I have a couple questions (hopefully not dumb ones).... something I've always kind of wondered about:
I'm usually just slightly sore in the 48 hours following lifting (per body part). I'm wondering what level of "soreness" should be felt... or is "soreness" even a measurement of something??.
Muscle soreness, tendon soreness, or even DOMS, can be variable in its cause. Without throwing out "basic generalities", what is causing this "specific" to you, I do not know; without knowing more about your training history (length, volume, intensity, rest periods, etc, etc), diet perimeters (calorie allotment, macros) and trend, and maybe some other individual considerations.
And, no, it does not indicate that you had a good/proper workout.
There are times I feel more sore than others and I've had a hard time figuring out why.
When I diet primarily to get lean, the diet can be variable (dependent on my position), however, the diet bottom line is that it sets a atmosphere of less recover ability (less calories, and in some cases, less carbohydrates--dependent), and I have to be mindful of rest periods (in-between weight training sessions), and volume (etc) in training (dependent).
In my situation, this sets the criteria of being sore at times, then it otherwise would if I was setting up a diet/training for more muscle hypertrophy, where diet and recover ability is improved (of which I have a tendency of not getting sore, but I have been training for a while now, and nothing basically NEW to my training regime).
My point here is showing some rather "basic" things to look at when you are sore, sometimes there is nothing to do (and this is normal and good), at other times it can signify (possibly a problem in recover ability, etc, etc):
1.
Your diet circumference.
The diet perimeters can take away or add to your recovery capability.
As can hydration. Muscle is PRIMARILY WATER, and NOT protein, as most think.
2.
Training History (volume, intensity, frequency, etc, etc).
Did you add something new? Are you performing the exercise correctly? Are you giving proper rest between sessions? Spacing is important, as this is when you grow and/or get stronger, and one may or may not have tweak this--dependent on their individual capability). Are you progressing properly from session to session? How do you feel (lethargic, unmotivated, etc, etc).
Same goes with feeling "pumped up". Sometimes I'll feel pumped up all week... and other times I'll feel kind of deflated... even after lifting? I'm sure there are a lot of factors, but what are some main points I can consider around those two things? Not even sure if those questions are logical... but I've always kind of wondered about it, so i'd thought I'd toss it out there for some professional/experienced input.
Thanks!
The reasons for this can also be extremely variable per person. How is your hydration? What do you set your carbohydrates at? CarboHYDRATES assist in hydrating the body. In terms of your (goal, say hypertrophy), the "pump" means very, very, little in the over all scheme of things.
Also, what do you set your rep ranges at? Are they on the low end, or the higher end?
Best wishes,
Chillen
