I sometimes get a bit dizzy after about 45 mins exercise should i consider having a sports supplement drink or do i need water or maybe both?

Hi:

Depends when you last ate prior to your workout.  Ideally you should eat something easy on the stomach (fruit, rice cake, power bar) an hour or so before a workout.  If that's the case, you wouldn't need a sports drink unless you were working out for more than 60 mins.

However, if it's over two hours pre-workout that you last ate, then it's possible that you are getting low on blood sugar.  However, even if this is the case, I'd still recommned a light snack before the workout, to give you a gradual release of energy, rather than the quick hit a sports drink will give you.

Personally I only use a sports drink when I'm working out for over 2hrs, though I do drink loads of water.

Hope that helps,

Cheers,

Don

 

I also find I feel abit sick when exercsing if i take on to much sugar, through sports drinks or gels? or is that me over-reacting?

Very few people really need these sports drinks or gels, water is plenty unless you're doing really long (2 hrs plus) workouts.  Also, different people react differently to the various products out there.  When I ran marathons I had to try several drinks before I found one that I liked and didn't make me feel sick.

is this true?  i know guys who chug sports drinks for a half hour of five a side - do they not need them?

I run up to about two hours without anything but water - but i do eat a light snack about thirty minutes before a long run.

eat a bit before your workout then drink water during.  any dizziness is likely becuase your blood sugar is low going in.

sports drinks will improve your endurance performance compared to water alone but both are adequate rehydrating fluids. sports drinks have the added advantage of providing you with some carbohydrate and electrolytes, all important for performance.