What is DOMS?

DOMS = Delayed onset muscle soreness

Doms is stiffness and pain that you feel between 24 and 48 hours after doing high-intensity physical exercise that your body isn’t accustomed too.

Why do we get DOMS?

It can seem a bit unfair that pain is the reward we get for putting ourselves through a hardcore workout. But in fact, DOMS can be a sign that you did something right during yesterday’s session.

The whole idea of resistance training is that you are creating micro-tears in your muscles, so that they are recovering stronger and firmer, the soreness you’re experiencing shows that your fitness is progressing.

Why does DOMS feel even worse the day after the day after?

Doms normally rears up within 24 hours after your exercise session, and peaks approximately 48 hours later.

DOMS has nothing to do with lactic acid, as it was once thought. It’s all about blood flow and healing. DOMS involves a temporary inflammation around your overworked muscles, which is the reason for the soreness.

Can I work out with DOMS?

Yes sure, you can. In fact, doing gentle low-impact cardio is the best active recovery. Save your next HIIT workout or weights workout for when your body feels back to normal.