DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness is usually at its peak almost 48 hours after a tough workout. rest is needed when you are sore because you are causing micro-tears in the muscle during weight lifting. without rest the muscles can't heal. a kind of gross way of thinking about it is think about a scab, if you keep picking, what happens, it bleeds and never heals. During the healing process, the muscles thinks "hmm, she really put some good stress on me, i will make myself more efficient so i am ready for her next time"...so maybe in a few more workouts, the weight will seem easier, thats when progressive over load kicks in, you need to keep challenging the muscles so that they continually improve. during the active season, you might maintain the same weight to keep what you have, you don't want to be too sore to ride...

rest or active recovery, meaning light exercise such as yoga, or walking, can help with soreness. also stretching post exercise (not before) will help with maintaining mobility.

Some recommendations for very heavy lifting would be 3-4 days rest.

icing can also help reduce inflammation, no ice directly on skin, wrap in towel, watch for giving your self frost bite. this would be done within 24 hours of the workout, after 48 hours, icing can't do much.

and as i can attest to...WATCH OUR FOR IBUPROFEN!!! DO NOT rely on that stuff...you can read my other post on my ulcer on that one.

and as you can see, i am still stuck at home and babbling away

Smile!

Han