Weights class - yay or nay?

[NewToRenting]

Posted under 'Exercise' but posting here too for traffic.

I'm mid-40s and healthy weight though not particularly fit. I go through phases of regular exercise but don't do anything high impact (rickety joints, and just recovering from hip bursitis). I occasionally throw my back out and the doctor recommended core strengthening exercises, including weights.

So last week I did a weights class after a long time. It was tough but I felt really good afterwards...until my triceps started getting sore and stiff. This was not normal post-workout soreness (that the rest of my body did feel!), it was quite severe pain and my triceps felt rock hard, not in a good way. I was unable to extend my arms fully for 4 days, though it felt a bit better on the 5th day.

Question for you lovely MNers is, should I do this class again? Is this "my body getting stronger" and "I have to push through the pain"? Or am I potentially causing some sort of damage to my body?

I'm not sure you had anything more than DOMS. So yes, get straight back on the horse and back to class!

Sounds like DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). I remember the first few days after my first body pump class - getting on and off the toilet and up and down the stairs were very problematic! I'm pleased to say I don't tend to suffer any more unless I've missed the class for a few weeks

Yep, normal. If I take a break from my weights class, I’m the same after the first class back. It’s the squats that get me because at the class they seem easy and I could do them all day long. Until I can barely walk the next day!

I wait to go to another class until I can still feel the after effect but it’s sore, not pain, if that makes sense...

I love body pump! Perhaps lower your weights a bit?

Sounds like DOMS, it's best not to wait too long before doing the class (or any weights again) as you'll just keep getting them if you don't do it consistently.

Weights are amazing so definitely go back.

Thanks all, will go back on Tuesday then! Weights are already at the lowest level, in fact last 5 minutes was with no weights at all.
Think part of the problem is a form issue. I'm right handed, and I noticed I tend to take bulk of the weight of the barbells on my right side. Maybe I should use 2 dumbbells instead of one barbell.

Definitely DOMS, and nothing to worry about.

I am a PT and feel so passionately about women using weights. It's so so important to build muscle. You don't want to be in a care home for the sole reason that you don't have enough muscle to get up off the toilet.

And two dumbells will be a lot harder than a bar, because the weight is unbalanced

It does get better! I go to a PT and it’s 100% worth it, I see it as an investment in my health. I really only do weights as prolonged cardio bores me. I do fairly high volume so my heart rate stays high for the whole hour. I tend to favour my dominant side (left) so I use dumbbells or machines where both sides are isolated. The benefit of a PT is that they’ll correct tiny form mistakes. If I’m struggling with my right arm I tend to raise my right shoulder without realising.

Being able to deadlift your own body weight feels like a good achievement. I’ve noticed strength progress really quickly.

Each time you do a new muscle group you might get the same DOMS. Ab roll outs and walking planks made my non-existent ab muscles sore for about 5 days.

I do body pump (and lots of cardio/circuits), with quite heavy weights for squat/back/chest tracks, and if I go a while without attending a class, it hurts like omg nothing else in the world! It hurts to sit on the loo, walk downstairs, brush my teeth and generally anything that isn't sitting still . The key is to keep going to regular classes. One day I might take my own advice...

Thank you all! Unfortunately my gym only offers this class once a week, so that's what I will try and stick to for now. Will continue using barbells, but try and not favour one side, plus do zumba class/ walks couple of time (nice weather in my part of the world!).

You all sound amazingly fit, I am the class wimp, who takes two 2.5kg plates when others are taking 5, 7.5 or 10!

But I have to say I loved how my arms looked when the tricep muscles were swollen and hard, it tells me what to look forward to, if I manage to attain a reasonable fitness level!