Strenuous workouts can leave you feeling dizzy and light-headed. Most of the time, this is just a signal that you need to slow down and take better care of yourself before and during your workout. On occasion, it can indicate a more serious problem. Proper workout techniques help prevent dizziness, but always check with your doctor about any concerns related to your exercise regime.
Causes
Dizziness is most likely your body's response to overexertion or a lack of fuel. Dizziness can signal dehydration, meaning you need to drink more water before and during your workout. It also can stem from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Other possible causes include improper breathing or blood pooling in your legs or feet. Dizziness might come from a condition unrelated to your workout, or it also could signify a significant health problem.
Techniques
Following proper exercising techniques might help prevent your dizziness. National Strength and Conditioning Association specialist Stew Smith recommends that you inhale slightly longer than you exhale during workouts, even if it means slowing down your pace. Smith also recommends that you inhale whenever lifting weights and exhale when releasing. Additionally, working out above your recommended target heart rate can cause dizziness, according to the American Heart Association. Easing out of strenuous routines rather than stopping cold can help prevent blood pooling in your legs.
Prevention
To prevent dizziness from hypoglycemia, Columbia University's Health Services recommends that you eat a small snack of 200 calories or less before a workout and never exercise on an empty stomach. This could be a piece of fruit, a cup of yogurt, a fig bar or even a glass of milk. Other recommendations include drinking at least 16 oz. of water within two hours before your workout, drinking water every 10 to 15 minutes during your workout and drinking a sports drink during your workout to help replace water, glucose and electrolyte, when you exercise for an hour or longer.
Considerations
If your dizziness persists even after exercise, it could signal a number of conditions unrelated to your workout, according to MayoClinic.com. Episodes of prolonged or severe dizziness could stem from an infection or fluid buildup in your inner ear. It also could be the symptom of the onset of a neurological condition such as Parkinson's disease. Some medications also include dizziness among their side effects.
Warning
Regardless of the cause, Maya Mohan of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends that you always stop working out when you experience dizziness. The dizziness should subside after a short rest, but you might need medical assistance if it persists more than an hour, according to Mohan. Dizziness accompanied by chest discomfort, shortness of breath or vomiting could signal a heart attack, according to the American Heart Association. While the Patient Education Institute reports that heart attacks during exercise are rare, signs such as these require immediate medical attention.
