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Recovery

Are You Too Sore to Train?

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Feeling sore after a workout is a common reason not to exercise, but it’s also an area of confusion. Say you’re still sore a couple days after a hard workout. Should you train again or wait till the soreness subsides? Use a scale of 1 to 10 to rate your level of soreness and then use this chart to determine when to train and when to rest.

Level of Soreness

1 - 3: Train. You're fine.  

4 - 6: Train, but with lower intensity. Use very light weight and move through the full range of motion for each movement with the goal of working on technique and stability.  

7 - 10: Rest. Substitute some mobility and soft-tissue work until your soreness decreases. For instance, glide over your sore spots with a foam roll.

About The Author

Craig Friedman – Craig Friedman is the Vice President of the Innovation Team at Athletes' Performance. He designs and implements performance training systems for professional athletes in all sports as well as elite youth and college athletes.

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Tags: Rest, Soreness

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