Weights - Sore muscles

[wannabethintoo]

I had my first hour workout with my trainer Monday evening. We did a lot of different machines, 2 sets of 12 each. My trainer is a **** so he judged the amount of weight to use based on how I reacted. Is it possible to have used too heavy weights and done some permanent damage? Nothing was hurting at the time (except the usual burn after the 2nd set) but yesterday and today my muscles are REALLY sore. And I don't mean sore like I know they've been worked out, I mean SORE. I can't move my arms without a lot of pain. It's muscle pain and not any other kind of pain. Shouldn't the pain have subsided by now? I've had muscle pain in the past after workouts but never like this. I can't lift my arms over my head without a lot of pain. Did he overdo it?

[BreakfastSurreal]

that's pretty normal I think...I started my weight training last week, and after the 2nd day of rest I could hardly move my arms...this isn't permanent damage, after the 3rd or 4th day you should feel fine. The pain is from lactic acid that is released in your muscles when they are worked out. This is good though, I am on my second week of working out, and me and my bf arm wrestled and he said that I felt a LOT stronger than before already...I don't buy the crap that people say about women need to use lighter weights, and bla bla bla...I use as heavy weights as I can, and I do 2 sets of 20 reps...I will probably move up a stack every 2 weeks. Our genes are what determines how our muscles develop, not the amount of weight we use, or what kind of workout we do.

[wannabethintoo]

Having sore muscles after a workout isn't new to me but this time seems very different. My question is: Is it possible to use too much weight/repetitions and do muscle damage?

[BreakfastSurreal]

Having sore muscles after a workout isn't new to me but this time seems very different. My question is: Is it possible to use too much weight/repetitions and do muscle damage?

I'm not positive...how much weight are you using? If they are really sore, you might want to get some icy hot and spray it on them, or ice them. Or just call your trainer and ask him...I'm sure he could tell you.

[wannabethintoo]

I already asked him...he's a ****....he doesn't like to listen to women whining.

[Iapetus999]

I already asked him...he's a ****....he doesn't like to listen to women whining.

I'm in his camp: Suck it up! :raving

Seriously if you haven't used a muscle in a long time it's going to hurt like ****. I mean like something's broken pain. The nice thing is that you will gain the most strength at first.

I will probably move up a stack every 2 weeks

Good luck with that one. I move up a stack like every 6 months at this point.
The first month or 2 maybe...but then it's hard (unless you're on 'roids)

[wannabethintoo]

I know, I'm going to suck it up but I was just a little worried that's all.

I agree, moving up a stack every two weeks would be tough for me too....I hope that's not what my ****...I mean trainer has in mind for me. :yikes

[cajunthunder]

I think this has a lot to do with what shape you were in when you started, age, health etc. I thought I was in decent shape, but realized quickly that I wasn't. But my trainer spent the first two weeks doing conditioning stuff, taking it slow and building up from there. We have continually increased weights, resistance, reps, etc...

Is all of your training invovling weights or do you do other stuff?

There's a fine line between a trainer pushing you/encouraging you, and one who bullies you to do more than your body can realistically handle. That's one reason people quit - they overdo it to the point of extreme pain or injury.

[jroche5998]

Especially when you are working certain muscles hard for the first time, the pain can be bad. The second day after is the absolute worst. I used to work my arms so hard that I couln't straighten them for a few days.

As you work out more your muscle healing process will speed up as well. When I used to lift weights constantly it got to the point where I would work to absolute muscle failure and I would be fine by the next day. Your body is just getting used to the new routine.

All of that said, I find it highly unlikely that you would damage muscles in a controlled environment, like weight lifting and with a trainer to boot. That said I think you can damage joints doing too much weight (I've done serious damage to my shoulders) but since you are starting out I find that unlikely as well. Especially since you said the pain is muscular. Two sets of 12 is not a lot per machine and since you only had the burn during it, I think your trainer pushed you just the right amount. Post workout discomfort/pain is a good thing (except for injury) you will learn to love it because it means you are building muscle. Which is the best thing for those of us trying to lose weight, since muscle is such an energy waster.

[Finelly]

Would you mind not referring to him on the board as a ****?

And congratulations on the workout!!!!!!

[jade]

Re: Weights - Sore muscles

Hey "wannabethintoo"
You will have some muscular pain after working out with weights initially. But something you might want to do BEFORE you work out is to warm your muscles up. You might try some light activity before you lift or even some very easy stretching. I also take a pain reliever either before or right after I work out for the first time. I know for myself that I always stretch out AFTER I work out with weights. Another suggestion is if you have access to a jacuzzi take advantage of it (or a very warm bath at home) These things have helped to reduce muscular pain for me in the past.
I agree with what the others have written as well. I would also suggest this: Get a different trainer. If you have a negative attitude about the person who is training you then mentally you are defeated. Find someone who will take the time to answer your questions, explain body mechanics to you and who will sympathize (to a point) with your soreness. Otherwise you're wasting your money.

Hang in there!
jade :wave

[wannabethintoo]

I think this has a lot to do with what shape you were in when you started, age, health etc. I thought I was in decent shape, but realized quickly that I wasn't. But my trainer spent the first two weeks doing conditioning stuff, taking it slow and building up from there. We have continually increased weights, resistance, reps, etc...

Is all of your training invovling weights or do you do other stuff?

There's a fine line between a trainer pushing you/encouraging you, and one who bullies you to do more than your body can realistically handle. That's one reason people quit - they overdo it to the point of extreme pain or injury.

It was my own fault. I told him that I wanted a good workout where I could feel the muscles being worked out. I was working out on my own but I never felt it in my muscles. I only do the weight training with him. I do the cardio on my own based on what he tells me to do.

[wannabethintoo]

Would you mind not referring to him on the board as a ****?

And congratulations on the workout!!!!!!

Oh sorry. I never thought it would offend anyone.

[wannabethintoo]

Especially when you are working certain muscles hard for the first time, the pain can be bad. The second day after is the absolute worst. I used to work my arms so hard that I couln't straighten them for a few days.

As you work out more your muscle healing process will speed up as well. When I used to lift weights constantly it got to the point where I would work to absolute muscle failure and I would be fine by the next day. Your body is just getting used to the new routine.

All of that said, I find it highly unlikely that you would damage muscles in a controlled environment, like weight lifting and with a trainer to boot. That said I think you can damage joints doing too much weight (I've done serious damage to my shoulders) but since you are starting out I find that unlikely as well. Especially since you said the pain is muscular. Two sets of 12 is not a lot per machine and since you only had the burn during it, I think your trainer pushed you just the right amount. Post workout discomfort/pain is a good thing (except for injury) you will learn to love it because it means you are building muscle. Which is the best thing for those of us trying to lose weight, since muscle is such an energy waster.

I do love the post workout pain and that's why I told him that I wanted to feel the workout. I've just never had this much pain before and I've had a lot of personal training in the past with different trainers.

[BreakfastSurreal]

I think this has a lot to do with what shape you were in when you started, age, health etc. I thought I was in decent shape, but realized quickly that I wasn't. But my trainer spent the first two weeks doing conditioning stuff, taking it slow and building up from there. We have continually increased weights, resistance, reps, etc...

Is all of your training invovling weights or do you do other stuff?

There's a fine line between a trainer pushing you/encouraging you, and one who bullies you to do more than your body can realistically handle. That's one reason people quit - they overdo it to the point of extreme pain or injury.

It was my own fault. I told him that I wanted a good workout where I could feel the muscles being worked out. I was working out on my own but I never felt it in my muscles. I only do the weight training with him. I do the cardio on my own based on what he tells me to do.

hehe, from my own experience...the first day after I started cardio (before i did any weights) I was a tad sore the next day...it was painful but only when I moved a certain way or tried to stretch...then last week when I started weights...my arms were soooo sore...mostly my deltoids, from doing the butterfly press...owww! I could not even move my arms in the motion that the machine makes. I kinda thought at the time maybe I had overdone it..but after the 3rd day I felt fine...I was anticipating soreness after my 2nd day of weights (waited 3 days for soreness to go away) but it was NOTHING like the first time, and I did the same amount of weights...I am getting stronger now! You won't regret that part The pain will subside and youll feel great! And remember muscle is what burns fat, the more you have the faster/more fat you'll burn off!