Am I lifting wrong?

jillyt85

I started a strength training program a couple weeks ago. I do it Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and I lift as heavy as I can while still trying to keep the proper form. I'm working hard and it takes everything I have to lift that last rep, but I'm not feeling that sore feeling the next day or even the next. Am I doing something wrong? Are you supposed to always feel sore if you're doing it right?

dtpss188

So many varying opinions so please consider all. First, congratulations on your consistency. Initially, I would think you should have some soreness. Most of us who enjoy weights "look" for some soreness from time to time. I don't think it is good to feel sore after every workout. From time to time, find ways to "switch it up" - that is, alter your workout to find a new challenge throught your weight training. After a switch you might expect to have some renewed soreness. But then make sure you have adequate recovery time. I hope my humble thoughts are helpful.

jillyt85

I was sore after the first two workouts, but I don't feel that anymore. I can't lift any heavier without breaking my form so I know it's not that. My workouts are different each day. Monday is completely different from Wednesday which is different from Fridays workout. I think I feel the TINIEST bit of soreness, but not like I used to. Maybe my form isn't quite as good as I think it is. I like feeling that soreness from time to time to know something is happening. I did lose 3.5 inches this past month, so maybe that means something is working?

rileysowner

It really depends. I have lifted on and off since I was in my teens. Often when I switch up the program I will be sore the next day, but after a week or two not so much. Sometimes I expected to be very sore because my muscles were like jello following the workout, but was just fine. Other times I didn't expect to be sore, and the next day the muscles were so tight I could barely move.

Having said that, how many repetitions are you doing at that heavy weight?

MrDude_1

Muscle soreness is NOT the sign of a good workout. Its just a side effect that does wear off.

Once you start lifting hard on a regular basis... the effect of DOMS kinda tapers off until you're not sore all the time anymore.

jillyt85

It has me doing 2 sets of 12-15 reps, but some I lift so heavy that I can only get to 10 reps, others, I can get to 15.

Sl1ghtly

Muscle soreness is NOT the sign of a good workout. Its just a side effect that does wear off.

Once you start lifting hard on a regular basis... the effect of DOMS kinda tapers off until you're not sore all the time anymore.

Yup.

Continual strength gains are a better indicator of proper lifting.

treetop57

DOMS = Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delayed_onset_muscle_soreness