There's an excellent section on going to the gym when you have mps / trigger points in www.painscience.com. I can't copy the whole section (copyright laws, etc) but here's the gist:

"Executive summary. If you have muscle pain and you want to go to the gym, my advice is to avoid more aggressive strength training (low reps, high load), which has more potential to aggravate trigger points. For those who like working with weights, switch to endurance training (high reps, low load). If weight-training always seemed like an annoying chore to you anyway, I have good news for you: just drop it in favour of aerobic exercise. Moderate intensity contractions pose minimal threat to muscles sick with trigger points, and the moderate stimulation and the increased circulation can often help. Just by switching from the aggressive intensity of strength training to the repetition of endurance or aerobic training, you can turn the risks and rewards of the gym inside out, proving once again that moderation in all things is probably a pretty smart idea."

the important point is to remember you have 'sick muscles', and "muscles with trigger points have trouble contracting strongly....because theyre already contracted."

I really would recommend reading the section in www.painscience.com all about gyms and trigger points, I'm sure I haven't done it justice!

Marcsinchan,

Aren't you an admirable, pain person? :)
I walk 3 miles every day. Sometimes it's leisurely, other times it's a bit quicker. Some days, I have to push myself incredibly hard to do it. I also do ab exercises. Those hurt, and I know they're aggravating my trigger points, but my spine is in bad shape, and I need core strength. I commend you for wanting to hit the gym. Obviously, I believe in exercise, but I caution you to listen closely to your body. I agree with the information Pumpkin provided. Gentle, gentle and see how you respond. Let me know.

When I first was diagnosed with mps after a whiplash car accident, I gave up riding my horse, stopped going to the gym and tried medication, trigger point shots, massage and nothing helped. I deconditioned. I did not give up walking and am grateful for that as it kept me in fairly good condition; however, over the next few years, my upper arms grew weaker which made my neck and head myofascial symptoms all the worse. I would have flares from over doing and have to use medication to get me through until the flare subsided to a level of pain I could manage. Finally, I went to a doctor who believed in exercise that build up the compromised areas, my upper body and we slowly have built me back up. I now walk 8- 10 miles a day and do ballroom dancing, along with the gym 3 days a week. Do I have pain. Yes. Daily. I take no medication and have learned to push the pain out of my mind. Do I have flares. Yes. I live through it, keep having my life and doing what I do. I cut back a bit on the gym, but otherwise keep going. Oh, one word of wisdom I learned, I was afraid to take muscle relaxants, not liking potential side effects ( I am a worrier about drug therapy), instead, I drink 2 glasses of wine a night. This is truly medicinal and I am able to relax those neck muscles. I also use, during a flare, a tens unit. I am happy to chat with anyone who has taken this approach, that is to be in pain, but be strong and medication free. I accept the pain, that attitude has helped me regain control over my life and body. Hope my story can help someone else.