Why do your muscles twitch after a hard workout?

msarro

I've wondered this for awhile. I know when I benchpress my leg tends to start twitching. But lately as my workouts have been getting a bit more intense I've noticed that afterwards my muscles start twitching. Like I'll be standing there and I can watch my bicep start twitching back and forth. What causes this? Is it the same sort of effect as when you press your arm against a wall and then it rises up on its own?

Just curious!

BamaRose0107

I've wondered this for awhile. I know when I benchpress my leg tends to start twitching. But lately as my workouts have been getting a bit more intense I've noticed that afterwards my muscles start twitching. Like I'll be standing there and I can watch my bicep start twitching back and forth. What causes this? Is it the same sort of effect as when you press your arm against a wall and then it rises up on its own?

Just curious!

I don't have a clue why, but my muscles have started doing the same thing since I have stepped up my workouts. Now I am curious!

kleeba

It's cuz you had a HARD WORKOUT!! Good Job!

lilchino4af

Could be an electrolyte imbalance or your muscles getting rid of excess lactic acid because of a hard workout among other things (can be replenished with gatorade, powerade, etc). See the below articles for more information:

http://www.sportsgeezer.com/sportsgeezer/2006/12/why_do_muscles_.html
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-21775.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_muscles_twitch_after_a_workout

muth3rluvx2

I've wondered this for awhile. I know when I benchpress my leg tends to start twitching. But lately as my workouts have been getting a bit more intense I've noticed that afterwards my muscles start twitching. Like I'll be standing there and I can watch my bicep start twitching back and forth. What causes this? Is it the same sort of effect as when you press your arm against a wall and then it rises up on its own?

Just curious!

I don't have a clue why, but my muscles have started doing the same thing since I have stepped up my workouts. Now I am curious!

Check your potassium.

Azdak

No, it has NOTHING to do with potassium, or vitamins, or lactic acid or any of that. The force of a hard workout can result in some general disturbance in the ion permeability of the muscle cell membranes, as well as an increase in certain hormones. It is more likely to happen in an untrained muscle. It's main significance is if you go somewhere right after the workout and have to sign something or fill out of form and you can't hold the pen straight. Otherwise, it's no big deal. Maybe it helps you feel tough and "workouty"--that can be fun, too.

msarro

No, it has NOTHING to do with potassium, or vitamins, or lactic acid or any of that. The force of a hard workout can result in some general disturbance in the ion permeability of the muscle cell membranes, as well as an increase in certain hormones. It is more likely to happen in an untrained muscle. It's main significance is if you go somewhere right after the workout and have to sign something or fill out of form and you can't hold the pen straight. Otherwise, it's no big deal. Maybe it helps you feel tough and "workouty"--that can be fun, too.

Lol, Azdak, I love your explanations Thanks for clearing it up!!