Prevent Muscle Soreness

  If you're tired of waking up with sore, stiff achy muscles the day after a good workout at the gym, then here are a few tips that might just help you alleviate that pain and make your days after the gym a little more bearable.

  So, if you're going to work out, chances are, you're going to get sore. But there are ways to help reduce the soreness or even prevent it from happening.

  Doing a quick warm-up for a minimum of five minutes before doing your workout can help to increase the blood flow, and also improve your range of motion. A lot of soreness comes from muscles being torn more than they need to be due to lack of blood flow and elasticity.

  A combination of cardio followed by light stretching is an excellent way to warm up.

  It's recommended that you do five minutes of cardiovascular exercise before stretching as well to promote blood flow and to allow the muscles to get warm before you stretch them out.

  If you know you are going to be working a particular muscle group, then you might want to consider doing a targeted warm-up to the area(s) you're planning on working.

  Another way to avoid muscle soreness is to take it easy when first getting started. If you haven't been to the gym in a while and you're ready to get back into gear, it's really easy to get carried away and try to go too hard too fast.

  It makes a lot more sense to start slow with your routines, using fewer repetitions and less weight for at least the first week. Once your body has adjusted to the exercises, feel free to gradually increase the weight and repetitions.

  And last but not least, the cool-down after your exercises.

  Another way to avoid muscle soreness is to take it easy when first getting started. If you haven't been to the gym in a while and you're ready to get back into gear,

  Once you've finished pumping those weights, it's a good idea to hop on the treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike for another five to ten minutes to get the blood flowing once again and to help release the lactic acid that has built up during your workout.

  Lactic acid is what usually causes your muscles to feel sore, so if you do a cardio exercise to cool down after you're done lifting the weights, you'll have a greater chance of getting it out of your system and avoiding the soreness afterwards. And once that's done, don't forget to stretch once again -- probably the most important part of any exercise routine.

About the author:

  Jake Berlin is the creator of "The Killer Ab Workout System," a cutting edge abdominal training course that teaches you everything you need to know about developing a great stomach. If you want to learn more about Jake and his system, then visit: Ab Workout.