Waterboy Survey Reveals Surprising Link Between Electrolytes and Gym PRs
Electrolytes are all the rage these days. Aside from adding a little razzle-dazzle to your daily water jug, you may still wonder: what do electrolytes actually do for the body? I've had the same thoughts myself. Sure, they taste good, but how are they actually impacting my workout performance? According to a recent survey from Waterboy, the effects may be more significant than you realize.
Waterboy surveyed 1,000 physically active U.S. adults to better understand how hydration habits and electrolyte use influence different things like performance milestones, recovery time, muscle cramps, and energy levels.
Interestingly, electrolyte users were four times more likely than non-users to hit a strength PR, with 24 percent reporting one compared to just 6 percent of non-users. They were also far more likely to complete their longest run, ride, or swim to date, as 23 percent reached that milestone compared to nine percent of non-users. Even performance-based achievements saw a noticeable gap, with 13 percent of electrolyte users achieving a race or workout time PR versus just five percent of non-users.
"Sodium and potassium help maintain blood volume, reduce dizziness, and support muscle contraction, especially if someone sweats a lot or trains first thing in the morning," says Julia Long, performance dietitian at RC13 Sports. "Electrolytes especially can help someone go longer without feeling lightheaded or weak."
Waterboy's survey also showed how hydration can directly impact recovery and sustain energy. People who recovered within 12 to 24 hours after training drank about 15 ounces more water per day than those whose recovery dragged into the three to four day range, averaging 70 ounces daily versus 55 ounces.
Additionally, nearly half of exercisers drinking less than 36 ounces of water on training days reported mid-workout energy crashes at a rate of 47 percent. Those same low-water drinkers also had nearly a 50 percent higher risk of muscle cramps compared to people drinking more than 100 ounces daily.
Past research has also found electrolytes to be essential for hydration, muscle function, and endurance because they're lost through sweat during exercise. Combined with Waterboy's findings, it suggests hydration and electrolyte intake may play a much bigger role in workout quality and recovery than many realize.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Health & Fitness section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 10:24 AM.