When to take a day off the gym.

jenniba1
jenniba1 Posts: 5 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I did a fitness assessment yesterday at my gym. He had me doing things I dont normally do, and today I am so sore I can barely move. Do I take a day off? Or find something easy to do at the gym?

Replies

  • MissJenova
    MissJenova Posts: 258
    You can honestly do either depending on how sore you are.
    But because you said you can barely move, I would suggest taking it easy today lol

    Maybe go for a walk to keep yourself loose instead. Use the treadmill if you want, but your body will tell you when it can or cannot do more. Listen to it!
    :happy:
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    you just started yesterday. no day off. arrive 15 mins early and walk on the treadmill to get some blood flowing.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    I always work out through soreness. There's no other way to get your muscles used to the exercise. I lift supersets on my leg days- I can hardly walk for two days afterwards, yet I'm still at the gym those two days doing my normal lifting routine plus cardio.

    I only take 1 day off a week
  • Bronx_Montgomery
    Bronx_Montgomery Posts: 2,284 Member
    You just started. It is normal to be sore as your muscles are doing something they haven't done before. When I first started P90X I was so sore that i couldn't get out of bed.....LITERALLY! I still muscled through my next workout. I wasn't going to look back at excuses and I am proud of that. Stay dedicated. If you are willing to make excuses now its going to get harder down the road. If anything Stretch and walk your muscles. it will help.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    I did a fitness assessment yesterday at my gym. He had me doing things I dont normally do, and today I am so sore I can barely move.

    :noway:

    Call the police.

    Oh, wait, you meant...

    As I see it, it was a one-off training event where you probably pushed harder than normal so I'd take a day off if only to avoid injury. Just don't reward yourself with dog treats.
  • jenniba1
    jenniba1 Posts: 5 Member
    I'm not new to exercise, I've been going to the gym 5 days a week since April. He had me doing different types of things than I normally do, crossfit style things. I usually only do the elliptical, bike, treadmill, weight machines, or body pump. But yea, I cant even walk down my stairs without support! Super sore today.
  • clarkeje1
    clarkeje1 Posts: 1,641 Member
    5-6 days a week of exercise is good. I try for 6.
  • pamelak5
    pamelak5 Posts: 327 Member
    Today's workout doesn't have to be intense, and you don't have to work out every day. I started working out 3 days a week, and walked a couple miles on most non-workout days. I then kicked up to 4 days, now I have been working out 5 days a week consistently for six months. I think that at the beginning, if going to the gym six days a week seems unmanageable, you are less likely to stick with it than if you give yourself a more realistic goal to begin with. Exercising should be a fun break, not a c hore!
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    Take a day off but DO get some movement in so your muscles won't stiffen up as much. Maybe some light yoga or a walk to keep the blood flowing.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Gentle movements will help ease that soreness. Yoga, stretching, walking for leg soreness, light activity. Don't push it to the maxxx (XXXXTREME DORITOS STYLE) but do resist the urge to slump on a couch
  • deadbeatsummer
    deadbeatsummer Posts: 537 Member
    I don't agree with the advice other people are giving you. When you use your muscles they create little tears to make themselves stronger. Your muscles need time to repair and get better. At most, go for a walk to loosen them up and warm your muscles.
    Definitely do some stretching exercises and make sure to stretch out properly after exercise sessions in the future.

    If you don't give the muscles time to repair they won't be strong again for the next workout. It's called DOMS.. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and usually occurs 24 hours after exercise and can last up to 2-3 days.

    The more you exercise the easier it gets and your muscles will take less time to repair.

    Don't do too much too soon, it's a marathon not a sprint.
  • RikanSoulja
    RikanSoulja Posts: 463 Member
    The best way to get rid of soreness is to get your muscles moving. Go back to the gym and do some moderate to light exercises would be my advice
  • bigknight78
    bigknight78 Posts: 57
    you just started yesterday. no day off. arrive 15 mins early and walk on the treadmill to get some blood flowing.

    Best response yet
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I don't believe in working out every day, anyway. I go three times a week normally.
  • tubaman58
    tubaman58 Posts: 151
    Do a light workout (walk on the treadmill) use the whirlpool if they have one...
    This is mainly to keep the good habbit of going to the gym
  • guardian419
    guardian419 Posts: 391 Member
    Google DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Great info in the wikipedia page.

    What I typically do is stretch 2-3 times on the day that I do a new workout. Once right after the workout, once in the hot shower (muscles are relaxed) and then again shortly before I go to bed. I also increase my water intake a lot. Typically I'll still be a little sore (if at all) the next day, but then I go to the gym, and while I'm not doing the same exact exercise (1 day lift, next day cardio) I make a point to use those same muscles to help 'work away' the soreness.

    I'd recommend going back to the gym, and getting a good warmup in not just for the soreness, but every day. You improve the best when your muscles are already tired (triggers your body's response by showing it you need more/better muscle in that area)
  • VorJoshigan
    VorJoshigan Posts: 1,106 Member
    Walk it off! :smile:
  • Gl4ever
    Gl4ever Posts: 36 Member
    I say you stretch it out and keep going, and you will get use to it. If you are really sore take a bath in some Episome Salt then go again. When i go to the gym i go 5-6 days a week so only 1 or 2 days break
  • Hellbent_Heidi
    Hellbent_Heidi Posts: 3,669 Member
    Do something lighter just to keep your body moving and muscles loose, but don't take it off completely if you can help it.
  • ashlielinn
    ashlielinn Posts: 920
    I'm not new to exercise, I've been going to the gym 5 days a week since April. He had me doing different types of things than I normally do, crossfit style things. I usually only do the elliptical, bike, treadmill, weight machines, or body pump. But yea, I cant even walk down my stairs without support! Super sore today.

    When I tried crossfit for the first time, I was the same way. I literally couldn't move. My legs would give out just trying to walk (and I wasn't moving very fast since I was so sore and stiff!). I had to take a few days off of my normal routine. The first two days I stretched as much as I could and still did my walk to and from work. After that I tried to fit in more walking until I was confident I could run without falling over in the middle of it haha listen to your body :)
  • kramalicious
    kramalicious Posts: 143
    I found that for me, some of the soreness you just have to work through. Since you've been working out for a while, you have a choice, but be prepared to get back after it after you skip a day. When I first started working with my trainer, my quads hurt so much afterwards that it hurt when my dog put his head on my lap. It took me about three weeks till I didn't get sore - that's what working with a trainer is about, exploring new limits. I would just tell mine I was still sore and we'd work a plan anyway. Just know that this will pass and commit to it anyway- harder exercise means better results.
  • FullOfWin
    FullOfWin Posts: 1,414 Member
    Right now I take 4 days off every week.
  • jenniba1
    jenniba1 Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks everyone for your help/advice!
  • Leadfoot_Lewis
    Leadfoot_Lewis Posts: 1,623 Member
    you just started yesterday. no day off. .

    Exactly. No excuses - suck it up and get to the gym. I usually get pretty bad DOMS when I work my legs and I've found that running the following day is the best remedy. Moving is the best thing you can do.

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