Did you know that hydration and Pilates need to go hand in hand in order to help with muscle recovery? Well, now you know!
Good hydration means you are giving yourself the opportunity to get the most out of your class and your body. It keeps your brain alert and your energy levels high. Let’s have a look at why.
Why Are Hydration and Pilates Important To Each Other
Our bodies are approximately 60% water so it would seem to be common sense that drinking water is key to maintaining a healthy body. But what do our bodies use the water for?
Building and stabilising our internal systems demands water. It’s essential for processes like the growth of our cells, enabling sweating to reduce our body’s temperature and flushing out waste through urination among other things! Water consumption is a core requirement of our bodies, similar to our need for sleep.
Even mild dehydration can cause your body to move less optimally. And in Pilates, even those slight changes can create instability.
How Much Is Enough Water?
Here in the UK, the NHS advice on drinking water is 6-8 glasses a day. How much is a glass I hear you say? We can work on the theory that 1 glass equals approximately 8 oz/240ml.
This means that the average person’s daily water intake should be around 1.8-2.3 litres. Note that these amounts are for healthy, fairly sedentary adults in a mild and temperate climate. The more active you are, the higher your hydration needs. And the same goes for the weather – the hotter the temperature, the more water you need to drink.
Can you consume other fluids rather than water? Research suggests that for hydration purposes, most fluids will do the same job. However, water will always be preferred for health reasons, due to most alternatives containing sugar, caffeine or more calories.
Image ref: Only My Health
Is It Possible to Drink Too Much Water?
Yes, but it’s not usually an issue for healthy individuals. Hyponatremia happens when the excess water causes your sodium levels to drop and makes you feel rotten – throbbing headaches, nausea and vomiting. But it’s rare. And we’re talking about vast quantities of water over and above the guidelines.
Barriers To Drinking Enough Water
One of the most common complaints I hear from people who struggle to drink water is that they don’t like the taste. And I completely understand! Especially where people live in hard water areas, in older buildings, or with shared pipes.
If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime, or perhaps you could try sparkling water. Sometimes drinking water from a water softener helps to take the edge off the taste too.
Should I Drink Water During My Pilates Class?
I always encourage my students to make sure they have a bottle of water to hand during classes. Especially in the warmer weather. Staying hydrated helps your body to react well to the exercises and movements. You’re always welcome to stop for a sip in my class!
The average person’s daily water intake should be around 1.8-2.3 litres.
What’s the Best Water Bottle?
The simple answer is whatever bottle you prefer! It’s completely your choice and is likely to be determined by several criteria such as:
- price
- eco-credentials
- when you’ll use it
- what activity you’ll be taking it to
- age
If it’s for your child, you may want to choose a plastic flip-top bottle with a built-in straw. To make sure you’re drinking water in your Pilates class, you may want to opt for a glass bottle with a screw-top lid, as you won’t be moving it around during the class.
My Top Tips
As I’ve just shown you, hydration and Pilates go together. The best thing you can do to make sure you are well hydrated for your Pilates classes is to drink water regularly. Make it part of your daily routine. Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. Set up a habit tracker to keep a check on your drinking.
I’d love to hear about your techniques for making sure you stay hydrated! Drop me an email to hello@pawprintspilatescake.co.uk and I’ll try them out.
