Best drinks/supplements for cardio

Footyslayer

Footyslayer

Footyslayer

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So recently I have been getting back into going to the gym.

Mainly cardio as I play football and want to lose about a stone too. I go about 3-4 times a week and do a little bit of weights and ab work just to get tomed. I'm not into being a big muscle bound guy, just tomed really.

What is the best sort of pre-gym drink and then after-gym drink?

All recommendations welcome :)
 
Let me explain better...

Mainly cardio for fitness and weight loss. A couple of times a week I will be doing some weights and ab work. I want to get toned, a little bigger wouldn't be a bad thing mind. I want a 6 pack and a good chest, arms are decent already but could be improved a little so some weight work twice a week really.

For the cardio though do drinks like lucozade really do anything? The gym offers unlimited Yanga water for £4 a month but I know nothing of this brand.

http://www.yangasportswater.com/en/home
 
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YANGA WATER! lol.

Sorry, read Steedies thread I linked to.

No magic supplements will do anything for the gym. What are you expecting them to do for the gym? If it's more energy, then drink a coffee before the gym. You also want to do a proper routine, with progression.

Also get rid of working abs, it won't do anything for you or give you a magic set of abs. At least certianly not a whole day of abs.
 
uv said:
A single 500ml bottle of Lucozade Orange has 63g sugar in it. If you want to lose a stone, don't touch the stuff.
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Very much this. Think of it this way: as soon as you spike your insulin with sugar, you shut down the process of burning fat.

The fact that these companies have convinced the public that their products increase performance is a real shame. They really don't. Proper nutrition the day before exercise has the biggest impact. In fact, you could perform exercise fasted and probably perform better than if you stuffed it with sugars right before (provided that your body isn't over reliant on carbs, in which case your performance is probably compromised anyway...).

What supplements do you need for cardio? Water, and probably electrolytes.

What about for recovery? Depends on what you're doing and what you plan on doing the next day. A meal will be sufficient most of the time.
 
Electrolytes are essential for hydration, which is essential for performance and will help with recovery.

If you don't care about the performance you might not need to worry about it, but it's a good idea to keep on top of proper hydration.
 
SkodaMart said:
I've done 1000's of non competitive miles on a road bike with just water, is that necessary?
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I'm a sweaty git so keeping up my salts is important, especically with the diet I am following too as it it's low in sodium and other salts.

I take an electrolyte tablet (from MyProtein) after a workout but drink that drink on rides.
 
Shamrock said:
So people like a bit of flavour.
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I do usually, but during vigorous exercise, I like water the best.

Guess the days of bananas, malt loaf and water are over then?

The beauty of cycling is you eat small snacks without a problem, running is totally different and I can't eat at all.
 
I use fig rolls and/or jelly babies if I'm on a longish ride with emergency gels for last resort bonk prevention.

During winter I like to get some carbs from energy drinks as drinking is easier than chewing when it's mega cold.

Not sure any of this helps the OP though.
 
Thanks for all the replies...

I purchased a water filter today, It was £10 instore mind.

http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webs...sna1-_-asdacom-dsk-_-hp#/product/910000485054

Also regarding the High5 effervescent tablets, I had something similar. They were SIS tablets but the same, I found these really good pre-football.

http://www.scienceinsport.com/sis-products/sis-all-products/sis-go-hydro-20-tablets-single/

I did 3.5 miles earler on the treadmill and 8.5 on an excercise bike. The purified water kept me hydrated well, I was just wondering what would be good for recovery at this point?
 
Footyslayer said:
Thanks for all the replies...

I purchased a water filter today, It was £10 instore mind.

http://groceries.asda.com/asda-webs...sna1-_-asdacom-dsk-_-hp#/product/910000485054

Also regarding the High5 effervescent tablets, I had something similar. They were SIS tablets but the same, I found these really good pre-football.

http://www.scienceinsport.com/sis-products/sis-all-products/sis-go-hydro-20-tablets-single/

I did 3.5 miles earler on the treadmill and 8.5 on an excercise bike. The purified water kept me hydrated well, I was just wondering what would be good for recovery at this point?
Click to expand...

Your main goal is to lose weight, right?

I doubt you need a 'recovery drink' after that workout. Workout your calorie intake over a day and tune it to suit your calorie loss.

If your unsure how to do this, look at Steedies threads he explains it very well.

If you feel hungry after a workout, save a meal for this.

Can't see any reason to purify water, unless your area has really hard water and tastes like crap...
 
Same with the electrolyte tablet here, i always have one bottle with one in whilst cycling, below 50 miles i dont really notice a difference, but when going over 50 miles i think for me it makes a difference.
 
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