How to Know When You Should and Shouldn't Work Out Through Pain

Often, people who workout on a regular basis fear the process of building muscle because of the pain that comes with it. The burning that comes with exercise is worth it when the results come in. However, even too much pain can have the opposite effect, and it is up to the one training to know when pain is enough.

The Effect of Long-Term Exercise Pain on the Brain

An excellent place to start with training is to embrace pain. This can increase the tolerance one has of pain. According to research done by the University of Manchester, people who experience chronic pain have more opiate receptors that bind to endorphin. Endorphin is the hormones that makes one feel elated and energized. The longer one tolerates pain; the more sensitive their brain becomes to endorphin. That is the reason that long-term trainees experience a high that is only comparable to that of drug addicts.

Healthy and Unhealthy Pain

When strength in a muscle increases, this is experienced as a moderate burning sensation. This moderate burning during training is healthy and improves muscle size and strength. The more this sensation repeats during sessions, the more reps can be performed during the next round of training.

It is necessary to know when pain is going beyond the point in which it is healthy. Overburdening the body can lead to injuries and fatigue. The bones and muscles have to be burdened slowly, so no small or significant damages are done to them. Besides, the small tears that do occur in muscles during exercises have to have time to heal before the next session. Starting strong too fast can cause a pain that is not beneficial.

The best way to recognize whether the pain is good or bad is to notice how long it lasts. A pain that is healthy will only last as long as the activity continues. While it is all right to feel a little sore after a workout, severe muscle pain means that the muscles were pushed too hard. This type of strain should be avoided.