically normal.   After all, Marine style workouts tend to be more intense than most other workouts so muscle soreness in the beginning is common.   If you are experiencing pain in your joints, ligaments or other places that you are unsure of, don’t attempt to “push through it.”  Don’t take unnecessary risks simply to finish a workout.  Stop and consult with your physician.