Should you workout if your biceps are still sore?

Author: Ashley Waters  |  Last update: Monday, December 8, 2025

"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.

Should I workout my biceps if they are sore?

It is generally safe to work out when sore. However, overtraining can lead to muscle damage or injury. Generally, soreness due to exercising is not a cause for concern, and people can often continue doing physical activity.

Can I work out again if my biceps are sore?

Yes you can, however always take at least 1-2 days off before working out the same muscle again and you will be fine.

Should I stop working out if my arms are sore?

According to Vagy, you can exercise with sore muscles as long as you no longer feel achy and worn out after your warm-up. “This is a telltale sign that the muscles are now ready to exercise because your body has done a better job adapting to stress,” says Vagy.

Should I work out a muscle if it's still sore?

If you're experiencing muscle soreness, you may need only two or three days of rest. Another option is to alternate your workouts to avoid overusing certain muscle groups. For example, if your upper body is sore, work out your lower body the next time you exercise instead.

How to Reduce Muscle Soreness | Dr. Andy Galpin & Dr. Andrew Huberman

Should I wait until my muscles aren't sore to work out again?

Hardwick says it's perfectly safe to exercise through the pain, though it's probably best to avoid the same movements that caused DOMS last time. “If you have this muscle soreness, don't do the same thing you did before,” Hardwick says. “Wait a couple of days before you go back to doing it.”

How sore is too sore to workout?

“If your soreness turns into pain or pushes you past your comfort level, it is time to scale back. Also, if pain or soreness starts to dictate how you perform the exercise or if it causes you to modify the activity to compensate, you are doing too much!”

Should I push through muscle soreness?

The logical question: Should you be pushing through such soreness or resting your muscles. "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.

Should I take a rest day if my arms are sore?

So what should you do when you're so sore you can hardly move? Listen to what your body is craving, and take a rest day. That doesn't necessarily mean you need to be stationary, though. It can actually be helpful to do a little light movement like walking, low-intensity cycling, or a gentle yoga flow.

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 long do biceps stay sore?

Sore muscles after exercise

Usually your muscles will stop aching in 2 to 5 days and you won't need any medical attention.

Is it bad to overwork your biceps?

The biceps are a secondary muscle in compound exercises like underhand grip rows or chin-ups, therefore they are still working. As a secondary muscle in a compound lift, the biceps encounter even more volume and muscle breakdown than during a biceps curl. Avoid overtraining the biceps after an entire workout.

Can you still workout with a bicep strain?

The most important thing you can do for biceps tendonitis is to take it easy. If you feel discomfort or pain during any exercise for your tendonitis, stop and rest. You can use ice and standard pain relievers to reduce swelling and soreness.

Does bicep soreness mean growth?

Believe it or not, soreness isn't synonymous with building muscle. “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.

Should I do push ups if my biceps are sore?

Push-ups involve lifting your body weight with your arms, leading to more inflammation and pain. Even once you feel you're recovering, we'd recommend starting with gentle wall pushups, followed by pushups off your knees only when you feel comfortable that it won't cause pain.

What to do if bicep is really sore?

Management and Treatment
  1. Cold packs. Cold packs or ice can help reduce swelling and pain.
  2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Medications like aspirin or ibuprofen can help relieve swelling and pain.
  3. Rest. ...
  4. Physical therapy. ...
  5. Steroid injections.

Should I lift if my muscles are still sore?

(Obviously - Always talk with a doctor if you're concerned about any pain) Barring complete immobility or an intolerable level of pain due from DOMS, lifting again would be extremely beneficial.

Is 1 day rest enough for biceps?

Training too little or too often will result in little bicep growth. This is because excessive training will not allow your arms to recover and rebuild. Therefore, you must give yourself enough time to recover in between your bicep workouts. Generally, a 24-48 hour resting period is sufficient to avoid any injury.

Does being 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.

Why don't my biceps get sore?

You're not challenging yourself enough. 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 just sore or did I pull a muscle?

Telling the difference can be difficult if you don't know what to look out for. With muscle soreness, you won't feel it until a day to two later. With a pulled muscle, however, the pain is usually immediate.

How to speed up muscle repair?

Your six back-to-basics steps for better muscle recovery:
  1. Drink at least 2 litres of water each day.
  2. Don't skip your rest days.
  3. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
  4. Eat a good source of protein at each meal.
  5. Stretch after your workouts.

What do bicep DOMS feel like?

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) also known as 'muscle fever', is a sore, aching, painful feeling in the muscles after unfamiliar or unaccustomed intense exercise. This soreness is thought to result from temporary muscle damage and inflammation, commonly triggered by eccentric exercises.

Does being sore indicate good workout?

The short answer is no. While DOMS is a sign that your muscles are repairing and adapting, it doesn't necessarily mean you've achieved your fitness goals. Success in your workout is better measured by improvements in strength, endurance, or overall health – not soreness.

How frequently should you workout?

As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight, keep off lost weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more.

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