Cramping when swimming, what can I get?

[breaker]

Hi so been doing swim squads for a few weeks now and its been going well.

Unfortunately I always seem to cramp up around the 60 lap mark, in either one or sometimes both of my calves as well as my big toe. It also happens immediately when I put my fines on and it is annoying as hell.

Can you peoples recommend anything that I can take other than being properly hydrated.

Aside note, I rarely cramp when I run or cycle, even when doing races, so this is quite strange for me.

TIA.

[raptor-22]

Complete the cycle tour questionnaire and a cure will be found

[V12man]

Go to your local pharmacy and buy some Magnesium tabs - take a couple a day every day for a few weeks - then 1 a day.

[shaper]

also do feet and calf stretching excercises

[breaker]

Complete the cycle tour questionnaire and a cure will be found

 

I was stumped by that whole "do you cramp question aswell", never thought I'd beable to fail a muiltple choice questionnare  

also do feet and calf stretching excercises

Funny enough if I point my toe all balerina like thats when I can feel cramps coming on and that is just sitting at my desk nevermind in the pool.

[J∆kk∆ls]

Breathing is key! Swimming takes time to get right. 

Perfecting your stroke and breathing is tricky. 

[fanievb]

I rarely get cramps and when I do its in the pool.

I find that changing your foot position slightly, from aero to flat or twisting outward, almost immediately "releases" the cramp

[Spirog]

Pop a couple of Rennies tabs under your tongue. And, like magic, cramps are gone.

[Fruity]

I hear Cramp Block is pretty good

http://www.supplementworld.co.za/usn-cramp-block.html

[breaker]

I rarely get cramps and when I do its in the pool.

 

I find that changing your foot position slightly, from aero to flat or twisting outward, almost immediately "releases" the cramp

 

Huh, can you help me understand?

[shaper]

I was stumped by that whole "do you cramp question aswell", never thought I'd beable to fail a muiltple choice questionnare  

Funny enough if I point my toe all balerina like thats when I can feel cramps coming on and that is just sitting at my desk nevermind in the pool.

Cramp often occurs due to your action of pushing off the wall in the pool and the flexing of the foot, stretching the foot and using a foot roller or coke can, or tennis ball can help

 

Also make sure you drink when swimming as a hot pool can also dehydrate you quickly

[Cadre]

60 lap mark you say. Sounds like you are overdoing it. Try a smaller pool. By the time 60 comes up, you will be OK still. 

[breaker]

Cramp often occurs due to your action of pushing off the wall in the pool and the flexing of the foot, stretching the foot and using a foot roller or coke can, or tennis ball can help

 

Also make sure you drink when swimming as a hot pool can also dehydrate you quickly

 

Yep I've definitly picked up it comes from kickoff as well. I do drink in between sets.

Will try the stretching tip.

 

60 lap mark you say. Sounds like you are overdoing it. Try a smaller pool. By the time 60 comes up, you will be OK still. 

 

I don't know hey, I usually do about 80 laps and feel can do much more so I don't think I'm overdoing it although my legs clearly think otherwise. its a standard 25m gym pool.

[Rocket-Boy]

Fins almost always cause calf cramps, I know this from a well spent youth on a bodyboard.

You should do some seriaaaas calf stretching before you swim.

[fanievb]

Huh, can you help me understand?

 

sorry pointed toes (aero) like so

http://www.swimsmooth.com/images/flexible-feet.png

 

or flat like when you are walking 

 

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/swim-tech1/swim-tech/wpimages/wp311a809c_05_06.jpg

[breaker]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/swim-tech1/swim-tech/wpimages/wp311a809c_05_06.jpg

 

When I cramp I have no choice but to do this until I can get to the end of the pool.