Does soreness = efficacy?

[B.Reel]

I recently raised my rep count (lowered weight) and have not been getting as sore as I did with lower reps and heavier weight. I still geat a great pump and achieve near total muscle failure. Does this mean I am not tearing down as much muscle? Does greater soreness = a more effective workout?

 

[inked1]

pump doesn't mean shit, neither does soreness

 

[luquillo78]

pump doesn't mean shit, neither does soreness

Agree.

 

[B.Reel]

alllllllllllllllll righty then! thx

 

[Behemoth]

Soreness does not necessarily mean microtrauma of the muscle. Either does a pump.

Still, if you suddenly went to lower weights after using heavier weights, you probably aren't going to cause much muscle growth, due to connective tissue build up, etc etc. Not at first anyway, after a period of deloading, then lighter weights can become effective again if you are looking for hypertrophy.

 

[Antigua]

pump doesn't mean shit, neither does soreness

Lactic acid buildup,which causes the soreness, usually means that you have worked your muscles effectively.

 

[Behemoth]

It might mean that, but then again, it might not. You can get lactic acid buildup from curling 20 lbs for 200 repetitions, doesn't mean it's going to do crap for your muscles. The important thing is to have a feeling of tightness in the muscles afterward - not a pump. It's hard to describe unless you know what I'm talking about, but when you've lifted heavy ass weights for a good workout, your muscles feel tight, that typically means you've gotten plenty of microtrauma in your muscles.

 

[Antigua]

Behemoth, read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtrauma

Is this what you are explaining in post #7?