MS Fighter

There are days when I walk into the gym, feeling like I’m dragging lead weights instead of my own body. My legs are stiff, muscle spasms all over the body, my energy is low, and I can feel the MS fatigue creeping in. The barbell seems heavier than it should be, and my mind starts to wonder: “Can I even do this today?” But here’s the thing…those thoughts are just that…thoughts. I know what MS wants me to believe, for whatever reason it wants me to stop. To give in. But that’s not happening. I’m not letting a disease decide what I can and can’t do. So, I workout, even on the hard days. Even when it feels impossible.

Working out with MS isn’t easy at all. Some days it’s actually brutal. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s the following: Fatigue doesn’t mean “stop”. It means “adapt”. And no matter how tired I am, or how rough the symptoms get, I refuse to stop. And you should too.

The Biggest Misconceptions about Working Out with MS

One of the most frustrating aspects of having MS is the way people perceive it. This is the reason I didn’t tell pretty much anyone about my condition. There are tons of misconceptions floating around about what you can and can’t do when you have this particular, or other similar condition. For some, MS is a sentence of weakness and limitation. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, especially when it comes to strength training. Here are the three biggest myths I constantly read online and hear in person, and why they need to be shattered

🔴 Myth #1: “You shouldn’t lift heavy with MS”

🟢 Reality: Strength training is not only possible, but also essential

The idea that MS means you should avoid lifting heavy is simply a myth. In fact, lifting heavy can have huge benefits for people with MS. It builds functional strength, stabilizes your core, and helps with the overall balance. MS might affect your muscles and coordination, but it doesn’t mean you can’t train them to stay strong.

Strength training is one of the best ways to improve muscle tone, increase bone density, and prevent physical decline that can come with MS (and it indeed will come). Let me be clear, I’m not just talking about lifting light weights or doing endless reps, I’m talking about getting strong.

Sure, you have to modify workouts and listen to your body, but that doesn’t mean holding back. MS doesn’t mean you should avoid challenges, it means you should train smarter and adapt. Heavy lifting is a part of that.

I’ll go deeper into how to safely lift heavy in future posts, but for now, remember this. Lifting heavy is not impossible, but rather possible and beneficial.

🔴 Myth #2: “Fatigue means you should avoid exercise altogether”

🟢 Reality: Fatigue is a part of MS, but it doesn’t mean you should stop training

Indeed, MS fatigue is real and can be intense. It can feel like you’re running on empty even after a full night of sleep. But here’s the thing, just because you’re tired doesn’t mean you should give up or stop moving altogether. If so, I would never do a single pushup. The fatigue is there with you, every damn day.

Actually exercise, when done correctly, can help fight the fatigue. It boosts energy, promotes better circulation, and releases endorphins, which can improve both mood and stamina. The right kind of exercise can effectively combat the very exhaustion MS tries to impose on you.

The key is to listen to your body and find the right balance. Some days, I go all-out in the gym. Other days, I dial it back and focus on mobility and low-intensity workouts. The goal isn’t to push yourself to exhaustion, but to train smarter so you are able to manage and reduce the fatigue over time.

In future posts, I’ll share my strategies for training while battling fatigue, but don’t let tiredness dictate your routine. MS fatigue isn’t a reason to quit, it’s a reason to adapt.

🔴 Myth #3: “MS means you’ll get weaker over time”

🟢 Reality: You can maintain strength and even improve it, if you’re consistent and smart with your training

One of the most damaging misconceptions about MS is the idea that it’s a slow, inevitable slide into weakness. It’s true that MS can affect muscle strength and coordination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fight back.

I’ve been living with MS for over 10 years, and I’m stronger now than I was when I was diagnosed. Yes, there are setbacks and hard days, but they don’t define the entire journey. The key to maintaining strength over time with MS is consistency, smart training, and adaptation.

As long as you focus on strengthening the muscles that matter (i.e., core stability, leg strength, upper body power), you can combat muscle atrophy and even see improvements over time.

Strength doesn’t have to be a casualty of MS, it can be a weapon. It’s all about how you approach your training. We’ll dive deeper into specific training strategies later, but for now, just know this: MS doesn’t mean you have to get weaker, it means you must get more strategic.

It’s time to break the myths. Working out (lifting, martial arts, whatever) with MS isn’t about pretending the disease doesn’t exist, it’s about working around it, adjusting to it, and pushing through it. The myths that you can’t train hard, shouldn’t lift heavy, should not hit the bag, or will inevitably get weaker are just that…myths. 

You can absolutely train hard and smart with MS. The key is adaptation, consistency, and the right mindset.