I know your muscles need a rest period in between being shred--so that they can rebuild and get stronger. Is it counterproductive to work the muscles while still sore--or will you still be able to build them by doing so?

ok, being every so curious. I found an answer. apparently there is something to inadequate rest not producing desired results of increasing fitness.

but how do you know?

i found this bit of information:

Plan breaks in your training to allow for recovery. Recovery from sore muscles will take two to three days. A common misunderstanding is that a workout on sore muscles will speed recovery because it stimulates blood flow. This is only partially true. When you have sore muscles you should stimulate blood flow with a massage and stretching, but not with another workout. Working out with sore muscles leads to overtraining syndrome.

Solution...stop exercising, rest, drink fluids, eat carbohydrates to replenish glycogen in your muscles and liver. If you must continue to work out, use an alternate exercise routine so you are not working the same muscles. Check your resting heart rate...if your resting is 10% above your normal resting heart rate you are not ready to go back to training--continue resting.You can avoid overtraining by following some simple steps: 1) stay in shape all year; 2) stretch and warm up before training; 3) program two or three day breaks into your training plan; 4) listen to your body. 5) relax your training a little if you notice the overtraining signs and symptoms

so abs are off limits tomorrow. It's been 2 days since i worked them, but just because I did not think to take my resting heart rate to know what it is now. It was a lot lower before I slacked off. I will use that in the future to determine if i need to still rest.

tomorrow--since my arms are not sore--they are fair game! i need to tone them up alot anyways.

I think you answered your own question

What I do (and it works for me, buy YMMV) is doing light cardio on my off days when I'm sore. A leisure bike ride is my favorite.

thanks chunky. I think i will leisure swim when i'm really sore or something.

I think it depends on how hard you're working the muscles in the first place. My DH has always told me that you shouldn't work the same muscle groups two days in a row when you're lifting heavy weights, but things like crunches, pushups and light handweights are fine to do every day. (he's an MD but not a sports medicine specialist or anything)

Thanks. This is really helpful.

I've always been told that abs can be worked every day...sore or not. They are the only muscle group that does not need multiple days of recovery time.