Headaches on final reps

[the art of war]

I figured I was just in lousy cardio shape (this may well be) - but even doing cardio some days 2x I never get headaches - I stick to 8-12 reps on most exercises and I find that I get a brutal headache by the 9th rep ... if it's deadlifts or a power movement and I'm at 6-8 .. I don't have this problem. It's strictly that rep range. Any ideas why ? I can easily switch my training up and do a different rep range, this is just what I've responded to well on certain muscle groups so I'd prefer not too. I have one cup of coffee in the morning - no stimulants at all. Any input appreciated.

[liftsiron]

Sounds as if you maybe holding your breath to long on some reps, or forgetting to breathe at all. DON'T try to regulate breathing let the body do it for you, just make sure that you don't hold your breath to long.

[Chadd77]

I hold my breath on most heavy sets. My partner is always yelling at me to breath. I'm not recommending it. But hey... It works for me.

[liftsiron]

I hold my breath on most heavy sets. My partner is always yelling at me to breath. I'm not recommending it. But hey... It works for me.

Be very careful a few young guys over the years have given themselves strokes holding their breath to long on heavy lifts. Many years ago I witnessed a good friend pass out and drop to the floor after racking the weight after a set of squats.
He didn't wake up, we called an ambulance. A blood vessel had popped in his brain causing a very slight stroke. He had a near immediate 100% recovery. He never held his breath for very long after that. I remember before the incident he offend complain of headaches when working legs. His face would be purple after a set.

[the art of war]

Be very careful a few young guys over the years have given themselves strokes holding their breath to long on heavy lifts. Many years ago I witnessed a good friend pass out and drop to the floor after racking the weight after a set of squats.
He didn't wake up, we called an ambulance. A blood vessel had popped in his brain causing a very slight stroke. He had a near immediate 100% recovery. He never held his breath for very long after that. I remember before the incident he offend complain of headaches when working legs. His face would be purple after a set.

See that's what I'm talking about exactly. I always exhale on the push or pull breath in on the way down. But I'll be damned, a vein in the left side of my head will just about pop out and while I don't turn color - I certainly feel that pain sharply for about 20-30 seconds. I will certainly be careful with this. Thank you.

[liftsiron]

See that's what I'm talking about exactly. I always exhale on the push or pull breath in on the way down. But I'll be damned, a vein in the left side of my head will just about pop out and while I don't turn color - I certainly feel that pain sharply for about 20-30 seconds. I will certainly be careful with this. Thank you.

It's normal for your breath to cease for a second or two during a heavy lift, but sometime you need to remember to breath.

[the art of war]

Is this a matter of cardiovascular conditioning or is it simply the weight and strain increasing the blood flow and my head exploding (lol) ?

[liftsiron]

Is this a matter of cardiovascular conditioning or is it simply the weight and strain increasing the blood flow and my head exploding (lol) ?

Holding your breath can cause extreme increase in blood pressure.

[the art of war]

Thanks lifts , see tomorrow how this goes.

[dna9488]

Holding your breath can cause extreme increase in blood pressure.

:agreed:

[jack tors]

dbol

[the art of war]

^ good point bro lol, as I forget the obvious.

[the art of war]

It's normal for your breath to cease for a second or two during a heavy lift, but sometime you need to remember to breath.

I made my training partner watch me - we found where the problem was with my breathing and the problem is now almost gone completely - it was really out of hand, my left eye would start to tear up and the vein would bulge out of my head. Glad that I have a good partner and thank you for the advice bro.

[liftsiron]

I made my training partner watch me - we found where the problem was with my breathing and the problem is now almost gone completely - it was really out of hand, my left eye would start to tear up and the vein would bulge out of my head. Glad that I have a good partner and thank you for the advice bro.

No problem bro, what you were doing is very common. I'm glad you were able to correct the problem.

[Konitz]

I tend to hold my breath as well; getting better at it but it still happens; I try to take a big breathe every time I am bringing the weight back.