Short answer: elbow pain from the gym, on the outside of the elbow, is often tennis elbow, which comes from the tendons being irritated by repeated gripping and twisting, such as typing, using a mouse, a screwdriver or lifting.[5] It usually eases after resting the arm for a few weeks.[5]
Elbow pain from the gym: what to know
- Cut back on what aggravates it.[5]
- Hot or cold pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.[5]
- Simple bending and straightening exercises, and a forearm strap or brace from a pharmacy if it helps.[5]
- Pain relief: paracetamol, or an anti-inflammatory gel (ibuprofen gel is flammable, so keep it away from flames).[5]
- Timeline: it can sometimes last longer, over a year in some cases; physiotherapy may help if there's no improvement after 6 weeks of home care.[5]
When to see a doctor
See a GP if the pain continues after resting the elbow and trying self-care for at least 2 weeks.[5]
Sources
Written by the Prife iTeraCare team and last reviewed on 10 October 2026. This is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace your doctor or physiotherapist. A session is a wellness experience, not a medical treatment.
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