Abdominal Cramps During Workouts.

[legendz]

I've been experiencing abdominal cramps after doing most kinds of ab exercises, especially any variation of crunches (regular, reverse, machine, on an incline, using cables & weights, almost anything). They start within a few seconds after the completion each set; sometimes they even start during the set. Their severity depends on how intense the set was. Sets with added weights are the worst, but even those without weights produce the cramps.

This has been happening for a long time now (a few years) and discourages me from doing ab exercises. But, I know it's important to maintain a strong core, and ab work helps significantly. I really want to train my abs effectively.

Ironically, for years I was able to do very intense crunches and other abs exercises with no problem at all. They actually used to be among my favorite body parts to work.

So, now I'm trying to figure out what will eliminate the ab cramping. (The cramps are only in the abs, fortunately). Perhaps as I do more more crunches, etc., and the abs become stronger over time, the cramps will subside?

I already drink a lot of water, especially during workouts (I'll likely increase it just for good measure), and I take Twinlab's Tri-Boron Plus, which contains both calcium and magnesium, which is supposed to help prevent cramps. I don't take Potassium supplements since I've read that if it's combined with calcium and magnesium, the cramps would worsen. I'm planning to buy some Taurine, which is said to help alleviate cramps.

Perhaps I should try eliminating the calcium & magnesium and replacing it with a lot of potassium?

Aside from these steps, I'm not sure what to do. The cramps are debilitating and adversely affect progress. What other suggestions/experiences do people have?

 

[AEKDB]

Does this only happen when directly working the abs? Does it happen when you squat or deadlift? It has been happening for years and you never mentioned it to a doctor?

 

[legendz]

Does this only happen when directly working the abs? Does it happen when you squat or deadlift? It has been happening for years and you never mentioned it to a doctor?

It happens only when doing direct ab work; it does not happen when doing squats, deadlifts or other exercises. Even doing hyperextensions does not produce cramping. It may sound odd, but I never even thought to mention it to a doctor until you brought that up. I always figured it was either something lacking in my diet or supplementation or the fact that I hadn't done direct ab work in a long time and, even when I resumed, it was rather infrequent. Perhaps I should see a doctor (though I'm almost willing to bet that all he'll say is to not do such exercises; seems to be doctors' response to most such problems).

Any other suggestions?

 

[legendz]

^^

 

[IronJunkey]

I've been experiencing abdominal cramps after doing most kinds of ab exercises, especially any variation of crunches (regular, reverse, machine, on an incline, using cables & weights, almost anything). They start within a few seconds after the completion each set; sometimes they even start during the set. Their severity depends on how intense the set was. Sets with added weights are the worst, but even those without weights produce the cramps.

This has been happening for a long time now (a few years) and discourages me from doing ab exercises. But, I know it's important to maintain a strong core, and ab work helps significantly. I really want to train my abs effectively.

Ironically, for years I was able to do very intense crunches and other abs exercises with no problem at all. They actually used to be among my favorite body parts to work.

So, now I'm trying to figure out what will eliminate the ab cramping. (The cramps are only in the abs, fortunately). Perhaps as I do more more crunches, etc., and the abs become stronger over time, the cramps will subside?

I already drink a lot of water, especially during workouts (I'll likely increase it just for good measure), and I take Twinlab's Tri-Boron Plus, which contains both calcium and magnesium, which is supposed to help prevent cramps. I don't take Potassium supplements since I've read that if it's combined with calcium and magnesium, the cramps would worsen. I'm planning to buy some Taurine, which is said to help alleviate cramps.

Perhaps I should try eliminating the calcium & magnesium and replacing it with a lot of potassium?

Aside from these steps, I'm not sure what to do. The cramps are debilitating and adversely affect progress. What other suggestions/experiences do people have?

I get this a lot when I am not consistent with ab exercise. Its a nutrition issue I believe lack of magnesium and potassium. try multi- and bananna 1-2 hours before. it sucks right....lol...I sometimes get that. Most often when I go really heavy on the cable ab crunch where you lock up at arms and bend down.

 

[iron asylum]

I've been experiencing abdominal cramps after doing most kinds of ab exercises, especially any variation of crunches (regular, reverse, machine, on an incline, using cables & weights, almost anything). They start within a few seconds after the completion each set; sometimes they even start during the set. Their severity depends on how intense the set was. Sets with added weights are the worst, but even those without weights produce the cramps.

This has been happening for a long time now (a few years) and discourages me from doing ab exercises. But, I know it's important to maintain a strong core, and ab work helps significantly. I really want to train my abs effectively.

Ironically, for years I was able to do very intense crunches and other abs exercises with no problem at all. They actually used to be among my favorite body parts to work.

So, now I'm trying to figure out what will eliminate the ab cramping. (The cramps are only in the abs, fortunately). Perhaps as I do more more crunches, etc., and the abs become stronger over time, the cramps will subside?

I already drink a lot of water, especially during workouts (I'll likely increase it just for good measure), and I take Twinlab's Tri-Boron Plus, which contains both calcium and magnesium, which is supposed to help prevent cramps. I don't take Potassium supplements since I've read that if it's combined with calcium and magnesium, the cramps would worsen. I'm planning to buy some Taurine, which is said to help alleviate cramps.

Perhaps I should try eliminating the calcium & magnesium and replacing it with a lot of potassium?

Aside from these steps, I'm not sure what to do. The cramps are debilitating and adversely affect progress. What other suggestions/experiences do people have?

Are you down in bodyfat as compared to your norm? I notice I get ab cramps the lower my bodyfat is for whatever the reason. As soon as it comes up they go away. It always happens to me more on cycle then off cycle As soon as my bodyfat gets above 10% they go away.

 

[legendz]

I get this a lot when I am not consistent with ab exercise. Its a nutrition issue I believe lack of magnesium and potassium. try multi- and bananna 1-2 hours before. it sucks right....lol...I sometimes get that. Most often when I go really heavy on the cable ab crunch where you lock up at arms and bend down.

The Cable Crunches you described are a sure-fire to set them off. Too bad they are/were one of my favorite ab exercises. I'll try your suggestion of eating a banana prior to workouts.

 

[legendz]

Are you down in bodyfat as compared to your norm? I notice I get ab cramps the lower my bodyfat is for whatever the reason. As soon as it comes up they go away. It always happens to me more on cycle then off cycle As soon as my bodyfat gets above 10% they go away.

Actually, I'm not really below my average bodyfat %, nor is it that low. But, I've heard of people getting cramps when their bodyfat percentage is low or when they're on-cycle. Maybe the on-cycle cramps is partly due to inadequate water intake. Some of the stacks, along with the intense workouts, can deplete your body's stores of water. I have no idea why there would be ab cramps when one's bodyfat is below 10%. It would be a good question to ask.

 

[skullcrushin22]

I just got over these things, used to be so bad I could barely walk. I started stretching everyday and all my cramps are gone.

 

[legendz]

I just got over these things, used to be so bad I could barely walk. I started stretching everyday and all my cramps are gone.

I think frequent stretching would go some ways toward relieving the problem. That and exercising the affected muscles regularly. Do you stretch first thing in the morning, right before workouts or both?

 

[skullcrushin22]

I think frequent stretching would go some ways toward relieving the problem. That and exercising the affected muscles regularly. Do you stretch first thing in the morning, right before workouts or both?

I try and stretch before I train but then also while taking a hot shower. I know it seems weird and if you have a tiny shower it may not work but the hot water will loosen you up.

 

[legendz]

It happens only when doing direct ab work; it does not happen when doing squats, deadlifts or other exercises. Even doing hyperextensions does not produce cramping. It may sound odd, but I never even thought to mention it to a doctor until you brought that up. I always figured it was either something lacking in my diet or supplementation or the fact that I hadn't done direct ab work in a long time and, even when I resumed, it was rather infrequent. Perhaps I should see a doctor (though I'm almost willing to bet that all he'll say is to not do such exercises; seems to be doctors' response to most such problems).

Any other suggestions?

I went to see my doctor for my annual physical and asked him about what could be causing the ab cramps. As predicted, his main remedy was to not do crunches or any other exercise that causes the cramps. I don't feel that's much of an option. I'll continue doing light ab work and, very gradually, increase their intensity. He also mentioned (as did some of the posters here) stretching before exercising, which I'll do more regularly. Hopefully these measures will return strength to my core while avoiding the cramps.

 

[legendz]

I'll also buy some Taurine, as it's supposed to help avoid cramps in general.