How long do i baby my sore muscles?

ReinasWrath

Basically I'm just curious, say you did a pretty intense workout (strength training) and are sore a few days after. Should you wait until your recovered enough to be able to strength train again (as in still a little sore) or until your completely not sore anymore? I understand light cardio is still called for, right?

PBJunkie

48 hours...legs may take a few more days depending on the intensity. I can hardly make love for a good few days when working out my legs....but the results are great.

getitoffhord

Set up ur weeekly schedule and stick wit it. Soreness will subside. Make sure eaxh muscle group gets a rest.

JoceyyySmall

Unless it's painful as in like it feels like I pulled something kind of hurt I still do strength training. yeah it will be painful, but I feel like if you stop and wait for it to hurt you get in this continuous cycle of pain.

ReinasWrath

Thanks guys! I had always heard further exercise while sore would just damage muscles but I've already waited 2 days and don't want that to be a habit.

brandenocs

You power through it. Lets say you worked your arms yesterday and are really sore today... You work your back or your chest or your legs. Tomorrow you work a different muscle group. You never stop. If you're sore but don't stick to your schedule, you'll be less likely to get back on it and take more and more cheat/rest days. Your body will get used to it and the major soreness will subside with time.

Edit: If it's something like HIIT training and your legs are dying, I'd still do it. The first week or so of Insanity I was dying but you stick to the schedule it has set up.

Unknown

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sailed2japan

48-72 hours is plenty unless you over do it a little. My personal test is to give whatever muscles I'm concerned with really hard and see if it hurts. Pain=more rest.

TateFTW

Pain is a good guide to use. If a muscle is achy or sore but you've given it at least 48 hours to rest, go at it again UNLESS there is actual pain. Also pay attention to where the feeling is originating. If it's in the joints and/or tendons, then you've got other issues to deal with and pushing through soreness could get you in big trouble. If the feeling is coming from the muscle itself, then the first thing I said applies.

stenochick0417

I was actually wondering this same thing. I started a new routine at the gym Monday/Wednesday -- cardio kick (kinda like kickboxing w/ some core work/pushups mixed in) and Tuesday/Thursday is body sculpt (about 20 min of plyo and then general strength training for about 30 min and then the rest of the hour is core work, generally with weights). I did well the first night -- TONS of energy and kept up pretty good but I was (and still am) more sore than I've EVER been in my life, from head to toe. I'm a little better today but I think since I'm not working those same muscle groups each day, I'll be okay. I figure I'm asking my body to do something it's never done before and will take time to get used to. :indifferent:

ETA: I agree with sticking to a schedule, too.