feeling the burn
Exercise intensity indicator
Feeling the burn refers to the sensation of muscle fatigue during intense exercise, when lactic acid builds up and creates a burning feeling.
Fitness culture embraces this discomfort as evidence of effective effort: No pain, no gain—feel the burn!
The phrase extends to any sustained exertion that tests endurance: I'm really feeling the burn after three hours of tax prep.
- sweatMoisture from skin pores
- sorenessTender, painful sensation
- muscle fatigueLoss of contractile power
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- lactic acidAnaerobic metabolism byproduct
leg day · fatigue · ache · resilience · strain · heat · gasp · cramp · challenge · grind · sting · no pain no gain · push through · hitting the wall · exhaustion · effort · discipline · second wind
feeling the burncoasting
Moving without active effort
going through the motions · taking it easy · phoning it in · warming up · cooling down
feeling the burnmailing it in
Performing without genuine effort
slacking off · loafing · dogging it · cruising · holding back
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