August 17, 2009 - 11:17am

How to deal with muscle cramps at the gym

Ask a Health Editor

Resident health expert Karen Kwan has you covered from A to Z

Q: I keep getting muscle cramps in my legs when I'm at the gym—help!

A: Leg cramps are an involuntary sustained contraction of either your hamstring, quadricep or calf. And while there are no long-term effects from leg cramps, the momentary pain can impair your athletic performance. As for what causes them, "there are several hypotheses to explain the increased susceptibility, such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, mineral deficiency, fatigue and injury," says Jon-Erik Kawamoto, a registered kinesiologist based in Burnaby, B.C.

The best relief for leg cramps? "Gently stretch the tightened muscle. Massaging it is also good to promote circulation in the area," says Kawamoto. This will help remove any metabolic byproducts, such as lactic acid, in the area that might be contributing to the cramp...