We've all been there. Whether you're super motivated starting a new fitness journey, training for an event, or just getting back into the gym post-COVID, we've all gone a little too hard during our workout. You want to push yourself, really get back into shape, and you may have pushed a little too hard, too quickly.
Some soreness, a little aching to be expected after a workout, and you should, indeed, feel the burn, as they say, while pushing your body to new limits. However, if you’re feeling new discomfort that can’t be explained by that familiar burn or soreness, then you might need to examine how, exactly, you’re working out.
Slow It Down
If you’re working out and you push yourself to a new intensity or lift a new amount of weight then you feel some discomfort, tightness, or pain, you should stop immediately. That’s a clear sign that you might be pushing your body farther than it should go and too soon. Increasing the intensity of your workouts is a great fitness-boosting strategy, but you should only do it once you’re comfortable working at your existing pace and your body is warmed up to kick it up a notch. Don’t up the pace too quickly or too dramatically.
Let Yourself Recover
If you have already worked out (especially to a high intensity) or you have injured yourself recently, then you should listen closely to your body when you start your next session. If you feel pain as soon as you start moving or doing a specific kind of exercise, then it’s a good indicator that you need more time to rest up. Remember, there should be discomfort but not pain.
I think a lot of neglect our recover time. We think the more we workout, the faster we will see results. But not allowing for some recovery can severely impact your progress. It's better to allow your body the time to rest in between sessions, rather than push, injure yourself, and then have to postpone your progress. If you're someone who wants to keep consistency in your schedule, utilise stretching as your recovery session. Your body will thank you!
Wear the Right Gym Gear
Simply put, if you’re not wearing things of the right fit, then you’re going to be experiencing sensations that are going to reduce the effectiveness of your workout. When it comes to sports bras, you don’t need the additional movement and chafing of a bad fit. Similarly, instead of baggy pants, you should switch to these red white and blue workout clothes that offer tightness and compression. You’re going to be able to move your body more freely and, thus, more comfortably.
Shake Off That Sweat
Another physical cause of discomfort is sweating too much or, rather, letting that sweat stay on your skin. Of course, we all do and should sweat while working out to regulate our body temperature. However, if that sweat stays on your body, it can irritate and chafe your skin, not to mention cooling you down too rapidly. Use sweat-wicking materials as well as sweatbands to prevent it from happening.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you have given yourself enough time to recover, you’re wearing the right gear, and exercising carefully, but you still feel a specific kind of pain or discomfort that isn’t caused by the regular burn of muscle wear and tear, then you should see a doctor. There could be an underlying fitness injury that flares up when you move a specific set of muscles, for instance, that’s worth looking more closely at.
You need to listen to your body and know the difference between the natural kinds of achiness while working out and recovering, and the kind of discomfort that should, on your first experience, feel wrong. Hopefully, the tips above can help you address and fix the problems behind it.
Have you ever injured yourself because you pushed too hard during a workout? What are some of your recovery tips and tricks? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below.
And until next time...
