Regardless of whether you are playing a competitive sport or in the gym getting through one of your workouts, hydration is extremely important if you are going to get the most out of your session.

Exercise causes you to sweat, which means you lose water because your body needs to cool off. During an hour of activity, the body might lose several litres of water; thus, you must replenish that water to avoid the effects of dehydration.

When you are working out at the gym or playing a sport and getting your sweat on you lose more nutrients during exercise than just water.

Sweat contains salt and potassium as well, which can be problematic for your body and performance during prolonged durations of physical activity like a marathon.

If you believe that omitting water intake from your personal training sessions won’t surface any significant concerns then reconsider. Neglecting your water intake during physical activity will result in dehydration.

As an athlete of any level, this will impact your sports performance and can even make you sick.

Failure to hydrate properly will leave you feeling weak, fatigued and incapable of completing many of the exercises that you might complete with ease on a normal day of training.

If you compete at a high level then you won’t want this to be the reason you lose or perhaps let your team down.

We all know just how difficult it can be to stay motivated with our workouts.

Woman holding a bottle of water during a workout
Make sure to bring a water bottle with you when you are working out. source: Unsplash
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What should you drink during exercise?

You lose sweat while also removing heat from the body when the sweat evaporates from your skin. You must consume fluids when exercising to replace the fluids you lose through perspiration. By doing this, you can lower your chance of developing heat exhaustion while maintaining regular bodily functions and performance levels.

If you find yourself wondering what is the best way for you to stay hydrated in the gym you will be glad to hear that there are a number of different options that you can try in your workouts.

There is an astonishing variety of sports drinks available, and many have a lot of added sugar. Many of us have a negative connotation that we associate with the word sugar. We often associate it with unhealthy or fatty foods that would not be a particularly wise choice to add to our meal plans.

It’s important to remember that Sugar is in fact a carbohydrate. Sugar comes in the form of fructose or glucose and these are actually the simplest form of carbs that our body can digest.

When we say that sugars are simple carbs we are referring to the complexity of their structures. A simple carb is one that can be digested quickly and processed quickly by the body. So sugar is actually a great source of fast-acting energy that can help athletes to fuel their workouts.

Sugar can actually be very beneficial to our bodies as a means of energising our workouts if consumed moderately and as part of a balanced diet.

If you are looking to boost your energy level and stay hydrated while you are working out then an isotonic drink might be a worthwhile addition to your gym bag. You might also find that you don't need them if you're exercising moderately, such as going to the gym to rehab a recent injury for example.

There are many ways to hydrate your body while working out.

Starting with the basics

If you are just starting out with personal training sessions then it is probably best that you avoid complicating things right away.

It is better that you ensure that you have the basics nailed down before worrying about having the right energy drinks on hand. The links included in this article will help you get up and running with your personal training journey.

After you finish a workout that lasted for less than an hour or you find that it wasn’t overly physically demanding, plain water is frequently the finest beverage to have.

You will likely work out quite frequently too if you are particularly serious about accomplishing your fitness goals. What might seem like a minute expense when purchased every now and again can quickly add up if you purchase an energy drink every time you step foot inside the gym.

This could add up to as much as €50 each month, which on top of a gym membership and personal training can indeed be quite the expense. This is just one of the considerations that you should be at the back of your mind. After all, water is free and is available in each gym or training centre.

With that said, sports drinks are often a helpful alternative for hydration if you're exercising or training hard for more than an hour or participating in a performance base sport.

Electrolyte tablets can also have a great benefit in improving your performance during intensive sports. This is because electrolytes tablets are a great hydrator and replenish the body with essential minerals.

These sports drinks contain electrolyte supplements, which you lose through sweat, in addition to restoring lost fluid.

These beverages keep you hydrated and provide you with the energy that your body needs to perform those heavy lifts or go that extra minute on the treadmill.

Low carb meals are a great way of achieving your dieting goals.

Home Gym Workout Fitness Machines
Staying hydrated will help with your performance in the gym. source: unsplash

Do you need to hydrate your workouts?

If you are still wondering whether or not you should start supplementing your hydration with isotonic drinks or do a better job giving your body enough water you will need to ask yourself a few questions.

Are you generally fatigued during your workouts or do you get through them relatively unscathed?

Is the sport that you are training for performance demanding?

Are you drinking enough water outside of the gym?

Would changing your hydration habits be worthwhile or would it prove too costly?

You are also not alone in the decision-making process here. These are all questions that an athlete or avid gym goer begins to ask themselves at some point in their training. Your personal trainer would be more than capable of answering any of these questions for you.

If you haven’t reached out to a personal trainer, you could consult a licensed dietitian or nutritionist specialising in sports nutrition. But once you are getting enough water, this is generally a decision that will help top-level athletes perform in endurance events like a marathon.

Gym sessions can of course be quite gruelling, particularly if you are visiting the gym on top of a long day at work or college.

Without a doubt, you'll be thirsty after you finish putting yourself through one of the workouts that you or your personal trainer had set. Good hydration can help you recuperate by replenishing your fluid reserves, refreshing you and enhancing your performance.

It is also best that you avoid any fluids that will serve to dehydrate your body. This can have a negative impact on your appetite to work out, your performance while you are working out and the results that you see from your training.

For this reason, you should consider avoiding alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is a diuretic, it causes your kidneys to create more urine, which helps you get rid of more water from your body.

Muscle recovery is among the most essential pillars when progressing in the gym.

Bottle of water being held during a run
Water remains one of the best ways for athletes to stay hydrated. source: Unspash

Learn everything you need to know from a trainer on Superprof

It's crucial to locate the ideal personal trainer for you when using a personal training service. You must locate a trainer with sufficient expertise in the field in which you wish to advance.

Having a competent personal trainer will make your fitness goals easier to accomplish. You will be able to consult them about your diet, training and how to hydrate your body effectively.

Making sure you choose a personal trainer you get along with and enjoy learning from can also enhance your attitude toward training and frequently lead to you sticking to your exercise schedule over the long term.

The best place for athletes of all levels to look for their next personal trainer is Superprof.

Numerous fitness experts are advertising their services on the platform. You will be able to choose from a sizeable pool of qualified trainers and base your choice on factors like their hourly rate, proximity, and background.

Improving your flexibility for sports takes time but it can enhance your performance significantly.

Contact a personal trainer with Superprof right away to get started with your workout!

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Samuel

I enjoy reading fiction, playing chess, live music and traveling.