How Sore Should I Be, Really?

joakool
joakool Posts: 434 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
A little background: I am currently training for a 1/2 Marathon and the program calls for two days a week of cross training. I've decided I wanted to start doing more exercises with weights because I want more upper body definition than I get from running. I am really lost as to where to begin, so I went to a personal trainer. I LOVED the 1/2 hour session. I gained a lot of information and learned a lot of new exercises. I am ultimately looking to do exercises at home (with a few store-bought items like kettle bells, body bar, boxing equip., etc).

My question: I've seen the trainer for two weeks now on Wednesdays. I am still sore on Sundays. I mean REALLY sore. I wake up at night because my arm will throb with pain. I understand the body needs to be stressed to see results. However, don't you have to let the body repair before you stress it more? Because I want to do these exercises 2 - 3 days a week and I'm "repairing" all week. LOL.

Am I overdoing it? Is this amount of pain normal? Would I benefit from less stressful exercises more times a week or more stressful less times a week? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • zeta30
    zeta30 Posts: 40
    If you aren't used to strength training then yes you will be sore, my wife and I let someone work out with us one time on a leg day and they didn't come back to the gym for a week because they said they were too sore. They never asked to work out with us again though.

    Another factor is that trainers tend to work you harder than what most people will do on their own. Once you get used to it you will become less sore and the soreness may even stop one day but it takes time. One of my friends has been going to a trainer once/week for over a year and she still gets sore every time, but again she is working harder with the trainer than she does on her own.

    So after your sessions with the trainer lift a little lighter until you get used to the routine and aren't quite as sore.
  • Sqeekyjojo
    Sqeekyjojo Posts: 704 Member
    Speak to your trainer. He might be pushing a bit too hard because he wants quick results in just one session a week, so you'll be happy and see a difference straight away. If you explain that you can't function, he should be able to reduce the intensity.

    Personally, having been there, done the I can't even scratch my nose for the rest of the week workouts - and had the plantar fasciitis and shin splints, plus a torn rotator cuff - I now go for just enough that I feel it in the morning. My resting heart rate has plummeted, I'm doing stuff that would have been impossible just weeks ago. And I always always always always always warm up and cool down properly.
  • majoki
    majoki Posts: 151 Member
    I have been sore for many days after workouts; however, I've never been woken up by "throbbing pain." If it's so bad that it's affecting your sleep, then it's an issue. I second talking to your trainer about it.
  • joakool
    joakool Posts: 434 Member
    Thank you for the input. I didn't think it was normal to be in this much pain. I'm not one to complain either, so it really is bothering me. I will talk to the trainer about it, too. I just didn't want her to think I was being a baby. LOL.

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