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doms

What does doms mean?

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: muscle pain and stiffness that appears 24–72 hours after unaccustomed or intense exercise.

"The DOMS from that leg session had me walking like a robot."

Origin

Exercise-science acronym that crossed over into everyday gym slang.

Frequently asked questions

What does DOMS stand for?
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness — the muscle pain and stiffness that shows up 24–72 hours after hard or unfamiliar exercise.
How long does DOMS last?
It typically peaks around 24–48 hours after training and eases off within a few days as the muscle adapts.
Is DOMS a sign of a good workout?
Not necessarily. Soreness can indicate novel or intense training, but you can build muscle without being sore, so it's not a reliable progress gauge.
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Slang definitions: FreeDict original editorial.