Hi! My name is Jenny Beebout. I am one of the fitness instructors at 5 Elements MMA and Fitness. In this blog I am going to discuss the importance of hydration.
Whether you’re a serious athlete or simply exercise for recreation, it is important to stay hydrated. Good hydration means getting the right amount of water before, during, and after exercise. Water regulates your body temperature and lubricates your joints, organs, and tissues. It is recommended that you drink 2-4 glasses of water 2-3 hours before your workout. The best way to do this is by sipping at regular intervals instead of all in one go. During training it is important to replace your sweat losses, otherwise your cardiovascular system will have to work much harder than normal. To do this you need to match your fluid intake as closely as possible to your loss. The recommend amount of water to drink is 150-350ml every 15-20 minutes. You should start drinking early during your workout as it takes about 30 minutes for the fluid to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Once your workout has finished you should start drinking immediately. The sooner you start replacing the fluid you lost through sweat the sooner you will recover and cut the risk of post-workout dehydration. By drinking enough to cover the amount you lost, you will reduce the risk of a headache and nausea.
Nuun electrolyte tabs are a great thing to enhance your water. They are packed with electrolytes, replenish your body, have a light flavor, and clean ingredients. The Nuun tabs can be purchased at 5 Elements MMA and Fitness where we carry a variety of flavors. You can also find them at various other retailers.
I will have to say that the best strategy by far is to keep yourself hydrated throughout the entire day.
