I can't say I am a bonifide athlete but do workout. I have always drank Powerade when working out and a whole bunch when working the yard in the hot Texas sun. I sweat like a pig and cramp awful later, more so when cooled off and laying in bed at night after the daily chores.

I know Powerade, Gatorade and such have nutrients like electrolytes etc to replenish what you lose. I have been watching these western hunters adding stuff like Mountain Ops brand powder to their water when trekking for elk etc.

I am not sure if this stuff really works. I do know I like the flavor more than anything. I think good ole fashion water probably does just as good for you. I know guys who mix Pediolite with sports drinks to get more of electrolyte kick and they swear it works. I never have tried it though. If you have the magical formula let me know, please.

Even thought of drinking the pickle juice, if it works. But hate the salt content due to my HBP and diabetes.

I like pedialyte orange flavor, gatorade/powerade has alot of sugar so I'll mix it with water usually to dilute it

Check out Nuun electrolytes. I'm diabetic and use them on my long bike rides. It doesn't seem to spike my blood sugar. It uses monk fruit and stevia as a sweetener. I can tell it replaces my electrolytes when I'm going the distance. I'd stay away from the energy drinks you mentioned.

What you are missing is potassium. Only two drinks have it that I’m aware of. The revive vitamin water and the body Armor drinks. Either of those have as much as a banana. Most importantly they straight up work. If sugar is an issue body Armor makes a low calorie low sugar one that taste like crap but the potassium is there. I started using them when I was very active and taking a diuretic. I couldn’t beat the cramps until then. I have since tore a calf muscle and sat on my butt for 15 months.

On a side note we work in extreme heat. We keep pedialyte in every refrigerator there.

I've always heard you need to be well hydrated before you get out and work in the heat to avoid problems. #1, drink plenty of water.

Core Power sure tastes better than most.

https://fairlife.com/core-power/our-products/chocolate-26g/

You need water, and don't drink Gatorade or powerade, sooo much sugar in them. Powerade zero is good though.
If you're worried about potassium, eat a banana each morning.

click for info

Dont know if link works.

As a diabetic bananas is probably a really bad idea. You get way more potassium in an avacado or spinach. I throw an avacado and 10 to 16 ounces of spinach in the vitamix every day. Tastes like what cows would eat but it makes a huge difference.

Way too much sugar and high fructose corn syrup in Gatorade or poweraide.

Stick with water and flavor packets

I've heard that for instant cramp relief to swallow a couple of tablespoons of mustard. Somebody told me that they keep packets of it on the headboard for the bad cramp attacks. I haven't had cramps in a long time, probably because I take Magnesium for another issue.

A lot of racers carry mustard packets for cramps. I've done it once, it works, even it's a placebo affect.

It helps a lot if you don’t drink whiskey all night prior.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

I sweat and cramp like you do. I drink plenty of water and take one tablet of this each day, half with two different meals:


Boom! No more cramps. I get it at Sprouts but it's available online.

You swear by this stuff? I will give it a try. Oh read a few reviews on Amazon. Did it give you the squirts? when you first started taking it??

Pre-hydration is the key....don't start out already behind.....banana or avocado....I used to take the gatoraid bottles....cut the 50/50 with water then drink three waters for every one 50/50.

I drink these two every day along with green tea. Get the 14oz Core Power.
Not a fan of the strawberry banana, the chocolate and vanilla work for me.