Not sore day after workouts....WTF!

[HereWeGoAgain]

Ok, I don't understand this. I normally don't get very sore the day after I work out a specific muscle. For example, yesterday I did triceps and my triceps are not sore today. The only muscle that actually feels sore the next day after working out is chest.

When lifting I work out the muscle until I can't physically lift anymore. I typically do (4) different excercises and (3) sets on each one. Thats 12 sets and then I do a burnout set at the end on a new excercise so in total I'm getting about 15 sets per muscle group. Anywhere from 8-12 reps per set.


Any ideas why I'm not getting sore? I could understand if I was leaving the gym energized still and able to do more but I leave worn out feeling like I got a great workout!

[Tatudlifter]

the only time i get a little sore is when i change up my workout a little. Working muscles from different angles or doing exercises i havn't done in a while. Otherwise i vary rarely get sore and i am as intense as i can be every workout. You don't have to be sore to have had a great workout. Hope that helps a little!

[B.E.N.]

Muscle soreness is not an indicator of a good workout. In fact persistant muscle soreness can indicate overtraining...one of our worst enemies.

Forget soreness as an indicator of progress. Use a training journal to track progess instead.

[Ronnie Rowland]

In general, it's the lagging bodyparts that tend to get the sorest. However, some people I train never get sore where as others always get sore. It's nothing to worry about.

[SMCengineer]

All the study's I've seen say that you don't have to be sore the next day and that it may actually be bad for you. With that said, if I'm not sore the next day, I'm pissed and I'll either change the workout, focus more on the muscle group, or go heavier.

Can you give me an example of your workout routine for tri's?

[SMCengineer]

I'll also say this. When I was first starting out, I would never get sore and I always made very slow gains. As I progressed, I figured out which exercises worked best for me and I also built up my mind/muscle connection. From there, I found that my soreness really increased and my gains were incredible.

[DeputyLoneWolf]

Ok, I don't understand this. I normally don't get very sore the day after I work out a specific muscle. For example, yesterday I did triceps and my triceps are not sore today. The only muscle that actually feels sore the next day after working out is chest.

When lifting I work out the muscle until I can't physically lift anymore. I typically do (4) different excercises and (3) sets on each one. Thats 12 sets and then I do a burnout set at the end on a new excercise so in total I'm getting about 15 sets per muscle group. Anywhere from 8-12 reps per set.


Any ideas why I'm not getting sore? I could understand if I was leaving the gym energized still and able to do more but I leave worn out feeling like I got a great workout!

After lifting hard for 3 months doing similar volumes as you I was not getting as sore either. Then I got a lifitng partner and am able to do forced reps and negatives. Now gains in size and strengh are going way up!

[HereWeGoAgain]

Thanks for the replies.

[chopper9451]

My soarness always hits two days after I lift and stays soar for like 4 days. well, not soar, tight more or less

[SmittyTheOX]

Like everyone has said, pain following workouts is not a requirement of a good workout.

Whats your goal? (mass, strength, cutting etc)
What roughly does your wo consist of? (exercises)

[Dicknang]

I have often wondered the same thing. My chest always gets sore, and my legs will randomly get sore, but none of my other body parts really do. It's good to learn that no soreness doesn't necessarily mean a bad workout. Thanks for posting this thread!

[GT2]

Being sore can sometimes mean a lack of nutrients following a workout.