We've all heard the saying "no pain, no gain". Is it true though? As with most things, the answer is it depends. I'll say this right off the back: when you're exercising you should NOT be in pain. (Re-read that.) When you're working out, getting fit or whatever you want to call it there is no place for pain. If it hurts you're doing something wrong, STOP. Re-read this whole paragraph.
So when it comes to exercise "no pain, no gain" is false. So why is this saying so prevalent? Well one reason is because people don't know what pain is. I've had plenty of clients who've come to me after their first or second session and tell me how much "pain" they are in. After asking a few questions we usually determine that they're really just sore.
So there's soreness and pain. Pain is always bad. Soreness (to a point) can be a sign of good things to come. So what's the difference? Pain is sharp, shooting and usually specific (meaning isolated in a particular spot). Soreness tends to be achey, dull and diffuse (spreads throughout a muscle or group of muscles).
Again, pain is bad. If you're in pain, see a doctor.
Back to "no pain, no gain". I think whoever came up with this or related it to fitness was talking about discomfort ("no discomfort, no gain", isn't quite as catchy). There does need to some discomfort to see some gains. You are going to have to be sore at some point. This will be uncomfortable. Getting up early to make sure you work out is uncomfortable. If you're going to make a positive change, fitness or life or otherwise, pain (discomfort) will have to be present.
