Staying hydrated while training

**Mr Clean** · Posted On: 1/17/2009 8:57pm

My instructor works us all to the point of exhaustion ... it's like attending boot camp 3 times a week. This is great, and it's what any good martial arts instructor should do.

But I'm always surprised how rarely he allows us to get water during our lessons. I happen to sweat a lot (I'm in good but not great shape), and about 30 minutes into our lesson I tend to start feeling light-headed. The odd thing is, if I ask for a water break, he just kind of rolls his eyes like I'm a weakling. I understand that he's probably just trying to toughen us up, but it's just so damn important for your body to stay hydrated while your muscles are going all-out. At least, that's what everything I've read online says. It allows your muscles to function properly, and if I do happen to sneak in a few gulps I feel 10 times better with way more energy and strength when I get back to the drills or sparring or whatever we happen to be doing.

Does anyone here understand his logic? Is there some purpose to not drinking water while working out? Does anyone else have an instructor who does the same thing?

**TheRuss** · Posted On: 1/17/2009 11:03pm

Perhaps you should have a talk with your instructor. Explain to him that you're dehydrating during class, and that it's impairing your training and putting your health at risk. Also explain that if he doesn't smarten up, you're going to beat his fucking head in with a tire iron.

PROTIP: To add extra heft to your rhetoric, have the tire iron in hand.

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Okay, I'm not actually advocating violence against the man, but if you do talk to him and he doesn't accomodate your needs, if I were in your shoes, I'd find a new school. If he's going to be this fucking wrong about water, who knows what else he's got totally wrong?

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 1/17/2009 11:16pm

I have trained at places like that. And it will get your body used to needing less water.

It's also unhealthy

Ask him if he wants someone collapsing and dealing with any legal issues.

There's no way I could do BJJ with out water I soak my gi every class.

**Sang** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 12:34am

Can your body really absorb that much water while you train for 30 minutes? I think if you are feeling de-hydrated 30 mins into a session then you clearly didn't stay hydrated during the day and particularly the few hours leading up to your session. Try always having a water bottle near you at work.

I sweat bucket loads since we train in a 30 degree Celsius gym under a bright light with high humidity but don't drink any water during the 1 hour classes.

**Mr Clean** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 12:41am

Originally Posted by Sang

Can your body really absorb that much water while you train for 30 minutes? I think if you are feeling de-hydrated 30 mins into a session then you clearly didn't stay hydrated during the day and particularly the few hours leading up to your session. Try always having a water bottle near you at work.

I sweat bucket loads since we train in a 30 degree Celsius gym under a bright light with high humidity but don't drink any water during the 1 hour classes.

I've actually been doing that recently; making sure I drink plenty of water throughout the day so that I'm ready to pop like a water balloon by the time I get to class. I've always been good about drinking water, but I've just been making more of a point about it lately. No change, though, I still feel dehydrated. Everything I've read says you need to replace the fluids you've lost while working out.

I'll talk to my instructor about it Monday and let you all know what he says. If he thinks I'm just whining, I'm going to consider switching schools because frankly it's just stupid not to allow us to drink water.

**Sang** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 12:57am

One water break in the hour should be sufficient for you to hit the right water intake amount (8 ounces per 30 mins), so if he gives this you should just harden up and concentrate on pre-session hydration more. If he's giving 0 water breaks you might be best to carry a water bottle onto the mat and drink when the pads/gloves change or when he stops the class to explain something... thats what a lot of people do in my gym.

**elipson** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 3:53pm

Find a good article online about hydrating during workouts, print it off, and pin it somewhere people will read it, in particular where the instructor will read it.

**Mr Clean** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 4:00pm

Originally Posted by elipson

Find a good article online about hydrating during workouts, print it off, and pin it somewhere people will read it, in particular where the instructor will read it.

That's a good idea, actually. Thanks.

**partyboy** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 4:04pm

I like the tire iron idea

**SunTzu** · Posted On: 1/18/2009 5:22pm

I've noticed that when people try to 'toughen you up', it usually involves doing something that involves increased risk of injury, decreased performace, and being counter-productive to whatever you're supposed to be toughening up for.