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I saw someone drinking a sports drink during their workout. Is this really needed for a typical one-hour workout?

The short answer is no. The average person who works out for 60 minutes or less will need nothing more than water to get them through their workout. Your body has all the fuel it needs to exercise for that long, especially if you start the workout well-fueled – and you should! It really comes down to your goals and the type of workout you’re doing to reach those goals. If optimal performance is your focus, or if the planned workout is very intense or longer in duration, then sports drinks are a wise choice. In these instances, your body will need the extra calories and electrolytes. If you have additional questions related to sports drinks and performance, then contact a sports dietitian or personal trainer. 

With all the new sports supplements that have come out in recent years, I didn’t think creatine was still around. Is it still seen as a beneficial aid when lifting weights?

First of all, sports supplements are always “still around.” They are known for their sticking power, whether they actually work or not. Now, when it comes to creatine, it is definitely still popular amongst strength training enthusiasts, and is still considered to be an effective supplement for those looking to improve speed, strength and power. The reason you probably haven’t seen it around lately is because many manufacturers include it as part of a more comprehensive pre- or post-workout formula. Many people simply aren’t using it as a single, solitary supplement anymore, though you can still find good ‘ole creatine monohydrate everywhere. Remember, more than 500 clinical trials have been done on creatine and, for the most part, the results have been very good with very few, if any, side effects. If your goal is to dramatically increase strength and size, I would certainly recommend giving it a try. However, you need to decide if you’re going to use it on its own, or if you’re going to try a more complex formula with multiple supplement ingredients. If it’s the latter, make sure you do your homework on the specific product you choose. I would also recommend reading up on creatine itself as well, so you know proper dosages, timing, potential side effects and whether to cycle on and off over time.

If you have a specific question you would like to see answered in the next Ask Anytime, email washingtonpa@anytimefitness.com.

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