How Much Water Should You Drink A Day?

How Much Water A Day

Another question I often get from my personal training clients is how much water they should be drinking a day?

• How do you know if you are drinking enough water?  If you start feeling thirsty, your body already has a lack of water.  Dehydration can be very serious, especially during exercise.  Many people do not even recognize that they are dehydrated during their workout contributing what they are feeling to a tough workout or hot temperatures.  But if the body loses too much fluid, you can feel tired, dizzy or nauseous which will hinder your performance and in severe cases can dangerously increase the heart rate.
• How much water should you drink?  The amount of water a person should drink varies based on many factors.  Most people have heard the rule of drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day which is an easy rule to remember but isn’t true for everyone.  The Institute of Medicine recommends 125 ounces of water a day for men and 91 ounces a day for women.  The amount of water a person drinks depends on their weight, activity level, the climate they live in and their health status.  For any activity or exercise that makes you sweat, you should consume one 8-ounce glass of water for each half hour of exercise.  It’s also important to make sure to drink water before and after a workout to help with recovery.  You will know your body is properly hydrated throughout the day if you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is colorless or pale yellow.

Since the body is made up of approximately 70 percent water, it is important to stay hydrated and replace any water you may lose during workouts.  For best results in a strength training or weight loss program, drinking water and staying properly hydrated will help you work to your maximum potential.

For more information on the amount of water you should be drinking a day, getting into better shape, weight training, or if you’ve been thinking about hiring a personal trainer, contact us.