Water before and after a long jog or bike ride is important for keeping the body from overheating. What about during?

Many people exercise to lose extra pounds. However, weight isn’t the only thing you’ll be shedding during your workout; you’re losing water, too.

While keeping hydrated may not seem as important as completing the required bench presses or running your target distance, without sufficient water in your body, you won’t be able to do these things very well. Why is hydration so important?

Controls Body Temperature

If you own a car, you also know that excess heat will cause its engine to lock up. Fail to keep hydrated during your exercise and the very same thing can happen to you. You may experience problems like cramps, exhaustion and even seizures, so don’t forget to drink up.

Nutrient Transport

The blood is the conduit through which nutrients are transported. If you’re dehydrated, your overall blood volume is reduced and your body will have a harder time getting the nutrients it needs, thus affecting your performance.

However, the warmer temperatures and beauty of nature might distract people enough to forget about proper hydration. Staying properly hydrated is important, as dehydration can lead to poor performance, or even medical emergencies. That said, here are a few tips to help you stay hydrated during a workout:

Pre-Workout Drink

Before a workout, you should drink at least 14-20 ounces of water. This ensures that your body is properly hydrated at the start of a workout and reduces the amount of heat your body generates, allowing you to go further for a longer period of time.

No Alcohol

Alcohol should not be consumed the night before an intense workout. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it is a substance that causes the body to expel more water than normal via urination.

Bring Water

A lot of people love to spend time outdoors. Regardless if it’s lazing on the beach to enjoy the sunny weather, going out for a hike on the mountains to enjoy nature, or skiing down winter slopes to get a rush, there are just so many ways to explore the outdoors.

Due to advancements in technology, the outdoor experience has also been enhanced. People can bring their music with them as they go on their outdoor adventures, take photos with portable gadgets, and also better ensure their safety using different devices.

Mobile gadgets have become a part of many people’s everyday lives, so it’s only natural that people bring them during outdoor activities. Because of this, it has become necessary to have an easy and convenient way to carry gadgets; but they have to be protected adequately from the different outdoor elements.

Developed by those who love spending their time doing outdoor activities, packs and containers that can keep and protect gadgets in the outdoors have been developed. Most of these packs are waterproof and durable, but also lightweight.

Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking does not only give you the opportunity to enjoy the Great Outdoors, it also gives you a chance to stay fit and healthy. However, being in an ideal physical condition doesn't mean you are invincible. To maintain a good energy level, you'll need a steady supply of water.

You can always take a water jug or a sports bottle with you when you hike or cycle in the mountains, but the weight of a jug or bottle can slow you down, not to mention consume your time as you have to retrieve the item from your backpack. Meanwhile, a hydration pack can quench your thirst and all you have to do is drink the water from a built-in tube.

These hydration packs, though, come in numerous types, including those which have pockets for your trusty cell phones and iPods. Most hydration packs are made of durable plastic materials. In addition, there are some that don't only stand up well to the elements but also keep your water at an ambient temperature—not too hot and not too cold.

For a marathon runner, cyclist, and outdoor adventure enthusiast, handheld water bottles can be a hassle. On the other hand, hydration packs work like a charm in terms of fluid capacity, design, and convenience. You will be able to conveniently store, easily grab, and refill your liquid, with plenty of room for your other necessities.

People who are always on the go, particularly outdoor sports persons, need constant liquid replenishment. An athlete, or even an average runner, must stay hydrated to maintain optimum performance. The capacity of handheld water bottles and other conventional liquid carriers may not be enough to hold the liquid needed to sustain the hydration needs of those who aim for lengthy outdoor routines.

Hydration systems manufactured in the form of waist packs or backpacks are more convenient and reliable, particularly those which can be effortlessly adjusted regardless of the level of movement. Hydration packs’ bladders or water reservoir provide sufficient water supply—you can choose from a variety of sizes that fit your needs. Moreover, you can find a hydration backpack that comes with ample cargo space for your all-day provisions without compromising comfort and load support.

For the longest time, hikers have always carried their water in canteens and water bottles. However, innovations and the love for outdoor sports have pushed people to invent better and more convenient ways of carrying water to stay hydrated. The latest innovation is the hydration pack which is a complete rehydration system that’s comfortable on the body and very handy you can take it almost anywhere. So how do you use this new hydrating system?

Before using the hydration pack on your trip, wash with warm water to remove any bad taste or dust and debris. To fill it with water, remove the internal reservoir from the external cloth pack. Remove the lid from the internal reservoir and add water and then place it inside the pack. Make sure that the tubing is at the bottom and the lid is on top to prevent spills.

To be able to drink from the hydration pack, place the end of the tube on your mouth and bite down the plastic nozzle. Open the nozzle by tugging it then apply gentle suction, exactly like drinking with a straw. To close it, push the nozzle down.