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Hi!  We just launched at our club, and I am getting terrible headaches at the base of my skull during the squat track, and basically anytime I am really pushing heavy weight and yelling.  Another instructor commented that he was having the same problem.  I'm not sure if my heart rate is going through the roof and is causing the headaches or if it is just tension from maybe loading too heavy or maybe tensing up through the shoulders. 

Is anyone else having this problem??

Sounds like a sports nutrition problem to me...are you hydrating enough?  Your water intake needs have increased with BP and you might need an occasional Gatorade or other sports electrolyte drink. 

You can always drop back your weights for a day or so to see if that makes a difference. 

It could be from elevated blood pressure but you'd need to check it before, during and after class to be sure.

More worryingly, headaches can be a sign of raised intracranial pressure esp if it comes on during a valsalva (i.e: straining while holding your breath). This is likely if you don't keep your breathing regular while lifting heavy weights.

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My doctor told me they were "exertion headaches" and I definitely needed to change my diet and stay hydrated.  I actually had this problem way before Pump like in my teens when I played sports.  When I started spinning and then RPM it showed up again and yes in Pump and Combat.  I keep hydrated and it has helped a lot...you can try drinking more (water, gatorade) but if it continues I would go see your doctor...everyone is different.

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Attitude IS Everything!

Is the headache still there after the class?  In my case it was due to my neck.  I have been visiting the chiropractor each week and haven't had a headache in the last few weeks.

you have ´headaches´ at the base of your skull while pushing heavy weight and yellling....

Is it more of a cramping burning sensation at the occipital ridge of you skull? sounds like a combo of the weight of the bar on your shoulders... and how you might be protuding your chin (hyper extending) your cervical vertebra... your neck while trying to project your voice to teach.  As you are squatting, if your chest dips and you are  ´reaching´ with your neck as you instruct class, this would definitely fatigue the muscle attachments around the base of your skull and cause pain and possibly headache..  Everyone here has made some good suggestions.. drop back on your weight a little, keep hydrated, see your chiro/doc if it persists... as importantly keep your spine and neck neutral as you squat, from the base of your spine to the crown of your head.  Get yourself a microphone so you dont have to yell so much while instructing... I know in BodyPump the loud vocals keeps up the motivation... but for your own safety, keep your eyes straight ahead and focus on your own form a little more as you teach.

 Good Luck...  and get a nice professional neck massage too!. Kathx 

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List of things to do today. breathe in breathe out.

My wife, also a Pump instructor, has had them as well, particularly in the squats track.  After this went on for over a week, she went to our primary care physician who's a sports med specialist.  After many tests, including an MRI, she was diagnosed with Exertion Headaches.  They're excruciatingly painful but completely benign.  He assured her they'd subside in time, which they did.  For piece of mind, make an appointment with your doctor to rule out anything nasty.

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Chris Forgione CForgione@wcpss.net

See if they still occur when you drop some of the weight. If they do i would consider looking into visiting the doctor just to get checked out and if there is something you woul really need to look into.