Water, Strength, & Muscle
July 11, 2022 | Words by Gabe Yanez
HYdration & Building Strength & Muscle
We all have different fitness goals, but no matter what it is we’re trying to achieve, proper hydration is key. Last week, we broke down why hydration matters for someone looking to burn off excess body fat. If you missed that write-up, you can check it out here.
For other people, their specific fitness goal might be to build lean muscle and increase strength. Well, proper hydration matters for that specific goal as well.
First of all, a hydrated cell is an anabolic cell. Without going into a full-on scientific dissertation, that simply means that in order for muscle growth to happen, you need to increase cell volume by ensuring that those cells are properly hydrated.
If you’re not consuming enough water before, during, and after your workouts during these hot summer months, you’re essentially sabotaging the gains you’re making from all that hard work.
Not only that, if you aren’t properly hydrated, your performance will also be hindered at the gym, which means you won’t be able to go as hard or as heavy, and that means less EFFORT and fewer results.
Yes, adequate protein and lifting weights matter when it comes to setting strength PRs and looking jacked in front of the mirror, but so does making sure you get enough water each and every day.
Electrolytes are also a big piece to consider when it comes to hydration and strength training, but more on that next week!
One Thing to Try This Week
It can be tough to stay on top of your hydration, especially during the summer when those hydration needs can be steeper.
Without looking like “that guy” at the gym carrying around a gallon of water, here’s a simple thing to try to help you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Start your day with 18-24 ounces of water first thing in the morning. That’s right, before coffee and your first scroll through Instagram, commit to finishing a big bottle of water at room temperature.
This will give you a head start towards meeting your hydration needs before the chaos of your day makes it difficult for you to stay on track.
