Hydration tablets

[40andlovelife]

Does anyone use these and how have you found them? Have they benefited your exercise and fitness journey? A few people at my classes use them so I was just wondering

Do you mean electrolytes? Yes for classes that are high intensity they help electrolyte balance and prevent fatigue/hitting a wall. I use them in spin classes, long bike rides, heavy lifting. Best to avoid those with aspartame and sucralose and look for natural sweeteners. I don't think I found one without sucralose yet though!

I sweat even in winter! My cardiologist was adamant that l use electrolytes.

I use high 5 zero tropical flavour

Yes, I've been using them for the past decade. I started with Nuun but now I use High 5 (especially the ones with caffeine for a 6am workout!) as they're quite a bit cheaper.

I've just ordered some - how do you have them? Before or during exercise??

I personally drink during but l know others who top up the day before and don't consume anything whilst exercising

Not specifically for exercise but I use electrolyte tablets or powders when I’m doing particular ‘activity’

I had a hard time many years ago running an event in July, extra embarrassing as I brought in crates of water and nagged everyone else to keep drinking, but failed to stop for myself

I started with SiS, but mostly use High5
When doing ‘proper’ sports, depending on the type of activity, you should use a selection with something in advance, during and after - to prepare yourself with energy, keep going and then recover your muscles etc

All the sports drinks brands have their ranges and some sell sets for a specific sport.
I keep my eye out for the deals.

If you’re preparing then powders are good, either in premeasured packets or tubs if you’re serious.
The tabs are most convenient though - I’ll put one or one and a half tabs into a small water bottle or up to two in a drinks container

If very mobile then there are gel shots too which you down in one rather than adding to water

High5 do good packs by sport, and I’ve used the cycling and running packs which each come with a different mix of the different types.
(A thing to keep an eye out for is that some sets have caffeine among them for a boost - so don’t be downing too many of them in one go)

Any electrolytes tabs mess with my tummy terribly.

Instead on long cycles I take salty snacks like peanuts, pork scratchings, a banana and maybe some haribo.

Works a treat.

Note that a good tip is to nose around the back of Halfords, as they have a bike section they sometimes over stock on High5 cycling sets and put on a sale price
Lidls have sometimes had them too

Is it possible to take too many? I sweat horribly during exercise, at night, and at random moments, and get a lot of cramp, so I've been having quite a few SiS. How do you know if you are overdoing it?

Supposedly - yes. You can have too much, but I’m told that you would be in the toilet more often before it gets to a problem (other than expensive wee)

But do make sure to get a more conclusive answer from someone who can talk with authority

Thank you tommika.
Lol at expensive wee.

I use them for long bike rides or if going for a run in hot weather. They are probably overkill for any mid intensity or duration exercise under normal conditions.

If you have too many you feel a bit sick basically. I only drink them once I am actually starting sweating. I find them pretty essential in summer with high intensity exercise.

@Random789 FWIW I think your cramps may more likely be low magnesium. I definitely cramped in exercise when I was low. I take magnesium glycinate every day, it definitely helps.

Butting into this thread to ask if anyone can recommend rehydration tablets which don't contain artificial sweeteners which also taste good.
Most artificial sweeteners play havoc with my stomach but I get terrible headaches when doing a lot of exercise or even just outside all day in the heat no matter how much I drink.

I use the high5 ones for long runs because I sweat a lot. I've never had cramp so i'm scared to stop using them.
They're also pretty good when you've got a hangover

I’ve used them the odd time in the past for bike rides over an hour in hot weather, but never consistently; however I’m now training for a half marathon so am doing some long
and/or hard runs and I sweat a lot when running even when it’s not super hot. I was out for 1h 15 last night and accidentally tasted my sweat when I got in and it was very very salty so I think I do need some electrolytes.

I try to take 500ml (so a bike bottle’s worth) after a run, and will do the same before a particularly long or hard session - so yesterday I had a bottle with electrolytes at work, plus the usual water and cups of tea, and then after my run I had a protein shake and another 500ml of electrolytes.

I think I read somewhere to try not to have more than 3 tabs in a day? Apparently it’s the binding agent that can make you feel sick so could be better to use a more concentrated tablet (I believe the Nuun ones are more concentrated than others although I use SIS) or powder, which would eliminate the issue.

I reckon it’d be worth a go before or after a sweaty exercise class as that must make you lose as much water/ salt as what I’m doing probably, although I understand some people’s sweat is saltier than others!

No need to strike through

It’s surprising how much better your body feels when adequately hydrated, and when assisted by electrolytes etc

I used to suffer from long weekends away, and put that down to age.
But simply taking a bit of care in preparation and the aches (mostly) vanished
Hangovers are also mostly a thing of the past

Water, pinch of sea salt, fresh lemon juice - natural electrolytes with no nasties

I find them hard to take so I have half a tablet in my water bottle (SIS one), not a full one. Tastes nicer too. Interested to try Nuun. Also natural is a good idea.

Possibly LMNT but they are ££ for natural.

From LMNT website

https://science.drinklmnt.com/electrolytes/best-homemade-electrolyte-drink-for-dehydration/

They actually give you the recipe for it.