Monday, February 04, 2008 11:43 AM
I used to always think my trainer was being silly when I'd do those balancing exercises or the ones where you had to move a weight in some weird motion like you were a waiter serving a plate of something. "It helps develop those small support muscles" he'd say. POPPYCOCK I'd think to myself (because if I said that I'd probably have to do 300 more crunches).
Well...how right he was. Although my current status has more to do with muscles I didn't realize I *wasn't* working on.
I've been working out with a buddy pretty regularly, and I've been finding new *fun* ways to liven up our cardio routine. One of which was to bring back the old favorite side-to-sides, where you set up a box (or a raised step platform), and alternate stepping onto the platform sideways for a minute, a minute break, then repeate 10 times.
However, half way through my buddy decides to move the box the other way...so instead of straddling it and stepping onto it sideways, we do a few series stepping straight up (like you were walking up a flight of stairs). All seemed well after the workout...until a few days later. Then I experienced the most excrutiating muscle pain I've ever felt, both in my lower back and in my upper thigh. That, my friends, was about a week and a half ago. I'm not sure if I've gotten better, or just gotten used to the pain, but here is what I do know:
- Structure your workouts so that you're working *every* muscle group over time...don't neglect your back and don't neglect your upper thighs (or any other muscle for that matter).
- Heat is best for sore muscles. Heat heat heat.
- Aspirin's new night time muscle relief medication is great...and not *just* for night time.
- A-535 is a beautiful thing.
Hopefully this heals up by the end of next week...ugh, so annoying!
D