DOMS - What works for you?

Crazyfighter99

So I've started going to the gym again, and I went a little too hard for my first time in a while. Needless to say, I've got some DOMS haha.

I've done a little google-fu about it so I have a general idea about what scientists say what does and doesn't work, and not that it's so bad I can't a handle it, but I was hoping to see what works for you guys.

Machka9

Hot shower
Soak in hot bath
Stretch a bit
Keep exercising ... but keep it fairly light.

For example, I'll be stiff and sore after a particularly long bicycle ride. I find that going for a light, short ride or a nice walk helps.

Crazyfighter99

Machka9 wrote: »

Hot shower
Soak in hot bath
Stretch a bit
Keep exercising ... but keep it fairly light.

For example, I'll be stiff and sore after a particularly long bicycle ride. I find that going for a light, short ride or a nice walk helps.

Yeah one of the biggest things I've been told is to stay active.

buffalogal42

Light movement and I swear by epsom salts in the bathtub!

canadianlbs

it's like hangovers: the price you pay for the fun you had. also, nothing completely cures it, but i get through it easier with regular movement, lots of water and constant massage.

i don't actually like foam rollers or other tools much for this. it feels so good that its easy to keep going until i've irritated the muscle, so i just spend a lot of time poking and grabbing various parts of myself when other people aren't looking at me.

DopeItUp

Nothing truly works but time, in my experience.

doittoitgirl

If you're doing legs, I swear by a cold soak in the tub for 10 minutes right after. Some people hate it, but I felt like my DOMS wasnt as severe after I did a cold instead of a hot soak. I save the hot soak with epsom salts for my rest days.

CarlKRobbo

For me, i do what caused it!

So I'll bench the bar if chest DOMS, Squat just 60KG if i have leg DOMS etc etc.

As has been said - you don't fix it, you just reduce it

Rammer123

Anything to get more blood to that area should help get more nutrients needed for recovery. Not really going to get rid of it, just speed up recovery.

VintageFeline

If it's really bad, I'll just do a bit of chill movement for a day. But generally just carrying on with regularly scheduled programming eases it. I rotate body parts and full body days so it's not often I'm in danger of working the sorest areas concurrently.

cerise_noir

Increase in protien and carbs plus stretching and warm showers.

MilesAddie

Foam Rolling and softball work. It can hurt whilst doing, especially the softball, but your body will thank you 40 minutes later. The pressure will help get blood flowing to your muscles and start the lactic acid removal. There are videos on how to do it. Drink plenty of water. I've also found, like others, that active recovery also helps - long walks, etc.

What really works for me is preventative mobility work - if I'm doing a workout that is heavy on cleans or deadlifts, I'll spend 15 minutes with bands, balls, and a roller on my hamstrings, calves, and quads alone. I'm getting older, so I've found that if I don't put in the time before the workout, I'll pay the price for days after.

firef1y72

Crazyfighter99 wrote: »

So I've started going to the gym again, and I went a little too hard for my first time in a while. Needless to say, I've got some DOMS haha.

I've done a little google-fu about it so I have a general idea about what scientists say what does and doesn't work, and not that it's so bad I can't a handle it, but I was hoping to see what works for you guys.

Keep moving, regular stretching/rolling, drink plenty, eat a banana (or two) and if it's really bad (like after a very long run) a warm epsom salts bath.

__TMac__

Stretching. Ibuprofen.

ronocnikral

I've found not overtraining helps tremendously.

stanmann571

ronocnikral wrote: »

I've found not overtraining helps tremendously.

DOMS isn't caused by overtraining.

Overtraining isn't DOMS.

deannalfisher

warm bath/shower after; then foam rolling and stretching (do this nightly) really helps mine;

I did a half-ironman on Sunday and then drove 14hrs home on Monday, aside from some residual stiffness I'm pretty good right now because I stick to this method

pigheaded

I have DOMS all the time. The only thing I haven't tried is rolling as part of an after workout streaching, I may have to try. So far all that works for me is time. I had to change my routine to split large muscle groups so I have three days minimum between. The only time I don't get it is cardio.

ronocnikral

stanmann571 wrote: »

ronocnikral wrote: »

I've found not overtraining helps tremendously.

DOMS isn't caused by overtraining.

Overtraining isn't DOMS.

Fair enough. But, overtraining (in the many forms that exist) can lead to DOMS.

But, you get my point, don't workout to the point where DOMS enters the picture.

Rammer123

ronocnikral wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

ronocnikral wrote: »

I've found not overtraining helps tremendously.

DOMS isn't caused by overtraining.

Overtraining isn't DOMS.

Fair enough. But, overtraining (in the many forms that exist) can lead to DOMS.

But, you get my point, don't workout to the point where DOMS enters the picture.

I disagree. I have DOMS on some part of my body nearly all the time. Constantly trying new things and pushing your limits will cause you to constantly be sore. I have never had any negative effects from the soreness.

stanmann571

ronocnikral wrote: »

stanmann571 wrote: »

ronocnikral wrote: »

I've found not overtraining helps tremendously.

DOMS isn't caused by overtraining.

Overtraining isn't DOMS.

Fair enough. But, overtraining (in the many forms that exist) can lead to DOMS.

But, you get my point, don't workout to the point where DOMS enters the picture.

It's a banner day. I agree with rdi.

DOMS is a normal and healthy part of expanding your horizons and getting stronger.

Certainly you can avoid it. But there's no benefit to avoiding it.