Lifters: working out with muscle soreness?

Emilia777
Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
edited November 17 in Fitness and Exercise
I’m wondering whether it’s advisable to complete a lifting workout when you’re still experiencing muscle soreness. I sometimes find that one day of rest doesn’t give my body enough time to recover, and I suspect it’s best to wait it out, but I hate missing workouts (because I love lifting).

What do you guys do? Thoughts?

Extra info: I follow Starting Strength and I’m in a caloric deficit at the moment.

Replies

  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Depends on how sore you are. I'd still do it. I find that the soreness goes away once I start.
  • Unknown
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  • ShibaEars
    ShibaEars Posts: 3,928 Member
    edited May 2015
    I think it depends on how sore you are. If I'm just a little stiff or sore, then I will do my normal workout (may have to lower some weights a bit though). If I'm so sore I can barely move parts of my body, I may take a rest day, or do cardio. Cardio can do wonders for loosening up sore, tight muscles. Even an easy walk can help.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I'm pretty much always a little sore...warm up properly and you'll be fine.
  • Emilia777
    Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
    edited May 2015
    Beast_mode, a few sets is all I do :tongue: (3, to be precise). The specific concern is the bench press, as my arms are still very sore. I’m just not sure how well I’ll be able to perform.

    Thanks for the input, everyone. I’m still torn between pushing through and doing some cardio… I confess I am leaning towards cardio because it’s a beautiful day out! :smile:
  • kpodaru
    kpodaru Posts: 133 Member
    i do it but i don't work the same muscle. when you warm up/your muscles are warm, you won't feel the soreness anymore.
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I'm pretty much always a little sore...warm up properly and you'll be fine.

    This ^^^ I don't know what it's like to not work out without a little soreness. But being outside beats being indoors!

  • TheVirgoddess
    TheVirgoddess Posts: 4,535 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I'm pretty much always a little sore...warm up properly and you'll be fine.

    This.

    I also make sure to stretch on my rest days, which helps with my soreness.
  • Emilia777
    Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
    Yeah… I really need to stretch better. I always get lax with it. Note to self - get it done. Thanks, all!
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    i always have two to three days rest, and i do active recovery on those two days, mobility and stretching. But i beat myself up pretty good on lifting days, i need that much rest. if i'm still sore on a lifting day, i take it easy.
  • DirrtyH
    DirrtyH Posts: 664 Member
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    Beast_mode, a few sets is all I do :tongue: (3, to be precise). The specific concern is the bench press, as my arms are still very sore. I’m just not sure how well I’ll be able to perform.

    Thanks for the input, everyone. I’m still torn between pushing through and doing some cardio… I confess I am leaning towards cardio because it’s a beautiful day out! :smile:

    If you're genuinely concerned you might drop the bar on your face, then I'd say give it another day. Otherwise, I bet you'll feel fine once you get going.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    I’m wondering whether it’s advisable to complete a lifting workout when you’re still experiencing muscle soreness. I sometimes find that one day of rest doesn’t give my body enough time to recover, and I suspect it’s best to wait it out, but I hate missing workouts (because I love lifting).

    What do you guys do? Thoughts?

    Extra info: I follow Starting Strength and I’m in a caloric deficit at the moment.
    When I first started lifting I had DOMS for about 2 weeks. Just work through it and eventually you stop getting sore.
  • Emilia777
    Emilia777 Posts: 978 Member
    DirrtyH wrote: »
    Emilia777 wrote: »
    Beast_mode, a few sets is all I do :tongue: (3, to be precise). The specific concern is the bench press, as my arms are still very sore. I’m just not sure how well I’ll be able to perform.

    Thanks for the input, everyone. I’m still torn between pushing through and doing some cardio… I confess I am leaning towards cardio because it’s a beautiful day out! :smile:

    If you're genuinely concerned you might drop the bar on your face, then I'd say give it another day. Otherwise, I bet you'll feel fine once you get going.

    Haha that’s funny. I actually kind of was.
    SonyaCele wrote: »
    i always have two to three days rest, and i do active recovery on those two days, mobility and stretching. But i beat myself up pretty good on lifting days, i need that much rest. if i'm still sore on a lifting day, i take it easy.

    Mmm that makes sense. I need to do more stretching and mobility work for sure. Your profile pic looks awesome btw!

    I just started power cleans and my arms kill after it in ways I didn’t think possible. I ended up going for a light run instead, and stretching and foam rolling lots after. I hate not performing well, so hopefully this just means tomorrow will be a good workout. I get a bit excited about deadlifts.

    And yusaku02, the quote in your photo is hilarious!

    Thanks, everyone!

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