Arnold Schwarzenegger believes hydration is king for workout performance. On Dec. 22, 2025, in his Arnold\u2019s Pump Club Newsletter, Schwarzenegger shared that 50 percent of gymgoers skip electrolytes before or after a workout, which could leave gains on the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYour muscles and neurons need electrolytes \u2014 such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium. And sweating depletes your body of electrolytes, which can affect performance and recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a> is a seven-time Mr. Olympia<\/a> winner. He competed in the Golden Era, where aesthetics, presentation, and conditioning were more heavily scored. It\u2019s been roughly 50 years since he\u2019s competed, but that hasn\u2019t stopped Schwarzenegger from training seven days a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n At 78 years old, his focus has shifted to longevity<\/a> and exercises<\/a> that benefit his overall health. This means seeking any advantage he can get. For \u201cThe Austrian Oak,\u201d starting or ending a workout dehydrated sets him up for failure right out the gate.\u00a0<\/p>\n Arnold Schwarzenegger\u2019s Fix for a Common Pre-Workout Mistake\u00a0<\/p>\n According to Schwarzenegger, 50 percent of people aren\u2019t fueling with electrolytes before or after training.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Pre-Workout Mistake 50% of People Make Get Fitter, Faster<\/p>\n Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n Please wait…<\/p>\n You’re In! Let’s Crush Your Fitness Goals Together<\/p>\n Expect expert-backed workouts, nutrition advice, the latest in strength sports, and a whole lot of motivation heading your way.<\/p>\n Subscribe Another Email<\/p>\n The benefits are measurable, with the bodybuilding legend suggesting that electrolytes can boost performance, reduce fatigue, and improve recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cResearch suggests that hydrating with electrolytes before or after your workout could boost performance, reduce fatigue, and improve recovery. And you might be under-fueling more than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n He noted that one study saw increasing drops in performance for those who were dehydrated.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDespite the popularity of pre-workout drinks and coffee, one study suggests that at least 50 percent of people begin their workouts dehydrated. And studies suggest that for each percent of water you lose, you\u2019ll see increasing drops in performance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn other words, while most pre-workout drinks focus on stimulants to give you an extra boost, how hydrated you are before you start exercising matters more than most people realize.<\/p>\n For the best results, he suggested monitoring your thirst in the hours leading up to a training session.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf you show up to your workout already dehydrated, you\u2019re starting at a disadvantage that\u2019s hard to overcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe good news? You don\u2019t need a complicated protocol. Just pay attention to your thirst, which should be kept as low as possible during the last hours before exercise by drinking fluids as needed.<\/p>\n He added that if your urine color is pale yellow, that\u2019s a definite greenlight to train:\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cA simple check: in the last two hours before exercise, drink enough to produce urine that\u2019s pale yellow in color. That\u2019s it. No precise ounce counting required. Just don\u2019t ignore thirst before you train, check your urine color, and you\u2019re set.\u201d<\/p>\n Schwarzenegger has kept a close eye on pre-workouts in his spare time. He recently examined two of the most common pre-workout ingredients<\/a>: L-arginine and citrulline malate. He highlighted that one study found no performance boost concerning CrossFit, cardio, or cycling sprints.\u00a0<\/p>\n Heading into a workout dehydrated isn\u2019t a mistake Schwarzenegger is willing to make. Workout performance and recovery remain his top priorities in retirement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve shared that water is enough for most people to improve hydration. But there\u2019s a catch. If you exercise and sweat, your body needs more than just water.\u201d<\/p>\n