Question about weight lifting.

awidener86

The first couple of days I added weights into my workout I felt the burn and the next day I'd be a tad bit sore, nothing bad though. The last few times I've gone I don't feel sore the next day (I kinda miss it) I've tried upping the weight to the next highest one. My question is am I supposed to be sore the next day or not? And should I increase the weight a little bit more?

semperfit1823

Increase Intensity and Volume.

iWaffle

Once your body gets used to the routine you won't feel very sore the next day. Don't take that to mean you didn't do a good job in your workout. Should you up the weight? Sure, if you can do sets with more than 10-12 reps then increase the weight a bit and see how that works. You can also try varying your routine a bit. I did some lying overhead dumbbell extensions the other day and since I don't normally do those I could really feel it the next day.

Variety is the spice of life even in the gym. Keep the stuff you know how to do but mix it up a bit. Increase the weight, do some occasional drop-sets, pick a slightly different routine. You'll feel sore some times and other times you won't but just keep doing it. It's working.

awidener86

Once your body gets used to the routine you won't feel very sore the next day. Don't take that to mean you didn't do a good job in your workout. Should you up the weight? Sure, if you can do sets with more than 10-12 reps then increase the weight a bit and see how that works. You can also try varying your routine a bit. I did some lying overhead dumbbell extensions the other day and since I don't normally do those I could really feel it the next day.

Variety is the spice of life even in the gym. Keep the stuff you know how to do but mix it up a bit. Increase the weight, do some occasional drop-sets, pick a slightly different routine. You'll feel sore some times and other times you won't but just keep doing it. It's working.

What are drop-sets?

cbrrabbit25

when you start with one amount of weight and keep lowering it in the same set until you can't even do 1 anymore. for example do curls with 15lb. dumbells, then when you are tired and cant do much more, drop it down to 12lbs. (no break in between), then 10 etc. until you cant do any more.

FullOfWin

+1 to soreness not meaning anything

-1 to changing routine for no reason

drop sets are when you knock out some reps and then drop the weight and knock out more reps with no rest. not something novice lifters really need to mess with.

cbrrabbit25

+1 to soreness not meaning anything

-1 to changing routine for no reason

drop sets are when you knock out some reps and then drop the weight and knock out more reps with no rest. not something novice lifters really need to mess with.

but then again there's no reason for her not to :-)

wolfpack77

Increase Intensity and Volume.

This.

But as other stated, the presence of soreness doesnt necessarily mean your workout wasnt effective.

iWaffle

+1 to soreness not meaning anything

-1 to changing routine for no reason

drop sets are when you knock out some reps and then drop the weight and knock out more reps with no rest. not something novice lifters really need to mess with.

but then again there's no reason for her not to :-)

No, no reason at all. Routines like that keep it interesting and keep your body guessing. Occasionally I do some small super-sets. (Doing back to back similar muscle routines) An example would be to do the dumbbell bench press and then jump straight into a set of push ups. Do some bent over dumbbell rows, and then do bicep curls. None of this is "the perfect exercise". Just find something that you like to do that's fun and varied, and throw it in the mix. You should enjoy your workouts.

If there was any one thing I would say to do it's to be able to do body-weight exercises. Push ups, pull ups, dips, lunges. Pick one of these and work at being the boss at this exercise as a side project. Having a short-term goal other than just "lifting weights" is good for you mentally and physically.

awidener86

+1 to soreness not meaning anything

-1 to changing routine for no reason

drop sets are when you knock out some reps and then drop the weight and knock out more reps with no rest. not something novice lifters really need to mess with.

but then again there's no reason for her not to :-)

No, no reason at all. Routines like that keep it interesting and keep your body guessing. Occasionally I do some small super-sets. (Doing back to back similar muscle routines) An example would be to do the dumbbell bench press and then jump straight into a set of push ups. Do some bent over dumbbell rows, and then do bicep curls. None of this is "the perfect exercise". Just find something that you like to do that's fun and varied, and throw it in the mix. You should enjoy your workouts.

If there was any one thing I would say to do it's to be able to do body-weight exercises. Push ups, pull ups, dips, lunges. Pick one of these and work at being the boss at this exercise as a side project. Having a short-term goal other than just "lifting weights" is good for you mentally and physically.

I have a short term goal that I work at every time I go to the gym (typically 3 days a week) and that is running. I up my "time" by 30 seconds every time.

FullOfWin

Different people are different. I work out to get the most results in the least amount of time spent and time passed, not to have fun while working out. So, that is the mindset I speak with.