The old axiom, “no pain, no gain,” is just that… old and outdated. Pain and soreness are not valid measures of the benefits of exercise.
Muscle soreness can occur with anyone who exercises, from a beginning exerciser embarking on a new program to a conditioned veteran who is working at a greater intensity, frequency, and/or duration than he / she is used to.
It frequently happens to well-trained individuals as they begin a new activity.
Muscle soreness may also be a result of overuse, which could eventually lead to injury. It’s important to listen to your body and seek treatment for injuries.
Meeting goals for developing strength or endurance needs to be the focus of any exercise program. Well-defined goals guide results that you are able to attain through gradual behavior change.
Examples – I want to be able to do 20 push-ups; I want to be able to run a 10K by the end of the year, etc. Objectives are specific and measurable and may be useful in guiding any training program.
Soreness could be a consequence of working toward a training goal, but should not be a goal in and of itself.
Your development and achievement must be the personal trainer’s first concern.
Some trainers feel the way a client looks or how much he / she can lift is a direct reflection of her or his ability. Does it make sense for you to have a conversation with your trainer about your concerns?
You might want to reference Selecting and Effectively Using a Personal Trainer, created by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Leave a Reply