Working out with sore muscle (or shall I wait)?

butterfly_2019

Hi All

I did a weight session on Wednesday having not done weights for about 4-5 weeks and I'm sore...like stiff legs sore, walking up/down stairs sore etc...Shall I wait another day or two before repeating my weight session until the muscle soreness has gone down a bit?

Thanks

Chieflrg

In general I wouldn't stop training because of DOMS or soreness. Too much benefits of training compared to not.

What I suggest is to find a combination of ROM, load, stance, grip that allows you to train.

Its been my experience that almost everybody feels better physically and mentally immediately during and after training if you use proper load management.

whmscll

I usually lift every other day, whether or not I’m sore, unless I’ve REALLY overdone something. A bit sore is fine, a lot sore probably needs one more rest day. But it’s different for everyone. Listen to your body.

quiksylver296

Lifting with sore muscles usually makes mine feel better, faster.

MikePTY

If you've taken the proper amount of rest, you're okay to work out even when you are sore. In fact often working out can help with soreness. However, if you are so sore that you don't feel like you'll be able to do the necessary movements of the workout to a satisfactory level, I would hold off until you at least have that mobility.

keithwp99

That was a pretty long (IMO) lay off. Soreness was to be expected.

Skipping the next wo unless you are in serious pain and range of motion / safety / form is compromised, go ahead and lift. Nothing to say you can't do a good upper body wo instead.

Also, as part of your warm up, foam roll lightly, 5 min warm up jump rope or stationary bike (warm up core) and dynamic stretches esp on those areas that are sore will get you ready to lift. I just turned 59 and good adequate warm ups for trail running AND strength training are essential, IMO (again).

Good luck!

Azdak

Unless the soreness is so bad it is affecting your form, you should be fine (if not comfortable). The damage was done in the first workout. Lifting again might delay full (completely pain free) recovery by a couple of days, but you won’t hurt yourself further.

sgt1372

I personally don't like working out when sore but there should no problem doing so UNLESS you are actually injured.

If the soreness is chronic and doesn't go away on its own then you may have an injury and should stop using the affected body part, as much as possible, and consult a physician to assess the problem.

Momjogger

I alternate body parts, so one part may be sore, but I am working out a different part. I usually space my weight training out so on alternate days I do cardio. For example, I usually do shoulders and lower body one day, biceps and triceps another, and back and chest a third. I do cardio in between, so it's 3 days of cardio and three days of weights and all body parts are covered. Core I fit in as often as I can.