Sore after workout?

evandmegsmom

If you're super sore the day after a workout, but you only want to take one day off a week, what do you do? Yoga? Walking? I always wondered this with the contestants on the Biggest Loser. They must be DYING the day after that first workout! Just curious....thanks!

RGPargy

Yoga or Pilates based exercises would probably be good to stretch out the muscles!

ChessRonin

Just simple stretching, as in focused, 60 second stretches, and light, deliberate body movements to get the muscles working slightly. Also, something like light swimming is perfect.

skinnyb450

I usually just go for a slow walk around the neighbourhood - its when you sit still your muscles freeze up - Hope they feel better soon P.S. Make sure you drink your water during and after your work out - you could try a protein drink after working out too

Smurph241

A gentle swim helps me, although still using loads of muscles and getting good cardio the warm water seems to help and so does the exercise.

Good luck

SHBoss1673

depends, different people define "sore" differently. As a former college football and rugby player, my definition of sore is a lot different than others. As a trainer, I tolerate these moderate aches and pains and recognize them as part of the process. If you can begin your normal exercise routine, and most of the soreness goes away, you can work through it, but if it persists or worsens, stop, and do something lighter, or give yourself an extra day and think about dialing down the workout that gave you that soreness until your body can handle it a little better. This is called DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and is common for new exercise programs. Usually this is just a function of muscle recovery. Make sure, during this period, you feed your body. Basically your body is telling you "I'm repairing, tread lightly and give me the resources to fix what's been worn down." Especially important is to make sure you get plenty of sleep, sleep is when most of the repair work is done on your body. Which is why many times, the morning after a particularly hard workout, you feel so stiff and sore, that's because all that newly repaired muscle needs to be shaken down (like the maiden voyage of a new ship) to work the kinks out. Also make sure you stretch before any workout, but it's even more vital before these days as these muscles need to be activated and warmed up so they aren't damaged. Lastly, it's a good idea to NOT do the same workout that gave you the soreness 2 days in a row, do something that uses other muscle groups if possible, give those muscles a chance to recover. This is why you never weight train the same muscle group 2 days in a row, your rate of return is much lower if you do, repairing muscles can't work as hard as well-rested muscles.

FYI, this is totally different from the immediate soreness you receive after an intense workout that goes away in a few hours.