Success or improvement requires effort, sacrifice, or enduring hardship. Nothing worthwhile comes without some cost or difficulty.
This phrase has ancient roots, appearing in various forms across cultures. The modern version became popular through 1980s fitness culture, particularly Jane Fonda's workout videos. However, similar sentiments appear in Benjamin Franklin's writings and even earlier in religious contexts about spiritual growth through suffering.
While we associate this phrase with gyms and exercise, it actually reflects a fundamental human belief found in philosophy, religion, and psychology across cultures. The rhyming structure makes it incredibly memorable, which is why it survived when more eloquent versions of the same idea faded away.
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