Help! Getting light-headed when weightlifting! (lower body)

Alright. Although I can't remember the exact time, it seems like this started happening maybe a couple of months or so ago. Lately when I work out at the gym, whenever I work my lower body (start off with squats, then leg press, and leg extension), I'll get all light-headed, and somtimes I'll also get a bad headache. It'll be the first set of squats, and the light-headedness already starts. At first it wasn't all that bad, just a nuisance. But it's getting to the point where I'm worried if there isn't something wrong. (sometimes I'm unable to do my full set of reps and have to stop for fear of passing out and dropping the weight on myself). I stretch before working out, and walk around between sets, but maybe I could start getting on the treadmill for a few minutes before working out.

Note: I also have this problem when I bend over to pick up something heavy at work, and I also get a bad headache when I'm doing sittups or leg-lifts.

I don't have this problem at all when I'm working my upper body.

There are more knowledgable people who can answer this Q for you - just wondering if you hold your breath at all when you lift heavy weight. Sounds like a lack of oxygen to the brain - although I can't say I know enough to say why or how.

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Originally Posted by Clubber

Alright. Although I can't remember the exact time, it seems like this started happening maybe a couple of months or so ago. Lately when I work out at the gym, whenever I work my lower body (start off with squats, then leg press, and leg extension), I'll get all light-headed, and somtimes I'll also get a bad headache. It'll be the first set of squats, and the light-headedness already starts. At first it wasn't all that bad, just a nuisance. But it's getting to the point where I'm worried if there isn't something wrong. (sometimes I'm unable to do my full set of reps and have to stop for fear of passing out and dropping the weight on myself). I stretch before working out, and walk around between sets, but maybe I could start getting on the treadmill for a few minutes before working out.

Note: I also have this problem when I bend over to pick up something heavy at work, and I also get a bad headache when I'm doing sittups or leg-lifts.

I don't have this problem at all when I'm working my upper body.

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You don't watch porn at the same time do you?

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Originally Posted by Sharla

There are more knowledgable people who can answer this Q for you - just wondering if you hold your breath at all when you lift heavy weight. Sounds like a lack of oxygen to the brain - although I can't say I know enough to say why or how.

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I breathe in and out correctly. I've made sure not to hold my breath.

Do you keep yourself hydrated?

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Originally Posted by Bomp

Do you keep yourself hydrated?

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I make regular visits to the water fountain. It still may not be enough, so I'll dry drinking a lot more. :)

Drop the weight, and work in a circuit.

Quick questionk, have you had your blood pressure checked lately?

I had the same problem, I would get light headed, dizzy and winded. The best thing for me was to work in a circuit so that I could cycle between oxgen sucking exercise like squats and leg presses, with other exercises to catch my breath. Squats works more muscles, which means you'll sucking in more oxygen. Working in a circuit with the focus of cutting down the rest time in between exercises and sets helps improve stamina.

Ive a feeling youve got a muscular problem in your upper back with your deltoids. Probably by having bad allinement in your hips get it checked.

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Originally Posted by Entragian

Quick questionk, have you had your blood pressure checked lately?

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It's been about 6 months or so, and it was 120 over 80. I'm 20 yrs. old and weigh about 165 lbs. (very skinny), plus my BP's been about 110 over 70 all my life (went up slightly the last time I got it checked). If the problem persists, I may have to have it checked again.

Have you had yourself checked to see if you are diabetic or Anaemic?

Have you had a physical (exam) done lately?

How's your food intake? An unbalanced diet can cause symptoms like that during a workout not to mention make you more prone to injury. You'll notice the symptoms more during certain exercises than others. Maybe you might want to start a food intake log and just to be safe, if you haven't had a good thorough checkup recently, now would be a good time to get one.

Yeah I can see how low blood sugar, or too much insulin can really make you feel tired and cause other symptoms.