Workout Hydration

Georgia Personal Training/Roswell Fitness Factory

In today’s fast-paced world, it is more important than ever to stay healthy and active. One of the best ways to do this is by working out regularly. But exercise can be hard on your body if you are not properly hydrated. In fact, there are many benefits associated with proper workout hydration including increased endurance and performance levels as well as decreased muscle cramping and fatigue during workouts. At Georgia Personal Training/Roswell Fitness Factory we stress the Importance of Workout Hydration.

Importance of Workout Hydration

While it is important to stay hydrated during a workout, it is even more important after. Your body needs water to recover and repair itself after exercise. Not only that, but dehydration can lead to fatigue and muscle soreness–which means you’re less likely to want to work out again in the future! So, what does this mean for you? You should always be drinking water before, during and after your next workout session!

Here are some tips for getting enough water in your diet:

Drink water before, during and after meals.
Avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice–these will just make you thirstier.
Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol and other diuretics (substances that increase urination).
Eat foods that are high in water content, like fruits and vegetables.
If you need to drink something besides water, try unsweetened iced tea or low-fat milk.

Workout Hydration Methods

To stay hydrated, you should drink water before and during your workout. Water is the best way to keep your body functioning properly. It is also important to drink a sports drink before and during your workout if you are exercising for more than an hour or if it’s very hot outside (above 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

The most important thing is not how much water you consume but when you consume it:

Drink 2-3 cups of water before working out so that there is room in your stomach for food later on in the day; this will help prevent dehydration while exercising since the body loses liquid through sweat as well as breathing harder due to increased activity level.
If you are exercising in hot weather, drink 1 cup of water every 15 minutes to keep your body well hydrated.
If you are exercising for more than an hour or if it’s very hot outside (above 80 degrees Fahrenheit), drink a sports drink as well as water. Sports drinks contain carbohydrates, sodium and potassium to help your body stay hydrated during exercise.

Pre-Workout Hydration

Hydrating before a workout is just as important as hydration during and after. The goal is to get enough water in your system that you don’t need to drink any during your routine, which will help keep you from feeling thirsty or needing to stop and take breaks.

How much water should I drink?

The amount of water needed varies by person, but most trainers recommend drinking 16 ounces (or more) about two hours before working out. If that seems like too much for one sitting, try splitting it into two eight-ounce glasses spaced out over an hour or so before hitting the gym floor.

What if I forget?

If you have forgotten about pre-workout hydration until it is too late–and believe us when we say this happens all too often–there are still some things that can be done:

Drink some fizzy carbonated drinks such as seltzer water or club soda instead; these are not ideal because they are high in sugar, but they will help quench your thirst while also getting some liquid into those thirsty cells!
As soon as you are done with your workout, drink another 16 ounces of water. This will help replenish what has been lost during exercise. If you are going to drink a sports drink, make sure it is low in calories (no more than 80) and has no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving. “If you have already drank two cups of coffee that day, consider having half a cup of sports drink instead,” says experts. “You don’t want to overdo the caffeine.”.

Post Workout Hydration

Post workout hydration is important for recovery.

Studies have shown that a lack of water and electrolytes can lead to muscle cramping, fatigue, and even heat stroke. In fact, dehydration has been linked directly to heart attacks in people who are otherwise healthy! The key is to drink enough water before and during your workout but also make sure you rehydrate after by drinking at least 8 ounces (237 ml) of fluid every 15 minutes until your thirst is quenched. In addition to water, it’s a good idea to drink sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade. These contain electrolytes that help replace those lost in sweat, which can help prevent dehydration and muscle cramps.

When you exercise, your body sweats. This is because your body needs to regulate its temperature and sweat helps cool off your skin. When you are sweating a lot, it is important to drink enough water so that you do not become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause muscle cramping and fatigue, which will prevent you from pushing yourself as hard during workouts.

If you are not properly hydrated before starting a workout (or during), your performance will suffer because of reduced energy levels and increased muscle fatigue. In addition to helping keep your body functioning at its best throughout the day (and night), drinking plenty of water also helps replenish electrolytes–minerals such as sodium chloride that are lost through perspiration but must be replaced by eating certain foods or taking supplements in order for the body’s systems to function properly again after sweating profusely during an intense physical activity such as running laps around town!

Water is also essential for cooling your body down. As sweat evaporates from your skin, it takes heat with it and helps lower your body temperature. If you are not drinking enough water during exercise, you will need to stop sooner than expected because of overheating.

Conclusion

So, what can you do to stay hydrated while working out? The most important thing is to drink water before and after your workout. You should also keep an eye out for signs of dehydration such as headaches, dizziness or nausea. If you start feeling any of these symptoms during a workout, stop immediately and drink some water!

Georgia Personal Training/Roswell Fitness Factory has many satisfied clients.

“I started working out and personal training with Matt (owner) 3x a week. My experience has been amazing. The gym has just been recently renovated and is very clean and updated to reflect the perfect gym ambiance. The equipment is in really good shape with new items being added. Matt is extremely passionate about the gym and his clients, and I feel motivated to keep working out. I love that I feel healthy and energized to keep aiming for my fitness goals. I credit Matt in this workout journey of mine and couldn’t imagine a better trainer!” – Sonaly Patel