Keep pulling muscles when on the bike..

m@rty

m@rty

m@rty

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Joined
5 Jul 2006
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I have recently started using my exercise bike again after a long lay-off, however even after doing some stretches, I seem to be pulling/straining my calf muscles in the back of both legs.

This used to happen to me when I used the bike last year and would result in me waking up in the dead of the night with some terrible pain in the lower leg/calf area and trying to hop around like a mad man to stop the pain!

This is starting to really bother me now as I love using the bike, but knowing this will happen every week or so is putting me off from using it.

I have had this problem before in varying degrees of painfullness, sometimes taking from a day or 2 to heal and sometimes taking more than a week.

I need some advice on what I can do to stop this from happening. At the moment I'm not sure perhaps if I am not warmping up/down properly, or if I am over-doing it, or if it is down to bad posture while on the bike.

My usual routine is about 45 mins-1 hour, for 5-6 nights per week. I do incorporate HIIT into this with 90 seconds high intensity then 2 minutes normal intensity after doing a 15 minute warmup.

Any help/advice is appreciated :)
 
Sounds like cramping rather than pulling. I get it from time to time, especially in my right calf which i tore badly a few years ago.

I find these all help to a degree

Compression/warmth in winter: I use 2XU Calf Guards. Wearing them at night could help as well if you get night cramps (yes they are HORRIBLE!!)
Hyrdration: make sure you're taking in plenty of water.
Salt balance: I use High5 tabs in my water, and also take an elecrolyte tablet most mornings.
 
m@rty said:
I'm pretty sure this is a common problem which many will have experienced on here, so no doctors, yet!
Click to expand...

well the issue is there is a rule on here about medical threads.
this is a medical thread
best advice is go to a Dr as:
a)they are qualified
b)they deal with this kinda thing day in, day out
c)you're already paying for them to see you (NI etc)
d)if you get bad advice it doesn't mean OCUK is responsible.
 
VeNT said:
well the issue is there is a rule on here about medical threads.
this is a medical thread
best advice is go to a Dr as:
a)they are qualified
b)they deal with this kinda thing day in, day out
c)you're already paying for them to see you (NI etc)
d)if you get bad advice it doesn't mean OCUK is responsible.
Click to expand...

:confused: I know exactly what the rules are, this is for tips to prevent cramp from exercising, if you dont have anything useful to contribute then stay out of my topic.
 
Vent this isn't a medical thread. There are lots of tips from the sportsmen/women on this forum that can offer advice to lower the chances of cramps. If the OP still struggles he can go and see a physio (which I'd recommend over a doctor).
 
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