Cramp in calves during spinning class

[Sebo]

Morning,

I ride road and am training for my first triathlon, in June.

I've started going to a spinning class in the gym to mix things up a bit but have gotten cramp in my calves (either one but thankfully not both at the same time) during the really fast sections.

I think I am well hydrated (drink 2 - 2.5 litres of water during the day) and eat a banana and a bag of salty crisps a few hours before training.

I don't get this cramp when out on my bike although I have had this cramp when pushing it in the pool doing front crawl.

Should I be doing more stretching? Drinking more, less, something different ?

Edited by Sebo on Wednesday 14th April 09:26

Edited by Sebo on Wednesday 14th April 09:54

[anonymous-user]

probably just a matter of increased light stretching before hand and after required, check the set up of the bike as you may need ot adjust bar/seat height. if the spin class is majoring on time spent standing on the pedals you might be working them harder than you think.

try an energy drink containing electrolytes rather than salty crisps, the "healthy" crisps that arent full of fat are baked are subsequently generally lower in salt and probably not benefiting you, without getting too technical, there are different types of salt in different foods and when we sweat we dont just lose "salt"... the level of sodium in a banana is probably going to help you more and also has loads of juicy carbs!

[Nick_F]

I enjoy spin classes a lot more if I take my SPD shoes along - spinning in trainers is horrid.

[dubbs]

Potassium in the banana helps.

Drink 500ml of water 30-40minutes prior with either a Nuun tablet or a High5 Zeroes.

If you're lean already then an energy drink with carbs and electrolytes is fine - if you're looking to lose a bit of weight as well then stick with the above for electrolytes but no carbs to force your body to burn for energy instead.