Pickle Juice vs CrampFix®: which Is the best solution for fast cramp relief?

Whether you’re an amateur or professional athlete, muscle cramps are without a doubt one of the most frustrating, if not at times downright infuriating, challenges that you can face. Whether you’re training or competing they can strike without warning, impacting performance and potentially if severe enough learning to potential injury. 

Recommendations for remedies abound, with all kinds of things having been trialled over the years to stop the impact of cramps fast. These remedies have included recommendations to eat pungent and spicy things (think wasabi or hot chillies), right through to salt tablets and pickle-juice - with some athletes gulping this mid race or game to alleviate the impact of painful cramping. 

This is all well and good, but it’s 2025 so it might be an idea to investigate what is the best solution for fast cramp relief. 

This article will explore where the penchant for pickle juice started, unpack whether it actually does work and introduce you to a specially formulated, all-natural solution called CrampFix®.

When did pickle juice become the go-to cramp remedy?

Although athletes had been using pickle juice for years, mainstream awareness rose when National Football League (NFL) team the Philadelphia Eagles used it during a game to combat high temperatures - beating major rivals the Dallas Cowboys. 

This trend then grew based on the belief that the high sodium content, combined with the acidity, could help replenish electrolytes, triggering a muscle response to stop cramping. Runners, cyclists, triathletes and endurance athletes all started using pickle juice to combat the impact of cramps while competing. Interestingly, research alludes to the vinegar component may stimulate a neurological response, alleviating cramping without necessarily addressing the root causes. 

So what are muscle cramps actually caused by? 

Muscle cramps are complex, with a number of factors contributing to their cause. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, a number of elements can be behind cramping. They often occur after a muscle is worked too hard or is strained, losing bodily fluids via sweating or even if you simply hold a position for too long. The incredible thing is that even now, the exact cause isn’t fully understood. 

Here are a snapshot of some of the causes behind muscle cramps: 

• Mineral deficiencies:  Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.

• Blood flow issues: A narrowing of the arteries that bring blood to the legs can cause a cramping pain in the legs and feet during exercise. These cramps usually go away soon after exercise stops.

• Neuromuscular fatigue and compression around certain nerves: Pressure on the nerves in the spine also can cause cramping pain in the legs. 

 

Risk factors

According to the Mayo Clinic article, there are a number of factors beyond participating in sports that may increase the frequency of cramping. These can include: 

• Extreme sweating and dehydration

• Age

• Being unfit

• Medical issues 

• Being overweight 

These can all increase the risk of cramping. 

• Age: Elderly people lose their muscle mass, leading to more stress on the musculoskeletal system as their bodies can’t work as hard. 

• Poor conditioning: Not being in physical shape for an activity causes muscles to tire more easily.

• Extreme sweating: Athletes participating in warm conditions sweat more profusely, which can often lead to muscle cramps.

• Pregnancy: Muscle cramps are often a common side effect during pregnancy.

• Medical issues: Diabetes, or illnesses that impact nerves or the liver, or even the thyroid can also contribute to an increase in muscle cramps. 

• Weight: Weight can be a factor in increasing the risk and instance of muscle cramps occurring. 

 

CrampFix® versus traditional remedies

Pickle Juice vs CrampFix®

Pickle juice can be at times messy, not palatable for many athletes and its efficacy in treating cramps can be inconsistent and not guaranteed. However CrampFix®, is specifically formulated using all-natural ingredients to combat the symptoms of cramp fast. It contains a unique blend of:

• Sodium 

• A fast absorbing, gut-friendly carbohydrate base

• Water, 

• Vinegar,

• Sugar

• Potassium

• Calcium, 

• Magnesium chloride

And a selection of natural flavours all in a compact, no-mess sachet designed for on-the-go athletes.

H2 Making smarter choices: Why CrampFix® is the right tool for cramp relief 

It’s time to forget the vinegar shots and opt for smart solutions. CrampFix® offers science backed cramp prevention and relief with no need for guess work for professional and amateur endurance athletes like:

• Marathon runners

• Track and field athletes 

• Soccer players 

• AFL players

• Ultra-trail runners

• Tennis players

And many, many more. Trusted by elite athletes, fast-acting, easy to carry and use, CrampFix® addresses the cause not just the symptom.  

Some final thoughts on the matter:

While traditional remedies like pickle juice and salt tablets do have their place for some, and we are big believers in personal preference, the fact remains that CrampFix® has been developed specifically to support recovery, provide reliability and help with performance. 

Shop the Fixx Range and find the perfect sports nutrition product that will suit your training needs.Many professional teams, including the Wallabies, UK Cricket and Football teams, and the Springboks trust our range.