New to exercise

[auntyames]

Hi,

ive just recently started doing regular exercise, and am having quite painful problems with my thigh muscles.

The Exercise i am doing is British Military Fitness, which is basically circuit training in the park with military trained ex-servicemen.

I am enjoying the exercise, and dont feel i am pushing myself too hard, however, i am experiencing quite severe pain, especially when i try and exercise, in my thighs, especially my right thigh.

I do not want to stop exercising as i have only just started and appreciate that it takes time to get used to this kind of exercise, however, i am worried about doing myself any permanent damage, and also get frustrated as i cannot take part fully in the exercise classes.

Will this pain gradually disappear if i strengthen the muscles during regular training, or is it possible that i have done some damage and need to rest?

The pain is in the middle of my thigh at the front. I have problems climbing stairs, bending and getting up and down from a sitting position. I have tried stretching it, but this just hurts further, and seems to make it worse!

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi,

sounds like you might have torn some muscle fibres in one of the quadriceps muscles. Did you feel it happen at any point? How regularly are you training? It may even be delayed onset muscle soreness (doms) if it came on gradually after a session?

Visit a sports massage therapist, this should help, whether its a muscle tear, chronic tightness, trigger points, doms etc.

Try to gently stretch the muscles everyday, bring the knee just to the point of flexion where you can feel a slight stretch down the front. Don't push too hard. Hold it for 20-30 seconds, if the stretching sensation eases off, stretch a little further.

Also, ice just after exercise for 15 minutes.