No Pain ... Any Gain?

BobJ19956

If I do weight training plus bodyweight exercises for 30-60 minutes and I somewhat "push it", shouldn't I be a little sore the next day? If I'm not at all sore, does this mean I'm not pushing it enough?

For example, I'll do 4 sets of 25 pushups and really struggle to finish the last set, but my arms feel fine the next day ... no tenderness at all. FYI - I'm 63 and in decent shape, but certainly not olympic material.

Misspinklift

Some people don't get as sore or at all. It sounds like you need to go a bit more heavy. Or do more sets.

usmcmp

Soreness is not an indication of how good a workout was. If you were challenged by it and you continually improve on sets and reps that's how you know you are working hard. Not everyone feels Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

jemhh

I agree with the above posters.

In my experience, I've gotten sore when doing a new exercise or one that I haven't done in awhile, if I haven't been working the same muscles in some way. I usually only get DO MS the first time doing that exercise. After that, I don't really get it.

I started doing calf raises two weeks ago and had major DOMS for 3 days. None since then though.

Muscleflex79

Related to this, I lift regularly and have certain exercises I have been doing weekly for months/years (chest flyes, straight leg deadlifts), yet I STILL get the DOMS afterwards just about everytime - what does this mean??

TiberiusClaudis

Personally, if I don't feel like an old man the next day after working out, then I don't feel like I pushed myself. oh wait...I'm 50 so I guess I AM an old man. Regardless, I always feel atleast a little sore.

Muscleflex79

Glad I'm not the only one, I personally love the feeling of soreness too!

BobJ19956

Thanks for feedback. Like Muscleflex70, I like feeling a little sore ... makes me feel like I'm challenging myself and improving. Think I'll try doing some different exercises and see how that goes.