Cardio makes weight training less of a sore subject

If you find that you can barely move the day after you perform a resistance training workout, it means one of two things; either 1) You're doing something very wrong (lifting too much weight, using poor form, etc.) , or 2) You're doing everything right. Please ... allow me to explain.

Provided that you're not feeling actual pain, and are instead only feeling soreness in your muscles, I hate to break it to you but this is part of the muscle-building process. When you lift, small tears occur in muscle tissue, and it's the proper recovery and rebuilding of this torn tissue that makes muscles become bigger and/or more defined. But, does this mean that you have no choice but to grin and bear it? Maybe not, says a a study published Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, wherein researchers may have discovered the physical reprieve some exercise newbies are looking for.

Evidently, performing quick bursts of cardio between strength training sets reduces post-workout soreness. Because cardio pushes more blood to muscles when done at elevated intensity, the quick delivery helps prevent further muscle damage and also begins a rapid repair. This, as stated, leaves you feeling less sore in the days to come. For best results, try doing 30- to 45-second bursts of intense cardio between your resistance training sets. A very easy way of doing this is to bring a jump rope with you and get that thing spinning in overdrive in between sets.