The Importance of Hydration During Exercise

Hydration is the key to many things in life, and that includes exercise. Staying dehydrated can directly affect your workout performance and the results from them in several ways. Discover the importance of hydrating during exercise to find out why you should always have a water bottle handy.

Reduce the Chances of Injury

The biggest reason to stay hydrated during exercise is that it can reduce the chances of an injury. When the body is dehydrated, you are more prone to muscle cramps, soreness, overheating, and other kinds of injuries.

Increase Energy

Sometimes, motivation can be hard to come by, and the reason for that might be that you haven’t had enough water. Being hydrated also means that you will have plenty of energy before and during your workout, which will lead to better performance.

Better Muscle Function

Another reason you'll perform better during your exercise session is that your muscles will function better when you are hydrated. Water will essentially give your muscles oxygen and lubricate the joints so that you can break down muscles safely and recover quickly.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

Now that you know the importance of hydrating during exercise, you might be wondering how much water you should drink in a day. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men should drink around 15.5 cups a day, while women should aim for 11.5 cups. Hydration can play a large role in proper body function, based on the reasons listed above. If you aren’t already, make sure you have a water bottle with you during your exercise, and get plenty to drink throughout the day.

How To Tell If You Are Hydrated

There is one easy way to tell if you are hydrated enough, and that is by inspecting your urine. If you are well-hydrated, then your urine should be light or clear. Signs of dehydration also include bad breath and low skin elasticity—or if you’re just thirsty.

Precor elliptical trainers, treadmills, exercise bikes, and more have a place for your water bottle so that you can easily stay hydrated as you complete your cardio workout. Browse our wide selection of home exercise equipment online today!