Is it bad if I'm not sore after lifting weights?

Author: Willie Pacocha  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Not feeling sore after a workout is actually a good thing. In other words, your body is already familiar with the stimulus, Dr. Willsey says. And that's actually something to celebrate, since it can indicate you're getting stronger, Ranellone points out.

Why am I not sore after lifting weights?

If you're consistently not sore, that could indicate that you're not pushing yourself enough. When you exhaust your muscles, you'll see better results. To increase the challenge, increase the amount of weight you lift or the number of reps you perform.

Am I still building muscle if I'm not sore?

Absolutely! The relation between soreness and a good workout depends on the goal of that workout and your overall goal of training. Extensive training history combined with proper hydration, nutrition, and recovery are all reasons why a training stimulus may be a great workout, but you may not feel sore.

Did you get a good workout if you're not sore?

Yes, you can still be building muscle even if you're not experiencing soreness. Muscle soreness, often felt after intense workouts, is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). While soreness can indicate that your muscles have been challenged, it is not a definitive sign of muscle growth or effective training.

Should you be sore after lifting weights?

It is considered normal to experience DOMS for 24-72 hours after novel or eccentric-heavy exercise. You should still be able to complete normal daily activities while sore. DOMS does reduce performance, so more intense workouts should not occur near to competitions.

Is Getting Sore Necessary For Muscle Growth "Natural vs Enhanced"

Are weight lifters always sore?

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is common when new to weight lifting, but the good news is that it should decrease over time as your body adapts. But keep in mind that DOMS isn't necessarily the sign of a good workout, so it's good not to chase that feeling when you step into the gym.

How should I feel after lifting weights?

6 Signs You Had A Good Workout
  1. Good Sleep. A telltale sign that you had a good workout is if you have a good night's sleep afterward. ...
  2. Soreness. If you train hard for thirty minutes to an hour and feel sore later on, this means you truly worked out your body. ...
  3. Muscle Pump. ...
  4. Hunger. ...
  5. Energy. ...
  6. Muscle Fatigue.

How do I know if my workout is working?

How to tell your workout is working
  1. 1 - You don't get strains and pains. ...
  2. 2 - You've not plateaued. ...
  3. 3 - You're still full of energy. ...
  4. 4 - You're hitting personal physical goals. ...
  5. 5 - You're maintaining good levels of metabolism. ...
  6. 6 - You're not procrastinating.

Are your glutes growing if they are sore?

If Your Glutes Are Sore Are They Really Growing? The short answer in most scenarios is yes. If you are directly exercising your glutes and eating enough to fuel your training, then sore glutes are the price you pay for future growth.

Should I do more reps or more weight?

Research suggests lifting smaller weights and doing more repetitions (or, in gym parlance, “reps”) can have a role to play – but it all depends on your goals. In short: if your goal is to build serious strength and bone density, lifting heavy is an efficient way to do it.

Does sore mean muscle growth?

Yes and no. Post-workout soreness does mean that your workout was challenging enough. Muscle soreness does tell you that you have incurred some degree of muscle damage, which we know is vital for muscle growth. However, muscle soreness doesn't reflect the extent of muscle damage that results from your workout.

How many times a week should I workout?

do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week. spread exercise evenly over 4 to 5 days a week, or every day. reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.

How do I know if I'm building muscle?

5 Secret Signs You're Building Muscles
  1. Increased Strength. Even without documented muscle growth, you're making gains if you're getting stronger. ...
  2. The Scale is Going Up. ...
  3. Your Workouts Feel Easier. ...
  4. Your Posture Is Better. ...
  5. You're Recovering Faster from Your Workouts. ...
  6. Summing It Up.

Am I still gaining muscle if I'm not sore?

“You do not have to have muscle soreness to build muscle or increase your fitness level,” says Vardiman. You might feel tight or tired, but not particularly sore after you work out. He points out that even if you're increasing the frequency and difficulty of your workouts over time, you might not be very sore.

Is soreness an indicator of a good workout?

While it's tempting to associate soreness with progress, DOMS isn't a reliable indicator of an effective workout. Instead of chasing soreness, focus on goals like improving strength, endurance, or technique.

Does squeezing buttocks make it firmer?

Researchers found that those who performed gluteal squeezes increased their hip extension—or glute—strength by 16 percent compared to an 11 percent increase in those who performed glute bridges. Gluteal girth also increased in the group who performed gluteal squeezes.

How long does it take to build a butt?

To do this, you can use a variety of exercises for building glutes including Barbell Hip Thrusts, Romanian Deadlift, Sprinter Lunges, and Cable Pull Throughs. Noticeable glute size changes typically occur within 6 to 12 weeks of consistent, targeted strength training.

Is soreness after a workout good?

In fact, experiencing muscle soreness anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after a workout is a sign your muscles are getting used to your fitness routine.

How long does it take to see results from weight lifting?

You may notice improved muscle definition, especially if you're new to resistance training. Noticeable Changes (Months 2-3): After two to three months of consistent training, you'll likely start seeing more significant muscle size and strength changes.

How do I know if I'm physically fit?

Most often, measures of fitness involve these key areas: Aerobic fitness, which involves how well the heart uses oxygen. Muscle strength and endurance, which involve how hard and long muscles can work. Flexibility, which is how able joints are to move through their full range of motion.

Why don't I feel sore after working out?

So if you regularly exercise and find you aren't feeling as sore later in the day or even in the days after your workout, rest assured that your workout is still working – your muscles have just gotten better at dealing with the damage and recovering from it.

Should I wait until I'm not sore to workout again?

"Working out when sore is okay as long as it isn't affecting your movement to the point where it's causing you to compensate and do something in a way that's unsafe," says Dr. Hedt. "Muscle soreness can be a deterrent to exercising, but it's temporary and the more you exercise, the less you should feel it.

How do you tell you're getting fitter?

Your clothes may also fit differently as your body composition changes, even if the scale does not change.
  1. You Can Think Clearly. Physical activity supports brain health and might prevent neurological diseases. ...
  2. You Feel More Rested. ...
  3. You Feel Stronger. ...
  4. Your Clothes Fit Differently. ...
  5. Your Mood Improves.

Is lifting weights for 20 minutes good?

You don't need to spend hours a day lifting weights to benefit from strength training. You can see significant improvement in your strength with just two or three 20- or 30-minute strength training sessions a week.

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