How to determine the optimal water intake for bodybuilders is a critical element to your gains and your overall health.

We are constantly told that it is important to drink water. Whether you’re active throughout the day or not, staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy.

You may have heard the standard “Drink eight eight ounce glasses of water a day.” This is referred to as the “8×8” model. However, for many people this is not enough.

For those seeking to body build, there are a number of things to consider when determining how much water to drink.

  • Firstly, take your weight and divide it by two. That is how many ounces you need to drink daily.
  • Next, be sure to replace what you lose during a workout. It is estimated you need around 24 ounces (3 cups) of water to replace every pound you lose while lifting. Consider weighing yourself before and after a workout to know how much more you need to drink.
  • Also take into consideration heat. During the summer, it is important to drink more than you would during the winter to keep yourself hydrated.

For example, take someone who weighs 150 pounds. They would need to drink 75 ounces a day – minimum – to stay hydrated. If they lift during the winter for two hours and lose roughly two pounds during that session, they will drink another 48 ounces on top of their daily 75.

However, the person in the hypothetical situation above should not drink all 123 ounces of water at once. This can lead to water poisoning and cause them to become very ill. Pace yourself throughout the day as you drink so you will stay hydrated and reduce your chances of becoming sick.

Don’t worry about being exact. A few ounces over or under will not create a life-and-death situation. Just being roughly accurate is all you need to make sure you are staying hydrated.