Muscle Cramps

[Rocket3015]

I get terrible muscle cramps, about an hour after training, mostly Tricep's, Chest, Lats and sometimes Abs. it has been happening for 30 years and I have never found anything to keep it from happening...............any ideas ?

 

[Driven2lift]

I get terrible muscle cramps, about an hour after training, mostly Tricep's, Chest, Lats and sometimes Abs. it has been happening for 30 years and I have never found anything to keep it from happening...............any ideas ?

High dosed taurine, plenty of electrolytes in diet

 

[tyga tyga]

plenty of electrolytes in diet

this. Maybe supplement w/topical magnesium and additional potassium. Oh and moar h20

 

[HIT4ME]

I agree with all of the above - water and electrolytes are typically the two big culprits in muscle cramps. It sounds like you've tried stopping this before, what have you tried already?

How much water do you drink in a day? How much do you drink during your workouts?

 

[Rocket3015]

this. Maybe supplement w/topical magnesium and additional potassium. Oh and moar h20

I drink about a gallon of water a day, eat a banana everyday ????? I probably look like a bigger idiot than usual today, I get a cramp in my pec so I stretch my arm out than I get a cramp in my tri.............. Looks like some strange dance, my to the muscle gods!!

 

[Driven2lift]

I drink about a gallon of water a day, eat a banana everyday ????? I probably look like a bigger idiot than usual today, I get a cramp in my pec so I stretch my arm out than I get a cramp in my tri.............. Looks like some strange dance, my to the muscle gods!!

Water intake is good, but a banana is <500 mg potassium, RDA is 4500

I dint know why banana's are always the top recommendation for this.

If you eat all whole goods and vegetables you should be getting enough

Supplements can cause a wide variety of electrolyte disturbances though, what are you using currently? Trying a few days without a potential supplement cause is worth trying

 

[tyga tyga]

Water intake is good, but a banana is <500 mg potassium, RDA is 4500 I dint know why banana's are always the top recommendation for this. If you eat all whole goods and vegetables you should be getting enough Supplements can cause a wide variety of electrolyte disturbances though, what are you using currently? Trying a few days without a potential supplement cause is worth trying

I get all of my potassium from avocados. Rarely eat bananas.

 

[Rodja]

These are from adhesions, which are basically knotted up tissue. Get a good deep tissue massage to break it up.

 

[LeanEngineer]

My guess is it could also been a supplement your taking right now to. Idk what your stack is but one of your supplements might be causing you to have cramps. But ab cramps are the worst! haha

 

[Rocket3015]

Went to the gym tonight did HIIT cardio than some abs, I got a cramp in my lower abs when trying to stretch it out my pec cramps came back. I'm sure folks thought I was crazy !!

 

[HIT4ME]

I agree - green leafy veggies are also a good source of potassium - broccoli, spinach, etc. I wouldn't say that a gallon of water a day is high end hydration, depending on what your day is like, that may be light. For instance, if you have a physical job in a warm environment, and then workout, 2 gallons may be more reasonable. 1 gallon/day is the minimum I would think for anyone of your size, but the medical guidelines are slightly lower, because they are for your typical person, which you don't seem to be.

 

[Rocket3015]

I work in sales so no real sweating at work. (except when sales are slow)

I won one of these and have been taking (1) serving per day

 

[badwolf42]

Have you ever got a complete metabolic panel done? That seems like the first place to start instead of randomly throwing out minerals like potassium or magnesium or any other one thing and claiming its the cure to all without knowing current levels. You really need a plan put together by an expert to get to the bottom of why its happening.

 

[Rocket3015]

Have you ever got a complete metabolic panel done? That seems like the first place to start instead of randomly throwing out minerals like potassium or magnesium or any other one thing and claiming its the cure to all without knowing current levels. You really need a plan put together by an expert to get to the bottom of why its happening.

Good advice.....Today it is Forearm Cramps

 

[HIT4ME]

Have you ever got a complete metabolic panel done? That seems like the first place to start instead of randomly throwing out minerals like potassium or magnesium or any other one thing and claiming its the cure to all without knowing current levels. You really need a plan put together by an expert to get to the bottom of why its happening.

I second this. In general, what I've found with most people with cramps is that increasing water, which is really low risk and unlikely to hurt you, is the first step. Increase intake and if it goes away, great.

The second place is to increase potassium, but this can be tricky because too much potassium can be an issue. Taking an extra 500 mg when you have a cramp, however, will tell you if the cramp goes away or not, and may provide direction. If eating "right" and taking in adequate water don't do it though, you need bloodwork. You don't want to just throw an unlimited amount of electrolytes at it without knowing where you already are. A moderate increase is all you can do while shooting in the dark.

Plus, bloodwork may clue you into something else going on - maybe an underlying issue or disease that you aren't even thinking of.