Working out while still sore from previous work out.

Tiddlypeeps
Tiddlypeeps Posts: 25 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just started a work out program at the gym on Monday.

Today is supposed to be a gym day but all of my muscles are still really sore. Should I go to the gym anyway even tho my muscles haven't healed or should I leave it another day?

I went to archery training last night so I guess that is probably responsibly for most of my muscle pain today. Drawing a 32lb recurve bow repeatedly for 90 minutes is probably more of a work out than I consider it to be in my head.

Not sure what I should be doing.

Replies

  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
    Go lift as long as the soreness passes while warming up with the lighter weights.
    If you're still sore to an extent that it's affecting your form, then you should probably stop.

    Other than that, do what you have scheduled. If most of us didn't lift when we were sore, we'd never be at the gym.
  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    Typically goes away during warm-up. Make sure you stretch really well. And like he said most of us wouldn't be in the gym if we didn't fight through the soreness. It's not going to hurt you just will feel uncomfortable for a little while.
  • ejwme
    ejwme Posts: 318
    maybe rest the bow drawing muscles, but shake the rest loose and try it. The first two weeks you'll be really sore, but as long as you get in a day or two of rest between working the same muscle groups, you're fine (you build muscle while you're resting, not while you're lifting). If anything is sharp or asymmetrical, it could be injury and should be taken seriously.
  • ChristineDiet
    ChristineDiet Posts: 719 Member
    Go lift as long as the soreness passes while warming up with the lighter weights.
    If you're still sore to an extent that it's affecting your form, then you should probably stop.

    Other than that, do what you have scheduled. If most of us didn't lift when we were sore, we'd never be at the gym.

    ^^ what he said, just make sure you are not compromising form! I ache ALL the time, but tbh once you get warmed up, you generally feel better for doing it. Just make sure you have a nice long hot bath and if your sore after maybe take some pain relief. enjoy. x
  • Tiddlypeeps
    Tiddlypeeps Posts: 25 Member
    Good to know, I was just worried I might make it more likely that I'll injure myself. I put most of my weight on when I was suffering with a hip/lower back injury so I'm terrified of either making that flair up again or injuring something else that essentially immobilises me.

    Does the time the muscles take to heal get faster the fitter you are? Or can I expect constant muscle soreness to be the norm from now on?
  • 00sarah
    00sarah Posts: 621 Member
    I always feel better afterwards, if I work out when sore. Just don't keep doing the same muscle group day after day and you should be fine!
  • 00sarah
    00sarah Posts: 621 Member
    Good to know, I was just worried I might make it more likely that I'll injure myself. I put most of my weight on when I was suffering with a hip/lower back injury so I'm terrified of either making that flair up again or injuring something else that essentially immobilises me.

    Does the time the muscles take to heal get faster the fitter you are? Or can I expect constant muscle soreness to be the norm from now on?

    You'll have to work harder to get sore!
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    My advice, get a good foam roller, and start rolling out before and after exercise. Will make a big difference to stiffness and ache :)
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    in moments like this, i never know if i'm tired or just lazy. so i go and i just warm up. if after a 10-15 minute warm up i'm still hurting and struggling, i call it quits.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    I'm a bit sore, I'm taking a day off from formal exercise. Worked out 3 days in a row, time for a rest day. If my muscles are too sore I am very grumpy at work, which for some reason most work places don't appreciate. I have been known to push through it, but seriously, if this is all about life style change and long term, why would I make working out THAT painful for me?
  • passmetheducksauce
    passmetheducksauce Posts: 211 Member
    all your muscles are sore? i hope you aren't following a full body workout plan and going to failure with each set because that's no good

    but to answer your question. don't work out when your muscles are sore, just do cardio.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    make a deal with yourself to see how you feel when you get there. if you cant do the routine you originally wanted to do, modify it to something you can. think on your feet.

    you are the master of your own destiny. (and tummy/ *kitten*)
  • seskovich
    seskovich Posts: 22
    you can work out while you're sore. sometimes its beneficial to. try doing a light warm up jog for 10 mins before your workout, and then do cardio after your work out. Stretch too. Your muscles have alot of built up lactic acid and running before and after and stretching help push that out of your muscles.
  • Tiddlypeeps
    Tiddlypeeps Posts: 25 Member
    all your muscles are sore? i hope you aren't following a full body workout plan and going to failure with each set because that's no good

    but to answer your question. don't work out when your muscles are sore, just do cardio.

    Not all of them, that was a bit of an exaggeration. Really tender along my arms, neck and all of my back. Small amounts of soreness in my legs and other areas, but barely worth mentioning tho.

    I started the stronglifts 5x5 program on Monday, I didn't really use heavy weights because I was just getting used to my form but I did do some extra reps to make up for it and for extra practice with getting the form right. Bench press was the only one I did to exhaustion because it was the one I was the most comfortable with to begin with. I'd never done squats or barbell rows before so I went easier on those. I was pretty tender going into archery yesterday evening so doing all that work on top of the soreness I had is probably why I'm really feeling it today.

    I'll probably just move my schedule around so that I don't have as much going on so close together. I was gonna do it Monday - Lift, Tuesday - Archery, Wednesday - Lift, Thursday - Archery, Friday - Lift and then rest for the weekend.

    New plan is Monday - Lift, Tuesday - Archery, Wednesday - Rest, Thursday - Archery then Lift, Friday - Rest, Saturday - Lift, Sunday - Rest. That way there is always a rest day before a lift day. Hopefully that should work out much better.
  • syrklc
    syrklc Posts: 172 Member
    My personal experience. When I am extremely sore and push myself to hard I end up injuring myself. For me it is better to rest the muscles for a day.What I have done is alternate my workouts.Instead of going to the gym - maybe go for a walk/run. Just my personal opinion. I am not an expert and everyone is different..
  • ryank737
    ryank737 Posts: 1
    When I start a new workout routine after time off, I lighten my weight and do less reps. I use the first week as a 'wake up' for my muscles. I will still get a little sore here and there but it's not bad and easily worked through. The 2nd week of my workout routine is when I really push it.

    This cycle works for me and I've been lifting off and on (mostly off) for many years.

Categories