Everywhere hurts

So, you’ve completed your first workout. Good job! Well done! Now be prepared for DOMS. What exactly is DOMS and why should I care? DOMS stands for delayed onset muscle soreness and occurs usually 24-48 hours after a challenging workout. DOMS is caused by micro-trauma to the tiny muscle fibers which leads to inflammation, swelling and changes in normal levels of fluids and electrolytes in the muscles. DOMS occurs due to performing exercises you are not accustomed to. DOMS main symptoms are:

• Achy and sore muscles that are tender to the touch
• Muscle and joint stiffness
• Reduced range of motion in nearby joints
• Temporary muscle weakness

Don’t be scared though, DOMS usually goes away within two to four days. Below are some things you can do to reduce the DOMS time:

• Wear compression garments such as compression tights, socks or arm sleeves
• Get a gentle massage (avoid deep tissue)
• Engage in active recovery like walking, easy biking and hiking or swimming

Leave a comment, let me know what you think.

What to wear?

Seeing that you are in the confines of your home, you don’t need to dress fashionable or purchase brand name workout gear. Simple loose fitting clothes such as shorts, tights, track pants, t-shirts and vests that don’t restrict movement is more than sufficient. For footwear, simple running shoes with a pair of socks are more than adequate for most workouts although some people prefer to exercise barefoot. Others chose to forego clothes completely and exercise nude for the freedom it allows. These options are left to your discretion.  

Welcome!

Working out at home is a great way to start exercising especially if you don’t want to leave the house. Or you are simply practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now you may think that you require large complex and expensive equipment to exercise. Wrong! Most workouts can be done without any fancy equipment and require very little space. You can achieve fantastic results by simply using your body-weight or regular household items such as filled water bottles or milk jugs. Working out at home can help you build muscle, lose weight and improve cardiovascular activity.