Thread: spasms and cramps

Originally Posted by Nightowl

During the middle of my workout i encountered a muscle spasm. the pain became so unbearable that I had to stop in the middle of 1 of my sets. is it because I didn't stretch? I couldn't stretch and I normally don't have time to do beforehand. so when stretching before hand help reduce the risk of having cramps and muscle spasms?

Could be too little water intake throughout the day or perhaps excessive stimulants...failure to stretch maybe. I just use light weights and slow reps and start holding at the most stretched positions for a 5 count to get my stretching in. That takes care of warming up and stretching at the same time. (e.g. on bench press bring the bar down slowly to the chest and hold it there, let the weight kind of push your shoulders and pecs apart for about 5 secs then press up and repeat for several reps)

Pro hormones or gear and not enough water could cause cramping as well. Need at least a gallon a day when on gear and that's actually a good healthy practice all the time.

I can't imagine working out without stretching. I'd suggest always stretching before sets.

potassium

Yep sounds like water depletion. Potassium can help - are you consuming any bananas or sweet potatoes during the day? Or just a potassium supplement. Also coffee, tea, etc, are natural diuretics which can contribute to water depletion over the course of the day.