Oww, my muscles - please help.

[Nausicaa]

I just began lifting weights for the first time in my life last week. I joined the gym and have been there about five times so far. My workouts last about 45 minutes and I work on every part of my body. I was sore the first few days, but it was the normal muscle aching that you get when you first start, and it wasn't a problem. Now, however, it feels like my tendons and the muscles around my joints are really starting to get sore, and this is a problem.

For instance, when me legs are bent (like if I'm sitting down) for a long time, when I stand up or straighten them in anyway, I get a really tight, pulling pain behind my knees, and I can't fully straighten them for a few seconds. I have a similar problem with my elbows, but it's not as severe.

My question is, did I injure myself by working too hard? Or is this sort of thing normal as well when you first begin? Did I hit the leg curls too much?? I'm thinking about skipping my workout today because I don't want to do anymore damage.

 

[EFFORT]

Its related to you working out 5 days and doing every body part , you could of injured yourself, or it could just be your body telling you to chill out and learn about proper training.

 

[darp]

yeah, you're definitely over training. Learn proper workout procedure before you go back to the gym. Its ok for muscles to burn while you lift but if you're sore like you describe you should cut back on a number of things: reps, weight, and frequency. Plan your workouts so that you target on part of the body...then you rest it for a few days...on the days in between you work other body parts, that way you learn to recoup after workouts and you body gets the time need to heal. If you've never worked out before I definitely suggest that you run a search and look workout plans of other members of this board along with their diets. Create one similar that works with your schedule and present it to the workout Gods for massive scrutiny

 

[typical]

Its related to you working out 5 days and doing every body part , you could of injured yourself, or it could just be your body telling you to chill out and learn about proper training.

your just starting out, I think its not over training, just learn proper technique and god damn it stretch after you finish, sounds like your muscles are cramping up.

 

[Big Eee Zee]

you should slow down, but its not cause of pace.

you never lifted before, and now that you did your muscles are regrowing bigger. but you dont stretch after lifting. the muscles grow when your asleep. they will grow in the bent position as you sleep, then when you straighten them out, you are re-ripping the fibers that grew when you slept.


stretch really REALLY well after lifting, you'll be fine.

 

[Skilla_Staz]

People seem to think that just because you're "just starting out" that you can go ahead and nail your muscles every day. That's not true. No matter how long you've been lifting, your body still needs time to repair.

Work on a Three Day Split

 

[Unregistered]

I suggest learning about 3-day splits and implementing them into your workout.

 

[Sekond]

exactly, you need to give your body a day to rest, I suggest working a certain region one day a week taking the next day off then working on the next region. My sched is
Monday -Back/biceps
Tues-jog
wed-cavles/legs/abs
thurs-jog
fri-chest/triceps
sat-jog
sunday-off

Jogging is just some aerobics, but gives my body time to heal from weightlifting

 

[Nausicaa]

Thanks a lot guys.

Big Eee Zee: I think you're right. It was pretty terrible yesterday, I could hardly walk. Today though, I woke up fine. I wasn't stretching after my workouts.

I will also take all of your advice guys and spread out my workouts.