Whats the best way to deal with swimming cramps?

Question

When I first started swimming again, I cramped horribly on my leg. I jumped back in after the pain sub-sided and soon after that my other leg cramped up. I kind of limped back home. :( After swimming daily I stopped cramping, but I'm worried that one day I will cramp up again. What is the best way to deal with it?

Answer 1

harrisjess is right thats why you get cramp  (not enough salt in your body).

also stretch before and after swimming.

if you get cramp while swimming tell the lifeguard they should lie you on your back straighten your leg and push your toes up towards your head slightly and it gets rid of cramp.

Answer 2

I used to get that in the start of the season and I started doing calf stretches and it seemed to help. You could also eat bananas for the potassium to prevent some cramping.

Answer 3

drink water during practice, whenever i start to cramp up i take i few sips from my water bottle of it goes away fast. drink throughout the practice so you don't cramp up in the first place. also if you get calf and foot cramps as easily as i do, don't flex your legs and feet so much when you are kicking. i have that bad habit as well.

Answer 4

potassium and hydration are the most important things. try having a banana every morning along with a full bottle of water [have lots of water throughout the day] and try and stay away from de-hydrating drinks like coffee, soda, tea or any other carbonated drinks. if you absolutely can't skip the caffeine, tea is the best way to go but it can still dehydrate you. you could also take a potassium supplement every day.

Answer 5

Ouch those hurt. Before you get into the pool, do calf stretches, and once you're in the pool, don't strain your calves too  much, If they do cramp up, get out of the pool and do your calf stretches again. Thats the best way to deal/prevent them.

Answer 6

My friend got this alot when we train and our coach always suggested putting a pinch of salt in your drinks bottle. I'm not quite sure how this helps but she said it did

Answer 7

You need to stretch a lot, and eat bananas. Also if you drink any carbonated beverages they lead to cramping more frequently. Even if you drink the beverage hours before hand it can still cause you to cramp up.