Calf muscles really hurt

[Smudgley]

Been cycling a few weeks now & I went to a spinning class on Monday, which was great. However I went spinning again on Thursday and it was a much harder workout and I feel like I've pulled the muscles in the back of my lower legs. I think I actually had the seat a little too high (only very slighltly) and was maybe over stretching slightly with every peddle. Friday my legs were hurting, but today they are worse and it is actually quite bad. Do you think it's just my body that isn't used to that kind of intense excercise? I haven't even gone out on my bike today as I just don't feel I can like this. My spinning friend who has been doing it for some time has said it's good (no pain / no gain) and it means my body has worked hard and just needs to repair itself. Do you think she's right?

 

[Garz]

Yes extremely tight calves happen when seat is too high or I have not warmed up properly before over-exerting myself.

 

[Smudgley]

Thanks. How long does it generally take for them to recover?

 

[scots_lass]

I find that if I have over-exerted myself the muscles are at their sorest two days after. You should be ok for your Monday spin class!

 

[jimboalee]

It's called "Delayed Onset of Muscular Soreness", or DOMS for short.

 

[Smudgley]

Thanks, that's reassuring. I need to get out on my bike tomorrow though, so may just have an easy ride.

 

[jimboalee]

Wear two pairs of long socks today, with crushed ice between them.

Walk round the house with each foot in a washing-up bowl to avoid wet carpet.

 

[Smudgley]

Wear two pairs of long socks today, with crushed ice between them.

Walk round the house with each foot in a washing-up bowl to avoid wet carpet.

I'll giv that a miss, but is cold compress good? As opposed to heat? It seems to ease briefly if I have a really hot shower.

 

[jimboalee]

RICE = Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

I would suggest a small pack of frozen peas between the socks.

Comfy chair, foot stool, weepy film on telly, mug of tea, Devon cream scone.

Waitered ( hubby ) service.

 

[Smudgley]

That's sounds better, cheers for the advice.

 

[paraffinlamps]

Good advice about warming up and RICE.
Do you stretch after you have finished spinning .Some gentle calf stretches will help .I find walking for a while after helps too .Best not to stretch before starting as this can make things worse .Just a nice gentle warm up .
Glad to see you are still at it .

 

[mr Mag00]

s-t-r-e-t-c-h

 

[I am Spartacus]

I think I actually had the seat a little too high (only very slighltly) and was maybe over stretching slightly with every peddle.

Quality instructor then...............

 

[Smudgley]

Quality instructor then...............

To be fair she explained where the seat should be and I think it was just a little high, but enough for me to realise afterwards that it was too high. I don't think it's really up to the instructor to do everyones seat for them, I'll take full responsibility for it and thankfully the legs were much better on Sunday & I went for a 14 mile bike ride (no hills though) and I am going spinning to a different place tonight, nearer home.

We did do stretches after the class.

 

[jimboalee]

Prelim stretches.

Warm up on upright bike somewhere else in the gym.

More stretches.

Spinning class.

More stretches.

Cold bath.

Warm shower.

More stretches.

Go home.

Start cooking dinner.

More stretches.

Check dinner.

More stretches.

Put salt on dinner and eat dinner.

More stretches.

Wash up.

More stretches.

TV