What Does “No Pain, No Gain” Mean? When To Use It

It is often said that without sacrifices in life, there can be no forward momentum. This sentiment is captured nicely in the phrase, ‘no pain, no gain.’ One only needs to spend a few minutes in the local gym to hear the phrase, ‘no pain, no gain.’ We could make many assumptions about what is meant by this common idiom, but let’s first look at it’s history, and its use as a common idiom in conversation and writing.

The idiom “no pain, no gain” means to make an effort in order to get the desired result. It speaks of the importance of making an effort in general and we can use it when referring to the necessary suffering a person must endure to achieve their ultimate goal.

Most of us understand intrinsically that life is a process of give and take, joy and grief, forward movement and falling back. We also understand that if there is to be success, forward movement and happiness, that there must also be times of sacrifice. At times this can be the painful part in trying to obtain our desired outcome. This notion is captured in the English language in the idiom, ‘no pain, no gain.’

In order for us to truly understand the implications of this phrase, we must first look at the concept of idioms of English, and why they are used in conversation and writing. Once we have this foundation in place we can more easily examine the meaning and utility of the phrase, ‘no pain no gain.’

Origin Of The Idiom “No Pain, No Gain”

The historical transformation of this phrase is a most interesting one dating back to the nineteenth century. While it was coined about for many years, it wasn’t until 1982, that the phrase was popularized in fitness and exercise programs. The then famous actress, Jane Fonda, began to use the phrase in context of the physical pain experienced in training exercises for weight reduction and endurance. After this time, the idiom has been used more broadly to describe how to achieve advancements in work and relationships through painful experiences.

In its basic form, ‘ no pain, no gain,’ is a reminder to us all that all things pursued in life have a cost. That cost can be simple frustration, leading up to and including truly painful incidents. For example, most business owners report having lost years of their recreational life to time spent in the formation of their business. Likewise, professional people must often attend university or college while working full time jobs in the evening, and sacrificing opportunities to evolve meaningful relationships with others.

“No Pain, No Gain” In History

The long lived idiom in English of, ‘no pain, no gain,’ has been reinvented several times in its history taking on a different context depending on the fashions of the time, and what individual or group is utilizing the phrase.

Historically speaking, this concept of enduring pain in order to receive a beneficial outcome stems back to 750 B.C. when Greek poet Hesiod, expressed the following; “But before the road of Excellence the immortal gods have placed sweat. And the way to it is long and steep and rough at first. But when one arrives at the summit, then it is easy, even though remaining difficult.” (Works and Days.) In the centuries that would follow, in keeping with cultural, and scientific advancement, the phrase changed to approach the current verbiage. “They must take pain that looks for any gayn.” (Bretón,1577)

“No Pain, No Gain” Presence In Physical Training

As the phrase relates to physical development for health or sports, there is in fact a reality attached to training for any sport. Each time we train, muscle tissue is damaged or torn by the movement or weights being lifted. It is this process of tearing muscle and the subsequent repair of the tissue that builds enlarged muscles in athletes; always a painful process of recovery. The results however of enduring this pain, is success in all its forms; stronger, faster, more attractive body.

It wasn’t until 1982, that this phrase was expanded from the proviso of advancement in life through hard work, to exercise and fitness. In this time period, the majority of the labour force is working inside offices or factories with very sedentary lifestyles. The style of gym workouts was becoming popular along with scanty Lycra outfits, and fitness instructors chanting the new motto, ” no pain no gain!” The promise was that there is some good physical pain in the form of exercise.

Now for the first time, we see the association of physical pain, something we instinctively try to avoid, become acceptable as, ‘good pain.’

The ageing actress, Jane Fonda, left Hollywood, in favor of becoming a stylized fitness guru, holding back the aging process with vigorous exercise and muscle toning. Sexy outfits and provocative stretching became the order of the day as people flocked to find space at the gym to feel good pain. The culture was now dictating that the previous soft physical form for people was to be replaced by thin and defined bodies for both men and women. The process of this physical change was both painful and desirable.

Approaching the current time period, the phrase has been enlarged even further to include almost all facets of life where we can work at being successful. Whether you are a university student living on the edge doing more things than time in the day, or an athlete looking for the ultimate gold medal nod in your sport, the professor or coach are saying to you, “no pain, no gain.”

Professional sports has become a discipline of pain. It is now accepted that endurance of pain is part and parcel to being accepted as a professional in athletics. Used as a motto to encourage the youngest in sports, it has proven to be ultimately influential in many young athletes remaining silent about physically troubling conditions for fear of not meeting the bar, or no longer being able to participate.

“No Pain, No Gain” In The Workplace And Professional Life

As professional people, it is not uncommon for us to hear the phrase, “no pain, no gain,” when it comes to bonus time, or advancement to higher paying positions.

It may become normal to sacrifice time with your family and friends and leave behind your hobbies and vacations to produce income. Pain here is in the emotional realm, leaving some professionals in an unbalanced lifestyle producing high stress, poor mood and burnout.

Examples Of “No Pain, No Gain” Used In A Sentence

1. It has taken so much from me to get here, but I know now that is true when people say: “no pain, no gain”.
2. She was so angry whenever she heard the trainer say, “no pain, no gain, now give me 10 more reps”.
3. He always lived by the no pain, no gain phrase and seemed content about it.
4. I wished for once that no pain, no gain would not apply to me.
5. They worked so hard and now they are enjoying the fruit of their work. No pain, no gain seems a fitting way to say what brought them here.

A Word About Idioms

Idioms exist in all languages, and have several reasons for their use. In defining what an idiom is, we turn to Cambridge University’s dictionary for the definition. Cambridge University has long been identified as the final authority in matters of the English language. They define idiom as, “a group of words in a fixed order that have a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own.”

What this means effectively is that as English speakers and writers, we understand the attached meaning of an idiom, even though the words making up the idiom may not make sense or be obviously misleading, we know what is being said. For example, the idiom that states, “a stitch in time, saves nine” This is completely unintelligible based on the words alone, but the association of this phrase to the meaning that if we are careful, we won’t have problems, made this a common idiom at the turn of the last century.

The definition continues to include the following, “the style of expression in writing, speech, or music that is typical of a particular period, person, or group.” The implication here is that idioms are culturally defined and in fact follow trends in style and fashion characteristic of the time period in which they are being used.

Again by using the phrase, “a stitch in time saves nine,” which was coined in a time period where doctors were still using cat guts for suture in surgery. In this time cats were killed to use their intestine to produce dissolving sutures. It has been said that cats have nine lives, so if we practice healthy lifestyle practices, we won’t need surgery and save the nine lives of the cat.

Conclusion

This well-known and equally well-used idiom has fueled many individuals and group changes over many years. Even today, this phrase possesses a philosophical consideration for us all. Do we live our lives in continued sacrifice bring us both psychic and physical pain, or follow our instinctual self in avoidance of painful situations. Or is, no pain, no gain, a transient situation with a belief that in the future, pain-free happiness will be ours.