Sore muscle relief?

I have only been weight lifting for a few days and I am in a wee bit of pain. Can someone tell me if there are any remedies for sore muscles I could use now? I realize this will get better, but I almost fell down my front steps when I couldn't bend my poor legs. lol

Is asprin good to help with this soreness?

Here's a way to help prevent the soreness: Do at least one good set on the muscle group that exactly opposes the one you're concentrating on that day. For example, if you're concentrating on chest, do at least one set of T-bar rows, seated rows, or lawnmower pulls. The opposing set shouldn't be as heavy as if you were doing a back workout, but it should be heavy enough to get a moderate burn.

I find this causes a slight reduction in muscle pain, but greatly reduces tendon pain, which can be much worse (especially if you're just starting out, or just returning after a long absence).

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Dunno about after you have the soreness, but I find the number one preventive for me is a really thorough warm-down. 5-10 minutes on the erg and a good 10 of calisthenics and stretching. I have read that studies prove that warming down doesn't affect soreness, which just goes to show that everyone's different cause it really matters for me.

dogsbody

Thanks for the suggestions folks. I am going to try anything and everything, but I have found that after my 1st week at gym altenating aerobics and weight training, I am not feeling as sore. This means muscles are being built and used. Right?

Into your first 2-3 weeks of weight training your muscles will get used to it then you won't be nearly as sore.

Get 8 hours of sleep every night. The only way your body can recover itself is while you're sleeping.

I know the feeling... The first time I started lifting weights I did heavy sqauts and the next day I could barely walk. I missed a whole week of school because my legs were extremly sore and I couldn't walk without extreme pain.

Lots of sleep (no less than 8 hours) will help with the soreness.

Go to your local dental office and ask for some novocaine. That should take care of the soreness completely. Just kidding!

It doesn't mean muscle is being built and being used. You're not as sore because your body is getting used to the weight training that's why you're not as sore. The only time you get very sore is when you start lifting weights for the first time.

I believe many people find some sort of light cardio for 10 minute or so after lifting helps with the soreness. It's helped me as well.

Also, once upon a time it was suggested that fairly high doses of antioxidants directly after the workout helps some people. I've had only a little luck with that.

You may not get as sore after you're used to lifting weights. How you tried the obious remedies - BenGay, etc or painkillers like Alleve? I always get very sore when returning to weight lifting after a layoff. The advice I've heard is to not exercise a sore muscle, instead wait til the soreness is gone. On the plus side getting sore means you've overloaded your muscles, a key to getting stronger.

My apologies for not responding sooner, but my server has been down....

I find it a relief to know that this muscle soreness will lessen as I get into the weight training. To tell the truth, I was beginning to think weight trainers were a bunch of masochists because they put their body throught this. lol Just joking, please don't send me 'altrnate lifestyle' literature.

I am totally surprised at how quickly I have become accustomed to doing weights. I thought this would be SO much harder.. Now I wish I had started years ago.. Sigh...

I have taken your advice and am getting lots of sleep, doing at least 5 minutes of warm-down(this is a great stress reliever too!) and do an alternate muscle group. Admit I thought this one was wierd, but it actually seems to work. Very good advice.

Thanks again for the help you guys! I may never join a competition (but then maybe I will!) but I am starting to see muscles again.. Joy! Joy! Joy!