Does pain seem integral?

Am I the only one that believes that it has to hurt to show improvement.

I always felt if it didn’t hurt, that I wasn’t trying hard enough. It has never been a very healthy view, but it started in high school, when I started doing martial arts. Within a week I was doing the splits, even though it hurt like hell to stretch myself out. I used 30lb dumbbells tied to my feet to help me stretch out, for an hour at a time.

Since then, whenever I have a physical goal, I often take things beyond what I should to attain my goals.

This habit has afforded me a good threshold for punishment.

I pretty much started with hanging, and I am doing 10lbs almost BTC, working myself into it, since it hurts like hell on the skin.

The problem is that I just can’t believe it’s doing anything, unless it hurts.

Does anyone else have problems with this weird masochism.

It should never hurt, sore is ok but hurt is bad

I agree is Dino. After a while you get to recognize a certain ache that comes with a proper workout.

pahncrd - I’m a lot like you where if I don’t overdo things, it doesn’t seem worth while. It just doesn’t work with PE.

I know, I know, it is just taking some serious will power to actually take my healing time, and give myself breaks. I suppose I will get used to my routine, and work myself into a groove.

You have to remember that with PE you are working tissue that is NOT muscle. There is so-called “smooth muscle tissue” but that is only what it is called anatomically. This is not at all the same as working your abs or your thighs.

Pain associated with PE = Delay, not gain. Your cock should never hurt. It should feel invigorated at the end of a session, not beaten up.

Invigorated? I am not sure how that should feel.

It’s not horrible pain, just a strong burn on the skin, and a good soreness in the ligs. I noticed most of the pain is in the skin stretching.

My post was wondering if other people have trouble believing that improvement can be attained sans pain.

I know it can is done all of the time without pain. I just have a deepseated feeling of being unfulfilled without the pain.

I look forward to my PE because it feels so good. And yes, I am making very nice gains. But if you would rather feel pain then pleasure, go for it. Just don’t come back asking how to fix your injuries.

I think you missed the point of what I was saying. I was just saying, that I don’t feel like I am getting anywhere without the burn.

How far are you getting with the pain - in how much time, including time outs for injury?

Sorry, but you didn’t say anything about “the burn”. You said “Pain”, “Hurts like hell”, and “masochism”.

It can hurt without causing injury. I have not experienced any discoloration, swelling (other than normal), or coldness.

Perhaps I exagerated,

Let me start over. It is proving difficult to realize that pain doesn’t equal gain. It is counter-intuitive to what I have always known.

After extensive reading in the injuries forum, I have decided to take it easy and shoot for a relatively painless workout.

I have no desire to experience any of the things described in that forum. I am sure nothing would slow me down more than being out for 3 months with an injury, and there are worse things that can happen than that.

This is a great forum, and has given me the confidence and know how to permanently change myself for the better.