Muscle & Fitness UK – July 2019

JULY 2019/MUSCLE & FITNESS 69

F E AT U R E

BY JASON SERAFINO

GETTY IMAGES

W

ater is one of the
foundational elements
that allow our bodies
to do more than simply
work—proper
hydration allows us to thrive.
It carries oxygen to our
cells, lubricates our
joints, keeps our organs
happy and healthy,
and helps fine-tune
our brains. Water
pretty much
helps with
everything, but
one thing many
people don’t realise is
how all of this helps with the
workout recovery process.
When you’re well hydrated at
the gym, more blood, oxygen, and
nutrients flow throughout your
body, feeding your muscles and
enhancing your workout pump
and strength. Of course, there’s
a flip side to this: Going into a
workout without being properly
hydrated can hamper your
performance and decrease your
strength levels, even when you’re
dehydrated by just 1.5 to 3%,
according to one study.
Replacing the water you lost
during a workout also wards
off excessive muscle fatigue
and soreness, which helps
you bounce back quicker. The
National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine
recommends 3.7 liters of water
a day for men and 2.7 liters for
women.

If you want to

avoid injuries,

feel stronger, and

recover faster, don’t

underestimate the

power of H2O.

WATER: THE SIMPLEST

WAY TO RECOVER