Finding the right sports drink that will actually hydrate you and provide electrolytes during recovery can be difficult with all the marketing out there. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what has too much sugar and won’t be as refreshing. You want to find something that’s going to give you the proper hydration, recovery and fluid balance. After vigorous exercise, you’ll need to have a drink handy.
To help you pick the best sports drink, I’ve combined my own knowledge with input from other fitness professionals. I analyzed over 50 ingredient lists to determine which sports drinks are best for particular goals and types of training. I’ve combined all of that research into this guide to help identify the best sports drinks for rapid hydration, endurance training, CrossFit, weight loss and an all-natural diet.
Sports drinks can be a healthy hydration alternative to water, if you know what you’re looking for.
In recent years, smaller beverage companies and startups have gained popularity with their sports drinks, which are often targeted at niche activities and different types of exercisers, like runners or CrossFit enthusiasts. Commercial sports drinks like Gatorade are still a popular pick, but there are lots of other options out there these days. Whether you’ve just had an intense exercise session at the gym or need to hydrate after sweating it out on the trail, we’ve found the best sports drinks that come in all flavors and forms to replenish electrolytes.
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Personal trainer and fitness studio owner Holly Roser says Nuun is the perfect sports drink for hydration and energy. “Made with just electrolytes and caffeine, these small tablets are easy to pop into your water and turn it into a fizzy drink,” she says, adding that they’re great for morning runs because of the caffeine content.
Nuun’s entire line of products promises to help you push through grueling workouts, but Nuun Endurance is specifically formulated to support you during a sweat session for 90 minutes or more. It’s widely used by marathoners, triathletes and other long-distance exercisers, professionally and recreationally.
Each tablet contains 15 grams of sugar, 380 milligrams of sodium and 200 milligrams of potassium, as well as chloride, magnesium and calcium. Together, these ingredients prevent cramps and keep your muscles moving for long workouts.
I used Nuun Endurance while training for long-distance races and it hasn’t let me down yet. I typically used it only for runs 8 miles or longer, but I’ve also popped a tablet when I felt I’d need an energy boost for a shorter run.