Calf Cramps - How To Get More Gain For Less Pain!

I cannot imagine that there is anyone past the age of about 10, that has never had calf cramps. Let's face it, they are horrible. From having no pain and full movement to excruciating agony in a matter of seconds. I think that you can relate to that. If you are into sports though, calf cramps are far more common, and can stop you in your tracks. So what are calf cramps exactly? Anyone competing in sports know that they usually occur after strenuous exercise. But what about those poor folk who wake up with cramps for no discernable reason. So, how do they occur?

How Calf Cramps Can Occur
=========================

Although not an exhaustive list by any means, here are some common causes of calf cramps

? Dehydration: If you are involved in any sports, especially if you are serious about it, you should always ensure that you maintain your fluid levels. As you get hot, your body sweats, and you lose fluid. If these fluids are not replaced, there is a danger of dehydration, and dehydration can accelerate the onset of calf cramps.

? Over tiredness: If you exercise longer or harder than you are used to, there is a danger of calf cramps. Sometimes, in competitive situations, this can be difficult to avoid, but in training, you should increase demands on your body slowly, so that it can get used to it. That is the purpose of training after all. If you train to peak fitness in competition, the likelihood of calf cramps or any injury for that matter, is reduced.

? Vitamin deficiencies: There is speculation that that athletes who get calf cramps could suffer from low levels of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

? Poor warm up: It is vital that you warm your body up carefully before any exercise. If you don't stretch your calves properly for example, they continually stay contracted and are thus more susceptible to cramps.

? Poor circulation: I can attest to this myself. When I was young, I played a lot of soccer, and used shin guards to protect the front of my legs. To keep the shin guards in place, I used ties to hold my socks up. More than once, during a strenuous game, my calves tightened up and cramped. The cause, I am sure, was poor circulation as a result of tight sock ties.

Some of these causes will have obvious remedies for example. I shouldn't have tied up my socks so tight for example! If cramps occur during exercise, then stretching the calf whilst massaging can alleviate the pain, and stop the muscle from tightening. However, there are other things that you can do which might stop the problem occurring.

? Stretch your muscles before exercise as part of a regular warm up routine. Try and warm down after exercise as well.

? Ensure that you stay properly hydrated during exercise and drink plenty of water

The article was written by Charlie Cory, who is the owner of Home Fitness Online, a website dedicated to providing advice about attaining higher levels of fitness from the comfort of your own home.

You can visit his website about calf cramps.

---

How to Start a Walking Program

Did you know that walking is the number one participation... Read More

Forget Exercise - Go Play

Can't seem to get the energy or motivation to exercise?... Read More

Warning! Lack Of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Health

You know it's bad when the Surgeon General issues a... Read More

Get Fit From Home!

Using Things Around The House Don't feel that just because... Read More

Top 10 Most Outrageous Exercises I?ve Ever Seen

In the course of my experience working and training in... Read More

Home Gyms with Free Weights

Having your own home gym with free weights is not... Read More

How To Overcome Workout Plateaus

Humans are habitual. They strive on routine and rituals. While... Read More

Top 10 Exercise Mistakes and How To Fix Them

This is a list of ten common mistakes made during... Read More

Complete Physical Transformation Using The Purposefully Primitive Fitness Methodology

The Purposeful Primitive approach to the art and science of... Read More

Benefit of Pilates

One of the main benefits of Pilates is it refreshes... Read More

Pilates Exercises ? Can They Give You The Body Youve Always Wanted?

Pilates exercises are a favorite fitness choice for many people... Read More

Struggling To Keep Your Workout Schedule? So am I!

Sometimes following a fitness program or workout schedule is not... Read More

Movement That Matters: Exercise With a Greater Purpose

You've seen the commercials Ive fallen and I cant get... Read More

Fitness the Goddess Way: Movement vs. Exercise

I was excited to hear the esteemed speakers at the... Read More

Athletics and Winning

Athletics are pretty cut and dry in one regard; the... Read More

4 Steps To More Effective Aerobic, Streching, and Weight Training Exercise

We all know that well-balanced diets include the different nutrients... Read More

The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is a Great Workout Partner

1) He or she is never late for a workout... Read More

Discover the Best Weight Loss Exercise Ever!

The Best Weight Loss ExerciseThe exercise the experts are keeping... Read More

Get Fit From Home-Part 2

Using The StairsNot everybody has stairs in their home, but... Read More

Lose Weight - Stay Fit and Stick With It!

Health and nutrition experts continually advise us that the more... Read More

Exercise Tips: Move Your Body - Boost Your Productivity

Do you find yourself setting a New Year's Resolution (every... Read More

How Exercise and Beta-Glucan Help the Immune System

It is thought that moderate exercise, such as speed walking,... Read More

10 User Friendly Habits for Successful Home Gym Training

Are you dissatisfied with your current training program? Are you... Read More

Life Walking: Dont Walk Just For Exercise - Change Your Life

"Life walking" is more than walking for exercise and fitness... Read More

Debunking Common Exercise Myths, Part 1

Myth #1: Heavy weights make you "bulky"Heavy weights typically do... Read More

Professional Triathlon Training Taking You To Your Best

There are hundreds of different programs for professional triathlon training... Read More

Physical Activity Versus Exercise: Is there a Difference?

Quite often a client will come into the gym discouraged... Read More

Lance Armstrong, Exercise, and Will Power? Characteristics that Make a Champion!

The Tour De France, arguably may be the hardest sport... Read More

When Exercising Right Looks Wrong II

Enter any health club and a concept is very apparent,... Read More

STRETCHING; Why Should I?

This short article looks at some of the tips, tricks... Read More

Exercise And Stress

"Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize... Read More

Muscle Cramps and Exercise

Quite often runners and exercisers experience painful muscle cramping either... Read More

Incorporating Physical Activity into Your Daily Routine Not as Hard as You Think

You already know that getting at least 30 minutes of... Read More