I used to have the same problem. Now, I always make sure I warm-up before hand with stretching and baby reps, make sure I get enough sleep and also pile up on both carbs and proteins.

Works great for me.

HAHAHA.

Sounds like everyone has great suggestions about post-workout nutrition to ensure a speedy recovery. I would just like to add that, despite our busy schedules, rest is a key factor in recovery. It is simple but often overlooked. Also, if you don't have the time or money for a weekly massage, try using a foam roll to "self massage" the lower body and back.

Usually, if you're feeling really sore its an indication that you aren't getting enough nutrition. The key to preventing this is FOOOOOOD. Also, post workout SIMPLE carbs (sugars) are extremely important. After intense resistance training the glycogen stores in your muscle tissue are depleted so you need to replenish them, most of all, to prevent going catabolic. The best source of glucose is purple grape juice. If you haven't drank it before take it a little bit at a time to see if your body can handle it. Some people's digestive systems are averse to certain sugars such as glucose, dextrose, etc. Also, make sure you're not working out too late at night as much of these sugars can be converted to fat. Just like you must understand the different types of proteins, you need to also understand the different types of carbohydrates. The mythical "high protein/low carbs" formula is overly simplistic and will prove antithetical to achieving your goals.

"Odidy" I said Strectching helps in preventing soreness. " Preventing & Getting RID OF DOMS: 1=Stretching before , during and after workout is one of the key things you can do in preventing DOMS." There are 2 different opinions on Stretching, Mine is based on 18 years of Personal Experience and Feed Back from my Clients. I will be happy to write a long detailed opinion on this one

Good stuff Zee. That's what I'm talking about.

odidy-- you're prob right, stretching is more of a way to prevent soreness moreso than get rid of it. stretching is usually more helpful in cases where people are sore cause of myofascial type pain. and i would recommend against overstretching in people who have hypermobile joints... aka those of us who are very bendy

aspirin is yummy. but that deep tissue massage sounds heavenly too!

There are Two common kinds of Muscle soreness.
ACUTE SORENESS, which occurs during or right after exercise.
DELAYED SORENESS, which is also called DOMS and it develops 12 hours or longer after Exercise.
Although I am Sure "MissPakigirl" is referring to DOMS , I am going to try to explain both.

Acute Soreness usually reflects simple fatigue, caused by a buildup of chemical waste products of exercise. this will go away after resting the part of body that is involved.

DOMS is thought to be a result of microscopic tearing of the muscle fibers. The amount of tearing depends on how hard and how long you exercise and what type of exercise you do. For example, activities in which muscles forcefully contract while they are lengthening tend to cause the most soreness. These "eccentric" contractions, as they are called, provide a braking action; they occur in activities such as descending stairs, running downhill, lowering weights, and performing the downward movements of squats and push-ups.
Eccentric muscle contractions tend to cause both microtearing and swelling.

Preventing & Getting RID OF DOMS:
1=Stretching before , during and after workout is one of the key things you can do in preventing DOMS.
2= You can alternate your workout routine in such a way so that they get a lot of stretching on the following 2 days for example After a Great Leg workout , next day try doing cardio on a Trade mill at an Incline level with Full strides.

3= Protein and L -Glutamine, Does Help a lot with Post workout recovery. 5-10 Grams of Glutamine a day is recommended.

4= There is some evidence that vitamin C may decrease soreness.

5= My All time Favorite is "Deep Tissue Massage". It Really helps getting Rid of soreness. I get one every week. But it could be Expensive.

Hmmmm sounds good, I like the massage idea! I've been driving everybody crazy at work..........everytime someone passes me I would say "Hey Pull my arm!" Which they thought was a bigger version of "Pull my finger" I've been getting help from them but massages might be inappriorate in the work-place! LOL

HA HA HA UpperCut. No pain, no gain right? No but for real guys, I know what she's saying. Is there like something that doesn't take all that time and effort? I mean the last thing anyone wants to do is prepare a salt bath after busting their azz for a few hours. I usually shake myself silly after each set and it defenitely helps. And I noticed that drinking creatine after workouts has also helped. Obviously that may not be something she wants to do so is there anything else we may be missing out on? I mean getting loaded on aspiran every night, is that OK?

Great point "Uppercut". It does help a lot.

Comment below have been insightful, thanks Arsal & Sobiasaba. Epsom salts while soaking in a tub w/ hot water also helps soothe away soreness. Also make sure you're taking in enough Potassium (K+), as that helps alleviate cramping & muscle tightness too!

Take Motrin 800 mg and also get the EAS L-Glutamine 750 gm, it helps recover after workouts or Glutamine by Optimum Nutrition 120 caps it helps reduce muscle soreness and rebuild muscle tissue.

Yeah, there's a couple things. I just took this class in active isolated muscle stretching techniques and massage. Its best to stretch post-workout and before bed, but don't hold your stretches for too long, just a few seconds and repeat. Also go to GNC and get yourself some glutamine and branched chain amino acids to prevent catabolism (muscle breakdown). that will help you recover faster in addition to eating protein. finally, take a couple of advils before bed-- don't take just one like the bottle says :)