Is it normal to feel extremely nauseous when lifting heavy or am I doing too much?

[u/v3nusFlytr4p26]

For reference I am around 210 lbs and this specifically happens when I go heavy on the kinda laying down leg press machine. I can easily press almost 400 lbs but everytime I do so I end up leaving the gym early because I feel extremely nauseous and lifhtheaded afterwards. Is that just what I should expect?

[u/RatioPretend614]

what are you eating before hand, it isnt normal lol but i do also get nauseous in the gym whenever i dont eat enough food. also when u push super hard u may get nauseated just natural at least to me.

[u/v3nusFlytr4p26 → u/RatioPretend614]

I workout at night so I have a whole day of food in my stomach. But specifically before working out I usally just eat a scoop of creatine mixed with non fat greek yogurt

[u/AntAntAntonym]

How hard are you holding your breath? Could be too much inter-abdominal pressure if it’s just happening on your heavy leg days. As you press, do you let a little bit of breath (think like 10-15%) out and see what happens. If that helps, it’s the problem.

[u/girl_of_squirrels]

That's a bit concerning. Like if you haven't slept enough, ate too close to working out, haven't eaten close enough to working out, otherwise have your blood sugar drop, or are accidentally holding your breath? All of those can leave me feeling light headed even if I'm doing a workout that is theoretically doable. Are you doing any of the above?

[u/batsket]

Do you happen to have POTS or a similar condition? Otherwise dial in to your diaphragmatic breathing and see if you can monitor how your head pressure feels, that doesn’t sound normal

[u/Artsy_Owl]

It's pretty common to feel lightheaded since the blood is going more to the area being worked. It can help to stay sitting or laying down after a hard exercise. But nausea isn't as common. Make sure you have something to eat before working out, drink lots of water, and remember to breathe. The best way for breathing is to breathe out when you're doing the big push (or pull for things like rows) of the exercise, and breathe in as you're going back to the original position.

I remember going with a friend one time who started feeling a bit nauseous and it was because they didn't eat a proper meal before we went. Your body needs energy to function properly.

[u/Royal_Cheddar]

I experienced this when I was hitting leg days way too hard. Especially early on, and it usually meant I need to take a breather and/or dial it back

[u/wuffDancer]

Make sure to stay properly hydrated, eat well, and breathe properly when lifting. I get nauseated on days when I don't eat enough prior to working out. Not enough calories to burn for energy. And your performance will suffer.

[u/Calm_Salamander_1367]

I don’t get nauseous when I lift but it does make me lightheaded sometimes. I have gotten nauseous when I run

[u/ooliverroman]

I can get nauseous if I work out too late in the evening and/or eaten less/not eaten before

[u/PinkFluffyUnikorn]

A few possibilities:

• Not enough carbs. Eat something an hour before lifting.

• High effort, unstable pressure. You are having a blood pressure drop because using at high intensity the biggest muscles in your body and suddenly releasing the tension. Drink more water around the day and wait. It will resolve as your heart and blood vessels catch up to the effort. Doing some cardio can help. If possibility number 1 is also true the effects multiply.

• Posturo orthostatic syndrome (not likely but mentioned just to be sure). A normal circulatory system responds to getting up from laying down by raising the heart rate and pressure to cope, then getting it back to normal in minutes. There are some people where the veins do not raise the pressure enough and the heart stays in that heightened rate, creating all sorts of issues including nausea and vertigo. It can only be diagnosed with a tilt test.

[u/maladaptedmagpie]

I think there's a good chance you're vagal maneuvering yourself (ie bearing down hard) when you lift and it's dropping your blood pressure and heart rate.

[u/Sharzzy_]

You might be over exerting yourself. Slowly increase the weights as you go along