When to drink electrolytes

catabolicmind
catabolicmind Posts: 19
in Fitness and Exercise
Newbie question here: When would you need to drink electrolytes (over water) during exercise? Is it just if you sweat tons or is it only necessary for endurance athletes/long workouts? Does it help muscle fatigue at all or does it only prevent cramps/dehydration?

Replies

  • grimendale
    grimendale Posts: 2,153 Member
    Water, drink whenever you're thirsty. Electrolytes are really only for long duration, intense exercise with a great deal of sweating (and consequently, lost salts). Gatorade was designed for football players in Florida, and that's about the only time I've ever seen it recommended by sports trainers. It doesn't really help with fatigue (beyond giving an energy boost due to the sugar content), but replacing salt can help prevent cramps under intense conditions like a two hour game. Hope that helps.
  • baby_valiant
    baby_valiant Posts: 86 Member
    I've been finding a tremendous benefit to having an electrolyte (such as Hydralyte - not Gatorade or powerade) before exercise.

    I have trouble being able to drink during workouts - but since I started having Hydralyte before and then water afterwards my recoveries have been a lot quicker and I'm not pulling up sore or with a headache!

    Really comes down to personal experience and trial and error.
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member
    When you are doing lots of intense activity for a long period of time and eating is not an option (think hours)

    Other than that, just drink your water and eat as normal. All electrolytes really are are things like sodium...
  • afat12
    afat12 Posts: 178 Member
    When you're sick

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