Pain on arm extension - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

intecel · 06-03-2004, 07:21 AM

I'm new to weightlifting. Two days ago I worked on my arms on the machines at the gym. Yesterday and today my left arm won't completely extend without being in a bit of pain.

Is this normal when starting out? Should I possibly have taken it a little easier on myself?

My right arm is sore, but I can extend it, and I am right handed so I really do more with my right arm than my left normally.

A friend of mine says that this is normal, and it lets you know that you're muscles are building. I could understand that being true on my right arm, but my left is a lot weaker and pretty sore when I try to move it around.

apeman · 06-03-2004, 07:28 AM

sounds fairly normal, as long as it's muscle pain not joint pain it's probably ok

a little pain the next day is ok in my opinion ... some people say you shouldn't have any pain though

warm up & warm down

warm up & warm down

warm up & warm down

PS: especially warm down

intecel · 06-03-2004, 07:43 AM

The pain is right on the inside of my elbow, but I feel it up through my biceps, so I'm guessing it's a muscle pain.

I'll definately make sure I stretch more before and after next time. I figured hopping on the crosstrainer before and after the workout would be enough, but I guess not.

Yakk · 06-03-2004, 07:55 AM

I had this happen. The only advice people would give me was "you'd know if it was something torn".

I didn't know, having never torn something. But, I waited, and in a few days it went away.

Part of it might be that your muscles aren't used to being strained for any length of time. Even with no behaviour changes, it should happen much less next time, and then less and less... (or so said those who I asked, and my personal experience)

apeman · 06-03-2004, 09:22 AM

don't need to go overboard on the warmin up and down but it's a good habit to get into early on

yakk is probably right - if you did tear something it would probably be a tendon, and i reckon you'd know about that all the time, not just when you straightened your arm... I've never done serious damage like that either

hannukah harry · 06-03-2004, 10:48 AM

it's delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and is normal when starting lifting after being inactive for a while. it's completely normal, and should go away usually within 48 hours.

intecel · 06-03-2004, 11:37 AM

That's what I wanted to hear!!!

Thanks for all the info. This is why I love TFP...

I just did a search on DOMS here and saw Yakk's post. It almost looks like I did a copy & paste. That's exactly how I'm feeling.

06-03-2004, 07:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	Pain on arm extension I'm new to weightlifting. Two days ago I worked on my arms on the machines at the gym. Yesterday and today my left arm won't completely extend without being in a bit of pain. Is this normal when starting out? Should I possibly have taken it a little easier on myself? My right arm is sore, but I can extend it, and I am right handed so I really do more with my right arm than my left normally. A friend of mine says that this is normal, and it lets you know that you're muscles are building. I could understand that being true on my right arm, but my left is a lot weaker and pretty sore when I try to move it around.

06-03-2004, 07:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
apeman Wah Location: NZ	sounds fairly normal, as long as it's muscle pain not joint pain it's probably ok a little pain the next day is ok in my opinion ... some people say you shouldn't have any pain though warm up & warm down warm up & warm down warm up & warm down PS: especially warm down __________________ pain is inevitable but misery is optional - stick a geranium in your hat and be happy

06-03-2004, 07:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	I had this happen. The only advice people would give me was "you'd know if it was something torn". I didn't know, having never torn something. But, I waited, and in a few days it went away. Part of it might be that your muscles aren't used to being strained for any length of time. Even with no behaviour changes, it should happen much less next time, and then less and less... (or so said those who I asked, and my personal experience) __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

06-03-2004, 09:22 AM	#5 (permalink)
apeman Wah Location: NZ	don't need to go overboard on the warmin up and down but it's a good habit to get into early on yakk is probably right - if you did tear something it would probably be a tendon, and i reckon you'd know about that all the time, not just when you straightened your arm... I've never done serious damage like that either __________________ pain is inevitable but misery is optional - stick a geranium in your hat and be happy

06-03-2004, 10:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
hannukah harry Junkie	it's delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and is normal when starting lifting after being inactive for a while. it's completely normal, and should go away usually within 48 hours. __________________ shabbat shalom, mother fucker! - the hebrew hammer

06-03-2004, 07:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	The pain is right on the inside of my elbow, but I feel it up through my biceps, so I'm guessing it's a muscle pain. I'll definately make sure I stretch more before and after next time. I figured hopping on the crosstrainer before and after the workout would be enough, but I guess not.

06-03-2004, 11:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	That's what I wanted to hear!!! Thanks for all the info. This is why I love TFP... I just did a search on DOMS here and saw Yakk's post. It almost looks like I did a copy & paste. That's exactly how I'm feeling. Last edited by intecel; 06-03-2004 at 11:39 AM..