Dizzy after squats

[cranny]

Does anyone else experience this? Perhaps it's the pre-workout stims I take which is either caffeine and ephedrine or either jack3d. Thing is, I only experience dizziness after a set of heavy squats; nothing else. No other muscle group will trigger it. I perform 3 warm up sets and then 3 working sets which is when it hits me. Once I rack the bar I get extremely dizzy for about 20 seconds. Is this trying to tell me something? It's def. not a good feeling. It seems like squats have done this to me for quite some time now.

[BIG SMT]

Happens to me every squat or deadlift workout if I'm going heavy. Hell..I've fallen I to the floor or onto a bench on numerous occasions! :lol: I figure it's blood pressure or lack of oxygen.

[Beverly McD.]

You're probably using up most of the available oxygen in your bloodstream. It's very common with PLifters C.
Between sets, set up very straight, head and chest up, to make room for your lungs to fully expand. Start taking several big deep breaths, thinking about trying to pull the oxygen in all the way down to your toes. Almost to the point of hyperventilation.

[Anya]

vasoconstrictors like caffeine, et al might not be the best thing to take before your heavy compound movements like deads and squats. Already the bloodflow to your noggin is gonna be a bit reduced anyway.

I've found a little bit of real niacin (NOT the semi synthetic "no flush" crap) which is a strong vasodilator works great for those situations. Temporarily boosts concentration by allowing more blood into the brain and w/o flooding you with the stress hormone effect.

[jusstartn]

Back when I was still playing competetive sports we would do some killer leg workouts and they would often lead to dizziness, vomiting, ect. Only prob I see with niacin is the way some people react and you can have some ortho hypotension and instead of just getting dizzy you will be on the floor passed out. ymmv though. \

Used to do the 10 rep max workout where you take that amount of wieght and keep it going until you reach 20 reps no matter how long it takes resting at the top position until you can push out all 20.

[cranny]

Thanks all, I'll def. give the deep breaths a try.

[roadwarrior]

Agree with Bev. Not that i go super heavy but when I push myself hard, I feel light headed after squat and DL. I find sitting straight up, hands on knees, chin up and breathing deep and slow helps return to normal. In through the nose and out through the mouth... deep and slow. Mentally calm youself and feel the your body settle back down. It's the same way I recover after a hard round on the mats.

But then that's just me and I can be a space cadet. :)