Hack Squat Headache!

EagleRider · 28-Feb-08, 10:17 PM

Has anyone ever gotten an extreme headache from a workout? I've been working out for about a month without any problems until my last workout. I was on the hack squat machine and doing my last rep when the back of my head felt like it was going to explode. Is that normal for that to happen sometimes? Maybe because I'm still so new at this?

AARS · 29-Feb-08, 09:30 AM

Has the pain gone away? If so, how long did it last?
Doesn't sound normal to me. As a matter of fact, I have found that a workout makes my mild headaches go away. A bad one or a migrane is a different story though.
If you haven't been to the doctor for awhile, then I would go in for a check up and tell him what hapened to you. It could be a warning sign for something that could be serious.
Was the pain more in the base of the neck or up toward the top of your head? If it is lower, toward the base of the skull and is still giving you problems, then maybe you pulled a muscle. It's a slim chance though. I would still get it checked out though, just to be safe. It would suck to find out a year from now that you had an underlying problem that could have been taken care of if you would have gone in for a check up.

**LiftGirl** · 29-Feb-08, 10:56 AM

Agree with AARS. Sudden headaches can be signs of many potentially serious problems. Best to get checked out by a doctor.

EagleRider · 29-Feb-08, 12:01 PM

My yearly physical exam didn't reveal any pontential problems, however, I realize that doesn't mean there isn't something going on. The pain was at the base of my head near my neck and it stopped shortly after stopping the exercise and returned when I did another one that I found particularly tough. At the end of the class, my headache was gone. It could be that I strained my neck too much. I have had problems with my c-spine in the past so that wouldn't surprise me.

**Lady C** · 01-Mar-08, 08:09 AM

I also could be a sign of dehydration. I get those temporary pounding headaches when I exert effort if I am dehydrated.

trainerty · 01-Mar-08, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady C

I also could be a sign of dehydration. I get those temporary pounding headaches when I exert effort if I am dehydrated.

That and also crappy form (head jutting forward and mashing your jaws). Also, lack of sugar. Serious workouts usually require simple sugars to keep performance optimal.

Also posture issues. If you stand and walk around like a neanderthal you may fine tension around neck chest and shoulders.

Of course the chance of overtraining.

Check that your doing the right thing during your training.

westside24 · 01-Mar-08, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleRider

My yearly physical exam didn't reveal any pontential problems.

it wont either because they dont check for every ailment known to man when you get a physical, they check for the basics (whatever those may be)
you usually gotta specify if want them to check for anything.

EagleRider · 02-Mar-08, 02:09 PM

Lady C, I think you may have nailed it. I was VERY thirsty that day and couldn't get enough water. Every time I finished a set I had to go get a drink. I think another problem is the pull on my neck and shoulders when I hold onto the hand bars on either side of the hack squat machine. The bars seem a little low. I'm not sore, but a little stiff today. I know from past experience not to mess around with neck pain so I'm not getting back on that horse until I'm 100%.

westside24 · 02-Mar-08, 03:31 PM

do some shrugs, that'll strengthen your neck some.

MscFactory · 02-Mar-08, 03:37 PM

Are you breathing correctly? Lack of breathing during a good heavy workout can cause a major headache.

EagleRider · 02-Mar-08, 05:06 PM

westside,
Thanks for the tip. I'll try the shrugs.

MscFactory, I've got the breathing down pretty good, although I know what you're talking about. That was one of the first things our P.E. instructor critiqued us on - that, and form.

MscFactory · 02-Mar-08, 07:46 PM

Yeah form is definatley very important when doing heavy exercises.

**LiftGirl** · 03-Mar-08, 10:36 AM

Maybe you should switch to regular BB squats, instead of the hack squat machine?

EagleRider · 03-Mar-08, 06:36 PM

When I showed the instructor today how far I had to reach to hold the handles on the hack quad machine, he told me that it's ergonomically poorly designed and he put me on the cybex machine. It's more of an incline leg press. What a difference on my neck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiftGirl

Maybe you should switch to regular BB squats, instead of the hack squat machine?

I'm still new at this so I'm not familiar with a lot of terminology. What are BB squats?

Thanks

westside24 · 03-Mar-08, 06:47 PM

barbell squat. your traditional squat with barbell on shoulders.