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How long until exercise stops hurting?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 10, 2026

Sore muscles after exercise

Usually your muscles will stop aching in 2-5 days and you won't need any medical attention. You should be able to ease symptoms yourself using ice packs, massage, light stretching or by taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication.

How long before exercise stops being sore?

The DOMS usually kicks in 12 to 24 hours after a tough workout and peaks between 24 to 72 hours. The soreness will go away in a few days. In the meantime, these tricks may help ease the pain. Keep moving.

Should you exercise if you're still sore?

Exercising When Your Body Is Sore

If you continue your usual exercise regimen even when you're sore, you're not giving your muscles enough time to heal. In fact, pushing yourself during a bout of soreness can eventually lead to an overuse injury. Overall, you're at risk of causing harm to your body by not resting.

How sore is too sore?

How much pain is too much? If the pain you're experiencing prevents you from carrying out daily activities associated with living or working, then the exercise was too much. If the discomfort lasts for more than 72 hours, then the exercise was too much.

Is working out everyday OK?

A weekly day of rest is often advised when structuring a workout program, but sometimes you may feel the desire to work out every day. As long as you're not pushing yourself too hard or getting obsessive about it, working out every day is fine.

44 related questions found

Should I workout everyday with sore muscles?

It's fine to do aerobic exercise or stretching exercises daily. If you feel pain during activity or if the pain is intense or does not improve after several days of rest, you might be dealing with an injury. Be sure to contact your doctor.

Is it normal to hurt for 5 days?

Muscle soreness resulting from a workout is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Typically DOMs takes 24 – 48 hours to develop and peaks between 24 – 72 hours post exercise. Any significant muscle soreness lasting longer than 5 days could be a sign of significant muscle damage beyond what is beneficial.

How do I get rid of body aches after working out?

To help relieve muscle soreness, try:

  1. Gentle stretching.
  2. Muscle massage.
  3. Rest.
  4. Ice to help reduce inflammation.
  5. Heat to help increase blood flow to your muscles. ...
  6. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine, such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen (brand name: Advil).

Why am I so sore 2 days after working out?

Delayed-onset muscle soreness is caused by microscopic muscle damage. It's perfectly normal—and most common after taking time off or trying something new.

Is body pain normal after first day of workout?

Getting sore muscles a day or two after an intensive workout or rigorous exercise is normal, especially if you are increasing your exercise intensity or starting on a new sport or exercise. The delayed muscle aches and muscle pain are caused by tiny injuries in the muscle fibre and connective tissue.

Should I rest after first workout?

When you experience body pain after the first day at the gym, it can be tempting to just take a day off to rest. Don't do this. It will only make you feel sorer. Instead, get that blood pumping and use your muscles to ease off the tension.

Does sore muscles burn fat?

Also, as you get into a regular exercise schedule your muscles will adapt and the soreness will lessen over time. But to answer the question - no, sore muscles do not burn fat directly. You burn calories both during your workout and after your workout. And sore muscles are just one indication that you exercised.

Can you be sore for a week?

On top of general muscle soreness, DOMS can cause noticeable weakness when you move the muscle group that's affected. Most people notice reduced pain within 5–7 days, but see your medical provider if the pain lasts longer than a week or gets worse.

Why are my legs sore 3 days after workout?

But if you're feeling soreness that begins 12 to 24 hours after a workout, you're likely experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), which can last anywhere from 1-3 days. DOMS typically occurs when you try a new exercise style or if you don't properly rest between sessions.

Should I workout if I'm sore from yesterday?

Take at least one day off between strength training sessions, and if you are still very sore, take 2 days off. (This means from lifting, not from all exercise such as cardio). If you don't let your muscles recover and repair, they will continue to break down and you will actually get weaker.

Should I run if my legs are sore from squats?

As long as the pain you're feeling is DOMS and not something more serious, such as a muscle tear or sprain, then you should be good to keep exercising. There are a few caveats though: Make sure you do a warm-up first as this will help ease any soreness (but you do this before every workout already, right?)

When is the best time to work out day or night why?

Studies have shown that working out at 7 a.m., compared to later in the afternoon or evening, may help individuals get more quality sleep at night. One more argument making the case for a workout first thing in the morning is that exercising on an empty stomach could burn more fat.

Why do ab workouts hurt so much?

That sensation in your muscles is actually something else: an indication that those muscles are out of ATP, a cellular fuel your muscles burn for quick energy. That's all it means. It doesn't mean you're burning a ton of calories; just that your muscles have burned all their stored ATP.

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.

How do you lose belly fat?

19 Effective Tips to Lose Belly Fat (Backed by Science)

  1. Eat plenty of soluble fiber. ...
  2. Avoid foods that contain trans fats. ...
  3. Don't drink too much alcohol. ...
  4. Eat a high protein diet. ...
  5. Reduce your stress levels. ...
  6. Don't eat a lot of sugary foods. ...
  7. Do aerobic exercise (cardio) ...
  8. Cut back on carbs — especially refined carbs.

How can I burn 1000 calories a day?

7 Ways to Burn 1,000 Calories

  1. Running. You can burn anywhere from 11 to 17 calories per minute from running, but the exact numbers vary based on how much you weigh and how fast you run. ...
  2. CrossFit. ...
  3. High-Intensity Interval Training. ...
  4. Cycling. ...
  5. Rowing. ...
  6. Elliptical Machine. ...
  7. Daily Step Count.

Are crunches and sit ups are the best way to lose belly fat?

Abdominal exercises such as crunches or sit-ups do not specifically burn belly fat, but they can help the belly appear flatter and more toned.

Is it okay to have 2 rest days in a row?

If you don't sleep well or long enough consistently for a few days, your reaction time, immunity, cognitive functions, and endurance will decrease, with compounds the symptoms of overtraining. Dr. Wickham says that two rest days in a row should be enough to reset the body back into a normal sleep schedule and cycle.

How long does it take to see results from working out 5 days a week?

You're putting your whole heart and soul into the fitness regimen, going to the gym five days each week. You should be able to notice visible changes after about two weeks of training 5 days a week.

Will I gain weight if I sleep after exercise?

Not only does deep sleep kick up production of tissue-repairing growth hormone, but studies show that lack of it is a weight-gain double whammy: It prompts your body to consume more kilojoules and shuts down its ability to recognise a full stomach.