Electrolyte tablets/powders

madindehead · 2 Mar 2016 at 10:08

I asked about this in the road cycling forum and received some good info from Roady and FrenchTart, but I wanted to bring this into the general sport forum for some additional info.

I sweat a lot when I'm on my turbo trainer and when I'm out on the bike. Currently, I do an hour or so in the morning before work, and I sweat like crazy. And it's always quite salty. I don't need any carbs, as I eat a banana when I get off the bike, and I eat my breakfast when I get to work (porridge). I'm just generally feeling like I'm a bit fatigued and still quite thirsty later in the day despite drinking plenty water/green tea. I don't load my system full of coffee for example.

So I'm looking for some form of electrolyte replacement, without the carbs. I refuse to use something with sweeteners in it, so that rules out some products already.

I've found some products, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them. Also, as I going down the correct route here with needing the electrolytes?

What I've found:
Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes
MyProtein Electrolyte Powder
elete Electrolytes

Thanks for you help

Steedie · 2 Mar 2016 at 18:39

I use electrolyte powder from The Protein Works and it will be the same as the two you've posted.

Not really a product where you feel the benefits while taking it, but I'd still never not use it as like you, I sweat a lot. I normally put some in my water which I'll drink while working out, then I'll put some in my post workout shake. But that's the only times I'll use them

D.P. · 2 Mar 2016 at 21:53

I use Gu Roctane or powder, yes it has the sugars but I really do 't get. After a good run my blood sugar is super low and I need it, on top of my bowl of porridge or fruit smoothie. I also eat peanuts etc.

tom_nieto · 2 Mar 2016 at 23:20

1 litre of water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt. Anything else is just good marketing if you're simply after rehydration.

madindehead · 3 Mar 2016 at 08:16

tom_nieto said:
1 litre of water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt. Anything else is just good marketing if you're simply after rehydration.

My understanding is that you really need to be replacing magnesium and potassium too if you sweat a lot.

As for when ill be using it, it will just be during/after turbo sessions and on hot days when I don't need the sugar. If I need the fuel then Torq has me coveted as that contains carbs and electrolytes.

Steedie said:
I use electrolyte powder from The Protein Works and it will be the same as the two you've posted.

Not really a product where you feel the benefits while taking it, but I'd still never not use it as like you, I sweat a lot. I normally put some in my water which I'll drink while working out, then I'll put some in my post workout shake. But that's the only times I'll use them

Do you feel the benefits after? I guess that's the most important thing

Steedie · 3 Mar 2016 at 09:47

I don't ever feel the effects of dehydration or lack of electrolytes, so I guess it's working

FrenchTart · 3 Mar 2016 at 10:18

Further to tom_nieto's post if you use low-sodium salt it actually contains a lot more potassium so you can cover most of your bases there. That said, it's probably easier to simply buy a pre-made powder.

To be honest, if you're eating reasonable levels of food between your cycle in the morning and your one home it's unlikely that you're really that deficient in electrolytes.

tom_e · 3 Mar 2016 at 10:21

To be honest you use so little and it's so cheap when you just by the bulk powdered stuff it's worth getting at least then you've got all bases covered.

FrenchTart · 3 Mar 2016 at 10:24

Yeah, fair point. It's not going to break the bank or anything

madindehead · 3 Mar 2016 at 11:29

FrenchTart said:
Further to tom_nieto's post if you use low-sodium salt it actually contains a lot more potassium so you can cover most of your bases there. That said, it's probably easier to simply buy a pre-made powder.

To be honest, if you're eating reasonable levels of food between your cycle in the morning and your one home it's unlikely that you're really that deficient in electrolytes.

I eat reasonable food, but I've really noticed that I suffer during the day. I feel more thirsty and my legs have felt very fatigued. Even drinking reasonable amounts of water hasn't helped. In an hours worth of turboing, I was pouring in sweat which was pretty salty.

I actually lapsed yesterday and bought a Lucozade as I was feeling a bit meh. I think it did the job.

I guess there is no harm in trying it, I'll only be using it once or twice a day max. Probably during my turbo session, and then a bottle after.

FrenchTart · 3 Mar 2016 at 11:32

Ah..I forgot you are on the turbo. Yeah, I'd definitely definitely drink electrolytes after that. You'll still feel knackered but you sweat such a ridiculous amount on the turbo that you'll really benefit from them.

madindehead · 3 Mar 2016 at 11:42

FrenchTart said:
Ah..I forgot you are on the turbo. Yeah, I'd definitely definitely drink electrolytes after that. You'll still feel knackered but you sweat such a ridiculous amount on the turbo that you'll really benefit from them.

Indeed! Out on the road it's not as bad, I'd probably only suffer during the summer (it does get quite hot down here!).

madindehead · 3 Mar 2016 at 13:27

Thanks for all the info. I ordered some of the Protein Works powder. Since Steedie here has used it, and it clearly still alive!

FrenchTart · 3 Mar 2016 at 14:48

madindehead said:
Indeed! Out on the road it's not as bad, I'd probably only suffer during the summer (it does get quite hot down here!).

In the summer I often use electrolytes just for riding to work tbh - I overheat very easily