no pain, no pains

[joham]

I've read the proverb 'No pains, no gains' in quite a few English dictionaries compiled in China. But the Macmillan Dictionary says 'No pain, no gain'. Which is right? Or are both right?

Thank you.

[BobK]

I've only heard the singular, but I'm sure it would be possible to concoct a context where the plural would work.

b

[Delmobile]

Bob, I can imagine using the plural in some contexts (maybe a mother having labor pains? Actually, it's hard to come up with something) but I can't imagine it being listed in a dictionary that way.

As far as I know, this expression originated during the aerobic exercise class craze in the 1970s, and was intended to spur on the panting, suffering exercisers.