⚡ Electrolytes Explained: Why, When & How to Use Them
Ever finished a workout feeling flat, crampy, or like your brain’s running in low power mode? 💭💧 The culprit might not be your fitness — it could be your electrolytes.
These tiny minerals don’t look like much, but they’re essential for performance, recovery, and feeling good day-to-day.
Let’s break down:
✅ What electrolytes are
✅ Why they matter for your health & training
✅ When you actually need them
✅ Food vs supplements (what’s best)
✅ How to keep it simple in real life
🧂 What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge ⚡ in your body. They’re found in your blood, sweat, and fluids — and they’re responsible for things you really don’t want going wrong, like:
Sodium → keeps your fluid balance right and nerves firing
Potassium → helps your muscles contract
Magnesium → supports energy production and reduces fatigue
Calcium → needed for movement and bone health
Chloride → supports digestion and hydration
💪 Why Electrolytes Matter
Skip out on electrolytes and your body feels the difference fast:
Hydration: Without them, water passes through you without sticking around 🚰
Energy: Potassium + magnesium help deliver nutrients into your cells so you can push harder
Muscle Function: They literally control muscle contractions 🏋️♀️
Brain & Mood: Low levels = foggy thinking, poor focus, and fatigue
👉 Research (and guides like HIGH5’s Electrolyte Benefits) highlight just how much these minerals support both performance and recovery.
⏱ When Do You Actually Need Them?
Here’s the simple version:
🥑 Food vs Supplements
Food first: Bananas 🍌, avocados 🥑, leafy greens 🥬, nuts, seeds, and coconut water 🥥 all bring electrolytes naturally.
Supplements for convenience: Great for long runs, hot conditions, or when training volume is high. Just keep an eye on sugar content.
🔑 Takeaway Tips
✔ Don’t overcomplicate it — food + water covers most days
✔ For sweaty sessions or endurance training, top up with electrolytes
✔ Think balance, not extremes: it’s about supporting performance, not guzzling endless sports drinks
✔ Listen to your body → cramps, headaches, or fatigue can be a sign you’re running low
✨ Bottom Line
Electrolytes = small minerals, big difference.
They help you hydrate, move, think, and recover. Ignore them, and you’ll feel it.
At Coached FITT, we’re all about fuelling smarter — not harder. That means knowing when to keep it simple, and when to give your body the extra support it needs.
💧 Train hard. Recover well. Keep your electrolytes in check.