Pain vs. Discomfort in Training

How to Know When to Push or Pull Back

Not All “Pain” Is the Same

Discomfort is part of growth. Pain is information.

Discomfort Is Predictable

Pain is sharp, sudden, or progressive [1].

• Muscle burn

• Soreness

• Fatigue

Joint Pain ≠ Muscle Fatigue

Joint pain often worsens with volume. Muscle soreness improves with movement.

Adjust — Don’t Quit

Modifying range, tempo, or load preserves momentum.

Final Takeaway: listening to your body is a skill. Learn it.


Citations
[1] Bahr & Holme, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2003[2] Grgic et al., Sports Medicine, 2021

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