Muscle Soreness Does Not Equate to a Good Workout or a Bad One

You've finally started back working out and it's two days after your first session now you can barely move. Aches and pains can't even begin to describe the way your body feels. Now as you walk, everyone is looking at you as if you need to use the restroom and they're asking if you're ok. So now you go into a spill about how sore you are because you went beast mode at the gym. Then you go on about how good your trainer is because he/she had you doing some crazy exercise WOD (workout of the day). Well, your immediate post workout physical condition shouldn't be the determining factor on if you had a good workout or not.

DOMS, delayed onset muscle soreness, is what most people experience 24 - 48 hours after an intense exercise session. This occurs from microscopic tears in the muscles and is sometimes accompanied with swelling and pain. Usually, the muscle soreness is from the lengthening of muscles that are not normally exercised. Some people's first experience of DOMS may scare them from continuing their exercise program or participating in any type of physical activity. It's an unpleasant experience, but with planning you can avoid DOMS and make exercising enjoyable.

The most important thing you can do is start gradually. Jumping into an intense workout that is beyond your fitness level is the worst thing you can do. Gradually progress your workout program to compliment your physical ability and experience. A proper warm-up before and cool-down after your sessions will help to avoid muscle soreness and reduce the chances of injuries. An active recovery, such as casual walking or cardio exercising, is helpful in reducing the effects of muscle soreness. Other options are foam rolling or light static stretching (after a light cardio session).

Fortunately, DOMS is only temporary and not a regular occurrence for people who exercise regularly and consistently.

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