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Original poster

Severe thigh pain after spin class

27 replies

milkysmum · 03/02/2022 07:34

Could I have sprained my quads doing a spin class!? I went on Monday, not been to one in a while so just booked on the taster class to get back in the zone so to speak and to remind me how to set up the bikes as I'm at a new gym. It was tough- my legs struggled with the standing up sections and when I got off bike they felt very very weak- pretty normal for spin class though I thought. When I walked up the stairs and out to the car though my legs honestly felt like they were going to buckle and over the past few days the pain in my quads has got worse and worse...
Going up and down stairs is agony, as is getting in out of chairs and getting up and down off the toilet- I'm having to use the radiator next to it to pull up on to try and take a bit of the weight.
I've tried naproxen and co codamol and nothing is helping. Also tried heat and ice. What else can I do? I've literally just joined this fancy new gym with the kids and one week in I've done this to myself!!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 03/02/2022 07:37

It's called the DOMs and is normal after unaccustomed exercise. I was the same after going back to body pump after a 2 week break although it only lasted a couple of days.

Maybe need to do some stretches after your workout

countdowntonap · 03/02/2022 07:37

I think it’s unlikely to have gained an injury in both during a spin class, so with it affecting both quads I’d see that as reassurance (not that it feels like it!) that it’s normal when doing a level of exercise your body isn’t currently used to.

itwasntaparty · 03/02/2022 07:37

DOMS, exercise helps

Spudlet · 03/02/2022 07:39

Doms can be really painful - I had awful doms after a kettlebells class (I’d had a long break from it) and even 4 days later DH told me I was walking like GW Bush (thank you dear…) It should start to ease off soon. You could always book a sports massage - tell them you have doms and they may be able to ease it a bit for you.

Original poster
milkysmum · 03/02/2022 07:46

Thank you. We did stretch at end of class but clearly not enough! I've literally never felt pain like this, I've previously been a runner and had various injuries- but this is something else honestly it is! Anything I can do to speed up the process?

OP posts:
Graceymac99 · 03/02/2022 07:46

It has taken me a few days to recover from sudden bursts of exercise when I haven’t done any for a while. I have heard of a disorder called rhabdomyolysis which can happen after exercise such as spinning which can be very serious. I would seek urgent medical advice if it is getting worse to the point where you can’t stand.

dementedpixie · 03/02/2022 07:49

Massage. Warm bath or cold bath. Gentle exercise- walking/swimming

Bettybantz · 03/02/2022 07:57

Yeah, DOMS. Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of protein and get back on it when you can. It’s just your body adjusting. It means you worked hard!

VitalsStable · 03/02/2022 08:00

Add BCAA supplements to your diet, really helps with DOMS and find a quad stretch yoga video on YouTube and do that a few times and you'll be right as rain.

Coughee · 03/02/2022 08:04

Yeah I though of rhabdomyalosis too but only because I've seen it on 24 hours in A&E! Google the symptoms just in case but I'm sure it's pretty rare. Article on it here www.independent.co.uk/life-style/rhabdomyolysis-spin-class-extreme-exercise-spinning-cycling-american-journal-medicine-a7847021.html

Original poster
milkysmum · 03/02/2022 08:55

Great advice from everyone- thank you. Hopefully will ease in another day or two then!

OP posts:
CovidCurious · 03/02/2022 17:53

Probably a very grim case of DOMS. Try to move through the pain as much as you can, because if it is DOMS then the pain should ease a little after some movement, even if it is grim getting to that point. If you really can't bear moving then I'd consider seeking medical help just in case it isn't DOMS. I've never had DOMS that bad and I do pretty intense exercise.

purplesequins · 03/02/2022 20:50

if you have a foam roller (or a swimming noodle) look up foam rolling quads on youtube.

Dentistsinthefreemarket · 03/02/2022 21:08

I ran a 50 mile race once and my quads were shot to pieces, when I tried to sit down I just fell as my quads couldn't support me! Hurt for days, getting upstairs was excruciating. The loo was interesting...

FrangipaniBlue · 03/02/2022 21:10

Spinning and kettlebells classes are guaranteed to have me holding onto the sink to lower myself on and off the toilet if I haven't been to either class for a while Grin

Original poster
milkysmum · 03/02/2022 21:25

Oh I'm so glad it isn't just me! Yes the toilet is the worst! Walking is ok ( but it's slow )- I do have a Pilates class booked for tomorrow, not sure whether to cancel or if actually that's exactly what's needed!?

OP posts:
Iamblossom · 03/02/2022 21:30

I get this if I play squash for the first time in a long time. Fuck me, agony in my butt, can't bend over, get in or out of a car, move basically without proper pain.

And they say exercise is good for you.

purplesequins · 03/02/2022 21:35

definitely go to the class tomorrow.
if it's that bad now, it surely is on it's way out.

waterlego · 03/02/2022 21:42

Oooh yes, DOMs can be agony. I ran down a pretty big hill once. Took about half an hour to get from top to bottom. I really enjoyed it at the time but my quads were shot to fuck for ages afterwards. I found going up and down stairs sideways, like a crab, was easier than trying to do it in the normal way. The best thing you can do is keep moving as much/often as possible. Immobility will make it worse as the muscles just get really stiff. You’ll probably feel grand soon. 🙂

LaChanticleer · 03/02/2022 21:47

That’s DOMS - it’s just muscle stiffness because you haven’t exercised like that for a while. It’s not pain - it’s just built up lactic acid. When you do a lot of exercise, you need to learn the difference between discomfort and pain; it’s quite important to be able to tell the difference so you know when you need to take action for an actual injury.

Best cure is more exercise. And stretching quads, hip flexors and spine after your next Spin class! Also use a foam roller on your quads and IT band.

And Pilates is a perfect active recovery activity. As well as teaching you about stretching.

Original poster
milkysmum · 03/02/2022 22:28

Whilst I'm now absolutely convinced by you all that this is DOMS and nothing more serious, I can assure you it IS pain 😂

OP posts:
ihaveonecat · 03/02/2022 22:45

If you have a bath
Magnesium flakes or mio liquid yoga in it. Or both Grin

purplesequins · 04/02/2022 06:19

@milkysmum

Whilst I'm now absolutely convinced by you all that this is DOMS and nothing more serious, I can assure you it IS pain 😂
yes, but it's good pain.

agree with all pp.
stretching
warm bath (with epsom salt)
magnesium supplement
gentle exercise.

purplesequins · 04/02/2022 06:25

fun fact - in german it's called (literally translated) muscle-hangover
unpleasant, but short lived and will get better by itself quickly.

LaChanticleer · 04/02/2022 10:33

Yeah, it’s good! It shows you’ve worked to a level where your muscles are having to adapt - training to failure.

I don’t count that as actual pain (compared with severe nerve damage pain, for example). It’s soreness.

You need to realise this so you can then recognise when you have actual pain from an injury. It’s quite important to be aware of the difference between muscle soreness or discomfort from unaccustomed use, and injury.

I was deadlifting heavy yesterday and today I feel it all down my back. But I know I haven’t injured my back - it’s important I get to understand and feel the difference.

More movement is the remedy, whereas for an actual injury, you might need to do something else (RICE, or see a physiotherapist for example).