Should I have gone to the gym?

Lois_1989

Ok, basic background. I normally go to the gym on Monday mornings, Thursday evenings and Saturday at some point. But I chose this week to join Body Pump for a bit of variety on Monday morning. Since Tuesday morning I've been in pain. Sitting and standing up like I'm heavily pregnant and walking like C3PO.
This morning I was still a little stiff and its gym day, as I normally go after work, based on how I felt this morning I chose not to go through fear of damaging muscles or prolonging muscle repair. However, now I've got home I feel like I should have pushed myself to go. Did I do the right thing? Or should I have gone?

Midori_i

You haven't gone and that's that. No reason to obsess over spilt milk. Of course it's not a good idea to do more weight training when you're already super sore. But what you could do next time this happens: cardio. Run, use the crosstrainer, or anything of the like... Why not go and do that tomorrow?

Lois_1989

Sorry, I forgot to specify. I normally do cardio in the gym, which was why I chose to do body pump for variety.

RiannonC

When you're sore the very best thing for your muscles is to get them warmed up again! You don't want to work the same muscles hard but as the other poster said some cardio and then stretching after will make your muscles feel a lot better than doing nothing.

MaraDiaz

Why not stretch a bit and do a short workout at home then?

Lois_1989

You haven't gone and that's that. No reason to obsess over spilt milk. Of course it's not a good idea to do more weight training when you're already super sore. But what you could do next time this happens: cardio. Run, use the crosstrainer, or anything of the like... Why not go and do that tomorrow?

Unfortunately, I'm at uni all day tomorrow. maybe I'll do extra on Saturday. I just didn't know if it was ok to do cardio on sore muscles, would you benefit or make it worse kind of thing.

bcf7683

Former BodyPumper here. I remember how crappy I felt the next day after my first class. I worked through the pain.... I could tell it was just muscle soreness from lack of activity, so I worked through it. Typically, you can tell whether it's muscle soreness or an actual muscle issue that needs medical attention. I'd say it's probably just soreness- which is OK to work through.

iLoveMyPitbull1225

you could take a walk or something? I completely understand how you feel though. i love the "I stood up from a chair like I was heavily pregnant" lol I so have done that.

krisiepoo

It's your body, learn to listen to it.

If you feel you coulda done something, pop in a DVD workout video

Midori_i

Cardio on sore muscles is okay!

I love doing body pump, too, and usually switch it up with running or other cardio. For some reason, I feel especially good when I run after a "leg day", when my legs are already sore. You'd think it'd be harder then... Can't explain it, but it's good. ^^

Good thing you asked though - next time you'll know just to go to the gym anyway.

Lois_1989

Former BodyPumper here. I remember how crappy I felt the next day after my first class. I worked through the pain.... I could tell it was just muscle soreness from lack of activity, so I worked through it. Typically, you can tell whether it's muscle soreness or an actual muscle issue that needs medical attention. I'd say it's probably just soreness- which is OK to work through.

Aahhhh, feel a tad guilty now. Ok, well lesson learnt. Thursday will remain gym night!

moustache_flavored_lube

Doing cardio on sore muscles is absolutely ok

Don't try to get a personal best when you are sore.

Working out when sore will make you feel better imediatly and train your muscles to recover faster.

Give a muscle 48 hours of rest and easy work between sessions of resistance training

nturner612

im a bit confused...doesnt take much......but general rule of thumb, take a day off and hit the weights again. yes, u will b sore and it will hurt but then itll go away and u can continue to work ur way to being fabolous

EmilyOfTheSun

Workout a different muscle group instead of those that are still sore if you feel it's too much.

Muddy_Yogi

The answer to this question is always yes. No matter what the situation, and if you didn't go you should go now.

bcf7683

Former BodyPumper here. I remember how crappy I felt the next day after my first class. I worked through the pain.... I could tell it was just muscle soreness from lack of activity, so I worked through it. Typically, you can tell whether it's muscle soreness or an actual muscle issue that needs medical attention. I'd say it's probably just soreness- which is OK to work through.

Aahhhh, feel a tad guilty now. Ok, well lesson learnt. Thursday will remain gym night!

Haha I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. Just sayin that you won't seriously hurt yourself if you work out through a little soreness

Lois_1989

Working out when sore will make you feel better imediatly and train your muscles to recover faster.

Ooh, I did not know that! I would like fast recovery! Thank you!

Learnt many things in the space of 10 mins! You are all so lovely! Thank you!

Natihilator

Part of improving your fitness is learning to distinguish between regular muscle soreness and real pain from an injured muscle or ligament, and also knowing your body's limits. One person will tell you to rest if your soreness is "intense" and another will tell you to push through it and workout, but only you can feel what your body is going through. If you can't bend over to put on your socks without extreme discomfort and soreness, maybe skip Body Pump that night and go for a long walk instead. Just make sure you are not using it as an excuse to be completely inactive.

Lois_1989

Former BodyPumper here. I remember how crappy I felt the next day after my first class. I worked through the pain.... I could tell it was just muscle soreness from lack of activity, so I worked through it. Typically, you can tell whether it's muscle soreness or an actual muscle issue that needs medical attention. I'd say it's probably just soreness- which is OK to work through.

Aahhhh, feel a tad guilty now. Ok, well lesson learnt. Thursday will remain gym night!

Haha I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. Just sayin that you won't seriously hurt yourself if you work out through a little soreness

Ha ha I don't blame you! :flowerforyou:

serenapitala

Why not stretch a bit and do a short workout at home then?

This

DrMAvDPhD

Light cardio might have helped loosen thingis up. You can still do this at home, just go for a long walk. Stretch out. From now on I recommend drinking more water, warming up before and cooling down after the class (again, light cardio), and soaking in hot bath with Espom salts after the workout. Also, taking a few anti-inflammatory pills (ibuprofen) should help. Hopefully it gets better!

jstout365

I was doing pump Tues & Thursday with a HIIT class on Sat & Mon and would be sore and tight, but I still went and just eased up on the intensity or weight. Working out the sore muscles always made them feel better. Don't worry about this week. Lesson learned and now you will be in the gym even with some soreness!

Lois_1989

I was doing pump Tues & Thursday with a HIIT class on Sat & Mon and would be sore and tight, but I still went and just eased up on the intensity or weight. Working out the sore muscles always made them feel better. Don't worry about this week. Lesson learned and now you will be in the gym even with some soreness!

Indeed I will! Can I ask, what is HIIT?

krhn

You could of gone to do some light weights and a bit of cardio... It would have numbed the soreness down but taking a days rest is its as beneficial if you hit the gym hard on the next round! Good luck.

maryd523

I was doing pump Tues & Thursday with a HIIT class on Sat & Mon and would be sore and tight, but I still went and just eased up on the intensity or weight. Working out the sore muscles always made them feel better. Don't worry about this week. Lesson learned and now you will be in the gym even with some soreness!

Indeed I will! Can I ask, what is HIIT?

High Intensity Interval Training. You push yourself to the limit and then scale it way back in a set of intervals, it's supposed to be incredible for improving your fitness and burning fat.