cramping up while doing sit ups

[SoreArms]

over the last month or so, I've been cramping up (in the abs) quite frequently while doing incline sit-ups or knee raises. I do them 2-3 times per week, and I've cramped up about 4 times in the last month. What could be causing this sudden string of cramping? What can I do to minimize it's occurance?

 

[gymtime]

I've had this happen as well. It's been a while, but when it happens, it fucking sucks. I thought it might be a dehydration thing, but my water intake hadn't changed when it last happened.

I'm thinking possibly lack of stretching?

 

[psilo]

Potassium, Sodium, and Magnesium will help. Particularly Potassium though, since most people don't get enough of it in their diets. Also make sure you're well hydrated.

 

[SoreArms]

I drink plenty of fluids, about 1.5 gals of water per day. I do not supplement potassium, maybe I'll start, but why would this start all of a sudden? Sodium, are you saying I need to get more sodium in my diet because I've worked hard to cut as much of it as possible. Magenesium, not sure if I'm getting enough of that or not. What kind of foods contain magnesium?

How do you stretch your abs before working them?

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

I drink plenty of fluids, about 1.5 gals of water per day. I do not supplement potassium, maybe I'll start, but why would this start all of a sudden? Sodium, are you saying I need to get more sodium in my diet because I've worked hard to cut as much of it as possible. Magenesium, not sure if I'm getting enough of that or not. What kind of foods contain magnesium?

How do you stretch your abs before working them?

It may be easier than you think to stop the cramping. You may not be getting enough of these minerals in your diet. Before BB shows we would pop Maalox - its K+ & Mag combination would alleviate some of the severe cramping that comes from flexing muscles under severly depleted conditions. I say either try to supplement some potassium and pop some Maalox or Magnesium tabs. Then take a look at your diet to include foods which have them. I think H2O is 1 gallon per 100lbs bodyweight for those highly active? Anyway - take care.

 

[bignate73]

abs are overrated...stop doing them.

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

Well very low sodium intake isn't gone help imo. I'd try raising all of the ones listed.

 

[DaveTSI]

it happens to me every time im on a cycle and for a couple months after

 

[eat big]

Are you doing them towards the end of your workout?

 

[SoreArms]

Are you doing them towards the end of your workout?

yes, it's alwasy the finishing exercise of all my WO's

 

[velvett]

yes, it's alwasy the finishing exercise of all my WO's

Er, how often you do abs?

I cramp on occassion, usually high up and I'll bend backwards until I can stretch it out.

 

[Carmen]

my abs cramp a lot. i have to lay down flat or it feels like i'm dying.

 

[SoreArms]

Er, how often you do abs?

I cramp on occassion, usually high up and I'll bend backwards until I can stretch it out.

3x per week, M,W,F

some times it happens a couple of sets into it, sometimes it happens right after the first set. I've tried lowering the number of sit up pers set, lowering the incline, stopped doing knee raises, none of it seems to have worked yet. I cramped up on Wednesday, did not cramp up on Friday but I also didn't work them out as good for fear that it would.

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

3x per week, M,W,F

some times it happens a couple of sets into it, sometimes it happens right after the first set. I've tried lowering the number of sit up pers set, lowering the incline, stopped doing knee raises, none of it seems to have worked yet. I cramped up on Wednesday, did not cramp up on Friday but I also didn't work them out as good for fear that it would.

Wow - that is really frequent cramping. I know I mentioned K+ & Mag, but I think the water and sodium should be more of a focus. What about trying something like Gatorade for more sodium & electrolytes during your workout? Maybe try to drink 16oz or so of something like this prior to working out? Also, I think being excessively overheated can cause cramping as well. I really hope this subsides for you soon.

 

[SoreArms]

I bought some multi minerals and this stuff called electro mix (electrolytes), they're little packets that can be mixed in with water. I'm just gonna drop one of those packets into the water bottle I use during my workout. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Thanks for all the help