Varicose Veins and Weight Lifting Weight lifting is huge these days. Training with weights is a great way to work out, lose weight, develop muscle, and tone your body. In fact, most healthcare professionals agree that including weight lifting in your workout is preferred over aerobic exercise alone. Weight lifting enables you to build muscle that makes your body more efficient at eliminating fat and remaining healthy and active. Unfortunately, weight lifting can also be a factor in developing varicose veins. Varicose veins are purplish, bulging veins that stick out of legs, arms, chests, and other areas where veins occur in the body. And those who lift weights can be more prone to developing these bulging veins, especially those who lift weights on a regular basis. Okay, that's the bad news about varicose veins and weight lifting. The good news is that, as a weight lifter, there are steps you can take to avoid developing varicose veins. Or, if you're someone who already has them, there are things you can do to reduce their effects and stop them from worsening. Here are some tips from experts in varicose vein treatments that can help weight lifters reduce or eliminate the effects or development of varicose veins. We can all agree that exercise is a good thing. If done properly and for the right amount of time, the right kind of exercise for your body can help you to maintain a healthy weight and remain active for a lifetime. However, there are times when exercise can become a problem. If you're a weight lifter who's experiencing any of the symptoms of varicose veins or other blood circulation problems, you should first talk to your doctor. From there, there are steps you can take to reduce the appearance of your varicose veins, as well as other accompanying symptoms. If you're a weight trainer who doesn't already have varicose veins, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Some exercises are better than others, especially when it comes to weight training and varicose veins. For example, most weight lifters combine their weight training with other exercises. In fact, it's probably safe to say that few weight lifters don't also engage in some form of aerobic exercise. For weight lifters, it's important to make those accompanying exercise programs as easy on the circulatory system as possible. For example, though jogging or running can help to get the blood circulating optimally, it can also lead to blood circulation problems. If you're someone who likes to run or jog on hard surfaces, consider switching to softer surfaces, such as at a gym on a matted area or on grass.
Here are some tips for weight lifters that can help to reduce the occurrence of varicose veins: •
Switch up your weight training routine. Don't spend an inordinate amount of time on one part of the body. If you're someone who is working on building up your arms, spend time on your legs and other parts of your body as well. The idea is to keep the blood flowing throughout your entire body, and not to put too much strain on any one part.
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Wear compression socks. Compression socks are great for getting and keeping the blood flowing properly. They squeeze the veins from the feet up, and this helps to redirect blood to your heart, keeping it and other organs healthy. And, when your heart is pumping properly, that helps to make your weight training even more effective.
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When you're able to, elevate your legs. In fact, it's recommended by many health experts that weight lifters take a little time after every workout to sit or even lie down, with legs elevated. This helps to move blood from the areas you've just concentrated on, getting it flowing properly throughout your whole body.
Weight lifting is an ideal way of developing the body you've already dreamed of. Unfortunately, it's also a good way of developing varicose veins. Does everyone who trains with weights develop varicose veins? Of course not. But, if you're not doing it right, weight lifting can lead to the development of varicose veins, and it can certainly worsen their effects in those who already have them. For more answers about how to reduce the effects of weight lifting on existing varicose veins or how to prevent their development altogether, contact a healthcare professional who specializes in vein treatment.