This is part of the Real Talk With Client Series. Click here for the rules. Go here to see other topics.
Soreness from exercising is good, right?
No.
Think about who gets sore the most- people the most out of shape.
If you’ve been squatting or running for a while, then you take a couple months off and try to exercise like you used to, what happens? You get really sore. Like can’t sit on a toilet without grimacing sore.
The less familiar you are with a given activity, the more likely it will make you sore. The people in the best shape, those most familiar with what they’re doing, they get the least sore.
Think about a basketball player. If they were getting crazy sore after every game, they’d barely be able play more than once a week. As they get in better shape, they can do more.
Soreness is from a traumatic event to the body, just like any other type of pain. The body is trying to tell you “Lighten the hell up!” It is not something to actively seek.
It’s something to almost completely avoid. All it does is make people miserable and less likely to keep showing up to the gym.
Want to get sore? Only workout once every two weeks. Or, even better, only workout once a year! Doesn’t sound very productive, does it?
Patricia
February 21, 2019
I’m enjoying this series! It would be nice to read your opinion on this book: “Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery”
b-reddy
February 22, 2019
Thanks!
I read an interview with the author of that book. Sounds like she knows what she’s talking about. While not 60 seconds or less (maybe I’ll dow one now), I’ve already written a less than book form on that 🙂 https://b-reddy.org/recovery-modalities-whats-worthwhile-along-with-some-massage-discussion/
Specific ones-
Ice: https://b-reddy.org/should-you-ice-an-injury/
Wrapping: https://b-reddy.org/should-you-wrap-an-injury/
Ibuprofen: https://b-reddy.org/should-you-take-ibuprofen-for-an-injury/