Salt as Pre-Workout (Key Benefits And How To Use It)

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Published by Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: October 16, 2024
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I've heard some of my clients talk about how they get better performance when they increase salt intake just before a workout.

Being in the bodybuilding world for years, I had a good understanding of why that happens, but I wanted to dive deeper so I could educate my clients and readers.

So, my team and I did the research and consulted a dietician. This is what we found out about salt as a pre-workout supplement.

Quick Summary

  • Salt can be used as pre-workout as it enhances better blood flow, improves overall power, and enhances an individual's stamina levels.
  • You can take salt as a pre-workout by taking it plainly, or by adding it to a meal a few hours before working out.
  • One teaspoon of sea salt contains about 2300mg of sodium which is the recommended daily dose by the According to the US Food and Drug Administration.
  • From my experience, a well-timed dash of salt can give you that extra edge in your workout when you need it most.

How Should You Use It as a Pre-workout?

A bowl of rock salt as a pre-workout

Use salt as a pre-workout in two ways: plain salt or as part of a salty meal a few hours before exercising. If it's in a meal, eat 2-3 hours before your workout.

Timing is key. Consuming salt too close to exercise can make you sluggish or cause digestive issues. But timing it right enhances performance, similar to the 'pump' difference you feel after a junk-food meal.

For plain salt, dissolve ½ teaspoon in 400-500 ml of water just before the workout for quick sodium absorption.

Doctor of Pharmacy, Dr. James DiNicolantonio, suggests different doses of salt preloading in:

  • Moderate climates - ½ teaspoon
  • Hot climates - ½ to 1 teaspoon
  • Very hot climates - 1 to 2 teaspoons

Salt pills or electrolyte supplements can also provide pre-loading.

Some gym enthusiasts add salt to pre-workout supplements containing creatine. Sodium helps creatine enter cells more efficiently, boosting energy and stamina.

A Wiley Online Library study shows that an 85% drop in sodium leads to 85% less creatine uptake [1]. Regarding salt types, Himalayan, sea, or table salt are all fine. The American Thyroid Organization advises choosing iodized salt for thyroid health.

What Are The Benefits of Salt as a Pre Workout?

A person pouring salt from a shaker

Salt, which is 40% sodium, offers unexpected workout benefits. Normally, exercise thickens your blood as it moves from the heart to the muscles.

Yet, sodium can boost blood volume and flow, improving oxygen supply to muscles and the heart, as shown in American Heart Association Journals [2].

Sodium's ability to pull water into cells, a concept also seen in Ayurveda, can enhance muscle contractions and pumps.

According to 2018 National Journal of Medicine research, it also balances body fluids, preventing muscle cramps through pre-workout intake [3].

As per The Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association, we lose an average of one liter of sweat when we work out during the workout [4]. The liter of sweat contains approximately:

  • 18 mg of magnesium
  • 60 mg of calcium
  • 200 mg of potassium
  • 900 mg of sodium

I've personally observed improved endurance and energy on days with extra pre-gym salt. This pre-dosing keeps my electrolyte levels healthy, reducing muscle cramps and fatigue.

Plus, it may lower muscle arrhythmia risks and boost cardiovascular health, further encouraging its use in my fitness routine.

Are There Any Side-Effects?

A person having a heart pain

Though too much sodium can elevate blood pressure, it's a myth that salt always dehydrates. Controlled pre-workout salt intake actually helps maintain fluid balance, according to National Institutes of Health reports [5].

As a personal trainer, I've seen moderate pre-workout salt use consistently improve hydration during intense workouts.

However, the National Library of Medicine warns that excessive sodium can lead to cardiovascular issues like heart attacks, enlarged hearts, strokes, kidney disease, and headaches [6].

One teaspoon of sea salt contains about 2300mg of sodium. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, this is the recommended daily dose [7].

However, the best way to avoid negative sodium impacts is to monitor your daily intake as closely as you can.

FAQs

Is Sodium Good for Muscle Recovery?

Sodium may be good for muscle recovery. Some authors suggest that salty water will aid rehydration by replenishing sodium and quickly restoring the normal volume of blood after the training session. That way, muscle tissue can be provided with nutrients and oxygen, leading to better recovery.

Why Do Bodybuilders Stop Eating Salt Before Competitions?

Bodybuilders stop eating salt before competitions to avoid water retention and bloating in order to look shredded. They usually wholly remove sodium two days before the competition. If they do it too early, the body will adapt to low-sodium and won't change the fluid balance.

Does Sodium Make You Fat?

Yes, sodium can make you fat if you consume too much of it. Long-term effects possibly occur from the connection between a high-sodium and a high-calorie diet.


References:

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1748-1716.1967.tb03716.x
  2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1161/01.CIR.43.4.508
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29710036/
  4. https://www.sportsrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Whats-In-Your-Sweat.pdf
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7763082/
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31865786/
  7. https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/sodium-your-diet
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About The Author

Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC is an ex-National Soccer player turned MMA and Kickboxing champion, with ACE CPT and PN1-NC certifications. His advice is rooted in education and experience, ensuring that readers receive scientific and battle-tested insights. His mission is to empower his clients and readers to realize their potential and become the best versions of themselves.
Learn more about our editorial policy
Dr. Harshi Dhingra, MBBS, MD is a published peer-reviewed author and renowned physician from India with over a decade of experience. With her MBBS from Bharati Vidyapeeth and an MD from Rajiv Gandhi University, she actively ensures the accuracy of online dietary supplement and medical information by reviewing and fact-checking health publications.
Learn more about our editorial policy
Dr. Kristy June Dayanan, BS, MD is an author with a BS degree from University of the Philippines and an MD from University of Perpetual Help System. Her ability to simplify medical science complexities and dietary supplement jargon for the average reader makes her a valued medical fact checker and reviewer.
Learn more about our editorial policy

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