Foot cramps

Sparticus773

I have started swimming, and I wondering if anyone here knew how to prevent foot cramps. When i start to freestyle swim, i get killer cramps in the middle of my foot.

Also, once i get them, what is the best way to releive it?

thanks a lot guys,
Sparticus

VisionOfClarity

Do you do any stretching for your feet prior to swimming? I know it seems a lil obvious but...

Noff

Stretch, make sure you're well hydrated, and besides for that just kick until they go away. Keep a kickboard at the end of the lane and when you get cramps use it... Your feet will relax pretty soon and you'll eventually stop getting them so much. It's just one of those things your body has to get used to.

Sparticus773

Are there foot stretches?

When you say, just kick until they go away, do you mean keep swimmng? keep paddling? or kick the ground of the pool?

what's a kick board?

Noff

See page two of this pdf for appropriate stretches, the toe pull with the towel is your best bet if you want to do just one. http://www.divefitness.com/html/articles/article_pdfs/foot_calf.pdf

Yes, I meant to keep swimming until they go away. Kickboards are those foam boards you rest your arms on http://www.daventrydolphins.co.uk/graphics/kickboard.jpg so that you can swim using only your feet as propulsion.