Bad leg cramps - help!

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Today I got the worse legs cramps at the end of cross fit training during stretch out.

My workout was not anything crazy hard today. However, I was more tired then usual in between sets and really huffing and puffing. Felt like I was going to pass out.

Warmup:

1 mile run

20 push-ups

20 pull ups

20 sit-ups

20 lunges

20 air squats

Stretching

WOD 1

3 sets:

20 ght sits as fast as possible

30 second rest

WOD 2

5 sets:

250 m row as fast as possible

75 lb clean jerk @ 10 rep

Burpee and bar hop @ 10 rep

1 min rest

Stretching

I started to cramp up during the 5 sets above, but the cramping afterwards had me on the floor desperately trying to make it go away. I probably looked funny thrashing around on the mat and my trainer probably thought I was just stretching out awkwardly after the 2 WOD. Lol. She was on the other side of the room and I told her afterwards what had happened. My calf muscles are still cramping now an hour later (now) and I have little muscle aches everywhere (upper arm, butt?). This is new for me. I usually do not have an issue with my body aching or cramping and workout 6 days a week for 30-60 min hard.

My trainer had 5 pieces of advice:

1. Drink more Water. I told her I already am drinking over a gallon a day.

2. Drink Gatorade with sugar. I told her I have not had sugar anything in many months.

3. Drink coconut water - I could do this and, in fact, had a coconut water before training today.

4. Drink tonic water. She said it has something in it (starts with Q) that helps with cramping. I do not think the carbonation would be good for me, but did not tell her that.

5. Take a look at Vitamin consumption and make sure not taking too many as it dehydrates. I DO take a lot of Vitamins and minerals daily: optimen (way above RDA, especially B vitamins @ 3 pills a day), green drink ( above RDA alone), energy waters ( more vitamins) caffeine water (mix caffiene soda stream flavor with water). I think I need to cut out some.

I am chugging another coconut water as I write this.

Help?

[DonRodolfo 1,416]

Today I got the worse legs cramps at the end of cross fit training during stretch out.

My workout was not anything crazy hard today. However, I was more tired then usual in between sets and really huffing and puffing. Felt like I was going to pass out.

Warmup:

1 mile run

20 push-ups

20 pull ups

20 sit-ups

20 lunges

20 air squats

Stretching

WOD 1

3 sets:

20 ght sits as fast as possible

30 second rest

WOD 2

5 sets:

250 m row as fast as possible

75 lb clean jerk @ 10 rep

Burpee and bar hop @ 10 rep

1 min rest

Stretching

I started to cramp up during the 5 sets above, but the cramping afterwards had me on the floor desperately trying to make it go away. I probably looked funny thrashing around on the mat and my trainer probably thought I was just stretching out awkwardly after the 2 WOD. Lol. She was on the other side of the room and I told her afterwards what had happened. My calf muscles are still cramping now an hour later (now) and I have little muscle aches everywhere (upper arm, butt?). This is new for me. I usually do not have an issue with my body aching or cramping and workout 6 days a week for 30-60 min hard.

My trainer had 5 pieces of advice:

1. Drink more Water. I told her I already am drinking over a gallon a day.

2. Drink Gatorade with sugar. I told her I have not had sugar anything in many months.

3. Drink coconut Water - I could do this and, in fact, had a coconut water before training today.

4. Drink tonic water. She said it has something in it (starts with Q) that helps with cramping. I do not think the carbonation would be good for me, but did not tell her that.

5. Take a look at Vitamin consumption and make sure not taking too many as it dehydrates. I DO take a lot of Vitamins and minerals daily: optimen (way above RDA, especially B Vitamins @ 3 pills a day), green drink ( above RDA alone), energy waters ( more vitamins) caffeine water (mix caffiene soda stream flavor with water). I think I need to cut out some.

I am chugging another coconut water as I write this.

Help?

Potassium levels?

[JerseyGirl68 1,172]

I was going to say the same as Don. My doc even said a little salt Water might help for leg cramps.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

Pickle Juice

[LI Gemini NY 607]

L-glutamine ... My mom use to get horrible horrible cramps. She would wake up screaming and crying. It was horrible. The day she started taking L-glutamine the cramps stopped! When she finished the bottle, they came back. Started a new bottle-they stopped. This was recommended by an oncologist for Charlie horse type cramps

[cindymg 629]

Magnesium helps with leg cramps. I take Calcium w/ Magnesium which keeps them away. Also, my chiropractor sent me GNC for a supplement that contains quinine. It's called, funny enough, "Leg Cramps" and is produced by Hyland. It's like 6 dollars. You can also get it at Walgreen's and Walmart.< /p>

[mandyrenee82 59]

Try a banana.< /p>

[getlownurse 105]

This happened to me in all the weirdest places when I did hardcore army crap. You need Water and potassium. Idk about that coconut water? Interesting idea though.

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Magnesium helps with leg cramps. I take Calcium w/ Magnesium which keeps them away. Also' date=' my chiropractor sent me GNC for a supplement that contains quinine. It's called, funny enough, "Leg Cramps" and is produced by Hyland. It's like 6 dollars. You can also get it at Walgreen's and WalMart.[/quote']

Ah, good. Quinine is the name of the supplement I was trying to remember that is in tonic Water. I will look for this. Bananas sound like a good option too, especially with nut butter on top. Yummy!

[Banned member 320]

LOL this reminds me of the time when a Charlie Horse sent me to the hospital. Like seriously Ambulance and everything! The firemen were cute though, so I guess it was kinda worth it It hurt so bad and all the doc did was squeeze my muscle really hard with his hand and then I was able to straighten out my leg. My leg was very sore the next couple of days. I also got them during pregnancy and eating banana helped tremendously. I could tell when I didn't eat a banana because my legs would start aching and I would constantly have to move them. I don't have that issue anymore but the simple remedy is eat a banana or get something with potassium.

[ertlandia 74]

I was having some issues early on with leg cramps and was advised by the staff at the weight loss center to add more salt to my diet and add magnesium.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Vitamin Water Zero: Revive has a decent amount of potassium in it.

[wcn1970 239]

Me and a majority of the men in my family suffer from severe leg cramps. Hard work outs and humid weather do not help a bit! Quinine is on bit there is truly no cure all. The best thing I have found is something Gatorade makes. It is specifically for cramping athletes. You can get it at Dicks sporting goods. It is a small packet you mix with whatever you dare to. It honestly works though. Bananas do nothing, myth. Potassium has nothing to do with cramps. Stretching and hydration are crucial. Sadly science does not know a whole lot about cramps. One thing they do know now is that flexing the muscle during the cramp can relieve it. Crazy. I feel ya though. Get them nightly. Some real bad, some I can ignore and go back to sleep.< /p>

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

Me and a majority of the men in my family suffer from severe leg cramps. Hard work outs and humid weather do not help a bit! Quinine is on bit there is truly no cure all. The best thing I have found is something Gatorade makes. It is specifically for cramping athletes. You can get it at Dicks sporting goods. It is a small packet you mix with whatever you dare to. It honestly works though. Bananas do nothing' date=' myth. Potassium has nothing to do with cramps. Stretching and hydration are crucial. Sadly science does not know a whole lot about cramps. One thing they do know now is that flexing the muscle during the cramp can relieve it. Crazy. I feel ya though. Get them nightly. Some real bad, some I can ignore and go back to sleep.[/quote']

I totally disagree about your take on the importance of potassium. It may not cure all leg cramps but it proven to be more of a solution than not.

[jensjoy28 351]

This article seems to address a good number if causes and treatments