Thigh Muscles SO sore- Can hardly move!

deadbambi
deadbambi Posts: 368
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,
so I've been doing thigh pilates videos for awhile, and zumba (which i find burns my thighs if I bend my knees and work hard enough) and then I recently tried out the machines at the gym for the first time ever, and did 2 thigh machines-- This is all 3 days in a row.

And my inner thighs are UNBEARABLY sore! I couldn't even sleep last night because they're sore at any angle, no matter where I put my legs. Just sitting at my chair right now is incredibly painful--

Is it normal to be THAT sore? also, I was supposed to go do some Cardio and Ab machines tonight-- is that a good idea even though my inner thighs feel like they have knives in them???

Totally not a dramatization lol, this is the worst pain I've ever felt :frown:

Replies

  • mattketring
    mattketring Posts: 6
    Soreness and pain are two important distinctions. Do your muscles feel worked out, or do they feel like you hurt them?

    But yeah, usually when I do new leg workouts or significantly increase the weights, they get really really sore. I would give it a few days. Keep working out if you can, but don't overdo it and hurt yourself! Listen to your body.
  • richardheath
    richardheath Posts: 1,276 Member
    If the pain is kind of general - all over your thighs - it is probably just DOMS - delayed onset muscle soreness. Totally normal when you start a new routine like that. Take some ibuprofen and carry on (although rest the legs for a day or 2 to recover).

    If it is more of a sharp pain in a certain location, especially if it is only on one side of your body, you might have pulled a muscle or strained a tendon. In this case, rest, ice, compress and elevation (RICE) till it feels better.... which can be weeks.
  • deadbambi
    deadbambi Posts: 368
    It doesn't feel like an injury or like it's painful, but it's the sorest I've ever felt in my whole life :p Just sitting at my office chair is painful. There seems to be no position they're comfortable in, it's a constant ache :p
  • Riemersma4
    Riemersma4 Posts: 400 Member
    Pain is weakness leave the body.

    Sweat is fat crying....

    Best!
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    I've been there. The most sore I've ever been in my life was my calves from snowboarding after I hadn't done anything active in a while. I literally could barely walk, walking down stairs was a nightmare.

    Ibuprofen should help a little, drink a lot of water, get up and move around as much as you can, gently stretch the sore muscles, massaging is supposed to help a lot too.
  • michellewelch2010
    michellewelch2010 Posts: 147 Member
    Advil, epsom salt bath followed by lots of A535 slatthered on! I have also found swimming after a hard leg workout helps me from having really sore muscles the next day too.
  • deadbambi
    deadbambi Posts: 368
    @michellewelch I actually am planning on going swimming tomorrow, so I hope that helps with the pain a little. Then a nice soak in the hot tub.

    But my biggest concern, is that if it's safe or not to workout tonight? I'm supposed to be focusing on abs today.
  • mattketring
    mattketring Posts: 6
    Soreness of your thighs shouldn't affect your ab workouts. It'll be tough for sure, but it's not dangerous.
  • zoober
    zoober Posts: 226 Member
    I know what you mean. If I lay off for a week then go back, I get a less intense version of the aches and pains all in the same places as when I used the body to exercise the first time. They are like old friends. Ibuprofen is good. Bengay can give you some relief, or google "muscle pain cream" to see what else is available these days. But the best thing is rest and heat, don't overtrain. It's good to be ambitious, but the body needs time to repair itself and build the muscle back up, especially after weight training. Soon, you'll be ripping through your routine like an animal. Good luck.
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I'm the queen of DOMS...here's my suggestions.

    1)Take an epsome salt bath, as hot as you can stand it

    2) Ibuprofen is your new friend

    3) sometimes sports rub feels so good

    4) get a foam roller or something to rub those muscles down with

    5) light cardio, the more you move the less you hurt. I sit at a desk all day, and that's when DOMS kills me the most. Just getting out of my chair takes some effort, but if I walk around for a bit, I don't feel so terrible.

    6) I have recently discovered yoga. I do it inbetween heavy lifting days (plus cardio) and it seems to help

    7) Edit to add: don't forget your protein...it really does make a world of difference. I don't have protein powder, so I have fried eggs and toast right after I lift.

    :flowerforyou:
  • GoMizzou99
    GoMizzou99 Posts: 512 Member
    A 3-5 minute warm-up before working out and stretching out to restore length to the tight muscles after the workout seems to help me. I am still sore the next day or two, but I no longer experience the acute soreness that you are describing.
  • jbee27
    jbee27 Posts: 356 Member
    Foam roller!! Get one and youtube some videos on how to use it.

    When you use it after working out or running, I've found it significantly cuts down on my soreness (and it's great for preventing injury, especially in your IT band).
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    You have DOMS from the sounds of it and i'm feeling ya right now trust me.

    "Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), also called muscle fever, is the pain and stiffness felt in muscles several hours to days after unaccustomed or strenuous exercise.

    The soreness is felt most strongly 24 to 72 hours after the exercise. It is thought to be caused by eccentric (lengthening) exercise, which causes microtrauma to the muscle fibers. After such exercise, the muscle adapts rapidly to prevent muscle damage, and thereby soreness, if the exercise is repeated." - Wikipedia

    Just think, next time you go to the gym and do the same exercise it shouldn't be as bad. ;) Epsom salt soak, ibuprofen, and TIME baby TIME.
  • LoriFernFroehlich
    LoriFernFroehlich Posts: 7
    my gym gave us a lunge and squat week - I'm old - I HURT!!

    PROTEIN is your friend after a workout. Whether you do a protein shake or simply eat an egg. It REALLY makes a difference!

    STRETCH!!!! Before and AFTER your workout!!!! Be sure to do a little cool down before just stopping the workout. It gives your muscles time to adjust.

    Be sure to drink 1/2 your weight in ounces of WATER ! It helps your body flush, your blood flow - EVERYTHING is better when you drink enough WATER!
  • LoriFernFroehlich
    LoriFernFroehlich Posts: 7
    And stretching off and on during the day after you notice soreness also helps. Keeping the muscles moving:)
  • SapiensPisces
    SapiensPisces Posts: 992 Member
    DOMS can be rather uncomfortable and painful, but the best thing I've found is to stay active throughout the day. Sitting down a lot or remaining stagnant can make the pain a lot worse.
  • deadbambi
    deadbambi Posts: 368
    It's hard to remain active when you have a desk job from 9-6!
    but I'll try my best.

    Thank you for the advice everyone!

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