Lack of muscle soreness?

[SagaLore]

I've been working out my biceps as well as a few other muscle groups... at first my biceps would be sore after each work out. But I've increased my weight, and I do about 3 sets of 8 reps, and 1 set of 4 to 6 reps of a higher weight. I warm up with 15 reps of a much ligher weight. I read that if you're not maxing out you weight by the 6 to 8 reps, then it's not heavy enough and won't work the muscle enough for it to rebuild.

A few days ago I did some heavy weight on my biceps (curl bar). And I maxed out, but I didn't get sore that day afterwards, nor sore the next day. So I figured it must have needed a bit more weight. So then I did it the next day using a little bit more weight, using free weights. Still not sore. What gives?

Is it possible to build up muscle (after ripping it down) without the side effect of soreness?

edit: Adding this to the discussion:

I would still like a definitive answer on this... how fast do muscle fibers rebuild - grow?
Also, the protein mix I'm using has a Myostatin blocker in it. Anybody else use it?

 

[Fausto]

Short answer: no. Your muscles are adapting to the workload you've imposed on the and are recovering faster so you're less sore. A good thing IMO, since you can lift heavy and not be paralyzed for three days. I always dread the first few weeks of a weight regimen since you end up in pain no matter how carefully you start out it seems.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Fausto1
Short answer: no. Your muscles are adapting to the workload you've imposed on the and are recovering faster so you're less sore. A good thing IMO, since you can lift heavy and not be paralyzed for three days. I always dread the first few weeks of a weight regimen since you end up in pain no matter how carefully you start out it seems.

That's pretty much it right there.

Even though you'll hear the "no pain, no gain" crap flying all over the gym, it's simply not true. The pain is a resultant effect of the gain and not the source of muscle building. Sure, it might be sore after the first while, but if you keep at it or do other forms of exercise in addition to weightlifting / "beefing up" then you may not notice anything.

- M4H

 

[TheNinja]

I'm not sure but that's a great question and I was wondering the same thing. I even change up exercises and weight amounts and sometimes I'm sore and sometimes I'm not. I have been lifting on and off for the last 6 years or so and pretty consistently for the last 2 years so maybe I don't need to get too sore anymore? I'll be checking up on this thread fo sho'

 

[mrCide]

my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: mrCide
my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

That's really not totally true. I mean, sure you have to work the muscles to get them to grow, but if you pack on the weight to where you can barely put a shirt on the next day every time you work out, you're going to tear something eventually. You're always going to "feel it" after a workout, but pain shouldn't be your goal.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: mrCide
my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

Naw, i don't agree with that. First off, if your muscles are always inflamed, you're not going to be able to push your limits the next time at the gym because you're already so sore.

Second, your body will eventually adapt. After years of working out, unless i do a completely shock routine, i won't feel ANY pain after a workout.

Third, the tears in your muscles are very microscopic. The pain you're feeling isn't from the tearing, it's from the inflammation that's around there... so no, it doesn't matter if you feel sore or not. It's actually better if you don't. But the pain, in moderation once in awhile, does feel good.

 

[mrCide]

pfft.

i'm talking about soreness that lasts 1-2 days, not pain

 

[FuZoR]

bleh, i just started working out again after almost a year sitting on my butt and im sore all over

haha

 

[blakeatwork]

Does anyone have the link for that Suicide workout that was posted awhile back... funny stuff true, but you know there's guys out there (and on here) that would give it a whirl, and wonder why they can't move for a week...

 

[Sluggo]

Use caution bumping your weight up too quickly.

Your muscles can adapt to the weight quite quickly, your tendons and ligaments can not adapt so quickly.

Your muscles will grow fast enough that you may be able to lift more weight than your tendons and ligaments can handle. A sore muscle is one thing, a torn or damaged ligament/tendon is quite another.

 

[Spamela]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: mrCide
my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

Naw, i don't agree with that. First off, if your muscles are always inflamed, you're not going to be able to push your limits the next time at the gym because you're already so sore.

Second, your body will eventually adapt. After years of working out, unless i do a completely shock routine, i won't feel ANY pain after a workout.

Third, the tears in your muscles are very microscopic. The pain you're feeling isn't from the tearing, it's from the inflammation that's around there... so no, it doesn't matter if you feel sore or not. It's actually better if you don't. But the pain, in moderation once in awhile, does feel good.

i agree with the 1st part: if you're really hurting, then you don't want to work out (the body part that is hurting, that is).

2nd part: your body will adapt, but for some exercises (heavy squatting, for ex.) you will always be sore. that doesn't seem to be the case with smaller muscles (biceps, for example).

 

[SnapIT]

No...

If i don't do a new excersise i never get sore anymore...

 

[Saltin]

I used to get sore all the time when I first started weights. I never notice soreness anymore, and my muscles are still improving.

 

[GasX]

when you are in good shape, you body's ability to recover rapidly from anaerobic metabolism is drastically increased. The result is no build up of lactic acid and no resulting lasting muscle soreness.

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
when you are in good shape, you body's ability to recover rapidly from anaerobic metabolism is drastically increased. The result is no build up of lactic acid and no resulting lasting muscle soreness.

DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is not caused by lactic acid in the muscle. Lactic acid is a by product of burning sugars for energy during intense physical excersise. Within an hour after exercise, most, if not all, of the lactic acid produced in the muscles is removed and degraded.

The truth is, nobody really knows why you get DOMS, but it is known that it is caused by eccentric contractions (the negative phase, like when you lower the weight while curling)...

 

[SagaLore]

Well this is really good to hear! Now the trick is, if my biceps are adjusting and recovering so quickly, how many days do I wait before the next workout for that particular muscle group? How fast does muscle rebuild if it's supplied an optimal amount of protein and nutrition?

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Well this is really good to hear! Now the trick is, if my biceps are adjusting and recovering so quickly, how many days do I wait before the next workout for that particular muscle group? How fast does muscle rebuild if it's supplied an optimal amount of protein and nutrition?

48 hours is the rule of thumb IIRC. You have to allow for adequate recovery or your progress stall out or you'll eventually get hurt. You really shouldn't have time to hit your bi's more than twice a week anyway if you're on a rotation for the rest of your body on other days. Please don't turn yourself into one of the goons I see at the gym with huge biceps and pecs and the legs of a 12 year-old girl. That's just not right.

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Well this is really good to hear! Now the trick is, if my biceps are adjusting and recovering so quickly, how many days do I wait before the next workout for that particular muscle group? How fast does muscle rebuild if it's supplied an optimal amount of protein and nutrition?

Train each bodypart once a week, that is enough if you train hard... You can eat perfectly and use all the supplements you like, but it takes time for your body to heal what is broken down during intense workouts...

Many people read the pro's regimens and think they have to top that as they don't use 'roids, but that is not the case, you cannot train as much as them becasue you don't have the 'roids to up your synthetis..

Never train with DOMS...

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Spamela

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: mrCide
my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

Naw, i don't agree with that. First off, if your muscles are always inflamed, you're not going to be able to push your limits the next time at the gym because you're already so sore.

Second, your body will eventually adapt. After years of working out, unless i do a completely shock routine, i won't feel ANY pain after a workout.

Third, the tears in your muscles are very microscopic. The pain you're feeling isn't from the tearing, it's from the inflammation that's around there... so no, it doesn't matter if you feel sore or not. It's actually better if you don't. But the pain, in moderation once in awhile, does feel good.

i agree with the 1st part: if you're really hurting, then you don't want to work out (the body part that is hurting, that is).

2nd part: your body will adapt, but for some exercises (heavy squatting, for ex.) you will always be sore. that doesn't seem to be the case with smaller muscles (biceps, for example).

Ditto.

If you squat heavy you feel sore the next day easily. You can not fail to feel sore if you are squating heavy. If your not squating heavy then you won't feel sore as your body can cope with weights that aren't as *heavy*.

Many people read the pro's regimens and think they have to top that as they don't use 'roids, but that is not the case, you cannot train as much as them becasue you don't have the 'roids to up your synthetis..

The pro's use steriods to help them recover faster so they can train harder. You can't train like that if your not on steriods.

anyway how much are your curling?

 

[SnapIT]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Spamela

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: mrCide
my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

Naw, i don't agree with that. First off, if your muscles are always inflamed, you're not going to be able to push your limits the next time at the gym because you're already so sore.

Second, your body will eventually adapt. After years of working out, unless i do a completely shock routine, i won't feel ANY pain after a workout.

Third, the tears in your muscles are very microscopic. The pain you're feeling isn't from the tearing, it's from the inflammation that's around there... so no, it doesn't matter if you feel sore or not. It's actually better if you don't. But the pain, in moderation once in awhile, does feel good.

i agree with the 1st part: if you're really hurting, then you don't want to work out (the body part that is hurting, that is).

2nd part: your body will adapt, but for some exercises (heavy squatting, for ex.) you will always be sore. that doesn't seem to be the case with smaller muscles (biceps, for example).

Ditto.

If you squat heavy you feel sore the next day easily. You can not fail to feel sore if you are squating heavy. If your not squating heavy then you won't feel sore as your body can cope with weights that aren't as *heavy*.

Many people read the pro's regimens and think they have to top that as they don't use 'roids, but that is not the case, you cannot train as much as them becasue you don't have the 'roids to up your synthetis..

The pro's use steriods to help them recover faster so they can train harder. You can't train like that if your not on steriods.

anyway how much are your curling?

BS, you can train like that without steroids, but it will be counterproductive... (can, but shouldn't) What i mean is, 45-60 minutes is max for a high intensity workout, you can go beyond that but you will be overtraining then...

I use 80 pound dumbells, seated... i have problems with my left arm lagging behind so i don't use the bar anymore...

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: SnapIT
BS, you can train like that without steroids, but it will be counterproductive... (can, but shouldn't) What i mean is, 45-60 minutes is max for a high intensity workout, you can go beyond that but you will be overtraining then...

I use 80 pound dumbells, seated... i have problems with my left arm lagging behind so i don't use the bar anymore...

You can't train at the same intensity levels without steriods then if you did use them. You would be too tired.

45-60 minutes is not enough time for my work out. I'm a specailised lifter. I do Olympic lifts and I train as follows:


Warm up overall body:

Warm up for Clean and Jerk
Train:

85kg x 3 reps x 4 sets

Back Squat:
100kg x 6 reps x 5 sets

Close Grip bench press
62.5kg x 8 reps x 4 sets

Clean pulls:
115kg x 3 x 5 sets

Sit ups with 10kg at incline with straight legs

8 reps x 4 sets


(reps and sets will vary slightly depending on what day and week of my schedule it is and also what training routine I am on. Also if I am 2 weeks from competition)

You can't finish that in 1hr. I take 1-2 minutes rest between each set of each exercise to keep working harder. I take longer on the technical lifts of my training schedule as the focus is on technique.

This is a typical day for me. I alternate between two work outs. Clean and Jerk day. Snatch day.

I hit the gym 3 times a week. I don't rotate body parts as I don't need to. I do this to compete in competitions. Squating big is king and the volume you need to do is a lot if you want to compete, which I do.

Obviously if your hitting the gym 5-6 times a week then you can take less time. Also if you lift like I do you can't do it in one hour and you need to do the volumes of work I do. Also I only like to hit the gym 3x a week. I love working out but I got to do other things also.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: Koing

Originally posted by: Spamela

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: mrCide
my opinion is that it IS no pain no gain.

it doesn't hurt being sore but you feel it. if i don't feel it i either put on more weights or try a different machine or exercise for the muscle.

your muscle builds when it repairs it's tears, which is why you're sore (i believe).. hence no soreness no building..

Naw, i don't agree with that. First off, if your muscles are always inflamed, you're not going to be able to push your limits the next time at the gym because you're already so sore.

Second, your body will eventually adapt. After years of working out, unless i do a completely shock routine, i won't feel ANY pain after a workout.

Third, the tears in your muscles are very microscopic. The pain you're feeling isn't from the tearing, it's from the inflammation that's around there... so no, it doesn't matter if you feel sore or not. It's actually better if you don't. But the pain, in moderation once in awhile, does feel good.

i agree with the 1st part: if you're really hurting, then you don't want to work out (the body part that is hurting, that is).

2nd part: your body will adapt, but for some exercises (heavy squatting, for ex.) you will always be sore. that doesn't seem to be the case with smaller muscles (biceps, for example).

Ditto.

If you squat heavy you feel sore the next day easily. You can not fail to feel sore if you are squating heavy. If your not squating heavy then you won't feel sore as your body can cope with weights that aren't as *heavy*.

Many people read the pro's regimens and think they have to top that as they don't use 'roids, but that is not the case, you cannot train as much as them becasue you don't have the 'roids to up your synthetis..

The pro's use steriods to help them recover faster so they can train harder. You can't train like that if your not on steriods.

anyway how much are your curling?

I was maxing out at 35 lbs per arm for 4 reps. I don't have very big biceps at all...

 

[classy]

Well with 17 years behind me I can definately say muscle soreness is a good thing, pain is not. Stress is what causes a muscle to grow and develop, so soreness is a sign that the muscle is being challenged. Now if your at a point where it takes you more than 2 days to recover and you have pain where you can't move, your going overboard.

 

[StageLeft]

Anybody who says that it "has" to occur obviously has never worked out long term.