About DOMS

Todays thought is on DOMS. Delayed Onset of Muscular Soreness.

This is a funny and true little picture showing some of the effects of DOMS that you may experience from physical exercise or indeed any over exertion. Especially one that you are not used to. With new clients I almost always introduce them to ‘Bodyshock’. A term I like to use for the first time they really feel the work they have done. A session usually consisting of full body resistance training to remind the muscles what it feels like to put in that extra effort.
DOMS are a good thing normally but dont confuse them with over training. Unless you are doing some serious goal setting with your training then the likelyhood of you feeling these effects on a regular basis are minimal. That does not include inconsistency though, which would be one of the biggest reasons for the re-occurence of DOMS, and a fast track to injury.
The most common form of training I see to produce these effects regularly, is the routine of ‘Splits’ adopted from the bodybuilding profession. The reason being that you train only one area of the body at a time(once a week for the inexperienced). This creates a huge overload effect on the chosen muscle group(s) maximising the Hypertrophy ‘Tear&Repair’ that is so eagerly sought after in the gym these days. Too many magazines and TV in my opinion but thats besides the point.
The point is though, keep your training consistent and healthy for future benefit. You dont have to stop/start because of injury or any other of lifes hurdles. You dont pointlessly and heavily overload the body for that ‘quick fix’ magazine body. You create and maintain a balance that will carry on for years, shaping and evolving with you as an individual. DOMS are part of your training journey, but not a trophy to hold aloft week by week.
Take care folks.