GHD/Hyperextension Nausea, need advice and/or alternatives

squirrlt

I get intensely nauseous after ONE rep due to motion sickness/low blood pressure issues. However, aside from possibly barfing, there's no medical reason I can't do these. I've always had this problem, in years past I could push past the discomfort, but recently, I can't even do 5 reps before the nausea is so overwhelming I stop after 1set. My old tricks: going slow, drinking less water, doing them on an empty stomach, staring at a spot on the floor...don't seem to work anymore. If anyone else has this goofy problem, I'd love to hear how you deal with it. Otherwise, alternative exercise suggestions would be appreciated!

stevesample76

Ginger can help with motion sickness if you are looking for a natural aid. The nausea can sometimes be caused by not eating enough. You may need to eat more calories.

squirrlt

Good idea! I chewed dehydrated ginger candy on a cross country train trip and it absolutely helped with the motion sickness, but it never occurred to me to try it for this! I'll bring some to chew during my to my workout to try it out, thanks!

Nottafattie

Something that helps with nausea is Altoids peppermints. I keep a tin in my car in case someone feels carsick. Any other peppermints are too sweet for me and don't help.

earlnabby

squirrlt wrote: »

Good idea! I chewed dehydrated ginger candy on a cross country train trip and it absolutely helped with the motion sickness, but it never occurred to me to try it for this! I'll bring some to chew during my to my workout to try it out, thanks!

When I was getting nausea from a new medication, I made up ginger tea and sipped on it cold. You can get dried cracked ginger at many stores that sell bulk spices like Penzeys or a natural food market. You can find it in some Asian markets too. Just steep it in boiling water and let cool. Many places that sell tea will have it too. Just don't buy the packets of ginger tea in the Asian market because it tends to have sugar and other things added. Just get the ginger and steep.

AliceDark

You're talking specifically about feeling nauseated while doing back hyperextensions, right? Just don't do them. They're not that important of an exercise.

squirrlt

Nottafattie, good point on the altoids, the are truly the only non-gross peppermints, and they have helped too, I will try those as well, thanks!

Earlnabby, thanks for the cracked ginger idea, I'll be sure to stay away from the shady tea packets, lol.

Alicedark, I'll give up on them if I can't overcome the nausea, but it's an important complementary exercise in my case. I do a lot of squats, deadlifts, so i need good lower back stability. Plus I have found it contributes to a nice booty shape, so I'm reluctant to give them up I'm open to other suggestions that would have similar benefits though.

AliceDark

I'm not sure if some of the other posters here realize that you're speaking about one specific exercise.

That level of nausea isn't a normal reaction to that exercise, so assuming your form is correct, it's a sign that something is going wrong. Are you taking your head back like you would in an upward-facing dog in yoga? Shortening the back of your neck can sometimes cause dizziness and nausea. Do you think it's a reaction to the motion? The bottom line is that you're having an abnormal reaction, so either your form is off or that just isn't a good exercise for your body.

squirrlt

No, my head is either level with my body, or chin tucked in a bit when I come up. Yeah, I know the nausea isn't normal, but it's "normal" for me. I have postural hypotension + motion sickness, they are both working against me with this exercise. I've always had a slight issue with this exercise, but I only do it once a week. I used to be able to get out at least 3 sets 20 reps, recently I get maybe 5 reps total. Doc says it's OK for me to do up to my tolerance level, I'm just becoming less tolerant I may be doomed, but I'm exhausting all options.

jemhh

Have you tried doing Romanian deadlifts instead?

squirrlt

Yep, I do those on a different day, but I feel those are hitting my hammies more. The hyperextensions I feel in my lower back/upper butt(scientific term). I have a hard time getting at that spot another way. I sorta get there with a kettlbell swing, I guess, but it's a more limited range of motion.