Advice on leg cramps

hercules411
on 4/17/11 11:14 am
I've been riding my road bike a lot more in recent days and still getting to the gym three days a week for circuit training. 

Three times now in the past two weeks, I have experience painful cramping in the muscle between my groin and knee.  One time it happened when I was stretched out on the couch. The other two times, I had pulled my foot up to put on a sock.

I stood up and tried to "walk it off", but in the end I just sat down and tried to get as comfortable as possible to wait it out.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do if I have another cramp... or better yet.. how to avoid cramps?
Max wt. 500+  WLS workshop  4/6/09 440 Surgery  9/21/09  324   9/21/10  218
Save $4 on Obesity Help magazine subscription using promo code: HERCULES
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mjdenco
on 4/17/11 12:27 pm

How long did the cramps last? Muscle cramps can be caused be a ton of things... Are you stretching enough AFTER your workouts? Do you have burning or soreness from lactic acid without the cramps? Dehydration and/or low sodium can cause muscle cramps too...

It could be as simple as your body getting a little more rest.

Paul11011
on 4/17/11 2:57 pm
The best way I've found to help get rid of a cramp while you have it is to stretch the muscle out.  

As far as avoiding them I have always found two key things, getting enough water and potassium.  Try mixing a banana into your post workout protein shake or just eating one.     
VSG 1-10-2011 Dr. Randal Baker.   www.grandhealthpartners.com
                
Paul C.
on 4/18/11 1:21 am - Cumming, GA
Things to look at:

Are you getting enough fluids?  As the temps rise so will the amount of fluids we lose while engaging in physical activity. 

Electrolytes - What are you drinking?  We all know what an animal you are when it comes to logging miles on your bike but are you replinishing your electrolytes or just drinking water.

Potassium low potassium can cause vicious cramps usually fixed by a bit of banana.

And the most obvious Tight muscles!  Look at getting a foam roller or something similar and working out the cramp.  Also make sure you stretch pre and post exercise this is typically the most overlooked aspect of exercise.
Paul C.
First 5K 9/27/20 46:32 - 11 weeks post op  (PR 28:55 8/15/11)
First 10K 7/04/2011 1:03      
      First 15K 9/18/2011 1:37
First Half Marathon 10/02/2011 2:27:44 (
PR 2:24:35)   
First Half Ironman 9/30/12 7:32:04
Wired
on 4/18/11 8:11 am - St Charles, IL
 Foam roller! 

Get one from local Sporting good stores. It is hard foam cylinder that you can roll out every muscle in your body. If a spot is bugging you use a street hockey ball (hard) or a 12-16in softball (softer) to dig into that muscle.

I do this every night and it has greatly improved my recovery after the gym. 


hercules411
on 4/18/11 7:54 pm
Stretch... roller... electrolytes.. bananas...
Thanks guys.
Max wt. 500+  WLS workshop  4/6/09 440 Surgery  9/21/09  324   9/21/10  218
Save $4 on Obesity Help magazine subscription using promo code: HERCULES
www.obesityhelp.com/store/action,addtocart/itemId,1/pcode, hercules /


        
Father Don
on 4/21/11 2:00 pm - Charleston, SC
I have the same thing...on the inside front of thigh....

I have found it's a combo of 4 things.

G2 helps with electrolites and fluid
Water (dehydration)
Potasium
Magnesium - which helps potasium absorbtion (according to my doctor)


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