For a routine workout, plain sparkling water is a straightforward fizzy drink if you want to avoid added sugar: Highland Spring describes its plain range as having nothing added but bubbles, while Perrier states that its plain mineral water has no sugar. If you prefer flavour, check the ingredients for sweeteners as well as the nutrition label; for prolonged or hot exercise, do not assume sparkling water alone covers your fluid and electrolyte needs.
If you want fluid without sugar from your drink, plain sparkling water is worth considering. The British Dietetic Association advises maintaining hydration throughout the day, not just immediately before exercise.
Flavoured sparkling waters differ in their ingredients. Some contain sweeteners even when described as sugar-free, so the exact flavour and label matter if you want to avoid them.
A standard sparkling water should not be treated as a complete plan for every session. Exercise conditions affect fluid needs, and the British Heart Foundation cautions against excessive plain-water intake without adequate electrolytes during demanding activity.
Start with the ingredients and bottle size, then consider whether the drink fits the length and conditions of your session.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Read both the ingredient list and nutrition information for the exact flavour. M&S describes its sugar-free Lemon and Lime Sparkling Water as containing a plant-based sweetener. | I want a fizzy drink without added sugar, but I also want to decide for myself whether flavourings or sweeteners suit me. |
| Everyday hydration | Choose a bottle size that is comfortable to carry and drink. The British Dietetic Association advises drinking throughout the day as well as around exercise. | A bottle for the journey to a routine workout is useful; I do not want to treat one pre-workout drink as my entire fluid intake. |
| Session conditions | Consider duration, heat and heavy sweating rather than judging a drink by its no-added-sugar wording. The British Heart Foundation notes the importance of adequate electrolytes when substantial amounts of plain water are consumed during demanding activity. | For a long or hot session, I need to think beyond whether the water contains sugar. |
| Fizz and sipping | Choose still water if carbonation feels uncomfortable before movement. NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board advises that acidic fizzy drinks can wear tooth enamel, including diet versions. | I would rather have still water if bubbles bother me before training, or if I tend to sip a fizzy drink repeatedly. |
That wording does not tell you whether a flavoured drink contains sweeteners. M&S, for example, describes its sugar-free Lemon and Lime Sparkling Water as containing a plant-based sweetener.
Check the ingredients and nutrition information for the particular flavour and pack. If you want only water and carbonation, compare plain sparkling waters instead.
Plain sparkling water is a drink, not a substitute for food when you have decided your session calls for a snack.
Make the drink and snack decisions separately, taking account of your planned activity.
Conditions matter during prolonged or hot activity. The British Heart Foundation warns that excessive plain-water intake without adequate electrolytes can affect fluid balance.
Consider the session’s duration, heat and sweating when planning what to drink, rather than relying on a no-added-sugar label.
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board notes that fizzy drinks are acidic and that even diet versions can wear tooth enamel.
If frequent sipping is part of your routine or you have concerns about dental erosion, consider still water and seek individual dental advice where needed.
These examples illustrate the distinction between plain water and flavoured products; check the particular product rather than assuming every item under a brand has the same ingredients.
A plain sparkling spring-water option available in individual-bottle multipacks.
A sparkling mineral-water option for shoppers considering a plain branded drink.
Sanpellegrino identifies S.Pellegrino as sparkling natural mineral water.
A retailer with plain sparkling-water listings and separately named no-added-sugar flavoured products.
A flavoured option for shoppers who accept a sweetener in their drink.
These packs offer plain sparkling water to consider as a drink before a routine workout. They do not replace a snack or settle what to drink during a long, hot or heavily sweaty session.
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Individual 0.5 L bottles give you a stated size to consider for a routine gym trip. Check the pack’s ingredients and nutrition information if you need to confirm its exact sugar declaration.
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An eight-pack of 500 ml bottles for choosing an individual bottle before a routine session. Read the exact pack label when checking ingredients and sugars.
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The 1 L bottles offer a larger individual format if you do not need a smaller bottle for the journey to a workout. Choose how much to drink according to your comfort rather than trying to finish a bottle before training.
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The 500 ml bottles provide an individual format for a routine gym trip. Highland Spring describes its plain sparkling-water range as having nothing added but bubbles; check the exact pack label if you need a stated sugar value.
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This larger quantity keeps the 500 ml individual-bottle format. Consider how many bottles you need and where you will store them; check the exact pack label if you need a stated sugar value.
Plain sparkling water can be a drink before a routine workout if carbonation is comfortable for you. The British Dietetic Association advises maintaining hydration throughout the day and drinking around exercise as appropriate; choose still water if bubbles bother you before movement.
No. Check the ingredients as well as the nutrition information for the exact drink: M&S describes its sugar-free Lemon and Lime Sparkling Water as containing a plant-based sweetener.
Do not assume it is enough for every session. Duration, heat and sweating affect the decision, and the British Heart Foundation cautions that excessive plain-water intake without adequate electrolytes can disturb fluid balance during demanding activity.
Yes. NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board advises that fizzy drinks are acidic and that even diet versions can wear tooth enamel. If you frequently sip fizzy drinks or have concerns about erosion, consider still water and seek individual dental advice.