Will there always be this much soreness?

grandevampire

Hey all,

So I had managed to make it all the way through Workout A with the 20kg barbell three days ago, but the squats really cooked my quads. I am hobbling down stairs like an old lady. Hehe. I think I need to give it another few days to recover, as even trying to flex my quads is grimace-worthy.

I am not sure if this is just because it was my first time ever doing weighted squats-- I remember the first time I tried pull-ups negatives and dead hangs, I couldn't raise my arms for a good week-- or if this will continue to happen every time I up weights and hit my limit?

Did any of you experience this amount of crazy muscle soreness the first time or regularly? If it's like this every time I can't complete all 5 sets, I can't imagine going back two days later and getting even one good squat in! :P

Thanks!

kirabob

Do you have access to a foam roller? If so, you can google how to use one - it will make a world of difference. I only had DOMS the first couple weeks of lifting. Even doing bodyweight squats will help work out the tightness, but if you can foam roll, it will help a ton.

grandevampire

Do you have access to a foam roller? If so, you can google how to use one - it will make a world of difference. I only had DOMS the first couple weeks of lifting. Even doing bodyweight squats will help work out the tightness, but if you can foam roll, it will help a ton.

I have actually done a bit of tennis ball rolling, but with the amount of tenderness I have at the moment (brushing my leg = flinching), just the thought of that is making me sweat! Lol. Maybe I will give a gentler sort of rolling a try.

Good to know that it won't always be like this. I guess going from 0kg squats to 20kg squats overnight is not an insignificant jump to adjust to. I am still polishing off the last few weeks of P90X, so doing bodyweight squats in the plyometrics workout this morning (though tough) does seem to have helped work away a bit of the soreness.

When I start doing Stronglifts regularly once P90X is over, I may spend a couple A/B workout iterations adjusting to the empty bar weight so that moving up from there won't be totally excruciating.

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

Honestly even though it hurts, doing the foam rolling or the tennis ball work will help.....you kind of have to power through the DOMS. Also working out will actually help the soreness, not make it worse so I wouldn't necessarily put off doing your workouts because you're sore.

Also, try having a HOT bath in Epsom salts....works wonders.

And no, it won't last forever

DaniH826

Stick with lifting, and by next week, the soreness will abate. I only ever get sore now if I introduce something different to my workout routine.

Amen on the foam roller!



Wow, I have a workout routine. Not words you would have heard me say 6 months ago ...

grandevampire

Phew, glad it won't always be like this-- I can't imagine spending 3 days every few weeks slowly tripping/waddling down stairs (I have to descend six flights every time I leave my flat). Haha.

All is well again, the quads are still a little tender when flexing, but all in all, I am independently mobile again. Hurrah! Will keep humping away at those tennis balls, and can't wait to start Stronglifts in earnest (only 2 measly weeks of P90X left)!