Can Your Choice of Water Bottle Affect Your Workout?

Staying hydrated is essential to help maintain optimal body function. Making sure you drink enough fluid is more important when working out because your body temperature and heart rate increase, causing you to lose more fluid. Drinking water ensures you can replace any lost fluid. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of drinking water while working out and how to choose the right water bottle to take to the gym. 

Why is Hydration Important When Working Out?

As just mentioned, your body needs fluids to stay hydrated. Hydration is more important when you are engaged in intense physical activity, such as exercising or working out. Your body needs fluid to regulate its vital functions. 

For example, drinking water while working out helps your body to regulate its average temperature. When you exercise, your heart rate increases, and your body temperature rises. Your body cannot regulate heat when you are dehydrated, or your body's water level is below average.

A lack of hydration also makes your body feel more fatigued. As a result, you lose your ability to concentrate and focus, which can be very dangerous when working out at the gym. 

Proper hydration is also linked to your workout performance. Without enough hydration, you cannot deliver the utmost performance and won't achieve the benefits of your exercise routine. 

The simple solution is to drink more water when you exercise. It should be a top priority when you are physically active. You should increase the amount of water you drink if you aren't working out to cope with the fluids your body loses when you sweat.

Link Between Sweat and Hydration

Sweating is the body’s natural response to what's going on inside. When you workout or engage in intense physical activities, your body releases sweat to regulate its temperature. When sweat appears on your skin and evaporates, you lose essential fluid. 

Hydration is essential to replace any lost fluid and maintain normal body functions. It also prevents your body from overheating and maintains your performance levels. Therefore, if you feel yourself sweating, it’s a reminder to drink water. 

Is it possible to over-hydrate yourself? It's a valid question, but it rarely happens. In the next section, you will learn how much to drink during – and after – exercise. 

How Much to Drink During and After Exercising

Knowing how much water to drink while working out can be tricky. The general rule is to drink one and a half times the fluid you lose during a workout. Again, it can be challenging to determine precisely how much fluid you lose because you have no way of measuring it. 

The best way to determine how much hydration you need is to drink more as you sweat more. Of course, you don’t have to drink this in one go. Instead, try to drink as often as possible during and after exercise. You will continue to lose fluid as you sweat after exercising, so it is crucial to emphasize the need to stay hydrated even after your workout. 

Guide to Buying a Water Bottle for Workout

A reusable water bottle is among the must-have gym essentials. You already know the benefits of drinking enough water to replace lost fluid. This step is where you will learn how to choose the best water bottle to improve your workout and ensure you will stay hydrated. 

1. Size and Capacity

The size and capacity are two essential factors to consider when buying a water bottle for a workout. Determining how big or small your water bottle should depend on how much water you should consume during exercise. 

The drinking habits of each individual is different. It also pays to know how much you are sweating, as it indicates the amount of water you’re losing during exercise. Several water bottle sizes and capacities are available to ensure there is one that perfectly fits your hydration needs. 

2. Leak-Proof

You need a water bottle in the gym that can be as active as you. A leak-proof design is the best solution to avoid unwanted spills and messes, which can be dangerous in the gym. 

A leak-proof bottle won't spill or leak, no matter its position in your bag. Choose designs that have been tested to be leak-proof to give you peace of mind when carrying your bottle on the go. 

3. Materials

A reliable water bottle for the gym should be made of high-quality, durable materials. A stainless steel water bottle is an excellent example of such a material. Experts recommend stainless steel water bottles because they can withstand impact or accidental drops. You won’t have to worry about dents, scratches, or damage. With proper care and maintenance, they can last for many years because of their highly durable material.

Various materials are available for reusable water bottles, so you can choose whichever suits your preference and needs. Glass and metal water bottles are also available. To know about your other options, you should research their benefits and drawbacks. 

4. Shape and Design

The shape and design of the reusable water bottle are essential considerations if you take it to the gym. Ideally, it should have a handle so you can conveniently carry it around. But the choice of shape and design depends on the physical activity you like to do.

If you’re in the gym, a slim and straight body would be convenient to stay hydrated between sets. Curve bottles work best for runners, as they are easy to handle when running. 

5. Durability

The durability of the material is a top factor if you want water bottles to aid your workout. Your bottle can be subject to rough handling at the gym. It could suffer from accidental bumps and drops. A durable water bottle can sustain the impact without causing sustainable damage. 

6. Safety

Safety is a primary factor when choosing a water bottle for working out. Stainless steel water bottles have an edge over glass bottles since the latter are prone to breaking. Even if you accidentally drop a stainless steel bottle, it won’t shatter the way glass would. 

What’s the Best Water Bottle for Working Out?

Buying a reusable water bottle requires a commitment of your time and effort. Since they are essential for hydration, you should consider the above factors to pick the right bottle that suits your hydration requirements. However, stainless steel bottles are advantageous over other materials as they offer plenty of benefits for those who lead an active lifestyle.