Originally posted by Kosta
Stretching between sets is something you should avoid altogether. At that point your muscles are pumped, and tight, stretching between sets increases the likelihood of muscle tares. The potassium vs calcium sceneario is true, however, that applies more to people that get muscle cramps all the time, not just after workout. Do you use supplements?
No, it's perfectly safe to stretch during a set...as long as it isn't that deep long stretching stuff. Technically, you should only stretch the muscle if you're done working it for the rest of the session.
I do very very short limited stretching. It lasts for a fraction of a second, usually. I do it un-stiffen the muscles so I can get to another set. I don't stretch the legs very much...if at all. It's usually like, my pecs, tris, shoulders, and abs that I stretch.
Actually, there's a training style call "doggcrapp" training which heavily employs absurd stretches between sets or stations. I don't think there's been any reports of muscle tears or injuries due to the training style. The only things I'm seeing about it are better than ever gains. With the training, the idea behind it is to stretch/expand the muscle fascia to allow for growth of the muscle, long-term.
However, there is data that points to not stretching before working out, though. It makes the joints and connections too loose before putting them under load bearing work.
The only supplements I take are hydrolyzed whey protein with whey protein isolyate and occasionally a protein and carb post workout drink from BSN. I just take Pro Complex.
Originally posted by dadudemon
Dude...I think that a cramp in the calves would be worse than the arms. Did you get those from a strenuous activity a few hours previously or something? Or was it just random because your a giant?
It happens more often when doing an exhausting activity (at my size that might just be an extended walk 😐) ... and it is pretty bad, I also remember that sometimes, when lying on my stomach and having my legs in an angle I get cramps in my thigs. Those are not as bad as in the calfs though and easier to fix.
Originally posted by dadudemon
No, it's perfectly safe to stretch during a set...as long as it isn't that deep long stretching stuff. Technically, you should only stretch the muscle if you're done working it for the rest of the session.I do very very short limited stretching. It lasts for a fraction of a second, usually. I do it un-stiffen the muscles so I can get to another set. I don't stretch the legs very much...if at all. It's usually like, my pecs, tris, shoulders, and abs that I stretch.
Actually, there's a training style call "doggcrapp" training which heavily employs absurd stretches between sets or stations. I don't think there's been any reports of muscle tears or injuries due to the training style. The only things I'm seeing about it are better than ever gains. With the training, the idea behind it is to stretch/expand the muscle fascia to allow for growth of the muscle, long-term.
However, there is data that points to not stretching before working out, though. It makes the joints and connections too loose before putting them under load bearing work.
The only supplements I take are hydrolyzed whey protein with whey protein isolyate and occasionally a protein and carb post workout drink from BSN. I just take Pro Complex.
Yeah, static stretching I think it's called, the long deep stretching. There's been lots of recent studies done that point to it doing what you said. They recommend short quick stretches, or ultra light warm up sets to get blood to the muscle etc. 😛 That's what I do. Then a shot post work out stretch helps drive the lactic acid out of your muscles, thus minimizing that burning feeling which contributes to muscle cramps. Since Ive started taking creatine on a daily basis, I don't get cramps anymore. I take creatine, AAKG, glucamine BCAA's. I take a low carb GTE shake 2 times a day between meals with my BCAA'a. A high carb protein shale after every workout. Creatine and AAKG with glucamine I take h45 minutes before training on an empty stomach. How long have you been training for? DO you train for strength or mass? What is your program like?