Three Reasons You Need to Stay Hydrated as a Bodybuilder.
Depending on dehydration practices that involve water restriction or increased sweating without replenishing an adequate amount of fluids is common for bodybuilders. This might help you look the best on stage, but your body is far from its best performance level.
The problem is dehydration prevents you from reaching your peak performance by starving your muscles. Water helps the body carry out metabolic processes to keep you moving and feeling your best during every workout.
Not convinced you should be drinking more water when you train? Below, we go in-depth with three reasons why staying hydrated is crucial to your success as a bodybuilder.
1. Properly Fuel Muscles
Lack of water intake will make it easier for you to sustain injuries while weight lifting and participating in other high-intensity workouts. You will also reduce your ability to complete as many repetitions because your body will be experiencing a higher rate of exertion than if you were properly hydrated.
The lack of power output your body can handle combined with early fatigue will force you to stick with a simpler workout regimen. Your recovery time will also increase, extending how long you need to take a break between exercises.
How you stay hydrated is important. Having a large enough water bottle that you don’t have to refill after a few sips will make it easier to properly track your water intake. Some athletes opt for eco-friendly custom aluminum water bottles to replace plastic bottles and lower their carbon footprint as well.
2. Counteract Fluid Loss From Your Environment
Thirst and sweating are not the only indicators of dehydration. High altitudes and hot climates will require you to intake more fluids to help your body self-regulate. Not only do you have to be mindful of your hydration levels while working out, but on your off days too. Waiting until you exercise to hydrate will be too late.
The lack of moisture in areas of increased elevation will force you to use the bathroom more often as the body evaporates what little moisture is available to maintain blood pH levels. To counteract this loss of fluid when stationary, you need to drink water more frequently and up the cups while exercising.
In hot or humid climates, it is easier to notice when your body is low on fluids. You will sweat more, draining the body of fluids more quickly. Your body temperature will also be higher, making it harder for your body to stay cool without enough fluids.
Colder climates, like high altitudes, don’t have enough moisture to keep the body hydrated.
3. Keep Your Digestive System Healthy
As a bodybuilder, you will be consuming increased amounts of food, supplements, and vitamins. Water is needed to metabolize what you eat to make sure nutrients are properly transported and processed.
Regular exercising promotes a high metabolism, with water aiding in the process. Water moves waste out of the body and makes fiber soluble, preventing constipation.
Drinking water half an hour before and after eating a meal is recommended to prevent diluting the hydrochloric acid in your stomach. Excess fluid in the stomach while eating will not only leave you feeling full but can cause gassiness and nausea. Any protein will not be digested because the hydrochloric acid will be too weak.
Bottom Line
Sweating out a few pounds before a competition to add some definition to your physique may sound like an easy solution. But the dangers of dehydration should be clear; it prevents your body from recovering and puts stress on every muscle and organ.
Keep these three tips in mind if you want your body not only to look strong but perform at its best.
