Health Tips : Is soreness a good indicator of a good workout?
The old axiom, “no pain, no gain,” is just that… old and outdated. Pain and soreness are not valid measures of the benefits of exercise.
Muscle soreness can occur with whoever who exercises, from a beginning exerciser embarking on a new program to a conditioned veteran who’s working at a greater intensity, frequency, and/or duration than he / she is used to.
It frequently happens to well-trained individuals as they start a new activity.
Muscle soreness might also be a result of overuse, which could eventually lead to injury. It’s important to listen to your body and seek treatment for injuries.
Meeting objectives in terms of developing strength or endurance needs to be the focus of any workout program. Well-defined objectives guide results that you’re able to attain through gradual behavior change.
Examples – I want to be able to do 20 push-ups; I want to be able to run a 10K by the end of the year, etc. Goals are specific and measurable and may be useful in guiding any exercise program.
Soreness may be a consequence of working toward a training goal, but should not be a goal in and of itself.
Your development and achievement ought to be the trainer’s first concern.
A few trainers feel the way a client looks or how much she / he can lift is a direct reflection of her or his ability. Does it make sense for you to have a conversation with your trainer about your concerns?
You may want to reference Selecting and Effectively Using a Fitness Trainer, created by the American College of Sports Medicine.