Just starting... - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

winterhowl · 01-07-2003, 12:51 PM

I've been working out at home for a couple months now. I'm a little concerned because my muscles are not sore the next day like they used to be.
I'm male, 6', 140 lbs., and my goal is to put on 40-50 lbs of muscle in a span of 2 years. Right now I use 12 lbs dumbells for my arms, push ups, and crunches. I don't know many excercises. I've been eating right and drinking a protein shake every day (giving me 28 grams of protein). I've also been working the same muscles everyday, but trying to vary the excercises.

Is it normal for your muscles not to feel sore the day after a work out? I've heard that it means you're no longer gaining muscle.

Also, what is a reasonable goal for me to reach by June...weight wise? 160 lbs?

Chelle1977 · 01-07-2003, 01:03 PM

Working out the same muscles every day will actually slow your progress down. Your muscles build while you're resting, not while you're working them.

I would imagine that you would need more than a pair of 12lb. dumbbells to put on significant muscle mass, but I'm not sure.

winterhowl · 01-07-2003, 01:08 PM

I'm sure I'm getting more then 28 grams total for the day. I'm just using a protein shake to give me 28 extra grams. I should probably increase that though.

I do plan on getting a bench this weekend, and eventually I will join a gym. A friend suggested that I work out at home for a few months before joining a gym. Both to make sure I will stick with it and to build my muscle strength before any serious weight training.

chitrick · 01-07-2003, 01:36 PM

Winterhowl...If you can afford to join a gym now, I'd do it. Working out by yourself at home is a very difficult thing to stay motivated with. Whether you actually have a workout partner, or just workout with others around you...it is so much more pleasurable than being by yourself. A good gym offers you all of the best equipment to work everything properly (as long as you ask and learn what you are taught). Don't worry about building yourself up before you join the gym. That's sort of like cleaning your house before the maid arrives. Don't you agree?

12 lbs of dumbell curls does seem a bit light for somebody your size, who's been working out for a couple of months already. But just adding to your curling weight isn't going to be your solution. You really need to work all of your muscle groups, allowing them to rest 48 hours after each workout. I believe about the only muscles that can safely be worked every day, are the abs and calves. Maybe someone else can correct me, if I'm wrong.