Why Are My Leg Workouts Making Me Ill ?

[D'Antony]

Hello to everyone. This is my first post on here and might I add that this site is cool....I hope to receive some helpful advice on here, as well as share some of my own advice and experiences.

My leg workouts take a lot out of me. In order for me to have a successful leg workout, my energy level has got to be up. Today, towards the latter part of my leg routine, I start feeling nauseous...like i'm about to hurl!
This has been a recent event with my leg workouts and it usually occurs during the leg extensions. Because of it, I didn't finish the rest of my leg routine(which the only thing I needed to do was 2 calf excercises).
I don't think I'm doing too much. The weight is challenging but yet allows me to do 10-15 reps each set.
Is this weird or what? Am I doing too much? Here is an example of my leg routine......

1)Hyperextensions 4 sets w/25 or 35lb weight plate--15 reps
2)Leg extensions 4 sets 10-15 reps
3)Walking Lunges 3-4 sets 20 strides per set
4)Lying leg curls 4 sets, 8-12 reps
5)Standing leg curls 3-4 sets, 8-15 reps
6)Leg extensions 4 sets 10-15 reps
7)Standing Calf raises 3-4 sets 25+ reps
8)Seated Calf raises 3-4 sets 25+ reps

This gives you and idea of my leg routine. Excercises change every 6-8 weeks.
I value any input, information, and advice. Has anyone experienced a similar nauseating moment during a leg (or any) workout?

D'Antony

[Lee J B]

*Raises Hand....me me I know !!* lol ..... Well generally leg day is thought of as hell on earth by most, because it does give this feeling.... although there might also be a slight problem with the fact your doing 32 sets for legs, may I ask why ? Give you some advice I would drop the rep range and the set range on every one of those, and also drop some exercises altogether...you must be made of steel to get through all that....I couldn't do it. How long does it take you ? If you would like to re-evaluate your routine yourself then you can do, however if you would like my input on that also just give me a shout bro...

[D'Antony]

Yeah! I value all input, man...Fire away! I'm listening.

[D'Antony]

oh yeah, and by the way, Lee JB, FYI I got the workout from bodybuilding.com

[Lee J B]

I would do this :

Reverse Leg Curls: 2 Sets of 6 reps each.
Squats: 3 Sets of 4 reps each.
Box Squats: 2 Sets of 2 reps each.
Hyperextensions: 3 Sets of 3 reps each.
Seated Calf Raises: 2 Sets of 6 reps each.
And finally, you can alternate this last one so it is
different each week:
Walking lunges: 3 Sets of 10 strides each.
OR
Leg Extensions: 3 Sets of 4 reps each.

So in total thats going to be about 15 sets and it will absoloutly fry your legs, more so than before as it will trigger just the right amount of stimluation, whilst only doing half the work you did last time (Sets wise).

[ebon00]

I agree with Lee, you're doing too much. Skip most of the isolation work and get squatting instead (front or back, your choice). That will give you the most bang for your buck. If you still feel like working out after 6 sets of squats and 4 sets of stiff leg deadlifts then add another exercise. If you work hard enough though, that won't be an issue.

[Merrida]

Ditto to Lee and Ebon.

You'd get a lot more out of compound movements and throw calves in, but that's enough of a leg workout to make a horse throw up,...I could never survive it either.

Bang the weight up, drop the sets/reps, condense what you're doing to get more out of less.

[D'Antony]

Lee (or anyone else who wants to answer this),
what are box squats?

[Lee J B]

Go here then go to squat assits, then box squat. You should see a movie come up. Box squats are basically where you get a box that is quite low to the ground, or even simpler, get a bench that is at its flat position, then line yourself close and parellel to the box or bench and basically sit on the box or bench then stand back up..... thus giving you the box squat. Just like to add that when used with a good program, this is one of those exercises that enables you to seriously build up the poundages, you'll see. It is an exercise that some of the strongest men in the world swear by, and I have used it ever since I knew what it was with VERY good success. Still, nothing beats normal squats for a workout though
Also I better add before a massive debate sparks out that, yes, there are TONS of variations to this squat, what with all the stances, grips, box heights, chains...etc....but my advice is ignore all that and go for the style you see Joe do on the video.

[TheBigness]

Try this do Squats 5 sets of 20-10 reps. Leg press 5 sets of 20-10 reps.
Stiff legged deads lifts 5 sets 20-10. leg curls 5 reps 20-10. lunges 5 sets 15 reps

Make sure you go with fierce intensity and give it your all.

[mustang GT]

Also, are you doing a warm-up before you workout your legs? If not, then that could also be a really you feel the way you do during the leg workout. It's important to do that 5-10 minute light cardio warmup to get to your AT before you start that intense leg day!

[TsiTalon]

I love leg day . I know its a good day when i try to drive home after doing legs and start grinding the gears in my car cause i am hardly shift my legs are so tired !

[Timbers]

As mentioned on another thread, I felt sick and came close to a white out - while in the middle of doing squats, lunges and step ups on a box.

[cursor]

Too many sets for me.

[D'Antony]

I am going to modify the sets on these excercises. I had also thought about moving my calf excercises to another day(for example, move them to my cardio days).