Workout question

[Eve32]

Sorry - not a sexual workout, but more of a "get-in-shape" question.

I know that the burn you feel when working out is lactic acid building up in your muscles. I know the pain you feel after a workout and the next day is the result of you actually breaking the muscle fibers and when they re-grow, they form larger muscles.

What I don't know:

If you *don't* feel that pain the next day, does it mean you did not work out hard enough?

Thanks.

 

[st4nton]

no pain, no gain

 

[Minkey Boodle]

The easiest way to fix the non-pain thing is to throw yourself into a wall. You'll be in pain in no time flat.

And that second day is always the worst.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

some people would think so. Sometimes it's not that you didn't work out hard enough, but rather that you didn't work out PROPERLY. If you do an excercise properly, it will directly utilise a muscle or muscle group. Sit-ups, for example. If you do them properly, you will avoid back pain, neck pain, etc, and will utilise the abdominal muscles. However, it is possible to do situps wrong, and that would cause you to not feel the workout the day after. It is the same with any muscle group. Perhaps talk to a trainer about how to do the excercises properly and safely.

 

[Eve32]

no pain, no gain

Efficient. Thanks.

 

[Eve32]

The easiest way to fix the non-pain thing is to throw yourself into a wall. You'll be in pain in no time flat.

And that second day is always the worst.

Thanks Minkey, but that won't get me any closer to losing these last 10 pounds. Unless I knock myself unconscious for days and die, in which case, the weight will come off rapidly.

Hmmm.

 

[Shingen]

Eve, what that means is that you have reached a level of fitness that your muscles can handle. What I suggest is increase the intensity of your workout.

I remember I couldn't do 30 situps in one sitting. Now I can do 3 sets of 75 with 2 sets of 30 twists mixed in for good measure. My abs no longer look like a keg, but a six pack now.

 

[Riles]

Sorry - not a sexual workout, but more of a "get-in-shape" question.

I know that the burn you feel when working out is lactic acid building up in your muscles. I know the pain you feel after a workout and the next day is the result of you actually breaking the muscle fibers and when they re-grow, they form larger muscles.

What I don't know:

If you *don't* feel that pain the next day, does it mean you did not work out hard enough?

Thanks.

You SHOULD feel a certain amount of "tension" from the use of your muscles, but "pain" is not the desired effect you want when working out - I assume you mean weight lifting and such. As your muscles develop and become accustomed to daily use, the amount of discomfort after every work out lessens until you've plateaued and need to increase the level of activity and change routines.

 

[curious2c]

Not necessarily. When you start to get built to that level you should feel like you can do a bit more. Depending on what you are going for (size versus tone) you can either increase reps or increase the weight in the case of weightlifting. In other excerises you can increase your length of time or the actual resistance (if you are on a treadmill or stepper.) As you improve your body with the exercise your muscles are gaining strength and a certain amount of tone. That is probably why you are not feeling the 'sting' from the workout. Also, when I was working out the more I went the less pain I felt. I think the acid inthe muscle begins to stick around and keeps you free from a certain amount of that after pain. The old adage 'no pain no gain' is NOT...repeat NOT a good axim to follow. At the very begining you will have some pain due to getting your muscle in shape but afterwards the pain should decrease to negligible after a workout. You should actually begin to enjoy the 'burn' and then feel somewhat shaky afterwards, but little pain.

 

[Eve32]

some people would think so. Sometimes it's not that you didn't work out hard enough, but rather that you didn't work out PROPERLY. If you do an excercise properly, it will directly utilise a muscle or muscle group. Sit-ups, for example. If you do them properly, you will avoid back pain, neck pain, etc, and will utilise the abdominal muscles. However, it is possible to do situps wrong, and that would cause you to not feel the workout the day after. It is the same with any muscle group. Perhaps talk to a trainer about how to do the excercises properly and safely.

Good idea. Thanks, vixenshe. Makes sense to get a professinal opinion.

 

[freakygirl]

no pain, no gain

That is so wrong. No wonder people hurt themselves so badly doing exercises.

You shouldn't feel "pain" after working out.

 

[Lost Cause]

Not always...

Sometimes too long of a rest between sets doesn't allow enough muscle stress to create excessive lactic buildup. Sometimes it's because of your biorythmns that don't permit maximum contraction of the muscle. Working out too long beyond your body's set point reduces muscular contraction and effect. Keep a record on a couple of workouts, and how you feel the next day. That will point to the area of problems.

www.jillmills.com

 

[firefighter02]

What?? You didn't feel it? Damn..get back to the workout,,and you can start by getting me a beer from the fridge.

Best of luck with the getting fit thing!

 

[Romial]

I know that the burn you feel when working out is lactic acid building up in your muscles. I know the pain you feel after a workout and the next day is the result of you actually breaking the muscle fibers and when they re-grow, they form larger muscles.

Wow...you learn something new every day.

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

Sorry - not a sexual workout, but more of a "get-in-shape" question.

I know that the burn you feel when working out is lactic acid building up in your muscles. I know the pain you feel after a workout and the next day is the result of you actually breaking the muscle fibers and when they re-grow, they form larger muscles.

What I don't know:

If you *don't* feel that pain the next day, does it mean you did not work out hard enough?

Thanks.

Pain is a bad thing...avoid it at all costs, unless you are a masochist like me! Seriously, you don't want to work out enough to cause yourself pain...you want to have a little ache the next day, that goes away when you warm up. Anything more is only helpful if you are training to compete in some athletic event. As far as losing weight...walking 3 miles burns a few more calories than running it, because you are on your feet for a longer amount of time. And, if you are breathing so hard that you can't speak normally, you are in an anaerobic state, which means you are burning sugar instead of fat.

 

[Eve32]

Eve, what that means is that you have reached a level of fitness that your muscles can handle. What I suggest is increase the intensity of your workout.

I remember I couldn't do 30 situps in one sitting. Now I can do 3 sets of 75 with 2 sets of 30 twists mixed in for good measure. My abs no longer look like a keg, but a six pack now.

See, this is what confused me. I thought, "ok, I'll intensify". Which I've done for a week now - more reps, not more weight, or more precisely, more resistance. I increased the reps. No pain. Then I added more resistance. No pain. I do the reps until my muscles are tired. Still nothing.

*confused*

Oh, and nice six pack you got there. *grin*

 

[Eve32]

Re: Re: Workout question

You SHOULD feel a certain amount of "tension" from the use of your muscles, but "pain" is not the desired effect you want when working out - I assume you mean weight lifting and such. As your muscles develop and become accustomed to daily use, the amount of discomfort after every work out lessens until you've plateaued and need to increase the level of activity and change routines.

I guess I need a change in more ways than one. Thanks sweets.

 

[Eve32]

As you improve your body with the exercise your muscles are gaining strength and a certain amount of tone. That is probably why you are not feeling the 'sting' from the workout.

Thanks. I think I'm seeing a pattern here in the advice.

Cleo

 

[Shingen]

See, this is what confused me. I thought, "ok, I'll intensify". Which I've done for a week now - more reps, not more weight, or more precisely, more resistance. I increased the reps. No pain. Then I added more resistance. No pain. I do the reps until my muscles are tired. Still nothing.

*confused*

Oh, and nice six pack you got there. *grin*

Are you on medication? Maybe your body isn't predisposed to weight training?
Maybe you've reached the point of no resistance? lol

Maybe you are so physically fit that you don't need to workout anymore!!! Here have a pizza and ice cream!

 

[Eve32]

That is so wrong. No wonder people hurt themselves so badly doing exercises.

You shouldn't feel "pain" after working out.

Not even the day after or the dreaded second day?

Cleo

 

[Riles]

Re: Re: Re: Workout question

I guess I need a change in more ways than one. Thanks sweets.

My pleasure. A great fitness centre to join is "Good Life", if you are interested. I believe the chain started in the USA, so you should be able to find something within your area. Bonus - they have a women's gym.

It's suggested that you take a days break between weight lifting. Either work lower body one day with your cardio and upper w/cardio the next or do it all at once then rest a day.

 

[Eve32]

Re: Not always...

Sometimes too long of a rest between sets doesn't allow enough muscle stress to create excessive lactic buildup. Sometimes it's because of your biorythmns that don't permit maximum contraction of the muscle. Working out too long beyond your body's set point reduces muscular contraction and effect. Keep a record on a couple of workouts, and how you feel the next day. That will point to the area of problems.

www.jillmills.com

Thanks for the advice. I actually saw Jill Mills on TV in that competition. Not exactly what I'm aiming for, but a great resource.

Cleo

 

[Eve32]

Are you on medication? Maybe your body isn't predisposed to weight training?
Maybe you've reached the point of no resistance? lol

Maybe you are so physically fit that you don't need to workout anymore!!! Here have a pizza and ice cream!

No, no medication. As for the other questions, I have no idea. I suppose I should have added that I'm trying to lose pregnancy weight. I need to get the tone back in my stomach and hips from the obvious factor. I was in shape before I got pregnant. Now I can't get rid of the "extra" and it's driving me crazy.

So, I'll pass on the pizza. Maybe I'll try the ice cream though. I *do* have some weaknesses. *grin*

Cleo

 

[Eve32]

What?? You didn't feel it? Damn..get back to the workout,,and you can start by getting me a beer from the fridge.

Best of luck with the getting fit thing!

Thanks, and I'm getting back, believe me. Maybe you'd like to start and get your own beer? *grin*

 

[camazotz]

think of it as "strain" versus "pain" -- real pain, like a shooting or stabbing spike in your nervous would be associated with injury.

that lactic acid burn and the muscle failure -- which only means that your arm or whatever is tired and you can't lift any more for half a minute -- that comes with it are good. that's what you want.

the older you get (say, into your 30s), the more you should feel some soreness a day or two after your lift.

also, three key things

1. do cardio and weights, three times a week each (more if you've got the time or inclination on the cardio)

2. vary your routine. have a high intensity (heavy weights, fewer reps; sprinting or somesuch for the cardio) day, a medium day, and a low intensity day, or something along those lines (for cardio and lifting)

3. eat well, fruits, nuts, fish, yogurt, blah blah blah.

give yourself time to find what works for you. go easy on yourself. find sports and exercises you like, so you'll see it as a break in your day and not a burden. and play with your routines to have variety.

phew!

how's that, peeps?