Nearly every muscle-building exercise utilizes joints, which are the places where bones contact one another. If you choose the amount of weight you lift carefully and perform exercises correctly, you decrease your chances of developing joint pain. Bodybuilders, however, often experience joint pain due to the rigor of their workout schedules.
Proper Form
Proper lifting form decreases the likelihood of joint injuries. If you are new to bodybuilding, start off with light weights and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts over the course of several months. Ask expert weightlifters or a personal trainer to show you how to perform exercises properly. If that's not possible, limit yourself to using resistance weight machines, which force you to perform an exercise within a limited range of motion, minimizing your chances of joint injuries.
Types
Muscle aches and soreness after vigorous exercise are normal. Joint pain, on the other hand, is not something you should ignore. If your joints or the connective tissue and muscles that surround it are injured, trying to work through the pain could worsen the injury. Take special care if the joint pain you experience is in an ankle, knee, elbow or wrist joint. These joints are not covered by muscles, so the pain is probably not muscle-related.
Symptoms
Warning signs of serious joint damage include sharp, localized pain, swelling, joint deformity and an inability to use a joint. Redness and pain around a joint also indicate potential damage. It is best to contact a doctor immediately if you believe you have injured a joint. If you cannot see a doctor right away, self-care measures include taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin or naproxen sodium. Also, holding an ice pack against the joint for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day might help as well. Not using the joint will prevent further damage.
Warning
Generally, children and developing teens should not engage in bodybuilding activities. Their developing bodies cannot handle the vigorous exercise strength training requires, so they risk damaging their bones, muscles and joints if they begin too early. After children reach puberty, their bodies will begin to produce the necessary hormones for building muscle. At that point, consult a pediatrician to see if your child is ready to begin a bodybuilding program. Monitor exercising teens carefully to ensure they're using proper form. Let them know what warning signs indicate joint damage so they know when to stop.
