Fatigue after a certain amount of reps, no matter what the weight is!

Question

I have noticed that I fatigue and develop a swollen or "tight" feeling in my muscles from doing too many reps. The amount of reps defined as "too many" is any over about 5.

I notice that even if I'm just squatting without any weight (using only my bodyweight) I get the same effect ... tightness, swollen feeling, fatigue, and usually DOMS if I continue sets like this.

What I want to know is: why is this? I mean I tend to almost always stay in the 1-5 rep range, but that's for strength building. I don't have a serious regimen, but that shouldn't explain why any amount of reps causes this sensation.

Say I squat 135 lbs. for 3 ... sure, it takes decent work, but if I were to do 3 reps without the weight, I'd still get that swollen, tired sensation.

Are my muscles just lazy (is that possible)? Am I unconditioned for reps so bad that any endurance is off-tracking for my nervous system?

I don't care for many reps, but I am just wondering why I get this aftermath from simply trying a few more reps here and there with varying weights.

PS: Yes, even after stretching of any kind it's the same problem. I try to get several days between workouts, but that "tired, aching" sensation lasts for days or even weeks.

Answer 1

What aerobic exercise do you do? What exercises get you heart rate within target range for 20+ min. My guess would be a lack of general fitness. If your heart and lungs aren't strong enough to get oxygenated blood to your muscles, then you wont be able to build strength as effectively.

No, I virtually never see "medical practitioners." I certainly wouldn't waste time to see one for such a menial concern over fitness.

For the love of god I hope this is a joke. Doctors aren't just for the sick. See a doc in order to keep yourself healthy and safe. Be thankful if the visit is a "waste" of your time, because it means that you don't have more serious problems looming over the horizon. Go see a doc, go see a doc, ......... go see a doc.

Answer 2

Just to rule out worst-case scenarios, do you have any issues with eye movement as the day goes on? There's a nasty auto-immune disease called Myasthenia Gravis where the primary symptoms are loss of muscular control with use. Almost always, it's characterized by often-used muscles such as the eyes and the jaw, but there are rare cases just involving major muscle groups. The signature field test involves having the person being tested do a squeeze test about 4-5 times in a row with the diagnosis coming if the person's strength consistently falls with each squeeze. This is sounding dangerously similar. I would definitely recommend seeing a doctor. Yes, it is an investment of time and money (when you consider lost wages, even with health insurance, the average medical visit costs a cool $100 for many professions), but the amount you'll save if this is something major is enough to justify the cost.