In pain during strength training or fitness?
If a lift or fitness class brings on pain, note which movement is difficult, when the pain appears and how it changes afterwards. A sports physiotherapy assessment can help you understand what needs attention and agree on suitable changes to your training. It does not require you to guess the diagnosis yourself.
At Rebalance Medical Centre in Ixelles, our sports physiotherapy service supports people who train in the gym. You can explore the profiles of Mattéo Cattez and Zoé Debaize, as well as the rest of the team below.
Common concerns in the gym
Shoulder pain
Bench presses, overhead lifts and dips can make shoulder pain noticeable. The cause is not always clear from the exercise alone. An assessment can look at your symptoms, movement and training history before suggesting whether a lift should be adjusted or paused.
Lower back pain
If squats or deadlifts bring on lower back pain, record the load, the movement and whether symptoms continue after the session. Technique is one possible consideration, but it is not the only possible explanation. A physiotherapist can assess what matters in your case.
Elbow pain
Pull-ups, curls and other gripping exercises may aggravate pain around the elbow. Pain on the inner or outer side can have different causes, so the right approach depends on an assessment.
Tendon pain
Discomfort around the knee or Achilles tendon can arise during squats, jumps or other repeated loading. If a tendon problem is suspected, care may involve adapting the activity that aggravates it and rebuilding strength progressively. The exercises and pace should match the person and the condition.
Neck discomfort or headaches
If training is accompanied by neck discomfort, headaches or jaw symptoms, describe when these occur rather than assuming they are caused by posture or a particular exercise. A clinician can decide whether further assessment is needed. The team includes Sophie Carlier, a maxillofacial physiotherapist, for relevant jaw concerns.
How an assessment can guide your training
Bring a brief account of your usual routine, any recent changes in weight, volume or frequency, and the movements you want to return to. Note what makes symptoms better or worse, including how you feel later that day or the next morning. If you have already received a diagnosis, imaging report or medical instructions, bring those too.
The assessment may consider strength, movement and the demands of your sport. Depending on the findings, some exercises may be modified while others remain comfortable to continue. Your physiotherapist can discuss changes to load, exercise choice and progression as part of a return to training. There is no exercise plan or recovery date that fits everyone.
Sharp or increasing pain, new swelling, or a loss of movement or strength is a reason to stop the activity and seek professional advice. Progress should be guided by your response, not by a fixed target in your training programme.
Book an appointment in Ixelles
Rebalance Medical Centre is at Avenue Louise 200, 1050 Brussels. Meet the physiotherapy team and use the individual calendars to book. Our first appointment guide explains what to prepare. Confirm fees and prescription requirements with the practice, and reimbursement conditions with your health insurance fund.
Clinical sources
- Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust: returning to activity after injury, for gradual progression and warning signs.
- Bexley MSK: tendinopathy, for activity modification and tailored strengthening.
