HEALTH

1. Side cramps
The cause of these isn’t exactly proven, but getting more oxygen into your system usually solves the problem. Put your hands above your head and take long, deep breaths. They should go away in a few minutes.

2. Stomach cramps
These aches are usually due to eating too close to exercising. Your gastrointestinal tract and muscles both need the blood flow to work properly, but if they've got to battle it out, your stomach will win and you’ll end up feeling the pain. To avoid this, give yourself 1 ½ hours after eating to digest before you hit the gym.

3. Quad, calf, and hamstring cramps
Pesky leg cramps happen most likely because you’re dehydrated. While dehydration can strike out at any muscles, they typically hit these three the most. When you start to cramp up, take a break, stretch it out and rehydrate before it gets worse.

4. You just worked out a specific muscle… and now you've got a mystery sharp pain
Overworked muscles have trouble replenishing their nutrients fast enough, and this can often lead to shooting pain in that specific area. Most of the time, they hit when your muscle is being held in the same position without moving. Your best bet is to take a break and loosen up, moving around carefully and taking it easy on that muscle for the next few days.

5. Any other random cramps (ugh!)
If you’re skimpy on warming your bod up before hitting the pavement, it's fair to expect random cramps throughout your workout. You need to slowly raise your body temp, gradually increase your muscle elasticity and move blood, oxygen and nutrients through your body before you begin. Try some callisthenic stretches to ease into it. 

What do you think of these tips and tricks for avoiding workout blues? Do you have any other hot hints? Let us know in the comments.

by Brittany Goers | 2/1/2016