Leg Cramp Advice?

[SlugLife]

I had the same problem. Switched to Force Fins and I have never had a cramp since then. No electrolytes, potassium or magic potions. Either buy a new pair or look on Flea Bay. Ask @Bob Evans to explain why.

I'm aware of force fins, and they're a neat concept. Reviews I've seen are either very positive or negative; I'd want to try-before-i-buy, or used at a significant discount. Sometimes small pop up on ebay cheap, but I never see large cheap.

 

[johndiver999]

Train. 5 minutes of calf work on the steps every other day for two weeks will help a lot. Also, get in the pool with your fins and kick for a 10 minute session a couple times a week. A gentle stretch before diving may help. Also keeping you legs warm may help. Working muscles that are cool, can more readily induce cramps.

 

[lexvil]

Swim with fins as much as possible, no land exercise targets the dive muscles as effectively. You can back swim using a combination of flutter and frog.

hydration is as or more important as any supplement’s if you dive dry get and use a pee valve, if you dive wet get ready to spend a little extra time rinsing your suit.

 

[Wibble]

I don't get cramp on the bottom. However I do very occasionally get calf cramp at decompression stops if exerting -- swimming hard doing a helicopter turn, messing around backfinning, swimming over to another diver.

The fix for me at least is to relax for a few seconds and it goes away.

 

[tridacna]

I'm aware of force fins, and they're a neat concept. Reviews I've seen are either very positive or negative; I'd want to try-before-i-buy, or used at a significant discount. Sometimes small pop up on ebay cheap, but I never see large cheap.

I agree. I would loan you a pair but I'm an XXL. What size boot do you wear?

 

[BoltSnap]

5 minutes of calf work on the steps every other day for two weeks will help a lot.

Just going and down a staircase or do you mean something else?

 

[plaamook]

My tip...
I never drink coffee in the morning before a dive. Never. If I do, 30-50% time I get a cramp. In the foot too, not the calf. Harder to get out, the foot cramps. I've had my fin off once or twice, it was that bad.
To be fair, I drink very strong coffee or espresso only, but still. It's a diuretic etc.

 

[rongoodman]

You can back swim using a combination of flutter and frog.

What?

 

[lexvil]

What?

Swim on your back, use flutter for a lap and switch to frog kick for another lap continues for 30 to 60 minutes per day.

 

[rongoodman]

OK, it sounded like you meant "back kick".