Is there a problem if you're NEVER sore?

[buksoon]

--sorry I keep bugging you pro's with questions; I'm new here and you are such an amazing resource; I must exploit you!--

Okay, my goal is to build. I lift as hard as possible (I posted in another thread about how I fainted on the leg press, and frequently get nauseous, and ALWAYS reach failure.) Lately I've been maxing out at 8 reps, sometimes 6.

I'll work a muscle group, then rest 5 days. I ingest more calories than I expend, and I'm trying to limit my cardio.

Still, none of that delicious soreness that lets me know it's working. What's wrong? Maybe it's a "plateau" thing?

 

[JG1]

You should be getting sore.

Post your complete workout.

 

[AMP 33]

If you dont get sore it means ur not working ur muscles as hard as u can.

 

[buksoon]

complete workout

(Forgive me if I do not know the terminology--and I don't.)

Also, the weights sound embarrassing low, but I am a small-framed female, barely over 100 lbs.

Shoulders:
1. shoulder presses-20 lbs (each shoulder)-4 sets, 8 reps
2. standing rows-20 lbs (each)-4 sets, 8 reps
3. arms extended out (dunno what it's called)-10 lbs-4 sets, 8 reps

Often I will fatigue and lower the weights from 20 to 15 and do 15 reps instead of 8.

Tri's:
1. dips (my body weight; feet on the floor)--4 sets of 15
2. pulling on the cable--40 lbs--4 sets of 8

Chest, bi, and back are all good. I see results.

Quads:
1. Squats (just started) 120 lbs, 4 sets of 6-8 reps
knees at 90 degrees to floor
2. leg press--170-220 lbs, 4 sets of 6-12 reps
3. leg curls--80 lbs, 4 sets of 8-10 reps

Hams
1. reverse leg curl, flat surface--50 lbs, 4 sets of 10 reps
2. reverse leg curl, incline--same as above

Calves okay.

Often I'll do down sets (start heaviest weights, fewest reps--go lighter and more), bur seldom pyramid.

I know I spend far too much time dawdling between sets on leg days. I just always have to catch my breath.

After workouts, my Isopure drink, glutamine tablet, and honey granola bar are waiting for me in the car.

So whatdya think? I can't imagine how much harder I can possibly work to get sore. I know I need more variety, especially for hams. (Though I walk on the steepest possible incline for cardio, which works a little.)

 

[buksoon]

Just to add...

I'm mostly concerned about quads. I want to be so sore I can't walk. That must feel goooood.

 

[Welsh power house]

Re: Just to add...

I'm mostly concerned about quads. I want to be so sore I can't walk. That must feel goooood.

yeah quads rue when you know you've worked them, but when you cant walk means you have overtrained or did not warm up properly...the pain should hurt when your done working legs(or any other body part) and even more the next morning!
If they dont hurt now, maybe you have been training too long without a rest week.....i dont go over 6 weeks without a break, that is when overtraining sets in and my(individuals will change) gains stop...
try taking a week off lifting our down shift your intensity to when you are stopping 4 reps short of failure(u r training to failur yeah?) then, the week afterg o full out again..failure, forced reps on last sets...heavy weights...

hope that helped!

 

[liftah]

I am sure people disagree, but, I train hard, keeping reps between 6-8 and I don't really ever get sore but I am growing. When I first started out, I used to think that doing singles and doubles was the way to get big and I got strong and I got really sore after every workout, but I didn't get as much growth as I get now.

 

[strengthmonster]

I don't think you are really pushing yourself to your limits even if you think you are. Do you train alone or have a spotter? Without a spotter you cannot possibly be going beyond failure. Forced reps with a partner calling me a pussy and making me do more always promotes soreness.

 

[sysopt]

If you don't get sore and you're still growing then there's nothing to worry about. I find that if I drop an exercise then start it again I get sore. I remember for the first time I deadlifted not too long ago and I had trouble walking for like 3/4 days. You seem to keep your workout intense which is definately a good thing. My advise to you is to cut your sets in half. For example you're doing a total of 12 sets for your shoulders and in my opinion this is too much for a relatively small muscle group. Also, if you have the energy to do four relatively heavy sets, I would say you're not pushing yourself too hard on the first two sets. Go very intense on the first two sets and go on to the next exercise.

 

[kdmfinn]

Sore?

I've been told soreness is not a good indicator of a good workout. I don't get sore and was told once my muscles recover quickly. I work hard as I can and often times I don't get sore. Sometimes I am sore and I enjoy that feeling. Work with a trainer and see how hard he/she pushes you. Then you can gauge how hard you are working alone.