How sore is sore enough for muscle building?

alaxsweetness
alaxsweetness Posts: 11
in Fitness and Exercise
What I'm doing: 5-7 days of the week I do about 20-30 minutes of various pilates or muscle burning moves that work my arms, abs (including obliques and lower), back, butt, and legs. Usually if I do 20 minutes I do 10 minutes working everything and the other 10 minutes is focused on a specific area, usually abs or legs/butt. I try to switch up the moves I do but there are definitely favorites.

I am not normally sore the next day because I am particular about stretching out the muscles really well right after I work them and usually a few hours to 12 hours later. Should I be sore? How sore is too sore?

What is enough to build a little bit of muscle? I'm not looking for crazy results or body building results, I just would like a little more muscle definition that could help me out in other cardio workouts or daily activities.

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    There is no causal link between muscle building and soreness.
  • CA_Underdog
    CA_Underdog Posts: 733 Member
    When working the lower body, be sure to stop a set if your legs shake, as working further is counter-productive. (You presumably will use your legs extensively between workouts, and don't want to risk injury.)
  • Samby_v1
    Samby_v1 Posts: 202 Member
    What is enough to build a little bit of muscle? I'm not looking for crazy results or body building results, I just would like a little more muscle definition that could help me out in other cardio workouts or daily activities.

    To build muscle you'll need to eat more than your maintenance calories and lift heavy. For muscle definition, i.e. to see the muscle, you'll have to get rid of some of the fat covering it, so eat less than your main calories. And lift heavy ;)

    Soreness usually means your muscles aren't used to what you're doing. Most people believe in lifting 3 times per week, with rest days in-between, so soreness is fine unless it's too debilitating to work out.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    As above, I wouldn't use soreness as a afactor, unless it's causing you problems.

    Typically you'll want to work in the 5-12 rep range - where on your last set you can only just complete that rep range.

    More than that and you're talking muscular endurance, rather than hypertrophy (making muscles bigger).
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    GOTTA GET THE PUMP TO GET SWOLE.
  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Soreness is irrelevant

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