What is muscle soreness?
- Muscle soreness, also known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), is the discomfort felt in muscles after engaging in new, unfamiliar or intense physical activity that challenges your muscle tissues which break the fibers down.
- We repair these tissues and come back stronger via our nutrition and sleep.
Is it normal to be sore?
- Yes, it is normal to experience muscle soreness, especially when starting a new exercise routine, or increasing intensity, performing new exercises, certain loadings and rep ranges etc.
How do I speed up recovery from muscle soreness?
- Stay hydrated! Also, more movement, whether that’s come back to the gym – engage in light exercise or do some gentle stretching, get adequate rest/sleep, consider using foam rollers or getting a massage, and ensure you have a balanced diet with enough protein and nutrients for muscle repair.
Will I always get sore?
- While soreness may be common, as your body adapts to regular exercise, you may experience less soreness over time. Consistently following proper warm-up, cool-down, and recovery techniques can help minimize soreness. Consistency in following your training program week to week you’ll become less sore. Bigger gaps will create openings and opportunities for higher levels of soreness.
Do I have to get sore to get results?
- No, muscle soreness is not a direct indicator of muscle growth or progress. Consistent training, progressive overload, proper form, and adequate nutrition are more important factors for achieving fitness goals than simply experiencing soreness.
