A bit confused.....

[bkoman]

So for the past few months i've been on a bulking cycle with two goals in mind and they are to gain size (obviously) and to be able to put up more weight. All is going well for those two goals but i recently got sick and was out for over a week and didnt get to lift at all. I missed 3 sessions which is a weeks worth because I do 3x a week Full Body routine, but anyways back to what I was saying. I was out for a week and last night I decided to hit the weights and thought "I'll go a little easier this time, shoot for reps of 10 (usually I only go for 6-8 reps)" Even though I went for 10 I still challenged myself and those last 3-4 reps I really had to push hard to get. On dumbbell chest press I was useing weights that are 15 pounds lighter than what I normally use. Heres where I get confused...I woke up this morning with DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and im wondering how or why is this possible? Sometimes MAX weight with MAX reps done possible doesnt even do this for me so what is different this time? And this isnt any DOMS it feels like I haven't been the gyms in a year.

Any suggestions/inpiut/feedback/criticism???

Thanks!

~Rick

[arely26]

If you didn't lift for a week, you will definately be sore the next time you lift. And don't worry about not being able to lift the same. Like you said, you were sick for a week so your body is getting back to normal and it shouldn't take very long to be able to lift like you used to.

[Packard]

Yup, a week is enough rest to result in muscle soreness.

I'm a big believer in drafting up the workout before I hit the gym. To modify your workout on the fly because you feel strong or because you want to push hard is counter productive. It is simply borrowing from your next workout.

Plan your incremental increases in resistance and stick to your plan. Otherwise you will be the rabbit that lost the race to the tortoise.