Hydration is key during sweaty summer workout sessions. Whether attending a sports summer camp, playing games with friends, or taking part in meets, races, or tournaments, athletes need to replenish those electrolytes lost when giving it your all. Staying hydrated is essential for staying on top when it comes to performance.
Sports drinks also often feature sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These along with carbohydrates boost energy, prevent dehydration and fatigue.
Here are some of the best sports drinks sold that are great for staying hydrated this summer.
Gatorade Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte
Gatorade is the most popular sports drink brand. More than just being popular by name, Gatorade products are designed to quench thirst and restore electrolytes. The company’s Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte option is our fan favorite for multiple reasons. It is packed with calcium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. But it’s the 490 milligrams of sodium that is its main selling point. Combined with its 14 grams of sugar, athletes can refuel and make sure all that sodium is lost from sweating while having the energy to finish a grueling summer workout.
This sports drink is affordable and comes in three different flavors. Some might find it to have a salty aftertaste, but the Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration Electrolyte drink does halve less sugar than other sports drinks. Plus there are no artificial sweeteners or flavors (although it does include artificial colorings).
Tailwind
Tailwind Nutrition is also a popular company for refueling and hydration. It offers a a few different products for athletes and active individuals including its Rapid Hydration, Endurance Fuel, and Recovery Mix.
We recommend the Rapid Hydration Mix for summer hydration. This product contains vitamin C, electrolytes ,and sugar to quickly replenish these during sweaty exercise sessions. It contains real cane sugar instead of artificial sweeteners. This is a powdered mix that is to be added to the hydrate. It mixes well and doesn’t have that salty aftertaste. There are great flavors like Strawberry Lemonade, but check out the variety pack to find your favorite.
Local Weather Premium Sports Drink
This new sports drink should be on youth athlete’s radar. Local Weather sports drinks feature natural hydration with non-GMO ingredients. It is super-powered with adaptogens and nootropics, which aid in maintaining healthy proteins for focus and performance. It has only 35 calories per bottle, with 6 grams of sugar using cane sugar. There are no food dyes, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. It’s a more natural way to hydrate with its coconut water and pink Himalayan sea salt.
Not only is Local Weather Sports Drink good for the body and mind, but it also is good for the planet. It’s sold in a resealable recyclable aluminum bottle, eliminating plastic.
Precision Hydration PH 500
Precision Hydration replenishes electrolytes for hot and humid summer workouts with its PH 500 sports drink. These are small tables designed to be dropped into 16 oz of water. The packaging is the perfect size that fits in a gym bag to always have a sports drink on hand.
PH 500 is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. NSF-certified for sport, its hypotonic formula helps to absorb water during exercise. It’s low in calories with only 15 calories per serving. It has 500mg of sodium per 32 oz, ideal for low to moderate sweaty workouts.
Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier
Liquid IV has one of the best sports nutrition options on the market. With a variety of favorites from watermelon to Popsicle Firecracker, these hydration sticks taste amazing. Simply pour a stick into 16 oz of water to enjoy the benefits.
The company’s formula features essential vitamins and electrolytes, featuring three times the electrolytes of leading sports drinks. These are easy to take on-the-go to the gym or to practice.
Prime X
Prime is a hit among athletes and students, and the company launched a new line called X that amps up the hydration benefits. With no sugar and just 25 calories, this is a low-cal sports drink option. It contains coconut water, BCAAs, B vitamins, antioxidants, and electrolytes. It’s caffeine-free and currently comes in two flavors.