Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) is often seen as a badge of honour after a tough workout—but does it really mean you’re building muscle? In this episode, Andy dives deep into the science of muscle damage, mechanical tension, and the myths surrounding soreness as a proxy for progress. Learn why feeling broken after training may be doing more harm than good, and what you should really focus on to drive hypertrophy.

Chapters:

00:16 – What is DOMS and why does it occur?

01:30 – Eccentric loading and novelty: Why certain exercises make you sore

03:40 – High-rep training, repeated contractions, and muscle damage

05:00 – DOMS ≠ Muscle Growth

06:58 – The true driver of hypertrophy: Mechanical tension

09:20 – Volume, workload, and progressive overload

11:47 – Muscle damage vs. muscle remodeling

14:10 – Why excessive soreness is counterproductive

16:24 – Lifestyle factors that affect soreness

18:45 – How to actually measure training progress

20:42 – Smart programming: Avoiding unnecessary soreness

Looking for a results-driven training program that avoids the soreness trap and maximises hypertrophy?
💻 Apply for online coaching at andyvincentpt.com