Expert: Ken Alan - 3/18/2006

Question
Hi.  I have a couple of questions that I am hoping you may be able to help me on.

When I do an ab exercise which I think is called the bicycle (you do a cruch with your hands behind your head and pull your elbow towards 1 knee with the other leg straight, and then switch), I hear a creaking sound from near my tailbone and lower back whenever I stretch out my right leg and pull my right elbow to my left knee.  It doesn't really hurt.  I was just wondering if it is normal for a creaking sound to occur in some people in certain body areas when doing exercises.  
Also, is it bad to drink too much water when you are exercising.  Also, is it bad to go into a pool or shower right after your exercise.  
I appreciate it if you could answer any of these questions.  If not, thanks anyways.  

Answer
Good questions.

As long as there is no pain associated with the noise, it's okay.  Is it normal?  Not really.  But it does occur in some people.

It's only bad to drink "too much" water if the amount you drink makes you uncomfortable.

Going into a pool or shower right after you exercise... depends on what kind of exercise you just did to answer whether it's good or bad.  And it depends on the pool water temperature, too.

Hope this helps.