Which exercise would cause this pain?

JulieAnn72
JulieAnn72 Posts: 795 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I did a Fitness Blender workout yesterday and it went well. It was tough but I felt good after it and the rest of the day. This morning, when I got out of bed, my calves were absolutely killing me. It's the outer part of the legs, not the inner part.

I'm trying to figure out which exercise in the routine I did yesterday might have caused this, so I can avoid it in the future, or at least do a bit more stretching before attempting it next time! Any ideas? These are the exercises in the routine:

Star Jumps
Clapping Push Ups (did from my knees)
Thigh Slaps
Jackknife Crunches
Jumping Lunges
Back Bows
Double Burpees
Supine Push Up
Plank Jack (60 second burnout)

I'm thinking maybe the plank jacks, but not sure. The weird thing is that I've done all of these exercises before, so I can't figure out why my legs hurt so much today. I'm actually limping around 24 hours after doing the workout.

While you're here, if you have ideas on what to do for the sore muscles, please share. I don't usually have this problem so I'm not sure what would be the best treatment. Ice? Heat? Bengay? Motrin?

Replies

  • OnTheGround
    OnTheGround Posts: 78
    I dunno about you, but I know I pushed myself to my max when I'm sore the next day, but I certainly don't stop doing those work outs. Generally, if I keep up my workouts, I'm just able to do those things later WITHOUT getting super sore the next day.

    I would bet you're right, the stabilization involved in the plank jack could really work your outer calf.
  • ShibaEars
    ShibaEars Posts: 3,928 Member
    I don't know what all of those exercises are, but I would think it could be anything involving jumping, especially side to side movements, as your legs would have to stabilize you. Did you stretch them after your workout? If not, make sure you add calf stretches to your after-wortkout stretches!

    As for treating them, I'd suggest taking a Mortin to reduce inflammation, and you can ice them. A warm bath with Epsom salts could help as well. Going for a walk/ easy jog will help get the blood flowing. You will feel stiff at first, but as you get going the muscles will loosen up.
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    Soreness is normal...Make sure you stretch REALLY well when you're done working out. If I don't stretch for at least 8-10 minutes after a run, I'm sore the next day.
  • JulieAnn72
    JulieAnn72 Posts: 795 Member
    I did a 5 minute cool down stretch video after my workout, but obviously it didn't hit the calves enough.

    As far as soreness being normal, this is more than that. I've been working out fairly consistently for over a year, and I often get sore. I usually stretch throughout the day in that case and focus on a different body part for my workout that day or take a rest day.

    This is different. My calves have never been this stiff the after a workout. It almost feels like a charley horse in both calves when I try to walk. I'll take some Motrin and try ice for a bit. Hopefully that will help.

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