Sports Drinks
 Whenever you go to the gym you see them – hundreds of people chugging away on sports drinks. Quite possibly you do it yourself. But there's an important question to answer – do you need them?
There's no doubt that sports drinks have been a huge growth market the past few years, with enormous profits to be made. At times it seems that there's no place for poor old water.
But one thing is worth remembering – most sports drinks are loaded with calories. Now when you consider that at any one time, probably half the people working out in your local health club are actively trying to lose weight, it makes you wonder whether they really need those attractively packaged bottles.
Not all sports drinks are the same – the main types are isotonic sports drinks, such as Lucozade Sport, and protein drinks. Isotonic drinks provide fluid, energy and electrolyte replenishment – the elements lost when we sweat. Protein drinks are used by bodybuilders and other athletes who feel they need extra protein to maintain or increase lean muscle.
For most people, the number one choice for hydration should be water. It hydrates better than any other liquid, before, during and after exercise. It is also less expensive and more easily available.
To maintain hydration, you need to drink 4-6 ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes of exercise. Some people prefer the taste of water over other drinks, while others find it bland and stop drinking water before becoming fully hydrated. Water is the best, but only if you drink it. If you won't drink it, then a flavored alternative may be better.
Ultimately it depends upon your workouts and your training goals. For workouts less than 45 minutes, there is no need for anything other than water. However, if you perform continuous aerobic training for more than 60 minutes, drinking an isotonic drink every 15 minutes is advisable.
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