At the start of any new training regime, you can expect to experience some degree of post exercise muscle pain 12 – 72 hours after a workout. You’ll definitely experience this with your first few Studio Pilates classes if you’re choosing the correct springs and you’re challenging yourself. The technical term for this dull achy soreness in the muscles is Delayed Exercise Muscles Soreness (DOMS).
But what happens when you don’t feel sore after a class? Is it still effective? Are you still getting results?
The answer is YES.
Just because you don’t feel muscle soreness as intensely as when you first began doesn’t mean a workout is not benefiting you.
Your body is an amazing machine and it adapts very rapidly to whatever challenges you present it with. Whether you’re taking up running or the reformer, or any other physical pursuit, you can expect a physiological response and change to the muscles. When you’re first starting any new type of exercise, you’ll often feel very shaky upon completion and then sore shortly afterward. As your body gets stronger, and your muscles adapt to the new type of movement, you won’t feel the soreness afterwards.
As you progress through the physical change, the DOMS will reduce and, usually within a dozen or so workouts, you’ll stop feeling it altogether. However, if you’re challenging yourself in a workout, you may still get that feeling of shaking or quivering muscles. (Ever needed to use the handrail when you’re walking down the stairs?) This shaking or quivering in the muscles (rather than muscle soreness) is the feeling you should be chasing after a class – it means you’ve pushed yourself sufficiently to achieve progress towards your goal.
Guest blogger: Jade Winter – Jade is a Studio Pilates International Co-Founder and Director. Jade manages the strategic direction of the Studio Pilates International brand and vision fulfillment. Jade is the creator of the SP-TV, the design and appearance of the Studio Pilates International studios, the business operating systems, the brand image and more. Jade’s focus is now on global business expansion.
Jade is also a former Olympian and Australian Swim Team member achieving a world number one ranking at one point in time in his selected event.
