Best drink during a long workout

MikePTY
MikePTY Posts: 3,814 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have my Krav Maga Yellow Belt test coming up, and it's supposed to last at least 5 hours, with the majority of it being strenuous physical activity, so I was thinking I may need something more than just water to drink during the workout to help recover electrolytes. Anyone who does long workouts have something they recommend?

Replies

  • thepetiterunner
    thepetiterunner Posts: 1,238 Member
    On my long distance runs, I like drinking Nuun tablets. They taste good and are super effective, IME. Also come in a ton of flavors. You just drop them in your water bottle or what have you and go.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    Another vote for Nuun or similar electrolyte drink if you’re sweating a lot. If you also need calories in your drink, many endurance athletes like Tailwind. However, Gatorade is probably the cheapest and easiest one to find.
  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    There are a ton of options out there. I"ve used EFS, Hammer Heed, Skratch Labs, Tailwinds and Gatorade Endurance with good results. You can find most of these at your local running store, or online. These fuels provide some calories as well as electrolytes.. During hot weather sessions, I've also supplemented those fuels with a separate sodium/electrolyte source, such as Precision Hydration tablets. PH supplies a big dose of sodium, but not calories. Good Luck.
  • lx1x
    lx1x Posts: 38,332 Member
    What help me on my MA test.. I load up on carb the night before, good harty breakfast before and protein bar between breaks.. Gatorade for drink..
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    Nuun has next to no calories (the tablets have like 5cal) - so if you need something for actual energy, you'll need to look elsewhere

    simple answer for liquid - would be gatorade or similar; there are other liquid forms of nutrition used by athletes (infinite, tailwind, ucan) - but depending on when your test is you may not have time to test those out - so i would probably keep it simple and do gatorade and something easily digestable (gummy bears are typically my go-to for quick energy)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,091 Member
    Whatever you choose, try it out after/during exertion before test day! Digestive disturbance doesn't help outcomes. ;)

    Good luck on the test!
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    Whatever you choose, try it out after/during exertion before test day! Digestive disturbance doesn't help outcomes. ;)

    Good luck on the test!

    Seconded! Nuun would not work well for me because a very unhappy stomach isn't conducive to being productive - at least in terms of doing any activity that doesn't involve hanging out in a bathroom.
  • amybg1
    amybg1 Posts: 631 Member
    As stated above do a trial run before the event day but I've heard nuun, I personally use Eload electrolyte powder which has 100 calories for roughly 2 cups and in terms of ingredients only what you need in terms of electrolytes/very few ingredients and lightly flavoured
  • Danp
    Danp Posts: 1,561 Member
    I'd say for something lasting 5 hours like that the few days beforehand will be more important than on the day.

    I learned this the had way after my first super long cycling event where I bonked half way as I just ran out of energy. Next time I'll definitely be upping my calorie intake to at least maintenance the 2 or 3 days before the event and upping my hydration the day or 2 before to make sure that I'm starting off in the best place possible.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    aokoye wrote: »
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    Whatever you choose, try it out after/during exertion before test day! Digestive disturbance doesn't help outcomes. ;)

    Good luck on the test!

    Seconded! Nuun would not work well for me because a very unhappy stomach isn't conducive to being productive - at least in terms of doing any activity that doesn't involve hanging out in a bathroom.

    Thirded. I wouldn’t drink or eat anything On test day that you haven’t previously successfully consumed during exertion/activity (or in whatever capacity you intend to use it). I can drink Gatorade all day long-except on a run (barf-literally).

    I also second the idea of eating at maintenance for a few days prior (if you’re normally in a deficit). Not required to survive obviously, but it helps with energy/performance for me.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Nuun.

    Third the idea of eating more, especially carbs, in the few days leading up to the event.
  • Tacklewasher
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    Huh. They were handing out Nuun at the water stations on my half last Saturday. Never thought to not take it. No bad side effects so I guess I'm lucky, but I'll pay a bit more attention next time to what they are handing out and if I'm okay with it.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Nuun if you don't need the calories...Gatorade if you do. Carb load starting a few days out.
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,108 Member
    I use Skratch Labs hydration mixes. They have a few different ones to choose from, and they contain all the electrolytes that your body is burning (a lot of other sports drinks are missing some essential elements).

    They have some calories, but not a lot, and the flavors are very mild. On very hot race weekends (think 100+ degree weather, on pavement that has a surface temp of 150, hugging a 200+ degree engine....) one or two of their hyper plus their regular exercise hydration mix has kept me from having an issue.

    My friends and fellow racers who've tried their products have made the switch as well because it really works. There was a very physically noticeable difference from other products and methods I had tried in the past.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    Tacklewasher wrote: »
    Huh. They were handing out Nuun at the water stations on my half last Saturday. Never thought to not take it. No bad side effects so I guess I'm lucky, but I'll pay a bit more attention next time to what they are handing out and if I'm okay with it.

    Yeah I very specifically turn down Nuun. It's unfortunate for me because it's so easy to get. When I road a century last Summer, I brought a tube of I'm assuming GU tablets with me. That way I was able to turn down whatever electrolyte drink they had at the stops in favor of water. That's obviously not an especially convenient for most running events though.
  • thisPGHlife
    thisPGHlife Posts: 440 Member
    For about a week before I would suggest going to maintenance with the added calories going to a decent portion of carbs with some increased protein as well. Powerade zero worked well for me. Also, bring some bananas. I would also suggest something with caffeine in it. I am not big into things like red bull so I brought a coffee drink with just a little sweetness.

    Having done the test, it made me actually not hungry at all to the point where I ended the day with about a 2500 calorie deficit (not sure how big it was because there was some guestimation on how much I burned). It may be different for you but I wouldn't worry too much about the snack side of things beyond some bananas and maybe some trail mix for afterwards. Good luck!! And remember, the first test is more about aggression and your will to live than having perfect form.
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