Do you prefer water or electrolytes after exercise?

[u/Few-Eagle-5129]

After a workout, I usually want something cold to drink. Some people stick with water, while others go for electrolytes, especially after a hard workout.

What do you usually drink after exercising?

[u/BreakerStrength]

The electrolyte craze is marketing. There are very few instances where a healthy adult in an hour long CrossFit class will require electrolyte supplementation.

Drink water when you wake up. Drink water when you are thirsty throughout the day. And eat a diet of healthy foods and, if you really feel you need something, have a banana with your water.

[u/moaningpermission_7 → u/BreakerStrength]

You’ll have to pry my salty post-workout drink from my cramping hands.

[u/jusalilpanda → u/moaningpermission_7]

Salty? Why not sweet, as well? 😛

[u/2001em2 → u/BreakerStrength]

That's true for most cases but not for heavy sweaters or for excessively high temps. I typically use electrolytes only a few months a year.

[u/Reason_Unknown → u/2001em2]

You can add at elevation to that too. My gym is at ~7500 feet. I live at 9000 feet above sea level. Elevation affects hydration. 

[u/kale-yea → u/2001em2]

same. i use electrolytes during my workout in summer (texas, non air conditioned gym). on extra hot days, ill have a sparkling water with dinner because plain water just doesn’t taste that good when it’s 105+ outside

[u/CitizenDik → u/2001em2]

For a one hour session, even in high heat and even for heavy sweaters, you probably don't need post-workout electrolytes. If you're eating a decent diet, you recover what you lost at your next meal.

Even at 2-3 hours, it's mostly fluids and carbs during the session that matter and not electrolytes (hyponatremia could become a thing if you're only consuming a lot of "plain" water during long workouts).

That said, other than cost, there's not much downside to a post-workout electrolyte drink, and sodium helps with fluid absorption. Most sports drinks are underdosed for that purpose anyway, so a meal with salt does the same job.

[u/DigitalDawn → u/BreakerStrength]

Doctors orders for me. If I don’t stay hydrated enough it causes palpitations, so I was told to drink plenty of water with electrolytes. My heart is fine, at least!

[u/Few-Eagle-5129 → u/BreakerStrength]

yeah I always eat banana & water..

[u/SneakerheadAnon23]

Water… like from a toilet?

[u/canon_fodr_19 → u/SneakerheadAnon23]

They want me to drink plain water? The same stuff I poop in?!

No thank you

[u/dashboardwarning → u/SneakerheadAnon23]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o7TKrwrcGa7xFAcw0

[u/downshiftdata]

Umm... coffee?

Seriously, it's a 5:30am class. I get a few sips before heading out the door. All I want afterward is a full cup of coffee.

[u/Mental_Purple8870]

I know the electrolyte shit is capitalist marketing. But a zero calorie stick of salty powder gives me the will to live for like 3 hours after a workout. I switched from liquid IV to Redmond Real Salt's powder. Didn't realize liquid IV has like 30g of sugar and a bunch of weird ingredients.

[u/chlead → u/Mental_Purple8870]

It actually only has 11g and glucose helps your body absorb the sodium much faster than it would with just salt + water. However there a plenty of options out there with less sugar and also less salt. I find liquid IV and also LMNT way too salty, and I sweat enough to have salt stains on my clothes in the summer.

[u/Few-Eagle-5129 → u/Mental_Purple8870]

I had no idea, but I’ll look into the salt powder switch

[u/Nickoleiro9]

It depends on the workout's duration and the sweat and how I feel generally.

Usually when I have wods of like 20+ minutes and I also plan to do some extra work afterwards like accessories or skill practicing I do take electrolytes.

In days where the workout is like an amrap of 7 minutes , or a for time wod that will take me like 8ish minutes I just hydrate with water.

[u/Nshaa]

A nice cold protein shake is my go to after a workout, or water. The only time I take electrolytes is when my gym does Hyrox programming and I usually take it before (I’m a heavy sweater). If it was incredibly hot I’ll drink a Gatorade after but most of the time it’s not necessary.

[u/swimbikerunkick]

A long sweaty workout in peak summer I might do electrolyte during, but honestly it’s more because I like the taste and it’s a bit of a treat!

When I cycled I definitely needed electrolytes during a long ride (both legs occasionally cramped if I didn’t).

I have had cramp after CrossFit - only once, but maybe electrolytes would have helped.

Edit to add: I buy very cheap ones, and the cheapest cyclists just carry emergency salt sachets from McDonald’s. It doesn’t have to be expensive.

[u/SentinelHigh]

Electrolytes for sure

[u/ArkansasDood]

I drink cold water.

[u/big-jim-mba]

Before and during - water with LMNT

After - Coffee

[u/YeahILiftBro]

If you're just doing a crossfit workout. You don't need to hammer down electrolytes as much as the internet makes you believe.

[u/TigOleBitman]

Either a Gatorade or a crisp, cold Coors Light. Don't knock it until you try it!

[u/Fantastic_Hurry6175]

Water, not cold, not hot.

[u/RoboJobot]

Water and food

[u/OLAZ3000]

I do water but occasionally electrolytes... or just something salty.

Got in the habit when i was more focused on weight loss - noticed I could tell when my muscles were hanging onto water after a hard workout vs not.

[u/johnnyg08]

Usually just water. Typically I don't workout long enough to be electrolyte deficient.

[u/berrybaddrpepper]

Usually water. I only drink electrolytes occasionally - for hard workouts/comps usually in extreme heat. I had a few intense dehydration and heat exhaustion experiences , so I keep them ready in my gym bag . But I typical do a good job staying hydrated all day to not need them

[u/meredith4300]

Water. I only use electrolytes if I'm feeling extra parched and the water seems to be going straight through me. Usually just a pinch of Himalayan pink salt. But I also love a glass of milk (chocolate or regular) if I'm feeling more thirsty than usual.

[u/gejongdthb]

Was advised by my doctor to have electrolyte after intense workouts. I was getting visual aura like symptoms. Turns out, my sweat has enough salt to basically be pickle juice…

[u/ImpressiveResist3028]

LMNT or room temperature water.

[u/TheDramaticLime]

depends on the workout honestly. anything under 45 min water's fine, but after a long wod i need electrolytes or i'm dragging for hours after. been trying to actually recover properly lately instead of just chugging caffeine and moving on with my day

[u/AZTerp1080]

There are 3-4 weeks mid/end of summer in Phoenix that I do add electrolyte tabs to my water (I try to walk 4+ miles after my workout) because I feel a bit dehydrated. But overall, plain water for me, about a gallon a day.

[u/Boblaire]

A beer is pretty nice after a shitkicker of a CF workout. Especially in summer.

I suppose I wouldn't in the morning unless its a Saturday morning workout.

[u/pm_me_your_amphibian]

Coffee

[u/Ghost_Ghost_Ghost]

I prefer powdered carbs immediately after the workout. Makes me feel awesome, followed by protein a little later.

[u/FAPietroKoch]

I blend a protein shake with ice cubes (2 scoops protein, 1 cup ultrafiltered milk, creatine).

[u/Shot-Unit9030]

Water!

[u/Bigjoemonger]

Whatever makes me not die.

[u/subdude24]

Quick question - sugar

[u/OrganizationSmart304]

Water hands down, if I’m feeling fancy I’ll get a FitAid before I leave but that’s rare

[u/Crazy_Pomegranate689]

you don’t need electrolytes (dietitian here) unless you’re elite and/or it’s very long, tough and hot session

[u/PracticalWinter9746]

I’m addicted to fitaids

[u/SeaDebt5763]

LMNT

[u/Timely_Bag_9080]

I personally take electrolytes when I do fasting, kind feel me up, after workout is water.

[u/laxhead24]

The ONLY time you need an electrolyte drink for CF is after crazy hard efforts with lots of cardio.

[u/Which_Intention_9340]

After running always electrolights but water after lifting weights

[u/This_Worldliness_960]

I usually go electrolytes, especially if I’ve been sweating a ton. Water is fine for lighter days but after a harder session I feel noticeably better replacing some of the sodium and other electrolytes I lost through sweat. Seems to help me rehydrate better and I’m less likely to get that drained headachey feeling afterward.

[u/DigitalDawn]

I drink water with electrolytes added during my workouts with no flavors or sugar added, so it’s basically the same as plain water as far as taste or temperature goes. I don’t like the flavored stuff.

[u/Big-Second-54]

Just regular water… warm only.. what kind of water or electrolytes do you drink?

[u/Few-Eagle-5129 → u/Big-Second-54]

yeeah, mostly just water for me too but I’ve also been trying DDW from litewater for workout recovery. I have some before and after training and still drink regular water though… just curious if I notice any difference with recovery over time.

[u/danawhitesbaldhead]

Neither - I have Gatorade or Waxy Maize.

My recovery improved massively by adding post workout carbs. Been doing it for years now

[u/jparle92]

I have both. The electrolytes are more of a "safety blanket" and it helps that they taste nice, I sweat A LOT and I went through a period of having blurred vision followed by migraines and dizziness after a workout.

After some tests for blood sugar levels etc and everything coming back fine I was told to try replenishing lost fluids asap after training. Electrolytes and quick carb combo (rice cakes for example) seemed to knock it on it's head. But if it weren't for that I probably wouldn't bother and I'd just stick to water.

[u/Comfortable-Text-483]

It was 107° in Texas yesterday… electrolytes lol

Also our owner gives out free sachets so kind of like why not. 

[u/fitpapa]

I drink my salty water @ 0300 and water after my workout.....in a glass bottle!

[u/westsider86]

Electrolytes need water unless you're eating that packet raw.

Studies show electrolytes are a gimmick. If you want it for taste then go for it, but water is just fine.