Ever had a day after the gym when you can barely move part or all of your body without groaning? Yep that is DOMs. Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and it means your body worked hard. That’s good, but it also means you need to rest the sore part – easier if you are split routine training – and eat plenty of protein (repairs muscles). DOMS can appear the next day or a couple of days later.
Look out for mistaking DOMS for an actual injury – if it hurts so much you need pain killers and can’t put weight on that part you may have injured yourself. Sore muscles can be really painful, but usually ease quickly and (although tough) you can use the aching part normally.