Commonly Asked Questions

Is it true you can burn more calories after you have finished exercising?
Yes, its true that after a workout your body will burn more calories than normally due to its heightened metabolic rate.

OUCH – Why do my muscles hurt after I have trained?
The muscle related soreness is know by the name ‘DOMS’ or delayed onset muscle soreness. So if you have felt soreness, stiffness and or general discomfort within 24-48 hrs post exercise you have experienced ‘DOMS’ – ‘you know the time when the only way you could get down the stairs was on your behind’.

What causes DOMS
‘DOMS’ is thought to be a result of microscopic tearing of the muscle fibres. The amount of tearing (and soreness) depends on how hard and how long you exercise and what type of exercise you do, in addition swelling can occur in and around a muscle, which can also cause soreness hours later.

How do I deal with the soreness?
Wait. Soreness will go away with 3-7 days Use gentle stretching on the effected area, gently massage the affected muscles or have someone give you a massage. Do some low impact aerobic exercise (e.g. walking or swimming)

What causes back pain?
• Postural Stress
• Muscle Strains
• Ligament Sprains
• Disc Problems
• Sciatica

Here are a few suggestions on how to prevent back pain

• Rapid recovery may require you seeing a registered professional e.g. Physiotherapist or Chiropractor see http://www.fitnessinsideout.com/ourpartners.asp for referral. Speak to your personal trainer for advice.

• Talk to your trainer about management and strategies to improve your back problems

• Exercise – Stay in shape – healthy body & less weight reduces the strain on your back

• Posture – think tall

• Sitting – don’t stay seated for too long, stand up, stretch and walk around

• Driving – Get a good support for your car seat (try a rolled up towel)

• Sleeping – Ensure you have a firm mattress that supports your natural shape

• Bounce back with a Smartball from Fitness Inside Out & regain control of your lower back pain.