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Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 8:59 pm
by v3Nx
Hi,
Sometimes when i ride I get arm pump. I beleive its because I grip too hard because I just moved up to a 125, But I was just wondering, How many of you suffer from Arm Pump and if you do/did, what are the possiblities for curing it.

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:09 pm
by ILT513
breath in corners more

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:09 pm
by Rallemx
Dont grip the bike too hard with your hands, use your knees.
Hydrate prior to riding and..What helps the most if just ride a sh1tload..I always get armpump at the start of the season..Easiest way to "cure" armpump is to just ride alot. Also, try not to think about it.

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:26 pm
by WhMx179
The only way to cure arm pump is to just ride more often and build strength in your forearms. The more you ride, the less arm pump you will get

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:30 pm
by Red619
That funny, thats what everyone says but I think it never completly goes away. for example, this weekend I did a 35 mile ride. my second time riding a bike, first time on trails(mccain valley,ca), but I did not get arm pump, but my buddy who has been riding for five years got it real bad. I think it will get you somedays and other days not so much. just ride more and if it does not go away, at least youll be getting better on your bike :mrgreen:

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 9:34 pm
by DankeKTM21
i had that problem, but i solved it ;)
the only solution to that problem is something like this (i dont know the name)
Image
its not a pliers but similar, you have to close they (they make force to outside)
if someones got me post the name of that thing.
ive tried EVERYTHING, but the pliers are the only who had helped me
they are cheap something like $5 no more

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 10:29 pm
by yzmxer608
Do you mean something like this?
Image

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 10:33 pm
by mxkid592
ya ride alot, do not grip the handle bars to tight, learn to lossen up, i heard taking a few asprins like 30 mins before you ride helps becuase it thins the blood. also work your forearms out. it took me a while to get used to lossening up, but next time you go riding, focus on it. Also if you have super fatty grips, (grips that are more padded) change grips becuase i had these red grips that were a little on the bulky side, felt like i had to hold on tighter seemed like i couldnt get any grip, i change those and it seemed to help alot.

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 12:31 am
by DankeKTM21
excactly yzmxer, thats what i tried to say lol, btw hows that called?

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 1:05 am
by DJ99X
Powerballs are known to help as well


Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 1:52 am
by ddmx
yzmxer608 wrote:Do you mean something like this?
http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/arch ... 6_1_lg.jpg
DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT
...use this to cure arm pump!!!!!!

If you've ever used this to cure armpump, it didn't cure arm pump, but gave you what you needed to cure arm pump in a separate way. Arm pump is in the head.

Why don't use this? Doing this excercise conditions your arms to pump full of blood when they are doing work. Riding mx is doing work. Using this to cure arm pump, is gonna make it way worse. Arm pump is in the head, it comes from being nervous. Ride more, get comfortable and in your comfort zone, and arm pump goes away.

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 2:49 am
by DankeKTM21
well, your right on that part, but i meant doing that while your not riding, like your freetime. also i use this for races
Image
its a cream, who smells like menthos, it makes your muscles relax.

AND EAT ALOT OF BANNANAS, BELIEVE ME...!!

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 4:08 am
by mx4Him
the biggest reason i got arm pump from time to time is when i'm not feeling comfortable on my bike so i'm not being relaxed. the fix for that is seat time :D

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 4:13 am
by gomoto846
ddmx wrote:
yzmxer608 wrote:Do you mean something like this?
http://archive.liveauctioneers.com/arch ... 6_1_lg.jpg
DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT
...use this to cure arm pump!!!!!!

If you've ever used this to cure armpump, it didn't cure arm pump, but gave you what you needed to cure arm pump in a separate way. Arm pump is in the head.

Why don't use this? Doing this excercise conditions your arms to pump full of blood when they are doing work. Riding mx is doing work. Using this to cure arm pump, is gonna make it way worse. Arm pump is in the head, it comes from being nervous. Ride more, get comfortable and in your comfort zone, and arm pump goes away.
after i finish my moto i just hold my arms up above my head and that helps it go away for me. which i think helps the blood go back out of the arms. holding my arms up could also be mental which helps the arm pump go down more. both of my ideas are supported by what ddmx said.

Re: Arm Pump

Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:55 am
by dearnhardtfan7
Definitely stretch plenty. Drink lots of water and not too much gatorade. Pickles and bananas are both good things to snack on, as well as grapes on race day. But yes as ddmx said, it is 98% mental. It doesn't matter what you do in preparation, if you are sitting on the gate thinking "Man I hope I don't pump up this moto" you are going to get arm pump. There are things in the setup of your bike that can contribute as well. Of course suspension being the biggest. If you get head shake alot it will make you pump up since you will be involuntarily gripping the bars harder. The KTMs seem to be bad about head shake. A steering stabilizer may be a smart investment. Seat time is far and away the best "cure" for arm pump.

Just curious, has anyone on here had the surgery? I don't personally know anyone who has had it done, but it just seems like an over the top solution personally.