We’ve all been there—whether it’s a twinge, tightness, or that sharp pain that makes you stop mid-movement. But what does it actually mean?
Pain isn’t always a red light, but it’s definitely not a green one either.
Before jumping to conclusions, ask yourself a few quick questions:
- Did this come out of nowhere, or does it happen with specific movements?
- Does the discomfort linger after you’re done training?
- Is this an area you’ve injured before?
With those answers, you can make a smart next step:
- Totally random pain that disappears? Keep training—just monitor it.
- Recurring pain with specific lifts? Time to assess your technique or modify the movement.
- Lingering pain? Dig deeper and figure out the “why.”
- Old injury flaring up? Be cautious. Don’t ignore a familiar warning sign.
Three Rules for Training with or around Pain:
- Sharp/stabbing pain? STOP. That’s not normal.
- Mild discomfort that fades as you warm up? MODIFY. Change the load, reps, or movement.
- Lingering pain after the workout? PAY ATTENTION. Recovery is key—and so is getting help if needed.
Don’t just “hope it goes away.” If pain’s been hanging around, address it before it becomes a real problem.