Sore after exercise?

Hello,

Just wondering...I've been doing more strength recently and I've got sore muscles! I did a class on Monday which was an hour, still sore today (Wednesday) which was due to be my next gym day (cardio). Should I be working through the pain or leave it until I feel a bit recovered? I mean, technically that means only working out Monday & Thursday or Monday/Thurs/Sat at a push, whereas I'd really like to be in the gym 4-5 times a week.

Replies

  • kgeiger141
    kgeiger141 Posts: 78 Member
    Usually you're only going to be super sore if you don't stretch enough. Make sure you are holding each stretch for 30 seconds!!!

    Don't work out the same muscle group two days in a row, but you definitely don't have to wait 2-3 days if your just sore.

    If you're in PAIN, that's a different story. You may have pulled something or injured something. Try stretching really well after your next workout and see how you feel. If you feel any sort of pain, I would see a doctor if it persists. If you're in PAIN, don't work out.

    If you're just sore, you're good to go!
  • Stretch more and get some Glutamine into you after the workout. It will help with the soreness. So will taking BCAA's before. Those are miracle workers. And as long as it is muscle pain, work through it. Just make sure you aren't working the same muscles back to back. Give them some rest time.
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    I'm usually sore after starting a new exercise. Generally, I work through the sorenes. It's a nice reminder that I'm doing the right thing for myself.
  • You're going to get some DOMS (muscle soreness) when you overload your muscles with any activity. Stretching can help avoid the worst of it, as can being properly hydrated and getting enough protein for your muscles to rebuild themselves. Warm baths, massage, and NSAIDS (ibuprofin, etc) can help alleviate symptoms that are already upon you.

    Stretching should be done AFTER an exercise, not before. Stretching before an exercise, despite what we were told for years, has been shown to have no positive effect, and potential negative effects, upon possibility of injury during activity.
  • micheleb15
    micheleb15 Posts: 1,418 Member
    Cardio may help loosen some of the soreness that you have. After cardio spend a little while stretching too while your muscles are warm. I spend a lot of time being sore from my workouts, some worse than others, but I try to keep active. It's worse when I stay stagnant.
  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I was sore for about 5 days when I started my strength training, just worked right through it
  • Eat or drink something high in protein after and stretching the day of and the next day cannot be stressed enough
  • I saw someone mentioned this, but Glutamine powder is great for getting rid of the lactic acid in your muscles after training. It's tasteless so you can just put it in water and drink it down. Good luck to you!
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    I'm always sore... just means I'm doing a great job :D (look at my pics) GO BIG OR GO HOME!

    If it's too sore, soak in some epsom salt and have a piece of chocolate after you workout - sounds crazy, but it helps relax the muscles.... also bananas are good for potassium...

    make sure you stretch at least 30 seconds each muscle group.

    hope that helps!
  • miqisha
    miqisha Posts: 1,534 Member
    If the pain is unbearable then rest, however if not then work through it. If you keep up your strength training, then you will have soreness periodically because you probably will always be pushing yourself. I am on month 3 of cross-fit and still have sore days, because you either increase your weights or push yourself to go harder

    Good luck
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    1.) being sore means you worked hard.

    This is incorrect.

    Being sore just means you used muscles you haven't worked hard in a while- or in that fashion. I get sore maybe every couple of weeks when I change my workout- or do someone else's workout.

    2.) just workout. being sore won't kill you.