Should I be shaking this bad?

Kid Icarus

Okay, the title makes it sound worse than it is...

Basically, I find that when I'm exercising, my body seem to shake/vibrate a lot, especially my arms. I haven't a clue why, all I can say is I'm pretty sure the weights aren't too heavy. I've read in a few places that you should train to the point of failure (i.e. just able to complete the last rep). I'm just a little concerned that maybe I'm doing things wrong.

It also happens when I'm doing push ups, tricep dips, the few pull ups I can manage. Can anyone shed some light on this for me please.

Huggles

Are you eating enough? I find if I haven't eaten propley before my workout (rare) my arms shake.

Kid Icarus

I would say I eat better than most. I eat very little crap, and carry an apple/banana around with in case I get hungry. But as for eating enough, almost always eat three meals per day; on a rare occasion I might miss breakfast.

Although, it's normally almost 6 hours between lunch and training, then have dinner afterwards. Should I try having a small meal maybe 2 hours before training?

mack1

YES!

You need some food in you about 90mins or so before training - no wonder you're shaking!

Kid Icarus

So what would be best to eat?

Just out of curiosity, why does it happen?

Huggles

Kid Icarus wrote: »

So what would be best to eat?

Just out of curiosity, why does it happen?

Well try driving your car with hardly any petrol in it. I bet it would splutter and eventually stop.

Food is your fuel.

chunkythehippo

No, its cos you're not strong enough... Keep at the weights and you won't be so shaky! The food issue isn't the problem unless you're literally starving

smellslikeshoes

The shaking sometimes happens to me too, usually when I'm pushing myself very hard but as has already been said 6 hours is a long ass time to go without eating. You definitely should be splitting that up with a meal. Maybe you should think about having more smaller meals a day instead of 3 large meals have 6 small meals.

Pugsley

The food isnt helping, but its probably that your just training hard, not a bad thing its one of the things your looking for in isometric training, I wouldnt be hugely concerned though.

Colm_OReilly

It could be a lack of control over your motor movements - that neurological component of strenght.

Since you mentioned push ups and dips as examples, I'm thinking it could be an issue. With greater practice you'll sort out the signal:noise ratio and shake less (unless you're at the point of muscular fatigue)

For a fantastic example of this signal:noise effect, get someone who has a strong bench (even better yet, a strong smith machine bench) and get them to hold themselves on rings or a push up position. Watch how quickly they'll start to shake.

dublincityvic

The exact same thing happens me..It only happens after i push myself or over exert myself..Can't put my finger on why it happens..it does'nt happen to any of my mates

rubadub

Are you holding your breathe when exerting yourself? I used to do this without really knowing, and would shake a little.

get them to hold themselves on rings or a push up position. Watch how quickly they'll start to shake.

I could only do one dip when I got my rings, shaking like a lunatic! now can get 8 unshakey ones in.

Lothaar

This used to happen to me. I'd get shaky and light-headed, particuarly when doing squats or deadlifts. I posted here about it ages ago and was advised to get some carbs in between 90 and 45 mins before training. I had been eating just protein, with some veg, prior to training.
Since then, I make sure to get a small amount of carbs (a small slice of brown bread, handful of wholewheat pasta, wholewheat pitta or brown rice) into me before training. Hasn't happened since.

Well... I still get a bit shaky, but only after the workout!

BossArky

When I first started going to the gym I shook like a lunatic, especially doing seated dumbbell military press. Fitness instructor told me it was due to my system not being used to the weight.

Never happened again after those intial days years ago.

Supercell

I started on the weights last night and afterwards I literally couldnt get of the bench, arms were shaking, legs were spent, fcuking great!

I've got serious dom's today, even so got on the treadmill and added a full minute to my best flat out time.
Aching like crazy all over, and fully expect to be a shaking again tomorrow night but that will pass over time as strength builds up.

I reckon if you don't end up shaking and with pretty bad doms starting out you're not pushing hard enough