Muscle aches
 

Hi everyone. A few weeks ago I joined the local gym, but last night was the first time since joining that I've actually been able to go. I've got my routine worked out, I can go three times a week for mostly fat loss, and some muscle building too.

My muscles are killing me today. Tomorrow morning I'm due to go back (Sun., Tues. and Thurs. are my days). When your muscles ache lke this, is it best to just get back in the gym and keep going? Or is it best to do it slowly and build up flexibility or a resistance to the pain?

Ahh this is very typical of your first time going to the gym, or after a long lay off. Your body is bound to hurt for a few days at least. But its a good hurt. As for keep training i can remember I did, but i trained parts which i hadn't really used in my previous session. I'm not to sure if it is healthy or not to do it though

some pnf stretching for the hurt areas or going for light swim works for me

What's pnf stretching? I'm still hurting a little but hopefully by tomorrow morning I'll be up for the gym. The gym has everything - weights, cardio, pool, etc. - so I might go for a swim too.

Thanks!

rest until they no longer hurt.

as ever google is the source of all knowledge :)

http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/pnfstretching.html

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, apparently ... cool i'm gonna remember that and impress girls with it ;)

but i'd just take it easy until your muscles get used to it ... warming down is important remember

Goodluck with working out. Muscle aches will go away. Remember to do cardio first to get your core temp. up. It will prevent as much muscle aches.

Don't plan on jumping right into a routine of only 1 day between workouts. First time, take 5 days or so in between, then 4, then 3, then 2.... it'll feel a lot better, and be a lot more productive.

I would say, NO, don't take time off. Instead, do the exercise on the lightest setting first, and moniter your heart rate. You want to start at around 65% (adjust to fit your age and needs). This might mean you take all the weights off the machine and just go through the motions but if you don't keep at it, you'll lose most of what you stood to gain from your body's pain.

This is, of course, based on your pain being muscular pain from simple overexertion. The good pain is a warm ache felt in the thickest part of the muscle. If you feel a sharp, stabbing pain, a tearing pain, or pain in a joint or tendon, you might have an injury. If you suspect this is the case you want to visit the doctor before going back to the gym lest you do yourself permanent harm.

Just go a little lighter and practice your form and technique. Moderate exercise is one of the only things that will temporarily alleviate delayed onset muscle soreness. Nothing else really works, including any form of stretching. Stretching just gets the body moving again, as soon as you stop the muscles stiffen back up. So the only real cure is light exercise and time.

whe yo hurt I've always said that is a signal your muscles are repairing themselves. So, let them rest and do just that. Work another muscled group. If you're just getting back into things it is normal to push a little too hard the first time or two. Your body will tell you when you've done that!! I also feel that some protein within 15-20 minutes aids in the lactic acid build up. Recovery in any excercise is critical!

Of course, all this is my opinion and I'm sure someone will provide better advice.

It's called DOMS, and it's completely normal...everyone, literally everyone, goes through it when they first start working bodyparts they usually dont use. Don't worry about it, just plug through it and I garuntee in a few weeks you'll be fine.

$0.02

Personally I've found doing warm-down stretches for the muscle groups I've worked, as well as more stretching every 2-3 hours after the workout, tends to make (most of)the pain disappear the next day. Is it something to do with the blood flow washing away the acid buildup?

i'm just rambling now ;)