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JW381
8/17/2012 1:13pm
8/17/2012 1:13pm
Edited Date/Time
9/19/2012 4:52am
Now that I'm back in the game, does anyone have any advice on how to fix or avoid arm pump? I know this topic gets talked about somewhat often, although not near as much as 2-strokes.
Also, does anyone feel like they get excessively bad arm pump? I swear that ever since I started racing at 16 that I get some type of special, extra debilitating arm pump.
Also, does anyone feel like they get excessively bad arm pump? I swear that ever since I started racing at 16 that I get some type of special, extra debilitating arm pump.
That last part especially works because it forces you to have a better position on the bike. The handle bar is just there to hold the controls, not for hanging on for dear life.
Bingo.
.... yes I have first hand experience at this.
The Shop
For me personally......there always seems to be a 6 - 8 week barrier. If I can ride a couple times a week ( on top of my normal workout routines ).....around the 6 - 8 week mark , the arm pump for the most part goes away. There are some instances though that it just " Shows up"....for no apparent reason. After 30+ years in this sport......I would have to say it is the one and only thing that has bothered me the most.
Also, riding a lot helps. Staying relaxed while riding (property breathing helps with this). Proper hydration. Strong core. Gripping the bike with your knees/legs. The usual stuff.
Let me put it this way........if you had 4 spare hours a week to ride.....riding 4 times a week for 1hr.....will get you in shape WAY FASTER than riding once a week for 4hrs. You ride the bike when you're fresh and aggressive.....instead of one longer day where it just tears you up.
And your cardio work.......hit it a couple times a week if you can. Instead of sitting on the couch watching TV and relaxing.....get the motivation to punish yourself for about 30 min....2 - 3 times a week.
One more thing........the older you get , the tougher it gets....and the harder you have to push yourself! Gets harder every year for me.....but it's a challenge and I look forward to it.
I workout pretty well, I'd hardly classify myself as a couch potato. Just don't get to ride all that often.
"Arm pump" takes place when the blood flow entering your arms is greater than the amount of the blood flow out, this creates a backlog of pressure … so my theory is that you should re-direct your blood flow somewhere else. And what better than an erection that we could call "dick pump". So 5 minutes before your moto, log onto some porn website and attached a photo of boobies on your handlebar, so the erection will last the whole moto. You may also want to try Viagra (last longer, might be an option for hare scrambles) … Problem solved.
FML
Also, for me personally, I had to drink only water on race day. Save the gatorade for after.
I also read an article with Paul Whibley, I think it was but i could be wrong, and he had a fairly long routine before races but it easentially eliminated arm pump for him. He would use stress balls I think to get his arms real pumped up, then had some type of stretch and repeat routine. I'll have to see if i can find it.
Pit Row
This is a non-evasive therapy involving soft tissue manipulation with the intention of widening neurological and vascular pathways and increasing the space in the fascial compartment. I'm looking for 15-30 qualified volunteers. If you are a regular rider that experiences frequent arm pump, you may qualify for this therapy free of charge. Therapy would consist of treatments up to an hour long once or twice a week for six weeks.
If you are interested in taking part in this study, please email me at mimiflower80@gmail.com
Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy has been pioneered by Paul St. John over the last 30 years. It is a results based, structural therapy modality that works to resolve chronic pain and dysfunction issues without the use of medications or surgery.
http://www.stjohn-clarkptc.com/
I should mention, there is no risk here... Like, none. It would be a modification on how we go about treating severe carpal tunnel and thoracic outlet syndrome with serious fascia release through the entire upper limb. Soft tissue manipulation. Think massage on steroids. lol. Hurts like hell. You'll love it. It may be the magic bean. We'll never know unless I can find some riders.
Any ideas? Help me out. I'm doing this as a pet project because my brother rides... in Moab. Moab is not in Florida. I need Florida riders.
This right here make sense in my case because I have never had any issues with arm pump even in the slightest. I have what is called Raynaud's disease and at times I have fingers go numb and turn blue to black and it is 80 deg outside. After 6 plus years off a mx bike and track I go out and run 20 minutes and jump most jumps and had a blast without one hint of armpump at all.
If you have the money for an EMS device, I highly recommend it.
All the best in training and racing.
Craig
Founder and CEO
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