I do splits between upper body, lower body, and abs six days a week, and I mix it up so I'm not doing the exact same things over and over (to avoid plateaus). So why is it that sometimes my muscles are sore after a workout and sometimes they aren't? For example, I'll do Legs and Glutes one day and be sore the next day, and then I'll do it again next week and I won't feel a thing, and then another time I'll be sore again. When I'm not sore it makes me feel like I didn't work hard enough :-( Are the muscles still getting stronger even if they don't hurt?
Why aren't my muscles sore?!
- Thread starter NReigh1
- Start date
amyg
Cathlete
You can absolutely get stronger without being sore! DOMS is actually a grade 1 muscle strain, and will likely be a result of something new or an increased number of reps that would cause such an injury. Each muscle cell lives 5-8 weeks, which may explain why you'll feel DOMS after one workout and not a couple weeks later.
Lactic acid also has nothing to do with DOMS; lactic acid does not equal a muscle strain!
Be careful of equating muscle soreness with not "working hard enough"... you're likely asking for trouble!!!
Lactic acid also has nothing to do with DOMS; lactic acid does not equal a muscle strain!
Be careful of equating muscle soreness with not "working hard enough"... you're likely asking for trouble!!!
amyg
Cathlete
"No Pain, No Gain" can be disastrous if you ignore what your body is telling you.
You don't have to be sore to have worked your muscles; whether or not you experience DOMS is not the best indicator of your strength gains. (I'm not sure what, exactly, is the best indicator- unless you count being able to do something you want to do?)
As I understand it http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/calf_and_shin/calf_strain_full.php:
A first degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres.
A second degree strain is damage to a more extensive number of muscle fibres.
A third degree strain is a complete rupture of the muscle itself.
That's why "no pain no gain" can be disastrous if you are overriding your body's messages in order to achieve something you need not achieve.
You don't have to be sore to have worked your muscles; whether or not you experience DOMS is not the best indicator of your strength gains. (I'm not sure what, exactly, is the best indicator- unless you count being able to do something you want to do?)
As I understand it http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/calf_and_shin/calf_strain_full.php:
A first degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres.
A second degree strain is damage to a more extensive number of muscle fibres.
A third degree strain is a complete rupture of the muscle itself.
That's why "no pain no gain" can be disastrous if you are overriding your body's messages in order to achieve something you need not achieve.
kathryn
Cathlete
Doing the same workout, having DOMS sometimes and not others, can depend on many factors. Lack of DOMS can just be a sign that you are recovering efficiently (because of genetics, diet--as in eating a diet high in nutrients that promote repair, or other recovery strategies). DOMS vs non-DOMS workouts can also depend on what else you are doing the day of each workout.
The best way to judge whether your muscles are getting stronger isn't DOMS (to much of which can actually signal lack of recovery, or be a sign of too much damage), but whetheryou are able to increase weights or reps on the same workout every few times you do it (which may not actually be possible with weights you have at home, because you are unable to increase the weight in small enough increments to tell--ie: maybe you could lift 2 more pounds, but you only have 5# increments. But it should be easier to lift the weight that you used for the workout when you previously did it).
The best way to judge whether your muscles are getting stronger isn't DOMS (to much of which can actually signal lack of recovery, or be a sign of too much damage), but whetheryou are able to increase weights or reps on the same workout every few times you do it (which may not actually be possible with weights you have at home, because you are unable to increase the weight in small enough increments to tell--ie: maybe you could lift 2 more pounds, but you only have 5# increments. But it should be easier to lift the weight that you used for the workout when you previously did it).
Jazcam
Cathlete
Kathryn you wrote "maybe you could lift 2 more pounds". I've came to the same conclusion because I do not have a large variety of barbell plates. What I do is place my 2 or 3# ankle weights on with my regular barbell weight (one ankle weight on each end). This small amount works for me and I've been working my way up to adding that extra 5#.
workingToBeFit
Cathlete
Speaking of barbell plates, I have a set of 2.5 pound plates and they are worth their weight in gold. I also have some dumbells which are the kind you can screw the barbell plates onto, also worth having if you can get them.
I also get sore sometimes, but most of the time, I am not sore; but I am seeing a lot of strength gains based on what I am able to do.
~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!
I also get sore sometimes, but most of the time, I am not sore; but I am seeing a lot of strength gains based on what I am able to do.
~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!
Your're right, I have noticed a big improvement in my strength, especially in my upper body. But why is it that some days a workout can feel really easy, and you can just bang out the reps perfectly, and other days the exact same workout can feel impossible and you can't even finish the reps?
workingToBeFit
Cathlete
I wish I could tell you - my husband got them before I met him, they're very old, and he can't remember when or where he got them. It was probably in California about 20 years ago.
Have you tried a Google or Froogle search on the internet?
~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!
Have you tried a Google or Froogle search on the internet?
~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!
Interesting reading about DOMS and recovery. I've always been worried about my lack of DOMS this time round. I've had it in the past, and I've also had very bad insomnia in the past. Now I'm getting adequate rest and am almost DOMS-free. I am quite sure it's not a very nutritious diet that is keeping DOMS away (bad me!) so I bet it's the adequate rest!
And even though I'm only 6 weeks into exercising again, I am noticing an ability to increase reps and/or poundage MUCH quicker than in the past! I hope this keeps up and isn't just a round of 'beginner gains'!
And even though I'm only 6 weeks into exercising again, I am noticing an ability to increase reps and/or poundage MUCH quicker than in the past! I hope this keeps up and isn't just a round of 'beginner gains'!
kathryn
Cathlete
Platemates are a nice way to increase weight in smaller increments on dumbells. I have 2 sets (a set is 4 platemates: two for each dumbell), so I can add anywhere from 3/4 pound (if I would use one of the smaller plates mates on a dumbell) to 2.5 pounds to each dumbbell.
When I bought my Troy Lite barbell, they still had 1.25# plates for sale, so I got a pair of those, along with some 2.5# plates.
When I bought my Troy Lite barbell, they still had 1.25# plates for sale, so I got a pair of those, along with some 2.5# plates.