when you are sore

[speakeasy]

My legs are still sore as hell from a workout earlier in the week. Yesterday I was still having trouble walking up stairs. I am still sore today but did make it out to do some MMA and one they got warmed up a bit I was able to work today.

But my question is, when you are sore, should you completely lay off using the muscles until they are completely pain-free again?

 

[blackbelt2k]

i don't think so...just lower the weight if you have to, but continue to punish them... as the old addage goes "no pain no gain"

 

[speakeasy]

But doesn't the pain mean that the muscles are regenerating? By continuing to work them while they're sore are you stopping the healing process that makes them grow?

 

[Slone]

That sounds like a recipe for overtraining. I'd recommend taking a couple days off from lifting until you feel better. The adage "no pain no gain" is a recipe for injuries, your muscles and nervous system need to recover.

 

[Kerpal]

If you never work out when you're sore your legs won't adapt and they'll always be sore. Rippetoe talks about this in Starting Strength.

 

[penkitten]

use epson salt in a warm bath to ease muscle pain

 

[stronglifts]

But doesn't the pain mean that the muscles are regenerating? By continuing to work them while they're sore are you stopping the healing process that makes them grow?

No it will actually help the recovery process. By working out, you get blood flowing into your legs. Blood has nutritients, needed for recovery.

The best thing to do when you have sore legs is to train them again. Just do it light, the goal is recovery, not exhausting the legs once again.

 

[bman]

i use a different muscle group when certain muscles are sore. i rest them at least 3-4 days.