Thread: I don't get SORE

ive wondered this as well, after a few weeks of working out constantly, even though im working to failure, i dont get sore. i also notice im not getting gains like i do when im sore. so i just need to train for a greater time period? add more sets, even though my muscles are tired? dropsets?

Soreness is not directly related to hypertrophy. Most of us dont get sore very much after a couple months of training. If you drastically change your workout, you'll probably get sore. Nothing to worry about though.

so how can the hypertrophy be detected?

Originally posted by DimebagDarrell
so how can the hypertrophy be detected?

Are u asking how u know that you're gaining muscle? If so, you could use the mirror. Or go a step further and keep track of bf % using calipers. Strength increrase will be followed by increased muscle size. Since you're just getting back to training, you'll most likely be able to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time (the rest of us dont have that privilage unless we're on drugs).

So muslce soreness doesn't equal progression in training.
So I guess I am lucky then huh

Right. I think most of us still love getting sore. Cant help but feel like you accomplished something when you feel that way. Its definitely not necessary for growth though.

Originally posted by DimebagDarrell
so how can the hypertrophy be detected?

A tape measure.

Yeah, I'm being a bit of a wise ass here but not completely. First off, you're not going to detect any gains in muscle mass in a day or two, we're talking months and months. This is a sloooooooow process. Buy yourself a good sewing tape measure (the cloth kind) and record your dimensions now. Go back and take the same measurements six months from now. Did you grow? Great, keep up the good work!

ah, i was just wondering if there was a way to make sure im actually gettin a good workout. so theres a good question: "How do i know when i have had an effective workout?"

Originally posted by DimebagDarrell
ah, i was just wondering if there was a way to make sure im actually gettin a good workout. so theres a good question: "How do i know when i have had an effective workout?"

I gauge the quality of my workout by whether or not I was able to increase weight, reps, or both from the last time I did the exercises. Keeping a journal is key for that.

Originally posted by jaybol10
I don't get sore!!!

count your lucky stars.

i train legs on saturdays, and am SO sore until the next saturday when its time to do legs again.

BTW DIMEBAG-nice name bro I Pantera

Originally posted by Var
I gauge the quality of my workout by whether or not I was able to increase weight, reps, or both from the last time I did the exercises. Keeping a journal is key for that.

I use the same gauge to determine if my routine is working. Granted, my primary goal is strength, but I am looking to increase mass at the same time.

Make sure you change around your lifts frequently. Every time I significantly change my routine I feel sore. As well, my gains are always the best right after a change in routine.

Rotate your lifts. For example, if you did benchpress as the first chest exercise during week A, make benchpress the last chest exercise during week B.

Change your tempo. Instead of rhythmically lifting the weights, try doing a 3 or 4 second negative and a 2 or 3 second positive.

I posted a new thread under "Am I Overtraining?" If you guys want to add some advice It would be apprciated!

Originally posted by Var
I gauge the quality of my workout by whether or not I was able to increase weight, reps, or both from the last time I did the exercises. Keeping a journal is key for that.

Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! Var's the MAN!!! This is the bottom line to EVERY workout, did you get stronger. Great post Var.

Originally posted by ALBOB
Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! Var's the MAN!!! This is the bottom line to EVERY workout, did you get stronger. Great post Var.

Thanks man! I appreciate the compliment!

This was something that I was missing for years. I never really thought much about whether or not I was getting stronger, because strength wasnt my main goal. When I think of the time I wasted...

Originally posted by ALBOB
Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! Var's the MAN!!! This is the bottom line to EVERY workout, did you get stronger. Great post Var.

I dont agree with that.

if that were the case, and say for example i only added 1lb's worth of strength to my bench press, i'd be benching in the 600's by now and

there are SO many factors that go into how strong you are that day...energy level, amount of sleep, food in system etc, rested enough from the previous workout etc.

there's no way you get stronger EVERY w.o.

Originally posted by Flex
there's no way you get stronger EVERY w.o.

I agree with you.

Originally posted by Flex
I dont agree with that.

if that were the case, and say for example i only added 1lb's worth of strength to my bench press, i'd be benching in the 600's by now and

there are SO many factors that go into how strong you are that day...energy level, amount of sleep, food in system etc, rested enough from the previous workout etc.

there's no way you get stronger EVERY w.o.

I do. Ever since I got my diet on track and started doing P/RR/S, I've added either weight or reps to every exercise, every workout. I'm not talking about major increases each time, but defiitely improvement.

OK Flex, if you took the statements of Var and I as absolutes, you're correct. The point is that you SHOULD be able to make consistant progress throughout your weightlifting life. The only times you will be weaker are the results of injury, illness, old age or over-training. Other than those instances your strength gains should not stop. (This is not taking into account training plateaus due to not varying your schedule and/or routine.) Also note that your example used a weight (1 lb) as the standard of measuring strength gains. The way Var and I look at it, even if you only add one more rep to an entire workout, you've still lifted more weight than in your last workout so, you're stronger.

well obviously you wont feel that sore when you dont do anything...
when you press it and its sore, thats what is supposed to happen...

Originally posted by ALBOB
OK Flex, if you took the statements of Var and I as absolutes, you're correct. The point is that you SHOULD be able to make consistant progress throughout your weightlifting life. The only times you will be weaker are the results of injury, illness, old age or over-training. Other than those instances your strength gains should not stop. (This is not taking into account training plateaus due to not varying your schedule and/or routine.) Also note that your example used a weight (1 lb) as the standard of measuring strength gains. The way Var and I look at it, even if you only add one more rep to an entire workout, you've still lifted more weight than in your last workout so, you're stronger.

i see where you guys are coming from, but i just don't think it works that way. especially cuz i personally change everything workout to workout....exercises, order, # or sets, # of reps etc. etc.

still, i find it hard to believe that you should get stronger EVERY workout. by that guestimation, EVERY older BB should be stronger than younger ones (save genetics and all that stuff)....

Originally posted by Flex
i see where you guys are coming from, but i just don't think it works that way. especially cuz i personally change everything workout to workout....exercises, order, # or sets, # of reps etc. etc.

still, i find it hard to believe that you should get stronger EVERY workout. by that guestimation, EVERY older BB should be stronger than younger ones (save genetics and all that stuff)....

I definitely see where you're coming from. I guess at some point I wont be able to add a rep or weight every workout and will have to find another way to gauge progress. At the moment, I am able to do it.

Originally posted by Var
I gauge the quality of my workout by whether or not I was able to increase weight, reps, or both from the last time I did the exercises. Keeping a journal is key for that.

ditto.

Just track your progress and as long as you're moving foward consider yourself lucky.

Originally posted by Flex i personally change everything workout to workout....exercises, order, # or sets, # of reps etc. etc.

Some people make extremely good progress using that technique because it doesn't allow them to get bored with any one routine and also because the muscles are continually having to adapt to new stresses. My one question for you though is, how do you know if you're getting stronger? With this type of routine you really have no way to judge your strength gains and/or losses on a regular basis.

When you stated that using my example, every older body builder should be stronger than every younger one, that doesn't take into account the billions of variables; genetics, desire, commitment, injury, illness, etc. Also, as I stated, everybody reaches a certain age where their bodies start to deteriorate, it's just part of getting old.

Lastly, when I mention getting stronger, I'm not talking about a quantum leap in strength. Let's say it's chest day and your normal chest routine calls for four different exercises, three sets per exercise and 10 reps per set. That's a total of 120 reps for chest. If you go into the gym the next chest day and use the exact same weights for all the exercise and set and you can do a grand total of 121 reps, guess what? You got stronger.

Originally posted by ALBOB
My one question for you though is, how do you know if you're getting stronger? With this type of routine you really have no way to judge your strength gains and/or losses on a regular basis.

Personally, i'm not in it for strength, I don't know if i got stronger, which doesnt bother me. i go by how big i'm getting as the measure of my progress....cuz like we've established, they are TOO many variables to consider that may affect your strength that day....