What do you do about muscle soreness?

I do 3 things. I do a quick 10-15 minute (depends on how long I hold the stretches) yoga routing that stretches out my whole body and relaxes before I go to sleep. I sleep deeper, wake up less sore/stiff, and it feels great. I also add a little bit of arnica oil to the body lotion I use at night (I have separate ones for day and night, but obviously this isn't necessary). It helps a lot. I originally used it for a sore knee I had (my doc recommended it since I didn't like to take pills) and I loved it so much I just started using it all over. The last thing I do is make my own "supplements". It's not really supplements. It's just plain old turmeric that you buy in the spice aisle put into gelatin capsules. I actually use it for my costochondritis, but I noticed that it really helps with muscle soreness. I always have a big thing of turmeric around anyways so it's a nice way to use it up.

Foam roller. It changed my life, get one now!

I have found swimming laps helps any and all aches and pains, injuries, arthritis, etc. It is AMAZING! Wish I had known about this sooner!

I just stretch a lot, and I take a magnesium supplement which seems to help a bit as well.

Oh and I heard a hot bath can help, too.

Today is cardio day and if I don't do anything about this, I'll have to miss my workout! What can I do to reduce the soreness?

You can't (and shouldn't) do anything about it today.

Google "lactic acid" and when you next squat, warm up/cool down and stretch.

This is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and it's a b*tch.

What really helps me is foam rolling. Stretching and light cardio also helps.
If it's really bad have some ibuprofen.

I read recently that Ibuprofen interferes with the rebuilding of your muscle tissue and hence you won't get stronger as quickly. It sounds like the OP is sore enough for Ibuprofen to be worth it but if someone needs to take it regularly they are probably overdoing their training.

This happened to me when I started my squat routine. Even when I lay down I had to turn over veerrrryy slowly xD
Unless it's an injury, I'd recommend just pushing through with your next workout. The only thing that cured my soreness was exercise.

I dont do resistane or toning yet I am focussed on cardio at the moment ...

... but where I am cycling 5-6 days in a row I get very sore achey thighs I found the most effective thing to help them is to carry on cycling and push on through. I find after 10 minutes the soreness has gone completely and when I get home Il have a nice relaxing bath and a good stretch

I used to go to the gym and had weights programme, it made me so achey I couldnt lift my arms the next day, but 3 weeks in I barely ached at all. I only got achey when I went up a weight,

So I guess what I am saying is percieverance (sorry cant spell) Not sure what your cardio is today but if your really sore why not switch a run to a bike ride / long walk?

Have a good stretch afterwards, and try getting some protein in ASAP afterwards, ideally within 30 mins. I usually just down a glass of semi milk. Foam rollers also will work wonders and as a professional dancer I couldn't live without one.

I do 3 things. I do a quick 10-15 minute (depends on how long I hold the stretches) yoga routing that stretches out my whole body and relaxes before I go to sleep. I sleep deeper, wake up less sore/stiff, and it feels great. I also add a little bit of arnica oil to the body lotion I use at night (I have separate ones for day and night, but obviously this isn't necessary). It helps a lot. I originally used it for a sore knee I had (my doc recommended it since I didn't like to take pills) and I loved it so much I just started using it all over. The last thing I do is make my own "supplements". It's not really supplements. It's just plain old turmeric that you buy in the spice aisle put into gelatin capsules. I actually use it for my costochondritis, but I noticed that it really helps with muscle soreness. I always have a big thing of turmeric around anyways so it's a nice way to use it up.

Thank you for sharing this, I love natural remedies. One of the reasons I set out to lose weight was so I could get off of my chol. and blood-pressure meds. I did!

You have stretched muscles possibly prior to "warming up" ... normally rest is a good remedy... but "warming up" prior to stretching prevents much of the "after pain" Remember to "warm up and gently stretch" before getting into your routine...:happy:

Work out again. Seriously, nothing is better for soreness than more activity as long as you aren't actually injured or have inflammation of the connective tissues.

Do some research into periodization and see how you can rotate the type of exercise you do for all the same muscle groups and still see consistent gains and fitness with far less soreness. Also look into active rest,which is basically what you are doing with a properly periodized workout.

IE
Day 1 Maximal Strength squats (low reps, high weight)
Day 2 Conditioning or middle/long distance running
Day 3 Explosive Strength lifting (Olympic lifts, box jumps, dumbbell snatches, etc)
Day 4 Conditioning or middle/long distance running
Day 5 Rest.
You are working the legs every day, but using them in different ways. Each neuro-muscular system is actually getting rest while a different one is working, all while you are getting a LOT of blood flow through the muscles to flush waste products and deliver nutrients for faster healing.

Aside from that, proper warmup, stretching, and cooldown with plenty of water and appropriate post-workout nutrition. And yes, foam rollers are quite awesome. If you are feeling brave, get something like the Rumble Roller. It's VERY painful while you are doing it, if you're doing it right, but it works wonders.

Have you heard of a fitball roller? I got one in argos for 12 euro. Its a long foam roller. I get my husband to roll it over my legs after a good workout. It has definitely helped loosen my muscles. It does be sore but its worth it