What should you know about elbow and forearm pain when lifting?

A firm grip and a bent or extended wrist transfer force through the forearm to the elbow. A sudden increase in weight, repetition, or unfamiliar exercise can exceed the tissues' current tolerance. Outer-elbow pain may occur with Tennis Elbow, while inner-elbow pain may occur with Golfer's Elbow. Pain location, timing, grip strength, and any tingling provide more useful clues than the exercise name alone.

Pause the painful lift and try a lighter load, neutral wrist, slower movement, and more rest only when symptoms allow. Do not repeatedly lift through sharp pain to test the area. Keep gentle elbow and wrist motion, and record which grip or phase of the lift provokes symptoms. A physiotherapist can grade strengthening so the tissues are challenged without a sudden spike in demand.

Book an assessment when pain keeps returning, limits work or training, or comes with reduced grip. Seek urgent help after a pop or impact followed by deformity, major swelling, inability to move, sudden loss of strength, or numbness with a cold or discoloured hand.

Ask which tissue may be loaded, whether your lifting technique needs changing, what strengthening is appropriate, and which symptoms should stop exercise and prompt review.