Make it better...

I think the least useful fitness phrase ever is “No pain, no gain.”  I’m a believer in “No pain, no pain.”  (This does not mean that fitness is never uncomfortable.  There are always exercises that challenge our character as well as our bodies, but less sucking it up is better, on the whole.)

 

However, if we are doing enough in our workouts, we will end up sore from time to time.  This is a good thing and helps us get stronger.  We do need to have a few coping techniques.  Notice that I am NOT talking about injury protocol.  If we get injured, we need to seek medical attention and do what our doctors tell us.

 

Here are a few soreness-fighters, including the classics that all trainers recommend.

 

1.     Rest.  We already build this into our workout plans (I hope) by choosing not to work the same muscle groups two days in a row in our strength workouts.  This also means that if we worked some muscle particularly hard, we give it time to recover before we work it a bunch more.  If we are still really sore on the third day after a workout, we know that we need to dial it back a bit next time.

2.     Ice.  Ice reduces swelling.  If we have an actual injury with swelling, ice is an excellent friend.

3.     Heat.  Heat does not help swelling, but it is soothing.  If muscles feel like they are clenched beyond repair, a heating pad, microwavable pad, or hot bath or shower can help the muscles unfold a bit.

4.     Ibuprofen.  Unless there is an allergy or other reason not to take it.  OTC medications help and we are not weaker humans for taking them.

5.     Massage.  Admittedly, in a pandemic, this is not an easy option to take unless we planned ahead and got quarantined with a talented provider.  However, exploiting our spouses, partners, and/or children to help rub sore spots can be a viable thing, especially if we are willing to reciprocate.

6.     Self-myofascial release.  This works less well than good massage, but a whole lot better than nothing.  Quality time with a foam roller or set of tune-up balls can make the world seem like a friendlier place.

 

Again, we work out to feel better, not worse.  Fight the soreness and then do the next workout.