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Absolutely normal to be sore after your first judo class. You're using muscles in ways they're not used to, plus the impacts and controlled falls put stress on your body that most people don't experience day to day. Most folks feel it pretty bad in their shoulders, hips, and legs for a few days after. The soreness usually subsides once your body adapts, so don't let it discourage you from going back.
Did you do any grappling or falling before? The soreness is real because judo taxes your stabilizer muscles and connective tissues in ways regular exercise doesn't - your shoulders, hips, and neck especially take a beating even when the instructor is being gentle with beginners. The good news is it usually settles down after a few classes once your body adapts to the specific demands.
Hannah45 asker
No prior grappling experience, just general fitness. Thanks for explaining the stabilizer muscle angle - that makes sense.
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