hydration Archives - Zero Gravity Fitness

Why Hydration is Important during Workouts

on October 5, 2015

Water is important for the normal functions of the body. Water has very many different roles such as regulating body temperature, protecting the spinal cord and cushioning the joints. You lose water every day through activities like breathing and digestion. Exercising is the fastest way your body loses water.

Why is it Important to Be Hydrated When Exercising?

Water is important for providing energy and endurance when exercising. If you do not replace the water you lose through sweating, your energy levels will deteriorate and you will become exhausted. Therefore, hydration helps you to endure during exercises.

Drinking sufficient fluids during exercising helps to prevent dehydration. Drinking a lot of water is also necessary for cooling down your body and preventing illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Signs That You Are Not Properly Hydrated When Exercising

The common signs that show you that you are not hydrated when exercising include lack of energy, a headache and lack of concentration or coordination.

The American Council on Exercise states that when a person is feeling thirsty when exercising, it means their body is dehydrated. Dehydration symptoms include muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Paying attention to your body and detecting the signs of dehydration will help you replace the fluids you have lost and prevent dehydration.

Which Fluids Are Good For Exercising

The water you lose when exercising depends on the intensity of your exercises. One can lose up to one quart of water during exercises. The best way to replace the fluids you have lost during exercises is by drinking water. Water is a good choice for hydrating because it is absorbed in the body easily and does not have calories or sugars.

Although water is a good choice for hydrating, you can also take sports drinks. Sport drinks have calories that provide energy for long exercise workouts. Sports drinks also have electrolytes like sodium and potassium that are lost when you sweat. If you engage in intense and long bouts of workouts, you could easily suffer from electrolyte imbalance. This is probably the reason why sports drinks are preferred over water.

Which Drinks Should You Avoid When Exercising?

Avoid sugary juices and sodas during exercises. These drinks add calories and are not effective in quenching thirst. Beverages that contain caffeine are not good during exercises because caffeine contributes to dehydration.

Hydration Tips

Proper hydration starts before you start working out. A finding by the University of Illinois shows that you should drink one cup of water two hours before you start exercising. When exercising, keep hydrated by drinking 6 ounces of water after fifteen minutes. After you are through with your workout, you still have to replace the fluids that you have lost. According to the American Council on Exercise, you should drink water based on the weight you lose through sweating.

Watch Out For Over-Hydration

Hydration is essential when exercising but you still could be over hydrated. Drinking too much water will decrease the salt in your body. When the salt in your body decreases to a low level, you suffer from a condition called hyponatremia.

At Zero Gravity Fitness, we will make sure you are hydrated when you exercise. Our fitness trainers can go over how much water you should be drinking during your workouts and what you can do to prepare for each workout by drinking water. Contact us today if you have any questions or concerns you might have about your workout and staying hydrated. We will be happy to assist you.

Importance of Staying Hydrated in Fitness

on February 2, 2015

Most sources agree that the human body needs an ounce to half an ounce of water for every pound of weight. However, there are a few other factors that can affect this general rule. The most significant factor is your fitness level. If you have a regular fitness regimen, then you want to drink regularly during your workout, and you also want to be consistent with how much you drink. Keeping your body hydrated during a workout has a number of significant benefits.

At Zero Gravity Fitness in Orlando, we understand the importance of having a regular fitness regimen, but we also understand the importance of taking care of your body. Our team of trainers encourages you to stay hydrated throughout the day to keep your body performing at its peak levels. To find out more health and fitness tips or to schedule a personal training session, contact Zero Gravity Fitness today.

Replenish Your Body

During a workout, your body is doing so much more than burning calories and building muscle. When you work out, your body also loses precious minerals and electrolytes as you sweat. The best way to replenish your body and to compensate for the loss is to replenish your body. The best way to know how much water you should consume to restore your body to an optimal level is to gauge your sweat rate. Understanding your sweat rate will ensure that you are properly hydrated after and before your next workout. Accounting for these factors improves your overall performance and your energy levels throughout the day.

A Better Workout Next Time

Your cells and 70 percent of your body are comprised of water. When your body is dehydrated, it is unable to perform at optimal levels. Therefore, keeping your body hydrated can ensure that your next workout is successful. For example, when your body is properly hydrated, your heart and other muscles do not need to work as hard to transport blood and nutrients to your body. With the right levels of hydration, your body is able to efficiently and easily perform the job it is designated to do. For the best results, you want to drink before, after, and during your workout.

Muscle Health

The body’s muscles also heavily rely upon hydration to perform well. Those who fail to properly hydrate their body during a workout are more likely to suffer from crippling muscle cramps during and after a workout. While many individuals will attribute muscle cramps to a simple consequence of working out, the reality is that most individuals are dehydrated. Muscles tighten because the water that they need to stay relaxed isn’t present. Aside from cramping, muscles will also be unable to build and become more prominent if they are not properly hydrated. Therefore, drinking enough water is the surest way to keep your muscles healthy and to avoid awful muscle cramps.

If you are going to put the time and effort into working out, then you should take the necessary steps to ensure that your workout leads to the best results possible. Care for your body the right way by drinking the necessary amount of water, relaxing your muscles and sore body with a massage, and treating yourself to relaxing therapies that lead to the results that you are looking for.