Regular exercise is a key component of having the kind of health and energy that everyone wants in their lives. Unfortunately, if you approach experience in the wrong way, it can wind up being uncomfortable, or even painful if you experience muscle cramps. Fortunately, there are a few easy, simple ways that you can reduce or even eliminate the amount of cramps that you might experience during your workouts.

Do Some Stretching – Before undertaking any exercise routine, most people talk themselves out of doing any kind of warm up. They might tell themselves that they just don’t have the time, or that since they are doing such light exercise, there is no need to get a good stretch in. But the fact of the matter is that stretching has numerous benefits. It won’t just make you more limber, it will also prepare you muscles for the exercise to come, making them less prone to cramping.

Drink More Water – Most muscle cramps are caused by dehydration. By making certain to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your exercise, you keep your muscles cool, your joints well lubricated, and give your body the energy it needs to power through the exercise.

Rethink Sodium – You have probably heard from your doctor and lots of other sources that sodium is bad for you. And it’s true that too much sodium can raise your blood pressure, which might lead to heart problems. But it is important to remember that sodium is also an essential element in your body, and it is possible to get too little. One of the functions of sodium is that it holds moisture in your body. If you don’t get enough, like less than 200 mg a day, then your muscles become too “dry,” and become more prone to cramping. Obviously, however, some people’s health situation can tolerate more sodium than others, so always consult a doctor before you make any major change in your diet or start a fitness regimen.

Don’t Too Much Too Soon – People are at most risk for experiencing muscle cramps when they are just starting an exercise regimen. This is because some overeager exercisers start doing exercises that might be a little advanced for them, or might be too stressful for their untrained bodies. If you are taking up yoga, for example, don’t expect to be able to get into difficult positions on your first day. You want to start jogging for cardio exercise, don’t think that you will be in a position to run marathons any time soon. By easing into your workout program, you give your body a chance to adapt over time.

It is important to remember that after you exercise, it is actually normal to experience muscle soreness. In fact, a bit of muscle soreness is a good indication that your muscles are working towards removing, and are becoming bigger and stronger. However, muscle cramps, which are sharper and more painful than simple soreness, are not a necessary part o f an exercise regimen, so you should work to reduce cramps as much as possible.

Fitness Expert Chris McCombs is a Los Angeles Personal Trainer. While walking out of a burrito joint Chris discovered a radical approach to burning fat at a rapid rate which he helps people all over do today. Chris is also a fitness trainer marketing expert and helps personal trainers and other people in the fitness industry to triple their income and cut their work hours by more than half.