BY LOREN MASON-GERE
Hammer's Endurolytes line is the most widely used and accepted electrolyte replenishment product on the market. You could say we have the Kleenex position in the category. When athletes roll through aid stations asking for endurolytes, sometimes they're not even sure what they're asking for - they just know they need help. Read on for a brief outline of the features that have led to Endurolytes' extraordinary popularity, and easy-to-follow tips to help you pick the perfect product for your needs and build a plan to effectively use them every time. Do this right and you won't only banish cramps for life, but you'll improve your performance and general health.
The Endurolytes Difference
Electrolytes means more than just salt. The term covers all the life-supporting minerals that your body needs for proper function. Sodium chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium work together for this purpose. While sodium chloride (or salt) is the most recognized for exercise, they're all important. That's why Endurolytes offers a full spectrum of these minerals.
In the healthy body, these minerals are in balance with one another. In order to support this balance and maximize absorption, Endurolytes products contain all minerals in proper balance. Sodium chloride and potassium are included in the optimal 1:4 ratio, while calcium and magnesium are included at 2:1 - just like your body likes it.
Flavored Drink Vs. Water and Capsules
When it comes to selecting your ideal product, you should first decide how you want to take it. It'll only work if you take it consistently, so it's important that you choose something that fits your preferences and sport type.
The first step is asking yourself the question, Do I prefer to drink flavored beverages or plain water while working out? It sounds simple, but this is imperative. While some people won't remember to drink consistently unless their fluids are flavored, others grow tired of anything but water and find it off-putting. Your electrolyte solution must follow your natural desires for fluid intake.
If you decide you're a drink drinker, you've identified yourself as a FIZZ or Endurolytes Extreme Powder user. (HEED may also be a solution, but it also contains calories and a lower level of electrolytes than the products included here).
If you want plain water, you're in the capsule camp - and will need to get acquainted with swallowing pills during activity if you're not already.
Of course, there are pros and cons to each option. Some prefer the simplicity of having their electrolytes mixed in a bottle - especially cyclists or athletes in high-intensity sports who have little time to manage capsules separately from their bottle. However, there is a significant downside to this solution. Should you experience cramping or other symptoms of depletion, your only solution is to drink. This will be absorbed more slowly and may cause you to overconsume fluids in response. For this reason, we encourage drink drinkers to always have capsules on hand as well to address immediate needs should they arise (or share them with a cramping friend).
Extreme vs. Standard
Once you've chosen how you'll take them, it's time to choose your formula.
The traditional Endurolytes formula is lower in sodium so as to allow for increased calcium and magnesium quantities in the product, and more importantly, so you can make small incremental dosage changes without overconsuming salt. If 2 capsules per hour isn't feeling like quite enough, you can make incremental changes up to 5 or 6 capsules per hour, without concern for accidentally taking a days' worth of sodium in one gulp. Of course, this does mean you're well in-tune with your needs and don't mind taking lots of pills.
If you don't sweat very much, live in a moderate climate, follow a prescribed and measured low sodium diet, and/or have historically not battled with muscle cramps, the standard formula is the way to go.
However, if you sweat a lot, live in heat (or even more importantly are traveling to a hotter area than you're used to), routinely find salt stains on your workout clothes after exercise, or have historically battled with cramps, Endurolytes Extreme is your solution. These products offer 3 times the salt content of the standard formula, allowing you to take fewer capsules each hour. Should cramps arise, you can quickly address them by having capsules ready to go.
Pick a Product, But Be Flexible
If you know your preferred method of intake, and your preferred strength, the next step is easy. Drink drinkers use Endurolytes Fizz or Endurolytes Extreme Powder, depending on dosing. One scoop of powder is the same as one Endurolytes Extreme capsule, and each Fizz tablet equates to 2 standard Endurolytes (they're perforated down the middle to make it easy to take half doses). Water and capsule folks choose extreme or standard. But don't stop there.
Remember, real life always has variables! The perfect amount one day may not be quite enough on another, and when traveling to new climates, eating new foods, or changing your pace (or all of the above, such as when traveling for a race) you may suddenly find yourself with increased needs. Again, it's highly advisable to always have some Endurolytes or Endurolytes Extreme capsules on hand as anti-cramp insurance. Use our free capsule dispensers or small resealable bags to keep them with you at all times.
Endurolytes for Everyone
Even if you're not a competitive athlete, or not an athlete at all, the same approach can apply. If you're a living, breathing human that sweats, you need Endurolytes. They're used by everyone from endurance athletes to golfers, construction workers to retired grandparents. If you're not addressing your needs in one way or another, you owe it to yourself to give us a call and dial in a plan right now.
