Not sore after strength training

The best I've felt after lifting was when playing basketball afterwards. Now those first few shots fell waaaay short, but we kept at it for up to a half hour. It was fun, plus it helped push any lactic acid through our muscles. I also take supplements and whey protein to help recovery. I was minimally sore. Other times if I just lift and go home my muscles will kill me. I don't believe in ibuprofin for pain unless it's a pulled muscle as ibuprofin tends to block protein synthesis. No muscle soreness may be attributed to your workout regimen in the same or similar way playing basketball after my workout helped me. It sounds like you have an entire program that may incorporate cardio a bit. Couple this with how in shape you currently are and I could see how you may not feel sore.

The only time I was really in pain or sore in basic was when I pulled a hamstring. Even then I was back up and running in 4 days. Proper warm up, cool down, and nutrition were key I believe.

not being sore doesn't mean it wasn't an effective work out.

in fact, soreness can often indicate that you didn't warm up, cool down, and stretch properly.

I have been curious about this for a while. Personally, I do get sore, but I know a guy who is incredibly strong/fit who told me he very rarely gets sore. He uses zero supplements, just drinks chocolate milk post workout.

After a few months, with the exception of leg days, I almost never get sore anymore and it is not from lack of trying.

I use to get DOMS and picked up all the wives tales I heard of to try to get rid of it so not sure which one is working. What I have heard has included:

Keep hydrated (don't over do it) - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc1323290/ "We conclude that the combined deleterious effects of dehydration and hyperthermia exacerbate the signs and symptoms of DOMS in healthy males and that these findings have important consequence for athletes training and competing in hot, humid environments"

Eat something with potassium and eat something with magnesium (chocolate nanner, done) - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1150229/ "The dehydration theory suggests that decreases in body mass, blood volume, and plasma volume contribute to EAMCs.5,13,14 The serum electrolyte theory suggests decreases in the concentration of sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and/or calcium as a result of sweating (or overconsumption of water) during exercise may be causative factors in the development of EAMCs"

Stretching before and after, which i swear has helped me a ton but at the same time I don't think it's been proven - http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/2489863 <-" We concluded that static stretching and/or warm-up does not prevent DOMS resulting from exhaustive exercise."

If it's strength training, go for a walk after...I guess to keep blood flowing to said joints: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-009-1175-6?LI=true

Use your vibrator - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/41/3/145.short

foam roller/massage - http://www.kylehuntfitness.com/restoration-strategies-for-high-level-athletes/ "During the cool down period after intense anaerobic exercise, the removal of metabolic byproducts, increase of suppleness and flexibility of the muscle tissue and the fluid balance of the cell have all shown to be factors in delayed onset muscle soreness. DOMS has been known to be a detrimental factor to performance; with elevated rates of perceived muscle soreness comes decreases in flexibility, which leads to deviations in technique and movement mechanics. The use of self massage has been popularized within the fitness industry over the last five years."

Not sure which one or combination of those is what's making it work, but haven't had a problem in a few weeks now and I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and have been steadily iincreasing weight.

@CoderGal - did you just tell people to use their vibrator?

:laugh:

I was just gonna post to say thanks to all of you for sharing what you have about muscle soreness. (then I saw Sara and Coder's comments ) I had no idea if I wasn't sore I may have had an actual good workout. In the past (up until a moment ago:blushing: ) I did think the more sore I was the more intense my workout must have been for my body. Also thought the opposite, if my muscles weren't sore that my workout musta been crap.

YAY, I have learned tons in this thread, thank you!!

Again, thanks for giggle & Thanks so much for the clarification on muscles soreness!:drinker: