Suffering breathtakingly painful muscle cramps while swimming can stop you mid-stroke.
Swimming cramps are a distraction and are commonly experienced by all levels of athletes.
Read on to learn the causes, treatment, and prevention of swimming muscle cramps.
“A muscle cramp is a sudden and involuntary contraction of one or more of your muscles.“
– Mayo Clinic
More specifically, I’m talking about exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC). The cramp or contraction is a sudden shortening of the muscle – and it hurts.
The most common swimmer cramps are:
Swimming cramp cures & causes are interrelated and vary by athlete.
Hot Tip:
Here are predominant factors in Swimming EAMC’s:
Until then, stay loose – I’ll see you at the pool.
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Andrea says: What is the best water to buy with the electrolytes and stuff? I get horrid toe cramps and night cramps. I have been drinking G2 but trying to give up artificial sugars, because the cause dementia
Thanks!
Hi Andrea, I use a powdered mix from a company I’ve been with for years. Doesn’t have the same sugar issues as the bottled stuff and as a bonus you can use a water bottle and not single use plastic ones to mix them. There are several companies who sell similar products if you are willing to do a little internet shopping.
Brad says: Simple… Magnesium, preferably chelated magnesium because it is more effectively absorbed. It really works!
Last night I had the cramps as usual and had to use the pull buoy for the rest of my workout. But I had to go to the bathroom so bad because I was drinking so much water to prevent the cramps, that I stopped and when I got back to the pool I noticed the cramps were completely gone and my legs were reved up and I finished the workout strong instead of wimpering at the finish with the pull buoy!!!! So a few minutes walking on the pool deck did it, (I think). Even doubling up on potassium and magnesium didn’t help. But walking on the pool deck to go to the bathroom did. Will try this remedy again tomorrow. I resisted going to the bathroom before in order to keep on going and finish the workout. Maybe I’ll be strong for all 4500 yards of it with another trip to the bathroom.
Wonder if you can do that during a long distance race.
Oh Robert! I don’t think you can get out and walk during your race, but I am so pleased you have found something that helps you finish your workout. Sometimes a little stretch is just the things to make those cramps go away.
Jennifer says: Hi, In 2013 I had a hip replacement and 2016 I had a major back surgery. I am doing well cycling in spring summer and fall swimming in the winter (it’s cold here). I walked in the pool until about a month ago. I graduated to lap swim.I do an hour of kicking pulling and swimming and change it up. The problem is I have been getting leg and foot cramps and hip cramps since the surgeries (anytime of day). Some days swimming I get no cramps and other days I get cramps by the end of my workout. Now my question, will I live with cramps forever or could they improve in time with more workouts. I always start with kicking laps first with smaller fins which maybe the wrong way to go. I am doing about 64 laps in an hour. Haven’t swam laps since swimteam many many years ago. Thanks Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, while I can’t speak to the cramps being a lifelong issue, I can give you a few tips that might help. First are you hydrating appropriately? Most of us aren’t, myself included. Second, are you stretching daily? Starting a stretching regimen could be extremely beneficial! If neither of those two things work, take a better look into your diet, magnesium can help combat cramping. Best wishes and keep up the good work rehabbing your body after surgery and keeping yourself active, that is AWESOME!
Danny drinking fluids slowly before, during, and after a workout is one thing, but chugging fluids to relieve a cramp will leave you disappointed in the results. Imagine how you would feel drinking an entire beverage in one go, water or sports drink, over 12 ounces and then training hard? All that sloshing around in your belly would be equally as uncomfortable as a cramp 🙂 Likewise eating 10 bananas in a day will not alleviate a cramp, however consuming more potassium on a regular basis may help.
Danny Lee says: At one instructon you tell us to consume a sport but later tell us to not (guzzle) them. Confused, are you simply saying don’t overdo it ? Also same with bananas. I am an open water swimmer 3x week and have been getting toe cramps. Will do some of the excersises you recommended but hoping you could elaborate on the nutrition.
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