> **Healthylife** — Healthylife Pharmacy | Your online health destination > [Products](https://www.healthylife.com.au/browse) · [Health Hub](https://www.healthylife.com.au/learn) > > --- # Exercise and hydration | Ways to drink more water - life's better ## exercise and hydration Today’s topic is exercise and hydration - let’s dive in! ![exercise and hydration](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/cc28f611-2e11-4d78-a447-61d7f676ae9a/ID-Banner-Mobile-1.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ![exercise and hydration](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/9c7c41d4-d694-48a4-aab0-b0356bf40358/banner-test-2.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ## **From our expert** Have you ever wondered how much hydration you really need while exercising? Like all things nutrition, there’s no one size fits all but usually a guide to help you get there. Today we’ll explain the facts and share some easy tips that are right for you. Watch this short video from General Manager of Health and Nutrition, Sarah Gray, on what happens when we exercise and how to hydrate properly. ## did you know? You continue to lose fluid through urine and sweat, even after exercise so hydration is key! ![did you know?](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/e855014a-9339-4ebe-947c-acf7734d1052/WTE-water-PAGE2-Banner-Desktop-exercise%20and%20hydration.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ![did you know?](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/b643cf73-4afd-481a-8b9a-0d313d64a525/WTE-water-PAGE2-Banner-Desktop-exercise%20and%20hydration.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ![article](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/cedb95c5-ab9d-4b2c-a4ee-a28a60e24ac4/WTE-WATER-LG-CONTENT-PAGE%203-image%201.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ## **Do I need a sports drink?** For most of us, plain water is the real hero of hydration and indeed our exercise buddy! In some situations, though, and for elite athletes, sports drinks provide an extra benefit as they often contain [carbohydrates and electrolytes.](https://www.sportsdietitians.com.au/factsheets/fuelling-recovery/sports-drinks/) Sign up to [life’s good for the full list of hydration heroes](https://www.healthylife.com.au/programs/ways-to-eat/drink-water). ## **Time to put your scientist hat on!** Ever heard that drinks are [HYPOTONIC](https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/fch_cah_06_1/%20en/) or [HYPERTONIC](https://www.diabetes.co.uk/sports-drinks.html)? The term is not just for science-savvy people so here’s this science terminology explained! - Hypotonic means it contains the right balance of sodium, glucose and water in comparison to what’s inside your cells. So a drink that is hypotonic means [effective rehydration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34716905/) by allowing sodium, glucose and water to quickly move into your cells before being transported to the bloodstream. It also helps to replace the water lost by your cells through sweat!  - Hypertonic means it contains higher amounts of salts and sugar compared to your body cells. These drinks are more likely to provide fuel and water to your body, and [more for prolonged exercise.](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sports-drinks)  ![article](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/0f780260-a93c-414b-b790-f219211985fb/WTE-WATER-LG-CONTENT-PAGE%203-image%203.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ![article](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/d74d21b3-4b2a-4789-8349-cc8f9950d87d/WTE-WATER-LG-CONTENT-PAGE%203-image%202.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ## **What’s the best hydration for me?** The first step to drinking more water is understanding your body’s requirements. As you may have noticed, different intensities of exercise means that we need different amounts of water to replace what is lost, and to help keep your body cool. Not sure what your exercise intensity is and therefore hydration needs?  [Take this short quiz to find out!](https://l1nd2acfn6v.typeform.com/hydration-quiz "Hydration quiz") ![article](https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/3e01c88d-6d32-0086-9f07-7574b3104890/10d76463-40f9-49ae-95e3-4ae4ee6e8c47/continues.webp?quality=75&auto=format) ## Keep an eye on your inbox That’s all for today! Keep an eye on your inbox for a full summary of your journey to being a hydration master! This page is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health you should consult with a health professional. --- **About Healthylife**: Find everything you need for a healthy life: Shop over 15,000 curated health products, pharmacy, fact-checked health information, telehealth & health programs. **Useful links**: [Customer Support](https://www.healthylife.com.au/contact-us) · [Browse All](https://www.healthylife.com.au/browse)