Let’s be honest, training through an injury sucks. Whether it’s a pain in your rotator cuff, a strain in your lower back, a partial tear in your meniscus, or just overall soreness and discomfort throughout your entire body, dealing with an injury is never a pleasurable experience.
Ofcourse there are different degrees of injuries and each individual has their own level of pain tolerance in which he or she can handle. For example, I’ve worked with plenty of clients who have an unbelievable high threshold for pain. I truly believe that these particular clients would still come to the gym even if they had just lost a limb or had broken five bones all at once. Then I know other people who will take weeks to months off from their training just because they stubbed their toe, or banged their knee on the side of a coffee table. These people would be classified as having a much lower threshold for pain.
Whether you have a high threshold or low threshold for pain is irrelevant though. And whether you have a small injury or big injury makes no difference at all. The only thing that really matters is how you yourself choose to move forward and take care of your injury.
No Pain, No Gain.
I’ve said it time and time again and will most likely continue to say it until I officially retire from the Fitness Industry. – The term “No Pain, No Gain” is one, if not the most ridiculous and misleading phrases that is thrown around by coaches, trainers and fellow meatheads across gyms nationwide.
Listen, if you are in real pain, then I can guarantee you that you WILL NOT achieve any gains with your health and your physique until you can truly give your workouts 110%. And if you are injured, then there is no chance that you will give anything 110% in the gym because you simply won’t be able to.
Should You Still Train Through An Injury?
This is a question that I get asked quite a bit. And my answer is always – Yes. You should try and train through an injury.
Now I know what you’re thinking. You probably think that I am just some money hungry Meathead who wants my clients to keeping coming to the gym so that I can continue to work with them while they are hurt and in pain.
Well, I’m not (the money hungry part anyways). There are 5 major muscle groups in the human body. And each one of these major muscle groups has smaller muscle groups located within in them.
And any good Trainer/Coach who has a basic understanding of anatomy and physiology should be able to provide alternative exercises to their clients who are dealing with any and all injuries, regardless of how big or small they might be.
For example, let’s say you’ve injured your anterior deltoid. Does this mean that you shouldn’t train your shoulders at all? Maybe. But maybe not…..
How is your medial deltoid feeling? How about your posterior deltoid? And trapezius, does that hurt as well?
If not, I see no reason as to why you can’t do some standing lateral raises, bent-over rear deltoid raises, and throw in a couple sets of cable upright rows.
The Problem With Resting An Injury
The problem with “resting” an injury is that you risk potential scar tissue from forming around the injured and inflamed area long term. This in turn will make things even more challenging and difficult on your body once you return to the gym and resume your training.
This is why I recommend working around the injury and allowing your body to remain active so that you can continue to work on both your mobility and stability while your injury recovers.
So yes, living, working and training with an injury is not ideal. But life isn’t ideal. And if you give up, take a break, or rest too long, you might be doing more damage than good in the long term.
Yours in Good Health,
Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance