# Prevention of cramps in abs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 1, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833 "2022-12-01T04:21:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833/1 "2022-12-01T04:21:32Z")
Sometimes I get a really nasty cramp/spasm in an abs muscle just below my rib cage. I don’t mean in the digestive system, I mean the muscles that you use for crunches. Which is why I’m having trouble Googling this. It is very painful. I can alleviate it by straightening out and direct massage but it takes a couple of minutes to get relief and the muscle is tight for hours after. I work out regularly and do four sets of crunches a couple of times a week, rotating to one of three machines each session. I never get it when I’m exercising, just if I’m bending over or something. Any way to prevent this? I find it difficult to stretch those muscles, but it might help if I could an effective technique to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833/2 "2022-12-01T13:16:40Z")
Drink more water. Dehydration is associated with cramps, so you may just be under hydrated. Most people are under hydrated to some degree. You also may be overstressing your abs if they are only muscle group that is cramping. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833/3 "2022-12-01T15:08:40Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Drink more water. Also make sure you’re getting sufficient electrolytes. Consume some gatorade or similar from time to time, particularly when exercising. Watch the calorie content of that stuff, though. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833/4 "2022-12-01T16:03:36Z")
In that regard, there’s Gatorade Zero or G2. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833/5 "2022-12-01T23:59:47Z")
Interestingly, this never happens during exercise. It’s always something like if I’m in the car and I reach for something on the floor. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-cramps-in-abs/975833/6 "2022-12-02T00:21:26Z")
that’s typical