Foot Cramps when Training Calves

[FitFossil]

I've been putting extra effort into my calf training, and things are going well as far a seeing some gains (I want calves that look like little buttocks from behind! )

Anyway, I have this problem - my FEET get terrible cramps during calf training, and it happens way before my calves are tired!

I don't get the foot cramps much on seated calf, mainly just on standing raises. I vary my foot placement, and I've been doing sets with either high weight/low reps, or low weight/high reps, as well as single leg reps. I even get cramps on my low rep sets. Any suggestions?

 

[Sheena]

Deepest sympathy

Oh lord Fit, I have suffered with exactly what you are describing for year.

I've tried wearing different trainers and even like timberlands, anything to stop the pain which does completely take over before I even get six reps out.

The pain starts in the ball of my feet then up into the arch.

It hurts.

I think it's because I have flat feet, and very little arch, and also because my bone structure in my feet is shit, If I stand up straight, my feet/ankle bones go over.Instead of upright.

I have unoftunately, never gotten round it. Maybe orthotics in your shoes will help, I had them made and out them in my trainers from getting shin splints from running. They could work for you. But they're not cheap, however they're probably cheaper in the uS.

Also maybe try positioning your feet slightly at different angles.

This also happens to me on the leg press as well.

Good luck matey.

Sheena

 

[edgecrusher]

The same thing happens to me from time to time. Sometimes really emphsising the stretch positioin of the movement helps.

 

[OTCbooty]

Sheesh, that does suck...fortunately mine only set in my 3rd set & last set of standing raises...yup, I don't get them with the seated variety either.

Last week for 3 days after calf training I had a sore area on the top of my foot that felt like it was the tendons acting up...would hurt like a bitch to walk yet didn't increase when I would apply pressure to the area. Total cardio misery however

I'll be reading this post too looking for solutions...

PS, another good calf workout and cardio blaster at the same time is jumping rope! Shouldn't get cramps there, but total collapse is another thing.

 

[Sassy69]

I get foot cramps after a leg work out -- and specifically toe cramps.... for cramps in general you can try eating a banana or getting a potassium load before or during your workout?? I also get cramps in my the tops of my feet in the middle of the night after a work out - but this is more like a "growing pain"... I've loaded vitamins w/ potassium & calcium + magnesium then, or just have about 3 oz of sweet potatoe.

God its painful tho.

 

[Enock]

I read some where that the most aggravating portion of the calve raise is the part where you lower your heels below the edge. It puts the most stress on the archilles heel. You don't neccacarily have to go below the edge so far to work the calves effectively, you can get a good range of motion above the edge still. Considering that it may ease the pain and alow you to train harder the tradeoff of complete range of motion for better sets, may be beneficial.

 

[Sassy69]

I forget who, phemonena or someone said they jump around their house for half an hour for calf training. Might be less painful? Less heavy, but still good to spur calf development?

 

[OTCbooty]

Like I said, Sassy--jump rope!!! It works darn well.

 

[LitheLdy]

A potassium supplement helped me with muscle cramps.