Did you know you’re usually dehydrated? It’s generally been found that everyone who’s working out, even professional athletes, are usually not drinking enough water. Even if you’re just outside enjoying a nice day, and not working out, keep a water bottle on hand.
At KINETIC we want you to be fit and well in everything you do, and that starts with practicing good habits when it comes to hydration when working out, and in general. Many of the KINETIC fitness centers have filtered water dispensers or even bottled water ready for your consumption.
There is no substitute for good replenishment techniques for your body, so the KINETIC Team has thrown together some of our best practices. Keep these in mind when you’re working out (especially in warm weather) to stay on track with your fitness and wellness goals!
- Proper hydration techniques are vital for keeping your heart healthy. The better you’re hydrated, especially for those of you exercising outside, the easier it is for your heart to pump blood to your muscles, keeping them working efficiently. Many people who take their exercise outside in the spring and summer months don’t realize that heat stroke can be caused by dehydration, not just because you’re working out outside.
- Choose plain old fashioned water, rather than a sports drink. Between the calories, the sugar and the salt content, you’re not doing yourself any favors. If you’ve had an intense multi-hour workout (cycling, half-marathon, etc.) then yes, a sports drink is going to help you replenish the electrolytes and amino acids you’ve lost. However, for those of us who just go to the gym for 30-45 minutes, opting for these types of drinks could eventually lead to issues like kidney stones.
- You need to remember to take in more water than you lose. Think of it as the opposite of reducing your intake to lose weight. When it comes to hydration when working out in warm weather, you need to be drinking twice as many fluids as you’re losing. Yep, twice the amount.
- Aside from drinking water, there are several foods that you can use to help keep your body hydrated in the summer months. But did you know that even proteins like ground beef and chicken breast can help keep you hydrated? Fruits like grapefruit, pineapple, watermelon and grapes are also great options when you’re working out in the heat.
What are some of your favorite ways to stay hydrated during the warm weather months? Share your advice with us using the hashtag #SpringIntoAction. After you’ve shared your technique with us here at KINETIC, download the KINETIC App in the App Store or Google Play to get moving this month with KINETIC at your Irvine Company Office Property!