How much water does a ballroom dancer need?
Ballroom dancing is not your typical sport, it can be demanding physically and mentally.
With this exertion, you must stay properly hydrated.
If you are feeling thirsty, it might be too late.
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
Mild Dehydration
Severe Dehydration
Most dancers know that they need carbohydrates for energy but often forget about one of the most vital necessities …..water!
Water is one of the most important nutrients required by the human body. 70% of our bodies are made up of water. Maintaining proper levels of hydration will keep your body from overheating and importantly improves performance and recovery and keeps your body operating correctly.
Athletes, to include dancers, do not drink enough water. Instead, dancers rely on sports drinks and other drinks claiming to increase energy and other false health benefits. Drinks containing caffeine deplete our bodies of fluids as the caffeine acts as a diuretic. Highly sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, take longer to leave the stomach slowing down your hydration.
20% of your fluid intake will come from foods like fruits and vegetables but around 80% should come from drinking water.
To maintain hydration, it is advisable to ‘sip’ small amounts of fluid often. The reason for this is that large volumes of fluid can leave you feeling bloated plus you can’t stop dancing for a bathroom break. Keep your water bottle handy and try to drink about 3 liters a day, even more, if you are dancing on a hot Durham day.
At Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Durham, we are committed to training the best ballroom dancers while keeping safety a top priority. With this in mind, we take our ballroom dancer’s hydration seriously. We believe each dancer should be properly hydrated. Hopefully, by now you are feeling quite thirsty. Go ahead, get some water. When you come back call our Durham dance studio today at 919-489-4313 or fill out the contact form to schedule your next dance lesson.