Why Calisthenics Can Make You Lightheaded
There are several calisthenic-specific reasons why you get lightheaded training body weight exercises and not other forms of exercise, including:
- Rotational movement.
- Training calisthenics outdoors.
- High Intensity.
It’s especially common for beginners to experience a dizzy sensation post-workout because of their lack of experience. After reading this article, you should feel more knowledgeable and aware of why you feel dizzy and how to prevent it.
How Momentum Makes You Dizzy In Calisthenics
A crucial element to a calisthenic workout is momentum and technique. Professional athletes use momentum to minimize the strength they need and technique to focus their movement to a certain direction. Some situations include:
- A muscle up requires a swinging momentum to lift you above the bar.
- A 180-degree bar jump requires a turning movement.
- A skin the car requires your head to go upside down.
- A human flag turns you sideways.
Professional athletes are conditioned to do this effectively; nonetheless, beginners could initially struggle to build momentum and experience dizzy spells.
The reason is by continuously attempting an exercise that requires rotation, turns, or spins, fluid in the brain picks up velocity (angular momentum) within its inner canals and, because of inertia, will continue to move and send signals to the brain. These signals are what make you feel dizzy once you come to a stop.
It’s fairly unlikely that a single attempt will result in dizzy spells; however, repeatedly trying could. The amount of repetitions you need before feeling dizzy depends on the individual and how abruptly you come to a stop.
How To Manage Dizziness Through Momentum
If you are feeling dizzy, take a break from the exercise and stand still for three to four minutes. If possible, rotate in the opposite direction (two or three times) to reduce the fluid’s velocity. The aim is to match your inner-ear fluids to the same speed your skull is moving, which, if stationary, is null.
You shouldn’t be concerned if you feel dizzy after completing several rotation movements. It’s similar to standing on a point and spinning; an average individual will start feeling dizzy as soon as you stop. It does vary on the amount of dizziness each individual feels; however, over time, you will familiarize yourself with the feeling and ignore it.
While it can’t be prevented, tolerance will build up over time. This will reduce the intensity and duration of dizziness you may feel.
Why Training Calisthenics Outdoors Makes You Dizzy
A huge perk of training calisthenics is the ability to exercise wherever and with little equipment. As a result, many athletes train outdoors, exposing themselves to different weather types.
How the heat makes you feel dizzy in calisthenics
When the body rises in temperate, it sweats to cool itself down. This is a natural response that occurs regardless of the reason for increased body temperature. When you train in hot weather, your body must compensate for a lot of sweat for two reasons; a hot environment and warming up muscles. As sweat is 90% water, a lot of water escapes the body and, without replenishing, can lead to dehydration. This can make you temporarily dizzy or lightheaded.
To stop this from happening, drink plenty of water throughout the exercise, and take rest periods to let your body cool down. You should also try to train in the shade to reduce the intensity of the sun on your skin.
A helpful tip is to carry a damp towel that you can rest on your head. This helps reduce body temperate quickly, even though you may look silly!
How the cold makes you feel dizzy in calisthenics
You may feel dizzy when exercising in colder temperatures, one reason is because of the air pressure change. Colder temperatures have lower air pressure, which can disrupt the vestibular system – our body’s system that controls balance – bringing dizzy spells and possibly migraines.
To help prevent this, avoid going outside when it is too cold. Calisthenics can be exercised anywhere – so pick somewhere warmer!
How The Intensity Of Calisthenics Makes You Dizzy
As discussed, calisthenics is an intense activity – compound exercises, fast pace movement, and the need for power all make it a great workout! For the most part, individuals can pace themselves through the workout program without feeling dizzy or lightheaded nevertheless, some athletes feel off-balance during or after the workout, but why is this?
There are three main reasons:
The intensity of calisthenics escalates the above, which may be the reason you feel training in calisthenics and not less intense activities, such as hiking. This is because the greater the intensity, the higher demand is for blood, water, oxygen, and glucose, but if one of these elements is starved, the brain won’t be able to function normally, leading to dizziness.
- Can You Film In The Gym – The Brutal Truth
I run a fitness blog and YouTube channel. And while writing is hassle-free, getting my camera, tripod and microphone out in the middle of the… - Can You Use The Holes In Bouldering
Have you ever seen the holes drilled into the bouldering/climbing wall? When I first went climbing I was confused as to what they are, who… - Does Climbing Increase Testosterone
Muscular, veiny, hairy, tall, and deep-voiced… All of which derive from high testosterone levels. Is it possible they derive from climbing too? Let’s find out……
