newbie with weight lifting question?

frazzle29

Went to the gym yesterday for the first time. My arms are so sore today I can barely lift my water. SHould I go back today and work my arms again or try another body part or should I wait til my arms aren't screaming anymore? It's been a long time since I've done weights, usually just sticking to cardio but I think weights will get me where I want to be this time

KareninCanada

Wait til tomorrow. Your muscles need a day off in between to rebuild. You'll still be sore tomorrow, but it'll be okay then.

"Sore is okay, hurt is not." <-- great advice from someone on here.

wellbert

Give the muscles you worked 48 hours of rest.
It's okay to work with DOMS, though.. Just don't work an injury without talking to a doctor.

adellinger01

Hello and congrats on hitting the gym!!

I have been going to the gym for about 7 months now and although the first couple weeks I experienced a bit of soreness (the muscles have to get used to working out)
So, I would suggest alternating days on body parts.... for instance I do the following with great results. (I have gone from 237 lbs to 205 lbs with great strength increase and musle tone:

Monday: 15 minute cardio warmup then chest and tricep routine
Tuesday: 60 minute cardio workout (elliptical or treadmill i alternate)
Wednesday: Legs and shoulder workout
Thursday: 60 minute cardio
Friday: Back and bicep workout
Saturday: cardio 60 minute

It is important to give muscle groups time off - soreness will happen but keep going with rest and drinking plenty of liquids.
Good luck!!

HelloDan

Definitely rest. When you work out in the gym, the actual gains come when the body recovers afterwards, so resting is just as important as working out.

If you're going to focus on different body parts, do what has been said above and plan your workouts so that you work different body parts in each session, but still make sure you get some rest too.
However as a beginner to weight training, I would recommend you do total body sessions, with lots of compound exercises, with at least 1 rest day between each workout. Focussing on specific muscle groups is normally best once you are more advanced in working out, and cannot make the gains you need from full body exercises.