Stretching can be done throughout the day to help alleviate muscle soreness. A common error people make is to stop working out when the soreness sets in. The soreness will go away much more quickly if you continue exercising. There are also other factors to consider in preventing muscle soreness. When beginning a new exercise regimen, you should begin light.
Many people make the mistake of attempting to do too much too soon.
By easing into your exercise regimen, you decrease the amount of lactic acid build up in the muscles, as well as preventing injury. Hydration may be another factor in preventing muscle soreness. It is hypothesized that the better hydrated a person is, the less lactic acid will build up in the muscle tissue. Even though this theory hasn't been proven, it is still very important to get plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are beneficial, but water is still the best choice.