Hamstring soreness

  • I get sore sometimes of course, and it usually dissipates fairly quickly and isn't very intense. But my hamstrings have always been super sensitive (is it just me or is this kind of a thing?), anyway, OMG when I do legs my hammies are sore for a week, sometimes longer.

    I've tried lighter weights/higher reps, heavier weights/lower reps, not as many exercises, doing legs again a couple days later to attempt some sort of "hair of the dog" theory, waiting until ALL soreness is gone before doing legs again, massage, cardio to shake it off, stretching, cold water baths, hot water baths, etc. Happens every time. I deal with it, but it's so annoying! I dread legs because of this!

    Any advice?
  • I know exactly where you're coming from! The only thing I've found that works, for me anyways, is to stretch those muscles between each set. I had a trainer tell me to do this and it seems to make things a bit less painful in the long run.
  • You know, I have not tired stretching BETWEEN sets. I will definitely try that! Thank you!
  • I've never tried one, but people really love foam rollers for helping your muscles to recover from a workout. Do some googling and see what you find.
  • Ironically I almost bought one of those the other day, it was on clearance. The trainers at my gym swear by them. I think maybe I'll try that too. It's certainly worth a try to avoid this misery!
  • If you have a rolling pin (like you roll out pie dough with) you can use that to roll/massage your hammies also
  • I have always had the same problem, and in the last couple of weeks I seem to have resolved it with a ton of stretching and massage. I have been stretching my hamstrings intensly throughout the day, plus when I get in bed and wake up in the morning and it really seems to be working. I need to get one of the foam rollers because I think the massage is what is doing the trick to help the stretching work. I didn't have anything but mild and brief soreness after I did legs the three days ago, and I am hoping that will hold true when I do them again today.
  • Epsom salts baths, drink lots of water, use a foam roller to roll your muscles out with immediately after your workout and every day that you're sore.
  • Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I will definitely take everyone's advice!