Running Pain and Injury Prevention

How to Stop and Prevent Leg Cramps

How to thwart—and put an end to—muscle spasms

By Adam Bean

Cramping Out
1
Prevent a Cramp: Two-Way Hops
2
Prevent a Cramp: Box Jump Plus Hop
3
Stop a Cramp: Calf Stretch
4
Stop a Cramp: Quad Stretch
5
Stop a Cramp: Hamstring Stretch

Prevent a Cramp: Box Jump Plus Hop

How to Stop and Prevent Leg Cramps // box jump plus hop illustration © Rory Kurtz

Image: Rory Kurtz

Stand on a low bench or a step about a foot high. Hop off the bench and land on both feet as lightly as you can. Then immediately hop forward with both feet. Step back onto the bench. Do 10 reps and work up to 25.

SEARCH: Can ice baths reduce muscle soreness?

Expand your training schedule to recover better and run stronger.

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