How to Keep Working Out Even If You Have Pain
I’ll be honest — there was a time when I completely gave up on exercise because of pain. Every time I moved, something hurt. My knees ached, my lower back flared, and even stretching made things worse.
But deep down, I knew I needed to move. Staying still was only making me weaker — and the pain worse.
So I decided to change my approach.
Now, I work out several times a week with less pain, better recovery, and more energy than I’ve had in years. The difference? I stopped pushing through and started working with my body — and I added a powerful secret weapon to my routine: Arctic Blast.
Table of Contents
Start Where You Are (Not Where You Were)
One of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to go back to my “old workouts.” That just led to frustration. What worked was modifying movements, using low-impact exercises, and giving myself grace while rebuilding strength.
Warm Up With Purpose
If you’re dealing with pain, your warm-up is everything. I now spend 5–10 minutes doing gentle joint circles, bodyweight squats, and dynamic stretching to prepare my body. Skipping this step used to guarantee a flare-up later.
Apply Arctic Blast Before and After
Before my workout, I apply Arctic Blast to my knees, shoulders, or back — anywhere that usually acts up. It helps reduce inflammation and prevents the pain from even starting. After I’m done, I apply again to calm down any stress or soreness.
Click here to try Arctic Blast before your next workout
Choose the Right Types of Movement
Not all exercise is created equal. I’ve found the best pain-friendly workouts include:
- Swimming or water aerobics (low impact)
- Walking or incline treadmill
- Pilates or mat-based mobility work
- Resistance bands instead of heavy weights
These help build strength without overloading the joints.
Stop When It Hurts — Not When You’re Done
This was a mindset shift for me. If something hurts in a bad way, I stop — no guilt. I adjust the move, drop the weight, or switch exercises. My workouts now feel more empowering and less like punishment.
Use Cold Therapy to Recover Faster
When I used to rely on pills or hot creams, my recovery took forever. Now, I use Arctic Blast, which delivers fast-acting cold therapy through DMSO — pulling relief deep into sore areas without the greasy mess.
Click here to recover smarter and faster with Arctic Blast
Rest Days Are Part of the Plan
Pain used to make me feel like a failure. But now I build intentional rest days into my routine, using them for stretching, gentle movement, or short walks. It’s part of the healing process — and it keeps me consistent.
Stay Hydrated and Anti-Inflamed
I started drinking more water and reducing foods that triggered my pain (like sugar and processed stuff). Adding in anti-inflammatory tools like turmeric and magnesium helped too — and using Arctic Blast gave me targeted support during flare-ups.
Don’t Compare Your Progress
This one hit hard: I had to stop comparing myself to people with no pain. Everyone’s body is different. I celebrate small wins now — like getting through a workout without pain or waking up with less stiffness than yesterday.
Arctic Blast Gave Me My Confidence Back
The biggest shift in my ability to work out again came when I added Arctic Blast to my toolkit. It’s a topical liquid that cools, penetrates, and soothes — fast. I use it before lifting, after cardio, and even on off-days when I feel tension.
Click here to get back in motion with Arctic Blast
Movement Is Medicine — Just Use the Right Tools
Yes, you can work out with pain — but you have to be smart. Listen to your body. Use the right movements. Recover on purpose. And don’t underestimate the power of a natural, fast-acting topical like Arctic Blast.
The goal isn’t to push through pain — it’s to move in a way that heals.
Click here to start moving again — without fear of pain
Why Movement Is Better Than Total Rest
It might seem like resting is the safest option when you’re in pain — I used to think so, too. But total rest can lead to stiffness, decreased strength, and even more discomfort over time. Movement, when done mindfully, actually reduces inflammation and improves joint health.
Gentle Doesn’t Mean Weak
I had to learn that low-impact doesn’t mean low results. Exercises like resistance band training, wall sits, and isometric holds helped me build strength without triggering pain. Arctic Blast gave me the confidence to ease into these workouts without flaring up.
Posture Matters More Than You Think
When I corrected my form during workouts, I immediately felt the difference. Poor posture often puts unnecessary pressure on joints and muscles. Proper alignment, combined with topical relief from Arctic Blast, helped prevent post-workout tightness.
Apply Arctic Blast Preemptively to “Hot Zones”
One tip that really changed my experience: don’t wait for the pain to hit. Now, I apply Arctic Blast before every workout to spots I know are prone to flare-ups. It helps relax the area and keeps things stable while I train.
Click here to protect your joints before you exercise
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Breathing
Breathing might sound basic, but deep, controlled breathing helps your nervous system stay calm — which is critical when you’re exercising through chronic pain. I pair focused breathwork with Arctic Blast on tense areas for a full-body release.
Make Recovery Part of the Workout
I used to think workouts ended with the last rep. Now, I take 10 minutes to cool down, stretch, and apply Arctic Blast. This has significantly improved how I feel the next day — and allowed me to work out more consistently.
Modify Movements Without Guilt
There’s no shame in modifying. I switched to bodyweight lunges instead of weighted squats, and I cut reps when needed. Pain shouldn’t control your life — but it also shouldn’t be ignored. The goal is progress, not punishment.
Keep a Workout + Pain Journal
Tracking how I felt after each workout helped me spot patterns. I started noticing which movements triggered pain — and which ones left me feeling energized. I now pair this awareness with Arctic Blast for localized relief, and the results speak for themselves.
Use Props and Tools to Reduce Pressure
Foam rollers, blocks, straps — these tools make workouts safer and less stressful on joints. I keep Arctic Blast in my bag alongside these because it’s just as essential for my recovery process.
Click here to support your workouts with real recovery
Pain Shouldn’t Stop You — But It Should Guide You
Ignoring pain never worked for me. Instead, I learned to listen to it and adapt, using Arctic Blast to reduce inflammation and tension. When managed properly, pain became a guide, not a barrier.
Invest in Pain-Friendly Equipment
Simple gear upgrades — cushioned mats, proper shoes, ergonomic dumbbells — made a huge difference. Pairing smart gear with Arctic Blast helped me feel confident moving again without the fear of post-workout pain.
Pain-Free Movement Is a Lifestyle, Not a Phase
The biggest change came when I stopped treating pain relief as a “quick fix” and made it part of my daily wellness routine. Movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and targeted relief with Arctic Blast now help me train consistently — and feel good doing it.