Experiencing shaky muscles during a workout is typically thought of as a badge of honor for a workout

well done or as a sign of building strength. But, shaking can also mean you’ve gone too far.

Taking note of your body’s response to a particular exercise, especially if you’re a beginner, helps you
stay in tune with your physical fitness, and make adjustments on the fly.

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Let’s dive into the six most common reasons your muscles might shudder, from a HIIT workout to a
treadmill run, and what you should do in response.

Reason #1: Fatigue

“Muscles shake after a hard workout as a physiological response to fatigue,” explains Aaptiv trainer
Jaime McFaden. “It is usually a great indicator that you have reached your maximum intensity, as well as
a good way to know it’s time to back off.”

When your muscles shake, they are challenged, so they start contracting and releasing at an intensified
pace. This is normal, and not a problem as long as you aren’t pushing too far past that point. McFaden
says lots of people want to build muscle, but are afraid of reaching that “shake” point. Instead of
powering through it, aim to reach that point and then take a break.

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Reason #2: New or Different Muscle Groups

You already know the value of switching up your workouts on a regular basis. When you work different
muscles, you may encounter shaking. Again, this is completely fine as long as you’re aware of your form
and not compensating anywhere else. For example, if you’re holding a high plank and feeling a lot of
tension in your shoulders and neck as your arms rattle, it could mean you need to engage your core, so
you can avoid potential injury to your low back or rotator cuff.

Change the classes you complete and introduce an assortment of exercises. This way you give your body
a break and no muscles end up overworked. So, if you’re loyal to your elliptical sessions, try to factor in
time for yoga or strength training to balance out muscle groups. Then you’ll know any related shaking is
a result of variety!
Work different muscle groups with our classes. We have over 12 different categories for you to choose
from.

Reason #3: Dehydration

Another common cause of muscle shake is dehydration. When your body is low on fluid, this not only
causes a wave of change in your electrolytes, but also your connective tissue experiences difficulty
sending signals from your brain to your muscle fibers. In other words, your body gets totally thrown off.
So, be sure to sip water for any workout longer than 60 minutes and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Here some foods that will help.

Reason #4: Lack of Sleep

Sleep plays a vital role in your ability to perform any type of workout efficiently and effectively. Sleep
allows your muscles to heal and rest. “Both lack of sleep and lack of rest [giving your muscles a break in
the form of rest days] can cause the body to shake from sheer exhaustion,” says Mcfaden.