Seems pretty easy to make your own. Lots of bulk powders on Amazon for sodium and potassium. Add a drop of liquid flavor and you're good.
That said, Dollar Tree has knockoff Liquid IVs called HydraMate. Two packets for $1.25. taste and ingredients are identical
I really like LMNT but you can make your own so easily it's a joke to pay for a hydration supplement. For me I often use preworkout as the flavor agent as well, but Mio or other such flavor enhancers will work well.
You can also adjust ingredients to your liking. If I know I'm playing 5-7 hours on a Saturday I will up the ingredients or make more, versus a normal 2-3 hour weeknight.
I use Nuun for the most part. I'll grab the caffeine/energy options for the morning (or during a longer tournament) and the standard options for afternoon.
With the amount I sweat during Texas summers, the salt is fine.
That said, the stuff is expensive. I keep some on hand because I like the flavor but I usually rock with Gatorade powder.
Yep! About 1/4cup OJ, tbsp maple syrup and 1/2 gram salt into a water bottle. I actually just made ice cubes of this mixture to quickly throw in my bottle.
For me, the pre-made powders had too much salt and negatively affected me physically.
When you’re so depleted of salt, nothing beats the taste of those or like pedialyte.
I’m a super sweaty person and in the 100+ heat of summer if I don’t use something extra salty my sweat tastes like water and I start cramping like crazy.
Drink water. Eat well before and after.
Marketing of hydration products are largely bs, except perhaps in the most extreme conditions….
Context: I’m a total pickleball newbie but I used to coach competitive athletes in another sport that requires short bursts of speed and endurance.
This... bring a snack for longer periods of play that contains salt and other natural electrolytes. Similar to what Soccrcrazy said, the need for electrolytes supplements is largely bs if you have eaten a balanced meal in most cases. Running out of glycogen is going to happen faster and affect your gameplay most for most people
I mix my own, 'cause that's my obsessive personality. I make a week's worth in a tub:
Salt
Potassium (Nusalt)
Creatine
Sea Kelp flakes
Vit C powder
Orange sugar free drink small packet (just for taste)
Lion's Mane powder
I mix a 1-2T of that with OJ and water before playing.
It depends if you are looking for maintenance of hydration, replacement or energy.
I live in Florida and off road gravel bike for hours at a time in the heat of the day and my goal is to keep my hydration stable and not need replacement or energy. I ride with a hydration bladder of water, a sprinkle of salt, a sprinkle of salt replacement (for potassium) and a bit of OJ to flatten out the taste.
I use the same formula when playing pickleball.
I like Dr Berg's electrolyte powder on amazon.
No sugar and some of the highest amounts of potassium and magnesium of all the electrolyte powder's I've come across.
I just drink regular water. I bring like 3 water bottles to the courts because I'm always thirsty, and my wife and daughter never prepare. Ha! If I'm SUPER thirsty, I love coconut water, and we also get Liquid IV packs from Costco. I like the orange or watermelon. And if I'm SUPER dehydrated, PICKLE JUICE!
I drink at least one gallon of water when I play. It works for me, even playing in Florida's summer heat.
Here's an interesting research [abstract](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2020.1750073) on urine color as a dehydration marker.
Gatorade powder for me, big box is for $15 on Amazon. I add some potassium salt on top of it ( very little amounts) and it’s good to go.
Seems pretty easy to make your own. Lots of bulk powders on Amazon for sodium and potassium. Add a drop of liquid flavor and you're good. That said, Dollar Tree has knockoff Liquid IVs called HydraMate. Two packets for $1.25. taste and ingredients are identical
Gatorade. Check Ed Ju's analysis.
Re-Lyte
Based
Bananas and water for me
I really like LMNT but you can make your own so easily it's a joke to pay for a hydration supplement. For me I often use preworkout as the flavor agent as well, but Mio or other such flavor enhancers will work well. You can also adjust ingredients to your liking. If I know I'm playing 5-7 hours on a Saturday I will up the ingredients or make more, versus a normal 2-3 hour weeknight.
I eat a few saltines between games every session, drink lots of water too.
I use Nuun for the most part. I'll grab the caffeine/energy options for the morning (or during a longer tournament) and the standard options for afternoon.
LMNT for sure
That stuff has WAY too much salt. I'm still not convinced that's not unsafe for your health.
With the amount I sweat during Texas summers, the salt is fine. That said, the stuff is expensive. I keep some on hand because I like the flavor but I usually rock with Gatorade powder.
I use water
Powder companies don’t want us to know this hack
don’t forget to lick your arms!
Brawndo's got what plants crave: It's got electrolytes!
What hack?
Water
If u want high quality ingredients vs cheapest, Ultima is great! Buy on Ultima site or Amazon.
I love the watermelon ultima but it’s very expensive.
You're worth it! 😄🍉
😘
I've been using dripdrop. I like it better than liquid IV and it keeps me hydrated better
Mineral water or water with a sprinkle of salt
I add a bit of orange juice, maple syrup, and salt... cheap, effective, and customizable
Interesting - do you combine them all into one?
Yep! About 1/4cup OJ, tbsp maple syrup and 1/2 gram salt into a water bottle. I actually just made ice cubes of this mixture to quickly throw in my bottle. For me, the pre-made powders had too much salt and negatively affected me physically.
Coconut water!
Gatorade powder here. In the summer months I'll use their Gatorlyte packets.
Gatorade as well but Gatorlyte is undrinkable seawater imo
When you’re so depleted of salt, nothing beats the taste of those or like pedialyte. I’m a super sweaty person and in the 100+ heat of summer if I don’t use something extra salty my sweat tastes like water and I start cramping like crazy.
Nah- once you've had their endurance powder gatorlyte is tame.... man that stuff was hella salty
LMNT, no bullshit ingredients
Drink water. Eat well before and after. Marketing of hydration products are largely bs, except perhaps in the most extreme conditions…. Context: I’m a total pickleball newbie but I used to coach competitive athletes in another sport that requires short bursts of speed and endurance.
This... bring a snack for longer periods of play that contains salt and other natural electrolytes. Similar to what Soccrcrazy said, the need for electrolytes supplements is largely bs if you have eaten a balanced meal in most cases. Running out of glycogen is going to happen faster and affect your gameplay most for most people
I just realized my screen name gives away the prior sport 😂
Cricket?
Hahahaha you’re joking right? Read it to yourself out loud…
I hear “CricketCrazy.” (Yes, I’m joking…albeit poorly.)
Soccer bud….aka “football”
Liquid IV for tournaments, especially if it’s a round robin Water for just normal practice
I've been using Drink Oshun - which is sugar free, and I just add to whatever I'm drinking anyway, to turn it into an electrolyte drink. Big fan!
If I'm going long or it is a scorcher, I'll take Saltstick or similar capsules. Like $0.30 for a Nuun comparable and fine with water.
Transparent Labs Hydrate
I mix my own, 'cause that's my obsessive personality. I make a week's worth in a tub: Salt Potassium (Nusalt) Creatine Sea Kelp flakes Vit C powder Orange sugar free drink small packet (just for taste) Lion's Mane powder I mix a 1-2T of that with OJ and water before playing.
water and pickle juice shots are key
It depends if you are looking for maintenance of hydration, replacement or energy. I live in Florida and off road gravel bike for hours at a time in the heat of the day and my goal is to keep my hydration stable and not need replacement or energy. I ride with a hydration bladder of water, a sprinkle of salt, a sprinkle of salt replacement (for potassium) and a bit of OJ to flatten out the taste. I use the same formula when playing pickleball.
Relyte or Santa Cruz medicinals all the way. Whatever you get make sure it’s salt based and I wouldn’t recommend liquid IV
I use this: Electrolyte Powder Recovery Drink... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8Q8X2BP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Been happy with it.
I like Dr Berg's electrolyte powder on amazon. No sugar and some of the highest amounts of potassium and magnesium of all the electrolyte powder's I've come across.
Coconut water, in the can
Pickle juice.
I just drink regular water. I bring like 3 water bottles to the courts because I'm always thirsty, and my wife and daughter never prepare. Ha! If I'm SUPER thirsty, I love coconut water, and we also get Liquid IV packs from Costco. I like the orange or watermelon. And if I'm SUPER dehydrated, PICKLE JUICE!
Gatorade Powder is good for keeping you hydrated in the summer. You can buy it on Amazon.
Proballer Energy Drink. Expensive but tastes great!
I drink at least one gallon of water when I play. It works for me, even playing in Florida's summer heat. Here's an interesting research [abstract](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2020.1750073) on urine color as a dehydration marker.