Exercising is a pretty healthy habit that many of us should constantly do. However, it is necessary to know how to train appropriately; otherwise, you may have unwanted results. One of the most frequently asked questions is whether muscle soreness when exercising is normal and whether you should exercise when you’re sore.
It should be noted that there are different muscle pains, one related to muscle tension and the other to intense fatigue. The first is due to exercise intensity; you may feel slight pain or tension, which will make you sore.
The other pain is caused by an effort the muscle is not used to making. It creates injury to the muscle and swells it. That causes intense pain that can noticeably affect the person.
Let’s see under what conditions it is advisable to exercise with a sore muscle and under what conditions it is advisable to take a break.
Exercising With Sore Muscles
Exercising with sore muscles can be beneficial or harmful, depending on your pain type. If you have intense pain with swelling, making an effort that you are not used to is not recommended. The reasons are several; first, the muscle loses mobility and loses much of its strength and endurance. Therefore, it would be impossible to maintain the same routine.
The second reason is that the muscle has considerable damage in the tissues due to the effort. In this condition, making too much exertion could cause a muscle injury such as a muscle tear. Therefore the best option, in this case, is to let the muscle rest.
In the case of muscle fatigue or slight tension in the muscle, you can train without any problem. Since the muscle doesn’t present any injury and is already used to that degree of exercise, it will not affect the muscle’s health. You can follow the same routine or make a considerable increase but not exceed your muscular capacity.
Recommendations for Training
If you are starting to train, it is best to train lightly since your body is not used to physical effort. At the beginning of the workout, start with a bit of weight to test your current capacity. Graduate to a challenging weight, but do not put too much tension on your muscles.
Another tip we give you is to provide the area of the body that you worked a day of rest. Several trainers agree that the muscle recovers entirely in 48 hours. During that time, you can work on another body area to keep the balance.
We also recommend performing cardio constantly. Cardio helps blood circulation and the repair of muscle fibers. It will also help you with your respiratory condition, which is an aspect some athletes tend to neglect.
Finally, have a rich intake of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Remember that the body not only burns fat when training, but it also burns the nutrients it possesses. Protein intake is essential for muscle regeneration and the best use of exercise.
It is crucial to listen to your body before working out. If you feel much pain and fatigue, let your body rest. Remember to eat a balanced diet and get in touch with a certified personal trainer who can guide you with your routine.