Pain Is Gain?

How can pain be gain? I saw an idiotic ad done by a gym the other day, that read "More Pain More Gain". Who would go there? Your body speaks to you and truly pain cannot be gain. I know that some exercise enthusiasts  will learn sadly about the pain/gain game later on in life when their joints begin to scream history. There is a current ridiculous belief that over-exercising until pain, is some sort of gain, but I think it means loss. Loss of weight. That's another questionable endeavor when taken to extremes. No one should be obese, but it happens unfortunately, and those afflicted have to  deal with it as any sickness. But taking questionable medications and doing freak diets to be thinner than natural or pushing your joints and muscles too far, is dangerous. What I speak of is the already scrawny individual over-doing the sweating routines encouraged by people who are attached to gyms or sell flashy spandex attire. The healthy body needs to flex and lift and get the heart pumping but pain is not good. Never. Pain says "that's enough; stop" and it's logical that one should ease up and let the pain dissipate. I doubt that immediate cessation is good but slowing down until the pain subsides appears to be right. I see a young woman dressed in her colourful gym wear, coming down the hall in the early morning before she goes to work, and she is drenched with perspiration and  she looks entirely miserable. While her muscles may be thrilled, her face is tortured. She's in her late forties. I fear what's coming up for her in her fifties and sixties. I have seen athletic people suffering from the effects of their over-extended work outs and game injuries when they become old. While exercise is good and should be regular and sensible, there are bodies that don't like it and say so. Sedentary life-style is not a good idea either, nor is over-exercising to the point of pain.  When it hurts don't do it anymore is my motto. I want to live a comfortable elder life that might even reach one hundred like many of my kin. None of them, not one, went to exercise classes or gyms. They were active doing normal things like going to work, gardening, housework and walking to visit or shop or recreate and more. They just moved around all day. As the saying goes, they let no grass grow under their feet nor did they gather moss. Some people like to go to gyms and that's great while others hie off  to exercise classes or the pool. It's partly social life and partly for their health, but I am sure when it comes to experiencing pain over it, they have the brains to ease up until they find their personal comfort level. The best trainers know that finding that special level and working up to one that bodes well but doesn't trade pain for gain, is the way to go. What you do with your body is your business, but  give a little thought to the far future you hope to have one day so that you may live on to enjoy your life's rewards. Pain is injurious and a warning: it's not "gain". Listen to your body first. It's all you've got.