muscle soreness post workout

[I2ancid]

The more sore your muscles get post workout the better for muscle growth correct? My arms are so incredibly sore, more than theyve ever been, I can't even extend my arms, I have to walk with them sort of retracted. I didn't even workout that heavily! Just the first time in a while. I'm 18 now and should be at the peak of ability to gain muscle. So basically, my question is, are my muscles extra sore because of the increase in hormones? I often hear certain gear makes people more sore than usual.

 

[The Red Dragon]

No, that's lactic acid nerve irritation...stretch before working out, between sets (debatable), and after you're done. Should reduce soreness to a reasonable level.

 

[The Red Dragon]

Sorry that was horribly articulated. Basically the lactic acid build up from glycolysis starts irritating the surrounding nerves. It's called DOMS. It is NOT indicative of work ethic/progress. Although it feels nice (wait a few weeks). After awhile you'll start to adapt.

 

[makedah]

The more sore your muscles get post workout the better for muscle growth correct?

No, not really. Try doing 10 minutes of yoga (if you're not a yogi already). You'll be sore all over the next day, but that probably wasn't a 'better' workout for muscle growth than your usual lifting session.

 

[I2ancid]

Feels nice? Not quite, it's actually really painful when I extend my arms to grab anything even the slightest, but thanks for the info.

 

[fastgain]

I would not stretch before working out as Red Dragon said. Doing so has been shown to decrease strength by as much as 5%. Post workout stretching may help to prevent DOMS. Personally, I enjoy a good case of DOMS as it tells me I worked hard (although this is not necessarily true).

 

[Shark01]

The more sore your muscles get post workout the better for muscle growth correct? My arms are so incredibly sore, more than theyve ever been, I can't even extend my arms, I have to walk with them sort of retracted.

Extreme soreness is just so f%#*ing AWESOME, isn't it? If getting a pump is like having an orgasm (like Arnold says), then soreness is like walking around with wood.

And yes, soreness indicates that you have shouted to your body that more muscle is required........good job!

 

[The Red Dragon]

Heh first time I worked out, I did 3x8 to failure on each set...couldn't move my arm for a week...that's bad pain. The nice pain (oxymoron I know) is the sort a mild soreness that you only feel when you actually contract the muscle. I think after a few weeks you'll get to this point, your body just needs to re-adapt...some people who have been working out for very long have reported no soreness at all lol.

 

[I2ancid]

Yea, it seems to be getting worst daily instead of getting better. Today is the 4th day and it hurts more than all the previous days. Not much more but noticeably more. I have been eating like a horse lately too, well I always do, but even more so now.

 

[The Red Dragon]

Day 4 was my peak, after that it started getting better. It's a really nasty pain isn't it? It took 7 days for mine to go away...or at least get to a comfortable point. Heh you never know, it could be an injury. I think the bicep pains are the worst since you have to use them so much in your daily activities.