My annoying calves hurt?

[Cuddle_Muffin]

I have been having calf issues...

I have really muscular calves...and it seems like I pulls a muscle every time I try to stretch my legs...just for this pass week...I have had like 4 charlie horses...what is causing this?

Yes, I suspect..it might be strain from this new workout thing I am doing...but I wonder why because I thought stretching muscles prevents this **** from happening.

[theydidntnameme]

It's a muscle cramp. Charlie horse is when you someone hits you in a muscle and that part of the muscle hurts to the touch. People confuse the two alot.

When you stretch you need to hold the stretch long, like half a minute to a minute. And your muscles should be warmed up first (through exercise). Stretching cold muscles doesn't do much.

You're older, and the fact of the matter is you need to take more consideration to warming up and cooling down before you do things like your actual workout.

It's also at times due to an imbalance of chemicals (can't think of the right word) in your body. If you sweat a lot and / or are a "salty sweater", drink Gatorade. Also eat a good amount of bananas each day, the potassium they contain is a huge help... Good luck):)

[Cuddle_Muffin]

lol...I am not older..I am 21 at heart.

Thanks for the advice.

[martyfellow]

It could be an imblance caused by too much f one particular exercise. Stretching will help but a diffferent exercise for a while would help more.

Are you drinking enough water and replensihing lost salt from sweating? These can also be factors.

And, ahem, you're not 21 like most people here1

[Cuddle_Muffin]

I am 21 at heart.

[martyfellow]

ARen't we all! I take a little longer to get over muscle strains already, at 31, than I did when I was a teenager.

[AmberChick]

If your body is telling you to stop doing a certain workout because you are in pain then stop. Don't question it, because your body has a mind of its own sometimes. You can't talk your way through physical pain, so just stop doing the painful workout and treat your calves better. Gl

[WoIIie]

If you're trying a new workout routine you're definitely gonna feel sore regardless of how often you stretch. Try consuming more protein and allowing for rest time. Take a day or two off if you feel that it's too much pain to bear.

[Cuddle_Muffin]

my legs...******* hurt...it is like...when ever I use my calf for any type of support...i feel instant pain...I guess I will have to lay off leg work..what confuses me is I thought streching made it better...but instead it just causes a direct charlie horse...the pain of those are unbearable..I even cried...(something I rarely do)

[WoIIie]

I felt the same pain constantly whenever I worked out. It was difficult to walk and stretching sucked.

Just rest and get in protein. Don't workout every day. Make each workout more intense and rest.

[WeaponZero]

Do you properly warm up and cooldown with stretches before each workout? What workout are you doing?

[Cuddle_Muffin]

Ofcourse...it is just for about a month...I stopped "intense" cardio...because of school and busyness and stuff...lol...so I have just started again...and my calfs keep cramping...

(Squating, jumping, bootcamp workout stuff)

[kidmichael1]

I have the same problem. See your doc. It's a deficiency of one of the minerals...I think. Working out isn't the cause. I'm an athlete and I get those cramps...especially in the morning. Happens when I stretch and point my toes.

[probabilist]

all good answers. stretching should help, try different stretches and focus on going into stretches slowly while exhaling, don't force it too fast or itll hurt it. Best of luck.