speaking of starting slow,

I've found that increasing how speedily i perform my exercise has diminishing returns and only increases the odds of injuring oneself

but when i go through the motions slowly, it is then that I feel optimally exerted. 20 slow squats pay off better than 20 fast ones. or perhaps even 40.

the goal isn't to feel pain, but to accomplish the work. And furthermore, if we injure ourselves, then we lose progress being unable to work out while convalescing.

(i mean, like, individual muscle fibers are going to tear and then be mended and make the muscle stronger over time but it's gotta be moderated and also we never want to damage our ligaments, tendons, or cartilage)