Mild dehydration is one of the most common — and most fixable — causes of poor training sessions, afternoon slumps and headaches. But proper hydration is about more than water alone.
Why electrolytes matter
When you sweat, you lose sodium, potassium and magnesium alongside fluid. Replace the water but not the minerals and you can still feel flat, crampy and foggy. Electrolyte products restore that balance and help the fluid you drink actually stay in your system.
Choosing a format
Powders like Applied Nutrition's Hydration+ (electrolytes plus vitamins) or Naughty Boy's Hydration formula give you the best value per serving for daily use.
Tablets — such as Applied Nutrition's Bodyfuel Effervescent Tablets or their Endurance Hydration Tabs — dissolve in any water bottle and are ideal for travel and race day.
Sticks like Bodyfuel Hydration Sticks are single-serve sachets you can throw in a gym bag or suitcase.
Ready to drink — Applied Nutrition's Na11 Hydration Cans and Bodyfuel Electrolyte & Vitamin Water need zero preparation.
Something extra for endurance
For long sessions, BioTechUSA's Carbox pairs carbohydrates with fluids for sustained energy, while their Amino Energy Zero + Electrolytes combines aminos with minerals for training days. Aquamin, also from BioTechUSA, uses marine-sourced minerals including calcium.
Simple daily habits
- Start the day with a large glass of water
- Drink to thirst, and a little beyond it around training
- Use an electrolyte serving on heavy-sweat days, in hot weather or during long endurance work
- Pale-yellow urine is a reasonable everyday gauge
Browse the full Hydration collection for every format.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.