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hamstring cramp

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RichardLawes
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« on: February 05, 2012, 04:27:27 AM »
i keep getting cramp in my hamstrings when i do a certain exercise.
the hamstring leg curl machine (sitting up not laying).
other exercises that involve the hamstrings are fine, its just when i isolate them i get cramp quickly - within the first set.
 however i dont get cramp when i do low weight and high rep (10-12), only when i use high weight and low reps (6-8) on that machine. I normally get cramp on the 6th rep on the first set (if not then cramp will definatly set in on the second set). i even stretch before, inbetween sets and after the exercise.
now ive increased the consumption of bananas (potassium) and i do not want to stop using the machine or use a lower weight (the weight is not to heavy i just get cramp to prevent from doing more)
is there anything else i can do to prevent cramp in hamstrings?
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BW: 78kg
Squat: 120kg x5
DL: 115KG x3
Push Ups: 42 in 30seconds
Sit Ups: 28 in 30 seconds
Bicep Curl: 18kg x6
BLUE0506
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« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2012, 08:05:10 AM »
I think the seated hamstring machine is a great exercise and I used to get cramps from this until I concentrated on form.

It is so easy to overly rotate your hips forward ( in effect slumping ) when doing the exercise. Keep your whole body in the correct position throughout the whole set and really concentrate on using your muscles on the back of your thighs to complete the movement.

Try keeping rep pace to curl in 1 or 2 seconds, pause a second on contraction, lower in 3 or 4 seconds then pause another second before starting your next rep. Use your muscle contractions NOT momentum to move the weight.

If it means lowering the weights you use significantly to do it this way then that is what you have to do. You will soon be adding weight again without experiencing the cramps that you currently get.

Plenty of stretching after your sets will help too, so keep this up.
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