New to weights...help???

[spixiet]

Did my first upper body/ab workout on Monday, and I was planning to do another one tomorrow, but I'm still pretty sore. If I'm still sore tomorrow, is it better to wait another day for recovery before another workout, or go ahead and do the planned workout? Thanks for your thoughts~

[Lydia227]

Growth occurs during the healing of the microtears that are created from strength training. If you are still just as sore with delayed onset of muscle soreness tomorrow as you were today, then I would hold back another day from the exact same routine. Give it another 24 hours for things to knit back up. HOWEVER, you can still do SOMETHING. Get some cardio in. The activity will encourage increase blood flow to the areas that are healing. Blood carries the nutrients need to help repair and eventually build the muscle groups that were worked during the session.

In the past, I have followed my workouts 48 hours later if I had DOMS. It really just kind of depends upon just how sore it felt to me. Kind of one of those "listen to your body and use good judgement thing" But if you feel that movement is restricted because of soreness then really, cardio with some foam rolling to the area may be a better alternative. IMO.

[Sherrystanggirl]

I agree with the post above.

Also, are you getting in enough protein? Especially before and after your workout is really important.