why am i getting KILLING headaches when working out

[mark1993]

This is actually wrong. That is the recommended daily water intake for the average person who doesn't even workout. Dehydration is extremely common. There aren't very many people who drink as much water as they should and it's very hard to tell when and if you're dehydrated until it's too late (ie cramps)

If this "headache" only lasts for about a minute, then it has nothing to do with your water intake.

It's combination of blood flow issues and improper breathing during the exercise. Plus if you are doing max effort lifts it's very common to get brief "headrushes" and dizziness. Especially if you aren't breathing correctly.

Thanks. This is what i was sort of looking to hear rather than "dehydration".
Sometimes when I finish deadlifts i get headrush and slight dizziness. nothing serious. But is this headache something to see a doctor for?

Ive googled the matter and a lot of people have the same problem all saying different things talking about blood pressure, exhertion headaches etc.
im not sure if i should stop going to the gym.

[mark1993]

Hey man - couple of possibilities here. Dehydration could be the culprit, but because the pain is localized to your head, it is probably more of an aggravating cause than a root issue.

Most likely culprit - rapid increase in blood pressure. Your cranium is one of the least flexible areas in the body (other than, say...your teeth), and the brain does NOT tolerate swelling very well. When you combine the extreme exertion of lifting weights (especially in the heavier sets or near the end of a set), your blood pressure skyrockets, as your heart is working double time, on a reduced level of oxygen, to get oxygen-starved muscles some air. Also, lactic acid buildup makes your body less efficient (that's why you get muscle fatigue and cramp, but that's another seminar.), thus your internals have to work harder (read: increased BP).

Bottom line: Increase in blood pressure leads to head****e. You simply HAVE to have adequate rest between heavy lifting sets, you HAVE to know the limit for the day, and you HAVE to get your breathing under control before and during a set.

Now, here's one that'll make you go, "huh." Incline leg press, right? Think about the orientation of your body - you likely either had your head bent forward or your head pressed back against the pad, right? Literally everyone does. It's not wrong to do, BUT it constricts blood flow up to your head, which momentarily - you guessed it - ****es your blood pressure. Now, when you couple this with a vasovagal response (nerve in your brain that reacts to BP/heart rate) you get a sudden DROP in blood pressure, which results in a headache and a fluctuating pulse.

I'm not a neuroscientist or anything, this just used to happen to me.

Now, that's just one possibility. But, it is something to watch and consider. If it persists despite being careful, etc - go to the doctor. Don't mess around with your head.

Good luck.

Thanks. makes sense to me. I think I try to keep my head pressed back on the pad.
I automatically assumed i got the headache because i havent pushed a weight like that before so that was the cause.

but i cant explain getting the headache by doing my first simple usual exercise; pull ups.
i normally do this once a week, 3 sets 10 reps without a prob.
its like the pains gonna come back everytime i want to do a exercise that requires me pushing myself to complete the set.

[jaded]

Thanks makes some sense. But if water flushes and dilutes the electrolytes, wouldn't people who keep well hydrated in the gym experience this headache quite often?
Even when I was doing boxing, I drank a large amount of water when I was gasping for it and it made me feel better. It didnt make me have a headache or any other problems.
But then again could be my diet

Not if they have good diets and have enough electrolytes to begin with...in your case it may be that you are lacking them in your diet. To isolate the problem you would want to be able to rule this out by trying it. It could be many things...eyestrain can cause headaches for example...it's just my guess that it's your diet.

Check this out...

[Jack3d]

Thanks. This is what i was sort of looking to hear rather than "dehydration".
Sometimes when I finish deadlifts i get headrush and slight dizziness. nothing serious. But is this headache something to see a doctor for?

Ive googled the matter and a lot of people have the same problem all saying different things talking about blood pressure, exhertion headaches etc.
im not sure if i should stop going to the gym.

You don't have to stop going to the gym but maybe think about lightening the load and work on your form and breathing. Like I said headrushes and those brief headaches are common when you are lifting large amounts of weight especially on lifts that involve the legs.