Some people feel like they did not get a good workout unless they’re sore the next day. Some carry this to an extreme: They get so sore they can barely move.
In all honesty, I’ve had great workouts where I literally could not walk up a flight of stairs afterward. Had to sleep in the car once.
Is this necessary for muscle growth?
No. Soreness is an indicator that you have done damage to the muscle fibers. That’s okay – in fact, it’s the purpose of weight training. But excessive sorenessmeans you’ve done too much damage. That kind of damage can take too long to repair – and that gets you out of your workout rhythm.
The ideal soreness is felt 1-2 days after a workout, where you are a bit tender but not in pain. The longer you train, the less of this soreness you may feel… and that, too, is okay.
The real indicator of a good workout is what you do in the NEXT workout. Do you
progress? Do you feel stronger? Do you get a good pump in your muscles?
If so, you’re on the right track – sore or not.
[Ed. Note: Jon Benson is a 3-time bestselling fitness author. He offers a free 7-day Fat Loss Course and complimentary e-book, "The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint," on his website. Get it here .
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