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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: MindSpin on April 18, 2006, 04:47:33 PM

Title: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 18, 2006, 04:47:33 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 18, 2006, 05:00:30 PM
Too many a-bombs.

What's that?  If you're referring to gear, I'm totally clean...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MisterMagoo on April 18, 2006, 05:02:16 PM
you're a better, more accomplished, and apparently smarter bodybuilder than a guy who got asked to compete in the pdi. i'm sure you can come up with something all by yourself, no need to ask us idiots here.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: candidate2025 on April 18, 2006, 05:02:58 PM
stretch you fuckin moron.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 18, 2006, 05:08:38 PM
you're a better, more accomplished, and apparently smarter bodybuilder than a guy who got asked to compete in the pdi. i'm sure you can come up with something all by yourself, no need to ask us idiots here.

Just curious if anyone else experiences the same thing...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Palpatine Q on April 18, 2006, 05:10:34 PM
I experienced the same thing a couple years back......it's called AGE. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 18, 2006, 05:15:10 PM
I experienced the same thing a couple years back......it's called AGE. ;D ;D

I can rule that out becasue I used to have the same problem in my 20's when I competed.  I remember that after a heavy leg workout, if I went to the beach and tried to get up after laying out, my legs would lock up, and I'd be stuck there until it went away.  I figured it was the gear, but now that I'm clean I'm not sure...oh well.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Disgusted on April 18, 2006, 05:18:18 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...


Kill yourself. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 18, 2006, 05:21:22 PM

Kill yourself. Hope this helps.

Perhaps as a last resort...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: gammahydroxy on April 18, 2006, 05:23:02 PM
Many peeps get relief from muscle cramps from using higher doses 5-10 grams of taurine daily..
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Disgusted on April 18, 2006, 05:23:26 PM
Perhaps as a last resort...


Seriously though it happens to me all the time in my hams and sometimes my bi's and lats. Nothing you can do.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Mr. Zimbabwe on April 18, 2006, 05:24:11 PM

Kill yourself. Hope this helps.

Come on guys....it's a fair question?  I suffered the same problem in my 20's when training heavy and competing.  And now if i ever hit it too hard now i suffer the same cramping!!!  It's debilitating!

Like Yemeni i am clean now.  What gives?  I take all the essential vitamins/minerals too.

Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Bast175 on April 18, 2006, 05:24:27 PM
Similar thing happened to my legs recently, after a workout where I used more weight that I had previously.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: knny187 on April 18, 2006, 05:25:02 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...

stop working out

 ;D
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: alexxx on April 18, 2006, 05:25:52 PM
Minspin you are now my favorite mod for owning candidate ;D

Streching is good!  ;)

I used to cramp up after 20 set squats but now everything is better cause I use doggcrapps special static stretches. He got that one right on the money!
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: FREAKgeek on April 18, 2006, 05:26:28 PM
make sure you're getting enough potassium and water.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Disgusted on April 18, 2006, 05:28:14 PM
Come on guys....it's a fair question?  I suffered the same problem in my 20's when training heavy and competing.  And now if i ever hit it too hard now i suffer the same cramping!!!  It's debilitating!

Like Yemeni i am clean now.  What gives?  I take all the essential vitamins/minerals too.



Maybe you didn't read my second post.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: candidate2025 on April 18, 2006, 05:29:21 PM
Minspin you are now my favorite mod for owning candidate ;D

Streching is good!  ;)

I used to cramp up after 20 set squats but now everything is better cause I use doggcrapps special static stretches. He got that one right on the money!
he didnt own shit.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Sir William Idol on April 18, 2006, 05:30:05 PM
this is not the appropriate place to post this topic.  try the injury and rehab board.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: youandme on April 18, 2006, 05:32:12 PM
Try some baking soda 1 tsp, with plenty of water.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Disgusted on April 18, 2006, 05:35:19 PM
Try some baking soda 1 tsp, with plenty of water.


Possibly since it acts as as buffer against lactic acid build up.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Billy Rosewood on April 18, 2006, 05:44:50 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Billy Rosewood on April 18, 2006, 05:46:20 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...

Midol for cramps Susan.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Dingleberry on April 18, 2006, 05:57:36 PM
make sure you're getting enough potassium and water.


FREAKgeek knows what he's talking about. Drink a lot of water and incorporate some potassium into your diet. Foods high in potassium include bananas, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, tomato or prune juice, honeydew melons, prunes, molasses and potatoes.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: triple_pickle on April 18, 2006, 06:09:40 PM
yeah, cramping sucks.  it sometimes happens to my legs after a decent leg workout and it always happens to my forearms after a heavy back workout (i do not use straps).  i even bought an electric toothbrush as on the evening of my back day (i work out in early morning) i am unable to brush my teeth for more than 20 sec without cramping up in the forearms.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: saucetradomous on April 18, 2006, 06:16:35 PM

The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.


I get that sometimes but it's not painful, I actually look forward to it, makes me feel like the workout is working.  But if it really is painful I'd probably stretch like someone mentioned earlier or increase your reps and lower the weight on your squat. I always hear people saying you should do a minimum 15 reps for any leg exercises although I don't follow that rule but If I was experiencing the pain your talking about I'd try it
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MisterMagoo on April 18, 2006, 06:17:21 PM
honestly, though, massage and stretch. that works for me.

also, think like a marathoner. they live by "cool downs" because if you run for three hours and then just stop your muscles will knot up. bodybuilder leg workouts tend to be at least as strenuous on the muscles as that, so do something at the end to wind down. 5-10 minutes walking on the treadmill or something.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Adam Empire on April 18, 2006, 07:00:11 PM
Stretch, water, glutamine, potassium (99 mg a day min).  Cool down cardio (light cardio) may help when it's legs.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: JMentis on April 18, 2006, 07:15:04 PM
Come on guys....it's a fair question?  I suffered the same problem in my 20's when training heavy and competing.  And now if i ever hit it too hard now i suffer the same cramping!!!  It's debilitating!

Like Yemeni i am clean now.  What gives?  I take all the essential vitamins/minerals too.




Same here...Had the same problem back then and even now sometimes when I lay off because of my travels. I was told to take 5-10gr of Pure Creatine Monohydrate and double up on the minerals. I also increased my water intake.

Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: weedoutheweak on April 18, 2006, 07:23:12 PM
same thing.  water and a crap load of pedialyte seems to help.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: myseone on April 18, 2006, 08:03:13 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...

Sounds like an electrolyte imbalance if it is effecting more than one muscle. I use to get similair cramps, particularly after intense leg workouts. The cramps would usually occur after I had been sitting for a while (for example getting out of a car after a leg workout)  if I stood up my quads in particular would lock up, prity painful. This also occured in other muscle groups such as triceps, forearms and abs.

I also think that the cramping was due to the use of the ephedrine/caffeine stack which will definitely throw off electrolyte balance.

I tried pedyolyte (wrong spelling), and this worked sometimes, and sometimes it didn't.

What worked was taking a strong multivitamin and mineral combination; after a week of taking a mixed pack every day the cramps disappeared completely, I have'nt had any in 5 weeks or so. (reducing the eph stack also helped).

The multi vitamin and mineral pack I take is called "Bodytech Beast pak" made by the vitamin shop, I recommend it.

Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: HERACLES on April 18, 2006, 08:25:20 PM
So, I've actually been back in the gym regularly in the last few weeks using somewhat hevier weights.  Making good progress, but I've got a serious problem.  about 3-4 hours after working out, I get excruciating muscle cramps in whatever mucle group I train. 

Take today for example.  Trained legs this morning.  Nothing crazy.  Did some leg presses, lunges, leg curls, stiff deads and squats.  Got up to 8 reps with 455 on squats.  Anyway, I'm in my office, I go to get up and POW!  Both legs lock up...quads & hams.  The muscles literally look like waves as they convulse.  I had to sit back down to ride it out, but every time I get up...same thing.

The same thing happend with pecs yesterday.

WTF?  Anyone else have this problem?  What do I do.


IMpressive!! I have pretty big legs, and can you beleive it i can only muster like 4-5 reps with 405? Those are ass to the grass though.
I think its just from intense training, happens to me too, when i really go all out...sounds like some potassium would do the trick bro!

Oh, and I have already tried an eletrolyte supplement & drink...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Mobil on April 18, 2006, 10:37:25 PM
potassium pills
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Disgusted on April 18, 2006, 10:38:29 PM
Amputation of the effected appendage is the only known cure.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: benchthis on April 18, 2006, 10:43:54 PM
gatoraide or water with a bannana
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: JOHN MATRIX on April 18, 2006, 11:07:56 PM
after heavy leg workouts dont just sit down right away, walk around for a bit. my legs used to cramp after i ran if i hadnt warmed up.
stretch and warm up, and loosen up after the workout as well.
the only cramp i get now is sometimes in my right forearm during curling movements...but i think this has something to do with the massive snakebite i recieved there.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: INSOMNIA on April 18, 2006, 11:18:09 PM
my hamstrings used to do this when I took creatine and didnt drink enough water...to the point that I couldnt even walk. It wouldnt even be on a leg day. Sure enough I would guzzle a ton of water and the cramping would subside within 20 minutes or so.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 19, 2006, 11:14:33 AM
Many peeps get relief from muscle cramps from using higher doses 5-10 grams of taurine daily..

I’m gonna try that.

Come on guys....it's a fair question?  I suffered the same problem in my 20's when training heavy and competing.  And now if i ever hit it too hard now i suffer the same cramping!!!  It's debilitating!

Like Yemeni i am clean now.  What gives?  I take all the essential vitamins/minerals too.



Interestingly, this only happens when I use heavy weights & incorporated drop sets/super sets…

Similar thing happened to my legs recently, after a workout where I used more weight that I had previously.

That’s exactly where I’m at right now.  My strength has been progressively going up.  Hmmmm….

Minspin you are now my favorite mod for owning candidate ;D

Streching is good!  ;)

I used to cramp up after 20 set squats but now everything is better cause I use doggcrapps special static stretches. He got that one right on the money!

I do a lot of stretching.  Particulalry for legs because I have very tight hams.  I’ll have to look up this doggcrapps special static stretches you mention…

make sure you're getting enough potassium and water.
I’ve actually been supplementing with a potassium supplement and drinking about a ½ gallon of water/day.  Perhaps I need to bump that up the a MONSTER 1 gallon like I used drink…

Try some baking soda 1 tsp, with plenty of water.

I’ll try that too…

yeah, cramping sucks.  it sometimes happens to my legs after a decent leg workout and it always happens to my forearms after a heavy back workout (i do not use straps).  i even bought an electric toothbrush as on the evening of my back day (i work out in early morning) i am unable to brush my teeth for more than 20 sec without cramping up in the forearms.

Same thing happens to me, except it’s my brachialis.  It cramps so hard while brushing my teeth, that I can barely extend my arm during the cramp…

I get that sometimes but it's not painful, I actually look forward to it, makes me feel like the workout is working.  But if it really is painful I'd probably stretch like someone mentioned earlier or increase your reps and lower the weight on your squat. I always hear people saying you should do a minimum 15 reps for any leg exercises although I don't follow that rule but If I was experiencing the pain your talking about I'd try it

I keep my reps in the 12-15 range for squats, occasionally doing one heavy set in the 8-10 rep range, which I strip twice, each time for another 8-10 reps, totaling 24-30 reps…


Same here...Had the same problem back then and even now sometimes when I lay off because of my travels. I was told to take 5-10gr of Pure Creatine Monohydrate and double up on the minerals. I also increased my water intake.



I’m taking creatine already, but perhaps not enough minerals.  I’ll give it a try…thanks.

same thing.  water and a crap load of pedialyte seems to help.

Drank 68 FL. OZ. yesterday as my legs were convulsing uncontrollably…!

Sounds like an electrolyte imbalance if it is effecting more than one muscle. I use to get similair cramps, particularly after intense leg workouts. The cramps would usually occur after I had been sitting for a while (for example getting out of a car after a leg workout)  if I stood up my quads in particular would lock up, prity painful. This also occured in other muscle groups such as triceps, forearms and abs.

I also think that the cramping was due to the use of the ephedrine/caffeine stack which will definitely throw off electrolyte balance.

I tried pedyolyte (wrong spelling), and this worked sometimes, and sometimes it didn't.

What worked was taking a strong multivitamin and mineral combination; after a week of taking a mixed pack every day the cramps disappeared completely, I have'nt had any in 5 weeks or so. (reducing the eph stack also helped).

The multi vitamin and mineral pack I take is called "Bodytech Beast pak" made by the vitamin shop, I recommend it.



You described it EXACTLY!  Glad to know I’m not the only one.  Thanks!

And thanks everyone for the input.   :)
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: Petrucci on April 19, 2006, 11:15:09 AM
Wow, i never tought i would give mindspin advice!!!!  :o
But yeah, i myself didnt had any of this problems, but i know people who had and it was a combination with lots of water, bananas and a good strech after the workouts...
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 19, 2006, 11:36:56 AM
Wow, i never tought i would give mindspin advice!!!!  :o
But yeah, i myself didnt had any of this problems, but i know people who had and it was a combination with lots of water, bananas and a good strech after the workouts...

No one knows everything...


Thanks!
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: blondmusclhunk on April 19, 2006, 12:19:27 PM
I get cramps in shoulders tris and hams sometimes. Its not about age im in my twenties.. definately water and potassium try emergen-c with elctroytes its great!!
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: JOHN MATRIX on April 19, 2006, 03:46:31 PM
so i see others have experienced the 'toothbrushing cramps' as well. lately my hand has been locking up when i brush my teeth, never happened beore, it makes me feel old.
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: WiseGuy on April 19, 2006, 03:50:58 PM
Just curious if anyone else experiences the same thing...

I got them today after doing legs..... i try to stretch and take some extra potassium....

the worst is getting cramps in the ab area... the fucking worst pain ever

 :-\
Title: Re: Crazy cramping...WTF!?
Post by: MindSpin on April 19, 2006, 04:13:59 PM
I got them today after doing legs..... i try to stretch and take some extra potassium....

the worst is getting cramps in the ab area... the fucking worst pain ever

 :-\

Those are pretty bad.  But, have you had a sartorius cramp?  I've been woken from sound sleep from one of those...nearly brought me to tears.