Lifting weights can be a frustrating way to work out. It takes time to build muscles and to increase the amount of weight you can lift. It can sometimes be even painful. If you lift more than you are used to, it is not uncommon for muscles to hurt one, two or even three days after a workout. Furthermore, there can be the immediate pain, the burn, which comes with a good weight lifting session. These pains increase as the workout go on because of fatigue, but they do not necessarily indicate that anything is wrong.
In fact, these pains are expected, even welcomed, by people who are trying to build muscle, tone their bodies, and increase their strength. However, not all pain that is attributed to weight lifting is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. Sometimes pain can be a sign that you are doing something wrong; that the weight lifting is doing more harm than good.
If there is sharp pain, especially in the joints, associated with weight lifting, or if there is awkwardness or something just does not feel quite right, it is possible that you are doing the exercise wrong. Lifting weights in the wrong way can sometimes cause serious problems.
At best, lifting weights in the wrong position will be ineffective. It will prevent you from building the kind of muscle mass you desire. At worst, it could lead to a build up of stress on the bone and joints; it could cause serious problems down the line. However, typically working out in the wrong position will make the exercise easier, less stressful, rather than more difficult. That is why the exercise will not be as effective in the wrong position.
There are many ways to make sure that you get the most out of your workout sessions, to make sure that you getting as much out of your exercise as you are putting into it. One way is to work out with someone who has more experience. Getting pointers from a trainer or from someone on staff at your gym is a good idea. Ideally, you would have your own personal trainer, but a friend who has spent some time in the gym is a good place to start.
Another way to gain experience, to practice before you begin on free weights, is to use the weight machines that many gyms provide. These machines make it more difficult to exercise in the wrong position and they teach you the proper way to do each exercise. After building some experience on this machine, you will be ready to work out with the free weights without causing an injury.
In short, it is important to know what you are doing when you use free weights. But it is also important not to be intimidated by the overwhelming amount of information about weight lifting. Simply getting a few pointers and a little bit of practice can make sure your lifts will be safe and effective.