Many people in the Indoor Cycling world use sports drinks during their indoor cycling classes. Plus many in the fitness industry, including those in exercise physiology background, are aware of the benefits of sports drinks with electrolytes. However we were surprised last week when a gym in Vancouver called Ron Zalko fitness said that sports drinks are prohibited during indoor cycling classes because if they spill then they might damage the bike computer system. Something about the sugar in the sports drink might damage the bike computer, which I find odd. There are thousands of gyms that offer indoor cycling classes who welcome sports drinks during a workout. What’s your view?

Just to add that I did email the owner and shared with him research about sports drinks and exercise but he replied with an accusation which was quite shocking. When I shared with him literature from ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) he considered that harassment. ACSM is considered the “gold standard” in the fitness and health industry. Of course I canceled my membership because of his new policy on sports drinks during indoor cycling. I was a member for several months; even another member found that strange to change the policy on sports drinks during indoor cycling classes. Please read what ACSM states about sports drinks:

Depending upon the length of your workout or competition, performance and endurance are primarily limited by loss of body fluids, drop in blood sugar levels, and depletion of muscle carbohydrate stores. All three can hinder performance. Sports drinks, carbohydrate gels and energy bars can help restore your body’s fluids and carbohydrate level

And the Human Performance Resource Center states:

Sports drinks, or carbohydrate-electrolyte beverages, are intended to maintain hydration and restore electrolytes, unlike energy drinks (which contain caffeine). They have been shown to improve performance during exercise.