5 weird feelings people get when they workout

To save you from stopping mid-trot to Google

We all expect some soreness and maybe a little runner’s high after a workout, but there’s a whole list of weird and shocking feelings people report while running. 

Attempting to join the rest of the country in becoming a capable runner, I attempted my first run this week. The last time I did more than a fast-paced walk was during my school cross country, so I’d prepared myself for pain, burning lungs, jelly legs, maybe some light-headedness, but was surprised by some tooth pain about 15 minutes in.

Heading to Google, I quickly found a long list of other weird and surprising feelings that quite a few people say they experience during their runs or gym sessions. From tasting metal to tingling fingers, here’s what those strange mid-exercise feelings mean.

Tooth pain

While experts aren’t exactly sure why some runners report tooth pain mid-sprint, there are a few theories.

Sinus pressure from an infection or inflammation can make tooth sensitivity worse, particularly in your top row of teeth. Your sinuses get a real workout as you breathe rapidly mid-exercise, so it makes sense that you may feel some associated effects while you run. 

You may also just be clenching your teeth while you struggle through an overly intense workout.

While experts aren’t exactly sure why some runners report tooth pain mid-sprint, there are a few theories. Image: iStock

A metallic taste in your mouth

Some of my friends were surprised by my concern when they shared that they taste metal or blood while they run. It doesn’t sound normal to me, but apparently it’s not rare.

President and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, Cedric X Bryant told The Washington Post, the phenomenon is just “your body telling you that ‘You’re probably doing a little bit more than what I’m ready to handle’”.

Sports medicine physician, Timothy Miller explained the unpleasant taste could be a result of the mucous membranes in your nose and throat getting irritated and bleeding slightly during a long run. 

Another popular theory is that overworking your heart during an intense workout could cause some of the lung tissue’s red blood cells to leak into our airways.

The taste should go away relatively quickly.

Another popular theory is that overworking your heart during an intense workout could cause some of the lung tissue’s red blood cells to leak into our airways. Image: Pexels

Itchy skin

Another unexpected mid-sprint phenomenon is ‘runner’s itch’. More annoying than concerning, runners often report getting itchy legs or stomachs. 

While it’s not yet fully understood, runner’s itch is commonly attributed to the increased blood flow widening your capillaries as you run. 

“It can be part of your body’s vascular response to a change in activity,” explained exercise physiologist Katie Lawton. “If you’re going from a more sedentary lifestyle to suddenly running a bunch of miles, there’s a chance you experience runner’s itch.”

The urge to stop and scratch should be temporary and reside fairly quickly.

While it’s not yet fully understood, runner’s itch is commonly attributed to the increased blood flow widening your capillaries as you run.  Image: iStock

Nose pain

You’ve probably experienced a runny nose during an intense run, but what about nose pain?

Rapidly breathing through your nose and inhaling dry air, smoke or irritants while exercising can induce non-allergic rhinitis, which can be behind the runny or itchy nose, and also cause a feeling of pressure in your sinuses.

Tingling fingers

Star jumps and arm circles have always been my least favourite part of a warm-up, as my fingers weirdly start to tingle the second I start the cardio exercises. I thought it was a weird feeling specific to me and a select few, but apparently, others do experience the strange phenomenon.

Several things can bring on numbness or tingling in the hands – we’ve all been warned of the early signs of a heart attack, and have probably experienced a pinched nerve at one point or another. There are also some neurological conditions that can induce tingling sensations.

But I was surprised when my physio finally figured out the cause of the annoying feeling and shifted my attention to my neck.

Tension and neck pain are common issues for many of us in the age of tech neck. But poor posture, muscle weakness around the neck and shoulders, and certain muscles being stretched non-stop can affect the nerves running down your arm, potentially causing a tingling sensation all the way down to your hands. 

I admittedly don’t have the best posture, especially when I’m focusing on surviving a challenging workout, so you can see why even my hands aren’t feeling the best during exercise.

If you’re concerned about how you feel while exercising, your symptoms don’t subside quickly, or you experience pain, it’s always a good idea to speak with your GP.

Originally published as 5 weird feelings people get when they workout