should you be sore after a workout?

[Elite_Fry]

i never seem to be sore after my workouts anymore (well it depends on the bodypart).. like im hardly never sore the next day anymore like i used to
i do 12-15 sets per bodypart... should i start doing more sets?

 

[b fold the truth]

Time to change the program and find a way to increase the intensity.

B True

 

[bm2k]

Soreness is a very individual thing.

As long as you are working as hard as you possibly can and the program you're using is still producing results, don't worry about it.

If you're not working as hard as you could, train harder. If your gains (in both size and strength) have started to drop off, change your program.

I like to be sore for a few days following a workout. Personally, I know I've pushed my muscles to the point that they're able to soak up the food I give them and grow bigger/stronger. For some, this isn't necessary and they won't get sore/don't need to get sore. It can be more psychological than anything else...

 

[Haz]

Certain muscle groups seem to get sore much more easily. My legs, chest and traps are easily made sore. It takes alot more effort to make my back and arms sore, and my shoulders are almost never sore.

I've still made good improvements in my shoulders, so I don't think soreness is a requirement for improvement.

However, if you never get sore at all, I think you should definetly do what b fold said, increase intensity and change up your workout.

 

[normstar]

soreness is by no means a way of judging the effectiveness of a workout.

n*

 

[gettinlarger]

im pretty sure that soreness is not necessarily an indicator of a good workout. and then i heard someone say that arnold says you didnt work hard enough if youre not sore. i dunno ...

 

[ZZuluZ]

Arnold was wrong with just about everything.

Being sore is neither good or bad, and the same for being not sore.

However, a program in which you're perpetually sore is not advisable.

-Zulu

 

[FitnessFrk]

what normstar said...

 

[Thaibox]

Arnold was wrong with just about everything.

So the hands down greatest bodybuilder of all time was "wrong about everything"? Yeah, that makes sense.

 

[Madd Hatter]

Arnold was wrong with just about everything.

Blasphemy.


I'm similar to Haz. Occasionally (like once a month) I can get my outside chest, hams, and calves sore, and maybe even tris once in a blue moon. And that is it. And I'm always worried about whether I'm doing any "good". But I'm making at least a little progress.

Soreness sometimes really sucks. I did 2x20 seated calf raises Monday and I still limp when I walk, and it's really hard to get up. I can't even touch them. It frickin sucks. My w/o Friday sucked because of it and I may not go at all Monday. I'm sure it's a good thing, and means I really blasted them. But the bad is outweighing the good. Unfortunately I've never gotten another body part to feel anything like this.