Thigh muscle question!

firstsip

Hey guys! I've been doing ~heavy~ lifting for about two weeks now (I use tildas because I'm a shrimpy girl, so they're hardly heavy), and I upped my reps from 5-10 to 10-12. This was all on Monday. It's not Wednesday, and the front of my thighs still feel tight/stiff (everything else feels great). No pain, just awkward tightness.

Should I skip doing anything involving my thighs today? I usually do several muscle groups (I can only go to the gym 3 days a week) every other day, but I know you're supposed to rest your muscles a certain amount after they've been pushed.

In your opinion, is it safe to squat/dead lift with these thigh symptoms? Or should I hold off on that group today?

Would you think it's okay to do cardio?

mousepaws22

I would do weights again- for instance I did weights on Sunday was still sore on Tuesday but did weights again and feel fine today. If you don't feel you can't do weights then do some cardio, I often find going for a walk loosens my legs up when they are feeling sore and tight.

chivalryder

By working your muscles again, you'll get blood flowing to them that will help them recover and loosen up faster. Perhaps consider doing lighter weights with higher reps, so you don't over-stress them.

scorpiotwinkles

As my PT would say: get right back in there and work them again! They will loosen up.

Determinednoob

Yes, you should work them again as heavy or heavier than the last time. As a side note, you may want to look at doing one of the prewritten 3 day beginner routines linked here http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/686963-large-collection-of-info-for-beginners

firstsip

Awesome! Thanks for the responses guys! My fiance was saying I should lay off a bit more, since he's been lifting a long time and swears by "waiting until they're fully repaired," but... this is my only chance to go to the gym! Plus, it's not pain--just tightness/stiffness.

sijomial

As the T-shirt wisdom says....
"Pain is just weakness leaving the body"
Seriously stiffness & tightness is fine, just warm up and it will go. Or if you are stupid like me, just ignore it!!

LorinaLynn

My quads (front of thighs, above the knees) were overly sore when I wasn't doing squats right. Make sure your weight is back on your heels instead of your toes to target your bum and the back of your thighs instead of your quads.

Yanicka1

I suggest taking tylenol one hour before lifting.

firstsip

My quads (front of thighs, above the knees) were overly sore when I wasn't doing squats right. Make sure your weight is back on your heels instead of your toes to target your bum and the back of your thighs instead of your quads.

Thanks Lorina! My fiance has been coaching me on form--it's definitely less a soreness than a stiffness. I usually do a jog or run right after lifting and have felt great, but I didn't get a chance to Monday (because I went straight to eating BBQ... oops!). I'm thinking that may have been the culprit!