Can't straighten my arms after workout

Delorian

I hadn't lifted in about 3 1/2 months due to an extended holiday and today after perhaps doing a little too much yesterday, cannot straighten my arms at the elbow (they go to about 70 / 60 degrees). This hasn't happened before so I'm wondering if anyone can give a reason (bad technique or too much too soon maybe?) and advise on how I can heal quickest (have used Deep Heat & Neurofin, will try to rest but was planning on drinking lots of beer today).

I'm guessing the offending sets were standing, sitting and sitting at incline bicep curls, both alternated and together. Thanks for any advise you can give.

cardio,shoot me

well when this happens to me i love it as its usually i sign i got a good pump. but ive never had it last longer than a half an hour, also seems u were doing alot of direct bicep work

slicus ricus

Delorian wrote: »

I hadn't lifted in about 3 1/2 months due to an extended holiday and today after perhaps doing a little too much yesterday, cannot straighten my arms at the elbow (they go to about 70 / 60 degrees). This hasn't happened before so I'm wondering if anyone can give a reason (bad technique or too much too soon maybe?) and advise on how I can heal quickest (have used Deep Heat & Neurofin, will try to rest but was planning on drinking lots of beer today).

I'm guessing the offending sets were standing, sitting and sitting at incline bicep curls, both alternated and together. Thanks for any advise you can give.

Obviously, I can't comments as to whether bad technique has anything to do with it as I didn't see your technique! It's likely due to the muscles in your arms being shocked from moving from a state of relative inactivity to intense training. This causes the release of lactic acid, which then leads to DOMS - Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness. Best bet is to allow your arms to recover before working on them again. I'd steer clear of using painkillers such as Nurofen if I were you - they only mask the pain and do nothing to ammend the root of the pain. They also have an anti-inflamatory effect, which you don't require with DOMS.

Go enjoy your beers today, then give your arms time to recover. It's always tough and sore getting back into weight training after an extended break from it.

MagicMarker

This happened to me when I was 16 and did weights for the first time.

I assumed it was because I had never done bicep curls before. Like you I couldn't straighten my arms and it was quite painful. It took a few days for it to heal, probably even a week.

I wouldn't worry too much about it OP, just give it time. It's never happened to me since.

Procasinator

Did you forget to stretch? Happened to me once (bicep exercises too, after not doing any real exercise in a long while) and I know I didn't stretch after properly.

Just take it easy, and wait for the muscles to recover before pushing them again.