Gym issue… chest permanently sore

[Stinger70]

Bit of a weird one… been training 12 years and it’s only started in the last couple of years maybe. All my other body parts recover as normal with an odd bit of doms for a day or two then nothing. Chest is always sore at my next workout, even just had 2 weeks off went back and it’s sore like I lifted yesterday. I don’t do high volume, tend to do high intensity just 2 hard sets for chest, but I’ve also tried lighter weights and more volume which seems to make it worse. I’m also on trt at 110mg per week so it’s not hormonal. Doesn’t really feel like an injury as I can still lift with no sharp pain etc, it’s just the whole chest feels fully sore permanently now and never goes away. Any ideas?

[mcelliott]

Stinger70 said:

Bit of a weird one… been training 12 years and it’s only started in the last couple of years maybe. All my other body parts recover as normal with an odd bit of doms for a day or two then nothing. Chest is always sore at my next workout, even just had 2 weeks off went back and it’s sore like I lifted yesterday. I don’t do high volume, tend to do high intensity just 2 hard sets for chest, but I’ve also tried lighter weights and more volume which seems to make it worse. I’m also on trt at 110mg per week so it’s not hormonal. Doesn’t really feel like an injury as I can still lift with no sharp pain etc, it’s just the whole chest feels fully sore permanently now and never goes away. Any ideas?

I have experienced similar, like today for example, really heavy chest workout, will be sore at least until Thursday, been lifting for nearly 30yrs, only started happening really 18 months ago, tis a bit weird as diet and sleep etc are bang on and all the big sets are approached with a really good warm up with some gentle stretches in between. Im 51 so age could be a factor, who knows

[Wills2]

I'd stop and go to a physio, no point training what is damaged and sore especially intensively

[popeyewhite]

Stinger70 said:

Bit of a weird one… been training 12 years and it’s only started in the last couple of years maybe. All my other body parts recover as normal with an odd bit of doms for a day or two then nothing. Chest is always sore at my next workout, even just had 2 weeks off went back and it’s sore like I lifted yesterday. I don’t do high volume, tend to do high intensity just 2 hard sets for chest, but I’ve also tried lighter weights and more volume which seems to make it worse. I’m also on trt at 110mg per week so it’s not hormonal. Doesn’t really feel like an injury as I can still lift with no sharp pain etc, it’s just the whole chest feels fully sore permanently now and never goes away. Any ideas?

It's very likely a chronic injury. Rest chest for as long as necessary. You could try training around it (hit chest from completely different angles), but it will likely take longer to recover.

[Nick_13]

Could be a side effect from the TRT -> gynaecomastia?
If you are performing as normal is it possible it is general tenderness rather than true muscle soreness/DOMS

[popeyewhite]

Nick_13 said:

Could be a side effect from the TRT -> gynaecomastia?

Nipples ad surrounding area can become sensitive and sore, never heard of it affecting the whole chest and there's very little chance the dose of test the OP is on would result in gyno to such an extent even if he was prone.

[Hoofy]

popeyewhite said:

Stinger70 said:

Bit of a weird one… been training 12 years and it’s only started in the last couple of years maybe. All my other body parts recover as normal with an odd bit of doms for a day or two then nothing. Chest is always sore at my next workout, even just had 2 weeks off went back and it’s sore like I lifted yesterday. I don’t do high volume, tend to do high intensity just 2 hard sets for chest, but I’ve also tried lighter weights and more volume which seems to make it worse. I’m also on trt at 110mg per week so it’s not hormonal. Doesn’t really feel like an injury as I can still lift with no sharp pain etc, it’s just the whole chest feels fully sore permanently now and never goes away. Any ideas?

It's very likely a chronic injury. Rest chest for as long as necessary. You could try training around it (hit chest from completely different angles), but it will likely take longer to recover.

Yep, would test the above. Give it a month and see if it subsides. If it does, then continue to rest. If it stays just as sore, report back and we can collectively scratch our heads.

[Stinger70]

Hoofy said:

popeyewhite said:

Stinger70 said:

Bit of a weird one… been training 12 years and it’s only started in the last couple of years maybe. All my other body parts recover as normal with an odd bit of doms for a day or two then nothing. Chest is always sore at my next workout, even just had 2 weeks off went back and it’s sore like I lifted yesterday. I don’t do high volume, tend to do high intensity just 2 hard sets for chest, but I’ve also tried lighter weights and more volume which seems to make it worse. I’m also on trt at 110mg per week so it’s not hormonal. Doesn’t really feel like an injury as I can still lift with no sharp pain etc, it’s just the whole chest feels fully sore permanently now and never goes away. Any ideas?

It's very likely a chronic injury. Rest chest for as long as necessary. You could try training around it (hit chest from completely different angles), but it will likely take longer to recover.

Yep, would test the above. Give it a month and see if it subsides. If it does, then continue to rest. If it stays just as sore, report back and we can collectively scratch our heads.

This is what I was starting to fear. Doesn’t feel like an injury in the traditional sense, I’ve had a minor tricep tear and it was an acute, sharp pain with certain motions. And this isn’t localised to one part / side of the chest- it’s the whole muscle across both sides. Don’t really notice it until I go to train again and then it just feels like it’s all inflamed / sore. Perhaps a chronic overtraining issue or something. Maybe it’s time to rest it for a month as you say while training everything else.

[Slowboathome]

Could be https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-condition...

Regardless, if it were me I'd probably go to GP to rule out any nasties then a physio.

[popeyewhite]

Slowboathome said:

Could be https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-condition...

Regardless, if it were me I'd probably go to GP to rule out any nasties then a physio.

And you'd be clogging up the practice when legitimately ill people needed to see a GP.

[biggbn]

I am lucky in that I have trained for many years and had few injuries but anytime I have had one, I rest the affected area, if possible finding a workaround. A much older powerlifter told me when I was just starting out 'Listen to your body son', and I always have.

[Belle427]

I always found good stretching especially afterwards helped my aches and pains, most people dont bother though.

[Slowboathome]

popeyewhite said:

Slowboathome said:

Could be https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-condition...

Regardless, if it were me I'd probably go to GP to rule out any nasties then a physio.

And you'd be clogging up the practice when legitimately ill people needed to see a GP.

Always useful to have the services of a medical expert in the health forum who can confidently diagnose over the internet.

[Badda]

Slowboathome said:

Always useful to have the services of a medical expert in the health forum who can confidently diagnose over the internet.

“I get muscular pain when I train that particular muscle”

Doesn’t sound like he needs to book a GP appt does it?

[Yahonza]

Chest pain? Yes that does sound like something for your GP. Angina?
Maybe lay of the TRT for a bit and see if that is the cause - possibly a side effect?

[Badda]

Yahonza said:

Chest pain? Yes that does sound like something for your GP. Angina?
Maybe lay of the TRT for a bit and see if that is the cause - possibly a side effect?

I don’t think you’ve read the OP.

[toohuge]

I had this too OP, it turned out it was how i was sleeping that caused all my chest pain.... I used to slip my arm under my pillow and at times, I was waking up in agony with a sore chest etc.

I changed to sleeping with my arms straight and boom, no chest pain anymore.... may be worth a try