Anyone have problems with Calve pain? I have been pushing it hard on the treadmill following the BFL workout pattern and it keeps getting worse and worse. Its not a medical problem pain just a cramp kind of pain. This week was the two leg workout week and on day 13 during my cardio I had to get off the treadmill for 1 min at 16 minutes in and walk it off. I have been pushing through the pain but it was just to much this week. Slowing to a walk (3mp) seems to help but does not do much for me on the cardio level.

I have took a look at my sodium intake and it am getting about 100% of the USDA for 2000 Cal diet but with the water intake of 100 to 125 oz a day I wondered if that is two low. To offset this I have added Gatoraid G2 single servering to my daily intake to see if that helps as I know it did when I was playing ball in high school No luck!

I start with a walk building to a jog for 3 min and then step off and streatch for 5 min or so and start my 20 and now am at a loss. I am looking at moving to the bike for a few works out but I really like the treadmill when I am not in overwellming pain.

Anyone have a suggestion?

Thank you,

Joshua Miller

Hi Joshua!

I experienced severe calf pain after beginning treadmill workouts a few years ago. For me, I believe that it was a matter of conditioning the muscles because over time, the pain gradually went away. I believe you are doing the right thing to slow things down a bit as you work up to the conditioning.

For me, stretching the calf muscles everytime I thought about it was helpful. Another exercise shared with me by a runner-- is to sit with your legs extended, point toes -- and then "write" out the alphabet as if your toes were a pen.

My bet is that your pain will subside on its own. Only you will know if the pain requires medical advice. Hope this helps!

Alyssa

Joshua.. The treadmill is an activity your body doesnt like at this point in time. One thing I believe would help is an eliptical or (same thing) crosstrainer. There is no impact which may be your main problem. Maybe if you want to keep running you could try running on something real soft like sand or some sort of soft ground.

Both speed and incline can affect your calves in the way you described. I am of the school of thought that working through pain like that is a bad idea - instead, I usually suggest you slow it down to a pace that results in relief and slowly work toward faster walks over time. Doing your cardio is more important than doing it "all out." Be patient, listen to your body, treat it with some kindness when it asks you to (that's usually what pain is... a request from the body to ease up a bit) and it will thank you in the long-term.

Also, check to see if you have tied your shoes too tight. This is one of the number one reasons people feel pain in the shins and calves. Hope this helps!

Thank you everyone, I have done the bike this week but plan want to at least try the treadmill one a week. I really do like the way it feels.

Some great ideas, and yea I guess I just slow it down a little and give myself time to adjust.

Joshua

I think you'll be able to get back on the treadmill and make it your main form of cardio if it's your favorite (running is my choice because of the benefits of the impact). As someone who has gotten in and out of running shape numerous times, I've learned the hard way I have to go easy at first. For instance, when you first start your transformation with three HIIT cardio workouts per week you want to hold back from hitting 9's and 10's for a couple of weeks (unless you've been regularly running) to give your body time to adjust. Something else that may help is doing a good set of runner's stretches right after your run while you're still warmed up. I'm running for all my cardio workouts and for the first couple of weeks I held back on hitting 9's and 10's on LBWO and ran below my ability and still had to do extra leg stretches in order to keep my legs from cramping up (and my legs were still really tight despite all I did especially on weeks with two LBWO’s). But taking these precautions I avoided problems I would have otherwise had; and now in week 4 I am hitting 9’s and 10’s without any problems.

I just bought a new eliptical machine by Norditrac and as you increase the incline the points that it works changes. When it is level it works the hips and but and as you increase the incline it targets the calves mored. I would also work the calves a bit harder on LBW days. Do standing calves 3 ways. Feet parallel, toes in heel out, heels in toes out, really bomb the calves and get them in better shape. Make your calves hurt and ache next time you do lower body.