Recommended Recovery?

slhall0822
slhall0822 Posts: 128 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm sure this has been asked a bajillion times, but I'm not sure exactly what phrases to search to find an answer (I tried, couldn't find much).

Many moons ago, I was an avid exerciser... not so much over the last several years. I've jumped onto the New Year's Resolution band wagon and have been kicking my butt exercising every morning... and boy, can I feel it this morning.

My question is, when you're sore (nit just a little sore, but "I can barely walk and/or sit down" sore, is it better to A) work out as normal, B) work out gently, or C) do very little and allow your body and muscles a little time to recover?

In the past, I just powered through the pain, but I've always wondered it that was really the best approach for my body.

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    It depends on what the source of the soreness is. If you're running or lifting weights recovery days are when you actually get stronger (muscle fibres need time to repair and running requires considerable physiological adaptions) so no running or lifting on recovery days but keeping on moving usually helps alleviate the discomfort of DOMS (low impact, low intensity - walk, swim, ride etc) so my suggestion would be B.

    The old adage of no pain no gain is just that....an adage, not sage advice.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    edited January 2016
    slhall0822 wrote: »
    I'm sure this has been asked a bajillion times, but I'm not sure exactly what phrases to search to find an answer (I tried, couldn't find much).

    Many moons ago, I was an avid exerciser... not so much over the last several years. I've jumped onto the New Year's Resolution band wagon and have been kicking my butt exercising every morning... and boy, can I feel it this morning.

    My question is, when you're sore (nit just a little sore, but "I can barely walk and/or sit down" sore, is it better to A) work out as normal, B) work out gently, or C) do very little and allow your body and muscles a little time to recover?

    In the past, I just powered through the pain, but I've always wondered it that was really the best approach for my body.

    Life is a marathon, not a sprint. What is the rush? Take a rest day and hopefully avoid an injury.

    Strength is gained on the rest day, not the exercise day.

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