Does Soreness REALLY Matter?

[thegoodfoods]

Two days ago I worked on my legs and did some lunges for the first time in a couple months. My inner thighs and glutes are pretty sore from the new stimulus. Should I go ahead and work my thighs and glutes today anyway? Or should I wait until the soreness subsides.

I work each bodypart every 2-3 days and usually only get sore from a new stimulus like this, so this hasn't happened in a while. What would you do?

 

[SgtSlaughter]

depends on what "school of training" / theorys you subscribe to.

soreness = your body is not used to something

do it more you'll condition yourself to it and won't get sore anymore.

 

[Cynical Simian]

Training will almost certainly make you less sore. Like sarge said, you have to become conditioned to it at some point, and it'll serve as active recovery.

 

[thegoodfoods]

I understand that and have known this for some time, which is why I said that the lunges are a new stimulus for me right now. I can become accustomed to the lunges' affect on my legs in a few weeks.

My question was should I head to the gym today or not? Thighs and glutes are still sore, but should I train them today? Please, any help/opinions would be appreciated, especially if you post soon.?..

I'm either going to go to the gym or rent "Pumping Iron"! Hell, maybe I should buy the video!

 

[beerdrinker]

I understand that and have known this for some time, which is why I said that the lunges are a new stimulus for me right now. I can become accustomed to the lunges' affect on my legs in a few weeks.

My question was should I head to the gym today or not? Thighs and glutes are still sore, but should I train them today? Please, any help/opinions would be appreciated, especially if you post soon.?..

I'm either going to go to the gym or rent "Pumping Iron"! Hell, maybe I should buy the video!

Train them, but train them light. In my experience, lightly working sore muscles helps with the soreness. Then the next time, I can go all out. That's my $0.02.

 

[td1111]

I would suggest either beerdrinker's idea, or just wait until the pain goes away. Soreness means tissue and connective tissue damage, and I have read that it is best to not train sore muscles.

 

[muscelove]

just search, its been covered 10000000000000000000 times

 

[blut wump]

Take it as a reminder that next time you do an exercise you've not hit in a long time that you should ramp into it over a couple of sessions. The same applies after a layoff: take it easy the first week or two. Blasting away just makes you sore and doesn't help you to get your numbers back up in the slightest. I've done it both ways many times over the years and now I always recommend taking the first sessions easy.

As for now, if you're practically crippled then you'll have to skip the session and make do with a walk or some cardio to get the blood flowing. If you're "just a bit stiff" then go do your workout. The discomfort will disappear for a while during the session. Play it by feel and limber up before you push the affected muscles.