Knee Pain? Back Pain? Here’s How Strength Training Can Actually Help

If you’ve ever skipped a workout because of your back—or hesitated to bend down because of your knees—you’re not alone. Pain sucks. But avoiding movement altogether? That only makes things worse.

Here’s what most people don’t realize:

Strength training (done right) can be one of the best tools for managing and even eliminating pain.

At Studio ME in Northeast Minneapolis, we help adults 35+ build strength while working through—not around—pain. Here's how.


1. Most Pain Isn’t From the Movement. It’s From the Imbalance.

That nagging back pain? It’s often from weak glutes or poor core activation.
That cranky knee? Could be from your hips, ankles, or lack of stability—not the knee itself.

Strength training helps:

  • Restore muscle balance

  • Improve joint alignment

  • Build control in vulnerable areas

It’s not about lifting heavy. It’s about moving better and our physical therapist, Dr. Bailey, can help. Book an exam here. You can also check out our blog “Why Daily Movement Matters More Than You Think.”


2. Avoiding Movement Makes It Worse

When something hurts, it’s natural to back off. But that can lead to:

  • More stiffness

  • Less muscle support around joints

  • Greater sensitivity to basic movements

Strength training gently reintroduces safe, supported motion so you’re not stuck avoiding stairs, squats, or tying your shoes. Ben had multiple back surgeries and avoided training his lower body for years…that is until we got our hands on him and now??? He’s stronger than EVER!!! Read his story here. Or Ruta who had a herniated disc and had multiple doctors tell her she needed surgery - how we helped her keep training and AVOID surgery,

Ruta doing her warmup to prepare for her workout.



3. Your Body Craves Stability

The more stable you are, the less your body feels threatened during movement.
Our approach focuses on:

  • Core strength (real core strength—not crunches)

  • Joint control and end-range mobility

  • Breathing mechanics that reduce tension

And no—we’re not asking you to “power through pain.” We're building strength around it.



4. Physical Therapy + Training = 💥

At Studio ME, our physical therapist and coaches work hand-in-hand to:

  • Rebuild movement patterns

  • Progress strength training safely

  • Use recovery tools like cupping, dry needling, or mobility drills to calm pain and build resilience

You’re not passed off between clinics and gyms. You’re supported every step.

Cupping for knee pain.

You Don’t Have to Live With Pain. And You Don’t Have to Train Around It.

Book a free consult to learn how we help clients with pain train smarter—without making things worse. Whether you’ve had surgery, chronic issues, or just don’t trust your body anymore… there’s a better way.

📍Find us in NE Minneapolis
🎯 Specializing in fitness for adults 35+
💬 Real strength, real results, real support

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Post-PT but Still Nervous? Here’s What Pain-Free Training Looks Like at Studio ME

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Stronger, Not Sore: How to Strength Train in Your 40s Without Wrecking Your Joints