muscle soreness isn't good

8 Jun 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:34

In this YouTube segment, fitness coach Eric Roberts debunks the common belief that post‑workout soreness is a sign of an effective training session. He explains that soreness should not be used to judge workout quality. Instead, he recommends evaluating progress through objective measures such as lifting heavier weight, increasing repetitions, improving form or range of motion, and noticing that the same load feels easier or more controlled. Roberts also warns that constantly swapping in new exercises to chase soreness can be counterproductive, hindering muscle and strength development.

Chapters

If I don't feel sore the day after my workout, does that mean my workout wasn't good enough? No, that's not what it means at all. I would not judge your workout based on how sore you are. I would judge your workout based on, did you lift heavier weight? Did you do more reps? Did you get a better form or range of motion? Even if you lifted the same weight for the same reps, was it easier? Was it more controlled? If you change your workout and you do new exercises every week, you'll be sore all the time, but that's probably the worst thing you can do for building muscle and strength.