Asking advice: Should I go to the gym today?

[lyorn]

For: I feel like going, do my usual back exercises and the machine circle.
Against: I feel like I have ripped something on my rib muscles and also close to the surface in my lower belly. It hurts.
For: But it does not hurt when I do strength training. It causes no trouble with breathing.
Against: It hurts when jostled -- some stabby-ripping pain like pulling apart the edges of a cut. This will happen when I ride my bicycle to the gym. As I do not know where it came from, it might have been caused by strength training.
For: If I don't go today, it'll be Thursday before I have the time again.

Bottom line: I want to go to the gym but I do not want this ouchy thing to get worse -- ideally, it should away. Any suggestions on the best course of action?

ETA: Thank you all! I stayed home today and did some planks and back extensions to keep in the habit. Plan for next week: 1. Bicycle to work *very* carefully (avoid curbs and potholes), 2. In the gym, reduce the weights and work on form, 3. No running, 4. Get a mat for home exercises, because, hardwood floor...

Comments

[lyorn]

Thank you. I'm sometimes very slow at understanding that doing stuff that hurts is a bad idea. And I will look into do-at-home options.

[rydra_wong]

I'm sometimes very slow at understanding that doing stuff that hurts is a bad idea.

Me too, especially when the thing that hurts is an activity I really really love. I learned this stuff the hard way *g*.

FWIW, I find it very helpful to have a repertoire of other things I can do, and to embrace the concept of "active rest" -- if I'm ill or injured or overtired, some gentle walking, low-key yoga, stretching, etc. will help me to recover faster and make me feel like I'm still doing something.