I miss feeling sore!
I know your muscle cells and neural pathways adapt to stress and stretch overtime due to working out... but I didn't think it would happen so fast!
I only lift weights about 2-4 times per week, and have never been very consistent with it until about a month ago (I know what you're thinking, but no I never do the same exercise every day).
Usually I lift (1) as heavy as I can for 8-10 reps (2) decrease weight and go for 12-15 reps (3) add an extra set (4) or try a new exercise/movement or regime... or a combination of the above.
But still no matter what I do or how hard I work I just can't seem to make that soreness come back! I'm getting results, but I just miss FEELING like I'm getting results! That soreness makes me feel like I did something right.
Anyone else in the same boat?
Do you consistantly do the same exercises? Try switching it up.
I recently picked lifting up again after taking time off to recover from an injury. I can say with confidence that no, I don't miss being sore. Then again, maybe it's too fresh in my mind.
that was one of the very first things I said.
"I know what you're thinking, but no I never do the same exercise every day. "
Soreness is not an indication of progress. If you're adding weight to your lifts, your body composition is better, and you have more energy throughout the day, that's pretty much why you're lifting.
If you insist on going for the burn, lift heavy and accentuate the eccentric contraction (generally the "down" portion of the lift). A set of weighted pullups where you focus on taking 5-10 sec to drop all the way down should tear your lats up nicely. But what's that going to get you, other than achy?
I seem to be sore a lot, especially when I add weights or change my routine and frankly I would just as soon not be. It makes it harder to do my cardio the next day or my next workout. :(
I've always thought if you are truly lifting hard enough you should always feel some soreness, no matter what. ****
I still feel sore after I lift and I haven't taken a break from lifting in about 3 months now.
Good form will definitely help, as will, as cnichols suggested, an exaggerated slow-ness on the way down. I always go "up" with explosiveness and down slowly (squats, bench press, tricep pulldowns, bicep curls, etc, etc, etc)
*** which is not to say that not being sore = not making progress.
Lift the weight very slowly on the negative (down) and double that speed going up. Lower the reps to 5 and increase the weight by a large amount. Find the right amount where it is hard to do 5 reps but not impossible. Do 2 sets of 5.
In Summary, less reps, more weight, and slower. Use perfect form; if you cannot, stop at the rep you are on.
Original Post by tboonpickenz:
Lift the weight very slowly on the negative (down) and double that speed going up. Lower the reps to 5 and increase the weight by a large amount. Find the right amount where it is hard to do 5 reps but not impossible. Do 2 sets of 5.
In Summary, less reps, more weight, and slower. Use perfect form; if you cannot, stop at the rep you are on.
I'm confused as to what you are suggesting.
I wasn't asking how to put on muscle mass. If I was I would of stated it. I understand how to lift heavy and use less reps, but that's not what my goals are so I'm not going to do that. But thanks anyways... I guess?
There is the overused statement that "soreness is not a measure of improvement," but even Rippetoe says, "If you are pushing near your limits, you'll be getting sore once in a while."
Original Post by carmenxox:
Original Post by tboonpickenz:
Lift the weight very slowly on the negative (down) and double that speed going up. Lower the reps to 5 and increase the weight by a large amount. Find the right amount where it is hard to do 5 reps but not impossible. Do 2 sets of 5.
In Summary, less reps, more weight, and slower. Use perfect form; if you cannot, stop at the rep you are on.
I'm confused as to what you are suggesting.
I wasn't asking how to put on muscle mass. If I was I would of stated it. I understand how to lift heavy and use less reps, but that's not what my goals are so I'm not going to do that. But thanks anyways... I guess?
My quote doesn't say anything about building muscle mass.
^^ the general rule to putting on size is to increase the weight and lower the reps.
I've tried all these tricks and they do not seem to work: increasing weights to the point I can hardly do few reps. Doing all lifts very slow down, etc. At the end of the work out, all my body is trembling and I barely walk. I work out in the evenings (more convenient for my schedule), then the morning comes, and . . . nothing. No soreness, no muscle fatigue -- nothing.
I just want to feel that my body is repairing itself -- building muscle, etc. Absence of the soreness robs me of that satisfactory feeling.
I know how you feel.
I lift with the few free weights I have at home, and I no longer feel the soreness in my chest from doing dumbell flyes, presses, or push-ups. My chest has developed and I think it has outpaced my arms, as they give out long before I start to feel any burn in the pectoralis, and I miss the feeling the next day of soreness in my chest.
I still get plenty of soreness in my arms, abs, and legs though. And I totally know what you mean, I really enjoy the sore feeling after a good workout.
Original Post by carmenxox:
^^ the general rule to putting on size is to increase the weight and lower the reps.
That's also the general rule for taking off size.
Original Post by floggingsully:
Original Post by carmenxox:
^^ the general rule to putting on size is to increase the weight and lower the reps.
That's also the general rule for taking off size.
+1
You're asking for advice, but give sarcastic responses when you don't get an answer you want.
