Okay, I've been traning for one month and a day, and I've recently began to weight lift with larger weights and less repetitions. How can I help prevent muscle cramping and pulled muscles? I'm drinking about 5 8oz glasses of water and stretching in between sets, but I cramp almost all day long and yesterday (before I had even worked out), I pulled a back muscle. I don't want this type problem to prevent me from reaching my goals. Anybody have suggestions as to how to prevent this?

I'm definitely NO expert, but I know that supplements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and glutamine make my muscles feel great and prevent cramping and soreness.

What are you taking? Anything you think you might add?

I'm certainly no expert but I try to sit in the Jacuzzi immediately following a workout. If one isn't available to you, I'm told that a massaging shower head will also do the trick. (Alternate between hold and cold water)

Skamito,

Thanks for the reply. I'm currently taking Xenadrine RFA-1, CLA, and Ergopharm 1-AD. I've heard the benefits of glutamine, but I didn't want to go nutty with all the suplements (thought I might already be in that category).
One problem I think may be the fact that I'm not taking any post workout drink other than water. I've heard the benefits of gatorade/powerade, but I don't know of any sugar-free version.

Mjb

BUM3,

Thx for the reply. While I don't have a jacuzzi, I do know of a stall at the gym with a massaging showerhead. I'll honestly give your suggestion a try. Thx again for the idea.

Mjb

If you are pulling muscles, I'd make sure you are executing proper form and if you are, then maybe the weights you are using are too heavy. I'd check form first though, improperly doing an exercise is more likely to cause an injury.

Ohhh what I'd give for a jacuzzi!!!

Mykebass, I'm pretty sure there's no sugar free version of the "Ades" since one of the main points of sports drinks is to replenish the body with carbs. So... you don't need THAT.

Or maybe you do. If you're not getting a good afterworkout recovery meal, you might want to start. I drink Isopure (pure whey protein, no fat, no carbs) and eat half an apple after lifting. And, though you don't want nuttiness (might be too late ) glutamine is a REALLY awesome supplement. Even after really pushing myself, I rarely feel more than a slight feeling of soreness after lifting.

I don't know much about the stacks and such that you're taking. Is it possible they may cause muscle cramping? Probably not, it's just a thought. Well, I hope you solve this. Sounds pretty uncomfortable.

DarkLotus,

Thx for the reply. I'm confident that my form is money. The cramping actually occured before a workout. I have since added a bit more carbs to my meals and did a half/half powerade mixture when seems to help. I'm suffering from a lot of muscle fatigue as well (due to the low carbs) which probably ads to the problem. I'm tweaking my diet and am slowly feeling better!



Mjb