At this point, we all know how important it is to drink 3 to 4 litres of water every day. Water is a must-have for gym freaks like you. Staying hydrated is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your motivation on track.
There are people who drink gallons of water if they have nice, chic water bottles and cups. However, in the case of cute bottles, we should not fall into the trap of one-use plastic bottles, which are unhealthy for both us and the environment.
Choosing the best water bottle for your gym routine is as important as how many litres of water you are sipping daily. Let us guide you through how you can choose the best water bottle for your gym routine.
Key Takeaway:
- Losing 2.5% water weight drops your performance by 45%.
- Refuelling your body every 15 minutes while working out is important to keep you hydrated.
- Ice and cold water make your gym session enjoyable while keeping you hydrated.
How to choose the best water bottle for your gym routine?
Research says people know the importance of refueling their bodies while doing sports activities but lack the practice. Another research says dehydration can hinder your performance, and losing 2.5% water weight drops your performance by 45%. People who are 7% dehydrated can only walk 64 minutes, while properly refuelled and hydrated people can walk 140 minutes.
Now that we know the importance of hydrating and rehydrating, it is important to know how to choose the best water bottle for your gym routine. Let us unwrap it for you. Hang in there.
- Your Exercise Timing:
When are you going to exercise? Is it in the morning or afternoon or evening? Exercising during scorching heat demands more hydration than during early morning or evening. So, consider when you are going to exercise. Research says that consuming 3-4 hours before exercise, 30 minutes before exercise, and refuelling every 15 minutes are important for maintaining your electrolyte level. So look for water bottles that can make it easy during your mid-workout.
- Workout Intensity:
Your workout intensity plays a huge role when it comes to hydration. Every time we do HIIT or cardio, within 20 minutes, our eyes search for my precious water bottle. But it is the total opposite for yoga classes. We don't need much water when in Yoga class. So, if you are doing high-intensity training, you might need a large volume of water to refuel yourself. Make sure you are looking for a water bottle that holds more water and is easy to refill.
- Gym Environment:
Consider your Gym location. Are you training indoors or outdoors? What is the weather like? Studies say ice and cold water during gym sessions work wonders for your body. If your Gym temperature is hot or you are working out in hot weather, find insulated water bottles to keep your water cold. After all, sipping on a cold drink after a heated workout session has its satisfaction.
- Material Selection:
Regarding material, we should be very particular about avoiding plastic bottles. Although some say plastic materials are BPA-free, I avoid them like the plague. Choosing the pretty bottles is necessary, but consider if they align with your lifestyle and preference. Instead of plastic bottles, which also leave a disgusting aftertaste, opt for steel bottles. They are durable, and nowadays, many lightweight options on the market are also gym-friendly.
- Size matters:
We have already mentioned the perfect hydration strategy: drinking water 3 - 4 hours before a workout, 30 minutes before the workout, and every 15 minutes while working out. Choosing a water bottle that can hold water till you come back home is crucial. The rule of thumb is 1 litre. You can also refill it if you need extra water at your gym.
- Insulation:
The temperature of your gym affects your water. Non-insulated water bottles are usually affordable and won't maintain the water temperature. You can opt for double-walled insulation as it can keep your hot or cold water temperature for hours. You can take your cold or hot beverages with one insulated water bottle without worrying about it.
- Lid Type:
After a heavy, sweaty workout, battling with the water bottle lid is the last thing you want. So before buying your bottle, look for the ideal lid type that can be a breeze when opening with your sweaty hand. There is this flip-top water bottle; they are quick to open but often unsafe as it has high leakage potential. Straw lids are perfect for quick sips, but it is quitehard work to clean with the straw inside. And our usual screw-on lid, these are common lid types you can find in every other water bottle.
- Sustainability:
We all know how evil plastic water bottles are. So, we should opt for environmentally friendly options to keep our earth healthy and fit. Look for glass materials, copper, brass, steel, aluminium, or silicon-based water bottles. Nowadays, bottles are made with recycled materials and even bamboo. Opting for copper and bamboo water bottles is healthy and balances your hormones.
- Additional Consideration:
Other than the above major features, there are some other things you might want to consider. Does it suit your personality? Look for colours, designs, and styles that fit your ideas and preferences. Do you need straps in your water bottles? As straps will make it easy to carry. Consider your budget.
Conclusion:
Opting for chic, stylish, and sustainable water bottles is important in your gym bag. A perfect water bottle hydrates you and acts as your workout partner, which nudges you to take care of your health. So, choosing the best water bottle for your gym routine keeps you hydrated and motivates you to take extra steps and sips.