Do I need electrolytes after starting intense exercise classes?

[KurtCobainLover]

Do I need electrolytes? I’ve just joined a pretty hardcore gym where it’s small PT groups and am dying - I’m overweight and chronically unfit so this is all new to me. Having said that I’m really enjoying it.

One of the trainers this morning told me to be sure to have electrolytes as it was a hot day and I was dripping in sweat.

What do they do and do I need them?

They rehydrate you and replace sodium and (I think?) potassium and possibly other minerals. To be honest, I strongly doubt you’ll need them; you’ll probably be fine if you drink lots of water and eat normally. If you’ve ever had to have Dioralyte to avoid dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea, that’s electrolytes. Sports drinks also contain them.

For context - I used to do hardcore HIIT in summer and I sweat buckets, it pours off me when I exercise, but I never needed electrolytes.

I doubt it if you drink enough water.
Is this the kind of exercise you want to be doing if your cardio fitness is limited? Personally I hate those intense hiit style classes and find them horrible and punishing. I workout but not like that 😫

I like them but I probably don’t need them.

Thanks everyone.

@RoseField1 I’m taking the ‘it can only get better’ approach and the trainers have been great at giving me stuff to do at my level. This morning we did runs that increased in length with cardio machines in between and everyone else built up to 1k but I stuck to 200m which was plenty for me! I find it quite inspiring to be around such fit and healthy people and there was one other lady my size in the class which reassured me.

If your PT has suggested them why not give them a go? They come in a tube and you just dissolve in water. I had some last year at a week long sports competition where it was v hot and we sweated a lot.

I live in the Caribbean and never used to take them unless I did long runs.
The only reason I take them regularly now is because I take creatine and electrolytes help with absorption.
i wouldn’t have thought you would need electrolytes if you’re eating fairly soon after your workouts.