Muscle soreness - expected after every workout?

sharkattack · 12-13-2006, 08:31 AM

After the first two workouts in the Break-In routine (NROL) I was pretty sore. However, I liked it since it was that ‘good’ kind of sore. You know, the kind that lets you know that you really got a good workout in. Anyway, the last few times I’ve lifted, I haven’t gotten as sore, but I know I’ve put a solid effort into the workouts.

For example, last night I did routine ‘A’ from the Break-In routine and hit my squats hard. I got the prescribed 15 reps for each set, but I don’t think I could have gotten much more, 2-3 reps tops before I failed. Sounds good, but my legs aren’t sore at all today. They were kind of ‘jelly like’ last night, walking up from the basement and around the house, so I expected them to be pretty sore today. (I was almost looking forward to it, lol.)

Should you be getting sore from each workout? If I’m not sore, does that somehow mean that I didn’t put forth a solid effort in the gym the night before? Or, does it mean that I might not be as out of shape as I thought, and my body is responding to the workouts quicker than I was giving myself credit for?

Thanks for the help folks!
Scott

OldGuy · 12-13-2006, 08:33 AM

Soreness, for me, goes away after a few workouts. It's not an indicator that you did a hard workout.

George Grigoryan · 12-13-2006, 09:08 AM

The only indicator of a good workout that you should concern yourself with is perfromance. This means more weight, better form, more reps etc.

Soreness usually comes with new activities, for me. So expect to be sore for the first week of your next program.

Mahler · 12-13-2006, 09:19 AM

The old addage that "if you're not sore, you need to do more" is a myth. Soreness is not an indicator of a good workout. In fact, if it is persistent, it could even be an indicator that you have problems with your form, an imbalance or that you are in need of some down time. After an initial break-in period, soreness should not be as prevalent in most lifters.

Jason B · 12-13-2006, 09:57 AM

Like the other guys said, soreness doesn't mean anything really. Being sore doesn't mean you had a good workout and not being sore doesn't mean you didn't. The only indicator is progress, if you're progressing, don't worry about not being sore, enjoy it! As you become more consistent and your body adapts, soreness will go away, trying to work harder just for the sake of getting sore will lead to overtraining or an injury. Now, on the other hand, not being doesn't necessarily mean your body is fully recovered, you still need a recovery period.

Lisa~ · 12-13-2006, 11:44 AM

I like what Charles Staley says to those who love that feeling of soreness and revel in it like it was a badge of honor:

Quote:

CLASSIC MISTAKE NUMBER THREE: FATIGUE SEEKING

The way to assess the effectiveness of a workout (or training system) is by the degree to which it improves the qualities and/or abilities you're trying to develop, not by how much pain it produces.

If your primary goal is to be sore, why not consider taking a job as Lennox Lewis' sparring partner? Muscle grows when you gradually force it to perform more and more work in a given time frame from workout to workout. This requires managing fatigue, not seeking it.

The quote is from his article, The Classic Things You Will Do To "Shoot Yourself in the Foot."