Squat/DL Lockups

[RobertSDSU]

Greetings ,

I have a quick question.
I have been making great progress with my squats and deadlifts. I have experienced some cramping during my latest max lifts, though. I have done each three times now and get through them. The thing is, though, that the cramps are not in the expected places. When I squat at max weight, my right forearm cramps up and locks up. When I deadlift at max weight, my left pectoral muscle cramps up and locks up.
I wonder if anyone have come across this and know what I can do to address it, resolve it, and continue to progress.

Thank you for any help that can be offered!

[chrisoldcorn]

Originally Posted by RobertSDSU

When I deadlift at max weight, my left pectoral muscle cramps up and locks up.

The reason your left pec cramps up is it is being stretched to much during the deadlift. Try reducing the weight for a bit and go for more reps.

Also, lock your shoulders in the "set" position. To do this you need to pull your shoulders up, back, and down. This will prevent one side of your body being stretched more then the other.

[tbrim20]

In most cases, cramping is due to dehydration and/or mineral imbalances/deficiencies in Magnesium and Calcium.

Make sure you are maintaining proper hydration. Much of the US population is dehydrated and they don't even know it. I would question what liquids you do consume regularly. Sodas, juices, and teas are not substitutes for water. Caffeine is also a diuretic so for each caffeinated beverage you have, you have to drink even more water. If you drink bottled water(most cheap ones), reverse osmosis, or distilled then you are not replenishing your electrolytes and are effectively dehydrating yourself even more. If you are drinking one of the waters above, I'd strongly suggest you buying a quality sea salt and adding a pinch to your water when you drink it. A quality natural sea salt contains the minerals you need to maintain an electrolyte balance.

If cramping persists and becomes problematic, I would suggest finding a practitioner that offers Hair Mineral Analysis. The different minerals as well as their quantities within your body can be detected by your hair. By using a hair sample, the hair is analyzed to determine the mineral content. This will show you any imbalances you may have and the practitioner can help you get on the needed supplements to fix the imbalance.

[Lost Dog]

Totally agreed on the mineral thing. Most people concentrate on potassium, but magnesium and the ability to absorb your calcium (vit d required) is also a big player.

I have to say that the chronic dehydration thing is a common myth floating around. I'm all for drinking water, but most people aren't dehydrated. That myth started years ago, after people started reporting fluid replacement levels of 8-10 glasses of water per day. Since few people drink that amount, obviously they are dehydrated. But, that's 8-10 glass worth of water (fruit and veggies, milk, coffee, tea, etc. all count), not 8-10 glasses of water, itself.

I've had some bad cramps, lately. Concentrating on my mineral intake, stretching the effected areas (when not cramped), staying hydrated (I'm not against liquid...), and adequate rest seems to have helped. I'll know more once more time has passed.

[tbrim20]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I have to say that the chronic dehydration thing is a common myth floating around. I'm all for drinking water, but most people aren't dehydrated. That myth started years ago, after people started reporting fluid replacement levels of 8-10 glasses of water per day. Since few people drink that amount, obviously they are dehydrated. But, that's 8-10 glass worth of water (fruit and veggies, milk, coffee, tea, etc. all count), not 8-10 glasses of water, itself.

This is one of those topics that goes back and forth quite often. It is most definitely a debate that will continue for a long time. I do hope that what is read on an urban myth website is not a focal point in anyone's claim of the truth. There has been much scientific research done on the topic and many findings that support both sides.

Although hydration is not something easily discerned with people, constipation is another story. Much of the population is constipated and much of the population does not know that either. Believe it or not, someone is constipated if they do not pass a BM every day(6"-12"). There is a direct correlation between constipation and water consumption(amongst other things). If you don't believe this, experiment for yourself.

I personally have seen the effects of water and hydration on people. This is the basis for my view.

[Lost Dog]

No, I didn't just get it from snopes. I've seen most of that info in other places, too.

Mostly, I just don't believe it. It's possible that extra liquid has benefits, but that doesn't mean we are dehydrated. In the good ol' days of every day before about 1988, no one carried water bottles around and worried about drinking so much. We drank when we were thirsty. Now we're told that if we feel thirsty, it's too late, we should have had a drink an hour ago.

I've tried the drink-a-lot experiment. I just had to walk to the men's room a lot more. But, only for quick trips. It didn't effect #2.

And, speaking of #2, where do you get that definition for constipation? I'm thinking it's not really frequency related. CONSTIPATION.

Jeez. This is the worst thread hijack EVER!

[tbrim20]

Ha, ha. I apologize that this has gotten so far off topic. Cramping while working out leading to constipation...

The definition of constipation comes from many of the leading health practitioners that have studied and know a lot about digestion. Yes, if you google it, you probably won't find much related to frequency but if you delve into the true working of the digestive system, you will find that the longer it takes for you to eliminate the food that you eat, the worse it is for your body. Many studies have looked at the proper function of the digestive system and I believe(don't quote me) that a proper digestive system will process food and eliminate the rest within 24 hours(or some time frame comparable).

I've tried the drink-a-lot experiment. I just had to walk to the men's room a lot more. But, only for quick trips. It didn't effect #2.

This is the case for most people and why drinking a lot doesn't always fix the problem. This means 1 of 2 things. Either you are not dehydrated and already maintain plenty of fluids, or your body is not absorbing the water you drink. Unfortunately for most people it is the latter. You can drink all the water you possibly can, but if you don't maintain an electrolyte balance, your body will not absorb it and you will spend a lot of time in the restroom.

See my earlier post regarding sea salt and water. This is what is prescribed for people who spend too much time in the bathroom. Of course you will have to experiment with the amount but you can start with a pinch per glass(16oz, you shouldn't really be able to taste the salt). This has helped many people absorb water and aid in constipation. I'm not suggesting that you need it but you might want to give it a try.

Sorry that this got way off topic. I think if this goes any further, we should start a new thread. I'm really not a hijacker.

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by tbrim20

If you drink bottled water(most cheap ones), reverse osmosis, or distilled then you are not replenishing your electrolytes and are effectively dehydrating yourself even more. If you are drinking one of the waters above, I'd strongly suggest you buying a quality sea salt and adding a pinch to your water when you drink it. A quality natural sea salt contains the minerals you need to maintain an electrolyte balance.

Getting back to the topic of water...

What about filtered water from my pitcher at home or the giant bottled water in the cooler at work? Are these also devoid of the necessary minerals? This is where the majority of my water comes from.

[tbrim20]

Originally Posted by Victoria

Getting back to the topic of water...

What about filtered water from my pitcher at home or the giant bottled water in the cooler at work? Are these also devoid of the necessary minerals? This is where the majority of my water comes from.

I believe that if you are using tap water with a pitcher type filter, then you should be OK. I don't know about the work water because it could come from anywhere.

Rule of thumb is that if you drink water and it goes right through you, then go ahead and try the sea salt. Or, if the more water you drink the thirstier you become, then you are depleting your mineral stores.

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by tbrim20

I don't know about the work water because it could come from anywhere.

Probably from some old rusty tap in a rickety warehouse somewhere!

Originally Posted by tbrim20

Rule of thumb is that if you drink water and it goes right through you, then go ahead and try the sea salt. Or, if the more water you drink the thirstier you become, then you are depleting your mineral stores.

I'll try the sea salt. The more I drink, the more it goes through me. I just thought it was because I had what I needed. Thanks for the info!