Water really is the essence of all life. This clear, tasteless beverage does wonders for the human body. From keeping us hydrated on the inside to promoting vibrant, healthy skin on the outside, as long as there’s water around, it’s all good. Unfortunately, there are times when we tend to ignore our body’s signs that something is wrong. Dehydration is one such condition that, when left unchecked, can be deadly. Gym enthusiasts in particular will want to learn how to keep dehydration at bay and how water can help.

By definition, dehydration is what occurs when the human body loses more water than it takes in. Because the body is 75% water, it’s easy to see where extreme loss of fluid intake can be dangerous. While there are different causes that contribute to dehydration, it is important to note that sweat is among the most common factors that often go unnoticed by most people. Athletes and individuals that are physically active through regular exercise /working out at the gym, increase their odds of becoming dehydrated because of the excessive amount of sweat these types of activities produce.

Avid gym goers should make it a priority to do what they can to keep their chances of becoming dehydrated low, as well as learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of this condition. By practicing the necessary steps before, during and after each workout, anyone can prevent themselves from becoming a victim.

Although there are tons of vitamin water and energy drink products on the market, regular, cold water is still a gym goers’s best friend. This should be the primary drink of choice for each workout session. A common mistake made by many is not going into their workout properly hydrated to begin with. Just like sunscreen should be put on well before stepping outside in the sun, the same goes for drinking water before your workout. 5-10 minutes beforehand isn’t true hydration. For the best results, you’ll want to start drinking water a few hours before you plan on hitting the gym. This gives your body enough time to fully absorb the nutrients and other goodies it will ultimately need for the upcoming physical activity.

Now that you’ve started your workout right by being fully hydrated well in advance, you’ll still need to keep a bottle of cold water handy in the middle of your workout as well. It’s important that the water you drink during this time is cold because this will help cool down your body quicker and decrease the chances of becoming overheated. Guess what other action needs to be taken after your workout is done? That’s correct: drink more water! What many people don’t know is that the symptoms of dehydration tend to hang around for a while so even if you think you’re okay, after you’ve gone home, this condition can really rear its ugly head. Not only does drinking water once you’ve settled in at home after exercising prevent dehydration, it also reduces the chances of suffering from cramps as your body recovers from the workout.

If you think you may be suffering from dehydration, it is vital to seek medical assistance right away. One of the easiest symptoms that indicate possible dehydration is by looking at the color of your urine. The darker it is, the more dehydrated you are. If your urine is light in color or even clear, that’s a good sign that your water intake is healthy. Other notable symptoms to recognize that could point to dehydration include dry mouth, headache, muscle weakness and lethargy.

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