What helps sore muscles after a workout?
You went hard, now you’re paying the price. Here’s how to deal with a case of DOMS
After completing 30 days of 30 pullups at the end of 2019, YouTuber Gunther was looking forward to pushing himself further in pursuing his fitness goals. Then the pandemic happened, and so instead of hitting the gym regularly, Gunther did what plenty of others have had to do, and improvised his own at-home full-body workout.
In his latest video, he tracks his progress as he performs 30 days of bodyweight exercises: specifically, 50 reps each of pushups, pullups and situps. He encourages others to do the same, but recommends setting achievable goals. “Do a good rep amount for you,” he says. “I’m most likely going to do 50 reps each… Of course we want to challenge ourselves, but it’s important to be realistic and actually get a good workout.”
On Day 1, he recognises that his sit-up form is “unacceptable,” as he keeps throwing his arms, and quickly decides to anchor his feet while doing that exercise, providing some much-needed stability. By the third day, the physical toll is starting to become apparent, with pain in his triceps almost persuading him to take the day off.
However, by Day 5, that soreness is gone, and as the rest of the challenge progresses, Gunther’s technique and endurance improve, to the point where he is able to complete all 50 pushup reps in a single set without stopping.
At the end of the 30 days, Gunther has put on muscle mass in his chest, shoulders, back, and upper arms; gains which are all the more visible in the time-lapse of pictures he has taken throughout the month.
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health US.
RELATED: This Guy Worked Out Like Chris Hemsworth For 6 Weeks And His Progress Is Insane
More From
You went hard, now you’re paying the price. Here’s how to deal with a case of DOMS
Adjustable dumbbells offer versatility and convenience in one compact package. Discover their benefits and where to buy them
If you find yourself in a new city, here’s a run to get you started
In 2016, Trent Knox founded the 440 Run Club, a group who meet each Saturday morning at 5am at Sydney’s Bronte beach. While the club has been pivotal in Knox’s sobriety journey, this year he began training for events like the Sydney Marathon and fell in love with running all over again
We’ve answered all your most pressing questions about the fitness trend of the moment
The 42.2k is a bucket-list feat for many and a goal for most serious runners. Here, Australian marathon record holder Brett Robinson reveals the key to running a race you’ll never forget
The physical stress of a marathon reaches its zenith when you hit the dreaded wall. Here’s how to get over the hump
Looking for reasons to lace up? From a longer, healthier life span to greater mental clarity, there’s no shortage of reasons to start pounding the pavement