Why Soreness Is NOT The Best Indicator For A Good Workout

TL;DR

Soreness after a workout can be caused by various factors, including novel stimuli, lack of sleep, a pro-inflammatory fatty acid profile, and certain exercises that load you in a stretched position.

Transcript

first question is from losing Katie why am I so sore sometimes and not others even with a comparable workout yeah this this is a mystery okay we know there's certain things connected to soreness so if you haven't done an exercise for a while that will increase soreness if you have an exercise at all that'll increase soreness novel stimulus lack of ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💪 Soreness can be influenced by various factors, including lack of exercise, novel stimulus, lack of sleep, and imbalanced fatty acid profile.
• 🏋️ Certain exercises, such as those that load muscles in a stretched position, are more likely to cause soreness compared to others.
• 🔑 Soreness does not necessarily indicate a successful workout, but rather the possibility of overdoing it.
• 🤔 The mystery of why soreness occurs and what happens in the body during this process persists.
• 🔄 A comparable workout may still lead to soreness if there is even one novel stimulus or variation in exercises.
• 📊 Loading muscles in a stretched position during exercises like chest flies can induce more soreness compared to other forms of loading, such as cables.
• 😫 Different degrees of soreness exist, ranging from tightness to severe restriction and difficulty in movement.
• ♀️ Rep range can influence soreness, with higher reps (12-14) more likely to cause soreness compared to lower reps (3-5), though soreness does not necessarily indicate effectiveness.
• 🔄 Comparability in terms of sets, reps, exercises, and tempo plays a significant role in determining whether soreness occurs, highlighting the need for specific information to provide a precise answer.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does soreness occur after a workout?

Soreness can be attributed to various factors, including novel stimuli, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, and imbalanced fatty acid profiles, as well as exercises that load you in a stretched position.

Q: Is soreness an indication of a successful workout?

Not necessarily. Soreness can mean that you went too hard or overdid it, but it does not always indicate a successful workout. It is important to listen to your body and avoid pushing beyond your limits.

Q: Which exercises are more likely to cause soreness?

Exercises that load you in a stretched position, such as stiff-legged deadlifts or chest flies with dumbbells, are more likely to cause soreness compared to exercises like leg curls or using cables for chest flies.

Q: How long should soreness last after a workout?

Soreness usually lasts for a day or two after a workout, but if it persists for longer or is accompanied by severe pain that inhibits movement, it may indicate overexertion or injury and should be addressed.

Q: Does changing the range of motion or exercise tempo affect soreness?

Yes, changing the range of motion or exercise tempo can contribute to soreness. Extending the range of motion or altering the pace of an exercise can introduce novel stimuli to the body, leading to increased soreness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Soreness is influenced by factors such as lack of exercise, novel stimuli, lack of sleep, and an imbalanced fatty acid profile.

• Exercises that load you in a stretched position, such as stiff-legged deadlifts, can cause more soreness compared to exercises like leg curls.

• Soreness does not necessarily indicate a successful workout, and overdoing it can lead to excessive soreness.