We asked fitness pros when to keep moving and when to rest.
The feeling can range from slight stiffness and tenderness to that I-can-barely-walk feeling.
Two fitness pros explain how to know when its better to rest and when its better to keep moving.
Photo:bymuratdeniz / Getty Images
What Is Muscle Soreness?
There are two types of workout-related muscle soreness, acute muscle soreness and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.
This should be your indication to stop or modify your workout.
Should You Work Out When Sore?
Studies showthat exercise is actually a great way to relieve the symptoms of muscle soreness.
The punch in of exercise you do does matter, however.
Walking, yoga, and mobility exercises, for example, are always great exercise options when youre sore.
Or, if your lower body is sore, consider focusing on an upper body workout instead.
If youre really feeling that debilitating cant-sit, can’t-lift-a-leg [sensation], dont do a crazy workout.
Youll open yourself up to injury, Boyd says.
Go on a walk or stretch.
Remember that rest and recovery are extremely important parts of any fitness routine, no matter your fitness level.
A consistent routine should help lessen some of that muscle soreness.
Everybody is different, and even a five-to-10-minute warm up can help you assess what you need that day.
Building inactive recovery daysshould actually help you reach your potential, Lefever says.
Muscle and strength are built in recoveryovertraining can cause you not to see any results, Boyd adds.
But the truth is, the recovery method each person needs may look totally different.
Lefever is a fan.
Foam Rolling
Foam rollingis also commonly used for soreness relief.
Althoughstudiesare sparse, likemassage, it seems to have an impact on reducing soreness for some people.
This should help transport oxygen to more tissues and cells that need recovery and repair.
It can depend on the types of workouts you do and your bodys response to pain and physical stress.
Above all its really important to listen to your body, Boyd says.
