GR8 Lifestyle HYDR8: Hydration + Muscle Health

Looking for hydration that goes beyond basic electrolytes?

GR8 Lifestyle HYDR8 takes hydration beyond basic electrolytes by adding 6.7g of essential amino acids (Amino9) to support muscle recovery alongside fluid balance. Complete electrolyte profile + EAAs = smarter hydration for serious athletes.

HYDR8 is one of the first five innovative formulas from GR8 Lifestyle Supplements that elevates the hydration category by combining a complete electrolyte profile with essential amino acids for comprehensive muscle and cellular support.

HYDR8: Hydration Enhanced, The GR8 Way

Most hydration products focus solely on replacing lost electrolytes, but HYDR8 takes a more comprehensive approach to cellular hydration and recovery. By combining six essential electrolyte minerals with a clinical dose of all nine essential amino acids (as Amino9), HYDR8 supports not just fluid balance but also muscle recovery and protein synthesis.

GR8 Lifestyle launched in May 2025 with a lineup of cutting-edge supplements, each featuring exactly 8 science-backed ingredients at clinical doses. HYDR8 exemplifies this “Nutrition to the Power of 8” philosophy with a formula designed to optimize hydration while supporting muscle health and recovery.

For those interested in tracking GR8’s evolution, sign up for PricePlow’s GR8 alerts to receive notifications about new products, flavor releases, and deals:

What Is HYDR8?

HYDR8 is GR8 Lifestyle’s enhanced hydration supplement that goes beyond traditional electrolyte drinks by combining optimal mineral ratios with essential amino acids. Available in convenient single-serving sachets, HYDR8 provides rapid hydration without unnecessary sugars or artificial fillers.

Inside each 12.5g sachet, you’ll find a precise blend of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate minerals alongside 6.7g of Amino9® essential amino acid complex. This unique combination supports both immediate hydration needs and ongoing muscle recovery processes.

Let’s take a look at the nutrition facts before diving into the ingredients:

Nutrition Facts / Macros

Each serving (12.5g sachet) of HYDR8 provides:

• Calories: 5

• Total Carbohydrate: 1g (<1% DV)

• Minerals

  • Calcium: 80mg (6% DV)

  • Phosphorus: 40mg (3% DV)

  • Magnesium: 90mg (21% DV)

  • Chloride: 500mg (22% DV)

  • Sodium: 500mg (22% DV)

  • Potassium: 355mg (8% DV)

GR8 Lifestyle HYDR8 Ingredients

Each serving provides the following:

• Sodium (as Pink Himalayan Sea Salt, Sodium Citrate and Sodium Bicarbonate) – 500mg (22% DV)

  Purpose: Extracellular hydration and fluid balance

  Sodium is the primary extracellular electrolyte responsible for maintaining fluid balance and supporting optimal hydration during exercise. HYDR8 provides 500mg of sodium through a combination of pink Himalayan sea salt, sodium citrate, and sodium bicarbonate — delivering this essential mineral in multiple bioavailable forms.

  During exercise, sodium losses through sweat can vary dramatically between individuals, ranging from 15 to 99 mEq/L (approximately 345-2,277mg per liter of sweat).^[1] Athletes participating in prolonged activities can lose substantial amounts of sodium, with some football players losing over 30 grams during intensive training sessions.^[1]

  Sodium plays a critical role in the rehydration process beyond simple replacement. Research demonstrates that adequate sodium intake maintains circulating vasopressin levels and prevents the diuretic effect that occurs when consuming plain water.^[2] This mechanism ensures that fluids you consume are actually retained rather than rapidly excreted.

  The 500mg dose in HYDR8 falls within the optimal range for supporting hydration without excessive intake. Studies suggest that moderate sodium consumption (3-6g daily) is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk, while both very low and very high intakes may present health concerns.^[3]

• Potassium (as Tri-Potassium Citrate Monohydrate & Potassium Chloride) – 355mg (8% DV)

  

  Purpose: Intracellular hydration and muscle function

  Potassium is a critical electrolyte that plays a crucial role in maintaining proper hydration and muscle function. Unlike sodium which primarily works outside your cells, potassium functions primarily as an intracellular electrolyte, meaning it works inside your cells to maintain fluid balance and electrical gradients.

  Each serving of HYDR8 delivers 355mg of potassium from high-quality sources, supporting several key functions:

  First, potassium helps regulate your body’s fluid balance by counterbalancing sodium. This sodium-potassium relationship is crucial for proper hydration and cellular function.^[4]

  For athletes and active individuals, potassium is especially valuable as it supports proper muscle contractions and helps prevent cramping. During intense exercise, potassium is lost through sweat, with losses ranging from 220-250 mg per liter of sweat.^[5]

  Beyond hydration, potassium supports healthy blood pressure levels within normal range and enhances cardiovascular function.^[6]

  The form matters too – HYDR8 uses potassium citrate rather than just chloride, which may provide additional benefits for pH buffering and acid-base balance during intense training.^[7]

  When combined with the other electrolytes in HYDR8, potassium helps create the optimal sodium-potassium ratio for enhanced hydration and athletic performance.

• Magnesium (as Magnesium Glycinate) – 90mg (21% DV)

  

  Purpose: Cellular energy support and muscle relaxation

  Magnesium is a critical mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in your body, making it essential for proper hydration and athletic performance. HYDR8 uses magnesium glycinate — one of the most bioavailable forms of magnesium — where the mineral is bound to the amino acid glycine for superior absorption and utilization.^[8]

  This intelligent form choice matters because during intense exercise, magnesium is lost through sweat and utilized at higher rates.^[9] Research suggests physically active individuals may need 10-20% more magnesium than sedentary people to maintain optimal levels.

  Magnesium supports exercise performance through multiple mechanisms:

  • Enhances muscle relaxation by regulating calcium channels
  • Facilitates ATP production – your body’s primary energy currency
  • Helps reduce muscle soreness and supports recovery
  • Improves oxygen utilization during physical activity

  A 2019 study with professional cyclists found that magnesium supplementation helped maintain muscle integrity during intense competition, with lower markers of muscle damage compared to a control group.^[10]

  The 90mg dose in HYDR8 (21% DV) provides meaningful support while working synergistically with the other electrolytes and amino acids to optimize hydration and performance.

• Calcium (as Tri-Calcium Phosphate) – 80mg (6% DV)

  

  Calcium plays a fundamental role in muscle function that extends far beyond its well-known bone health benefits. In the context of hydration and exercise performance, calcium serves as the critical trigger for muscle contraction through a sophisticated cellular mechanism known as excitation-contraction coupling.^[11]

  Purpose: Muscle contraction support and bone health

  When you exercise, calcium ions are rapidly released from your muscle’s sarcoplasmic reticulum, binding to troponin proteins and initiating the molecular interactions that allow your muscles to contract.^[12] This process requires precise calcium availability — too little and your muscles can’t function optimally, potentially leading to cramping or reduced performance.

  HYDR8’s 80mg calcium dose, delivered as tri-calcium phosphate, provides excellent bioavailability while supporting both immediate muscle function and longer-term recovery processes. During intense exercise, calcium also helps regulate cellular energy metabolism and supports the muscle relaxation phase that’s essential for preventing fatigue.^[13]

  The tri-calcium phosphate form offers additional benefits by providing both calcium and phosphate ions, which work synergistically in cellular energy production and muscle function. This makes it an ideal choice for a hydration formula designed to support peak performance during and after exercise.

• Chloride (as Potassium Chloride & Pink Himalayan Sea Salt) – 500mg (22% DV)

  Purpose: Fluid balance regulation and cellular pressure

  

  Chloride works as sodium’s essential partner in maintaining proper fluid balance and cellular function. As the primary extracellular anion, chloride helps regulate osmotic pressure and ensures optimal hydration at the cellular level. HYDR8 provides 500mg of chloride through potassium chloride and pink Himalayan sea salt, creating an effective sodium-chloride partnership.

  During exercise, chloride losses mirror sodium losses through sweat, making replacement equally important for maintaining electrolyte balance.^[5] Research shows that chloride concentrations in sweat remain relatively stable during prolonged exercise, unlike some trace minerals that decline over time.^[5]

  Chloride also plays a crucial role in maintaining proper acid-base balance and supporting the transport of other electrolytes across cell membranes. Without adequate chloride replacement, your body can’t effectively utilize sodium for hydration, potentially leading to suboptimal fluid retention even when sodium intake appears sufficient.

  The 1:1 ratio of sodium to chloride in HYDR8 (500mg each) reflects the natural balance found in body fluids, supporting optimal electrolyte replacement during and after exercise.

• Phosphorus (as Tri-Calcium Phosphate) – 40mg (3% DV)

  Purpose: Energy metabolism support and cellular function

  Phosphorus is the often-overlooked mineral that powers your body’s energy systems at the cellular level. As a key component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP — your muscles’ primary energy currency), phosphorus is essential for every muscle contraction, cellular repair process, and metabolic reaction in your body.

  

  During exercise, your muscles rapidly break down ATP to release energy, creating adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and free phosphate. Your body must then regenerate ATP using available phosphate to maintain peak performance. Without adequate phosphorus availability, this energy recycling process becomes inefficient, leading to premature fatigue and reduced power output.

  HYDR8’s phosphorus comes from tri-calcium phosphate, which provides both calcium and phosphate ions in a highly bioavailable form. This dual-mineral approach supports the intricate calcium-phosphate balance required for optimal muscle function and bone health. Phosphate also plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular pH balance during intense exercise, helping buffer the acid buildup that can impair performance.

  Beyond energy metabolism, phosphorus supports protein synthesis and cellular membrane integrity, both of which are critical for muscle recovery and adaptation. The 40mg dose in HYDR8 provides a small amount of support without excessive intake, complementing the formula’s other minerals to create a comprehensive electrolyte and recovery system.

  This phosphate use demonstrates HYDR8’s thoughtful formulation approach, addressing not just hydration but the fundamental energy processes that power athletic performance.

• Bicarbonate (as Sodium Bicarbonate)

  Purpose: pH balance optimization and acid neutralization

  

  Bicarbonate serves as your body’s primary buffering system, helping maintain optimal pH balance during exercise and supporting enhanced hydration. As sodium bicarbonate, this ingredient works on multiple levels to optimize both performance and recovery.

  During intense exercise, your muscles produce lactic acid and other metabolic byproducts that can lower blood pH and contribute to fatigue. Bicarbonate acts as a natural buffer, helping neutralize these acids and potentially extending exercise capacity. Research has consistently shown that sodium bicarbonate supplementation can improve performance in high-intensity and endurance activities, but it’s often context-dependent.^[14]

  Beyond performance benefits, bicarbonate plays a crucial role in hydration by helping maintain the proper pH environment for optimal cellular fluid transport. When your body’s acid-base balance is optimized, electrolytes like sodium and potassium can function more effectively in regulating fluid movement across cell membranes.

  The inclusion of bicarbonate in HYDR8’s electrolyte matrix creates a more complete hydration system that addresses not just mineral replacement, but also the pH challenges that accompany intense training. This helps ensure that the other electrolytes in the formula can work at peak efficiency while supporting your body’s natural buffering capacity.

  You may see a bit of fizz coming from this, but our usage of HYDR8 shows that there’s not very much.

• Essential Amino Acid Blend (as Amino9®) – 6700mg

  (L-Leucine, L-Lysine, L-Threonine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, L-Phenylalanine, L-Methionine, L-Histidine, L-Tryptophan)

  

  Purpose: Muscle protein synthesis and enhanced mineral transport

  Amino9 is what sets HYDR8 apart from typical electrolyte products: It’s the inclusion of all nine essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own. While most electrolyte products focus solely on replacing lost minerals, HYDR8 recognizes that optimal cellular function requires both proper hydration and adequate amino acid availability.

  Essential amino acids serve as the building blocks for muscle protein synthesis, but their role in HYDR8 extends beyond simple muscle recovery.^[15] Research demonstrates that essential amino acids can stimulate muscle protein synthesis rates by 100-150% when consumed in adequate doses, with effects lasting 3-5 hours post-consumption.^[16]

  The 6.7g dose of Amino9 provides clinically meaningful amounts of each essential amino acid, including leucine, which is the primary trigger for activating the mTOR pathway that initiates muscle protein synthesis.^[17] At rest, essential amino acid supplementation can stimulate muscle protein synthesis with doses as low as 1.5-3g, but the plateau occurs around 15-18g total.^[15]

  Better absorption for the electrolytes!

  

  What’s clever about including essential amino acids in a hydration formula is their synergistic relationship with electrolyte absorption. Amino acids enhance sodium and fluid uptake through sodium-dependent amino acid transporters in the intestinal wall, potentially improving overall hydration efficiency beyond what electrolytes alone can achieve.^[18]

  All three branched-chain amino acids within this blend (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) deserve special mention for their direct metabolic benefits during exercise. These BCAAs can be oxidized directly in skeletal muscle for energy, potentially sparing muscle glycogen and supporting endurance performance.^[19] Research shows that BCAA supplementation can increase exercise capacity by 17% and enhance fat oxidation during glycogen-depleted states.^[19]

  Beyond muscle benefits, essential amino acids support immune function, neurotransmitter production, and overall cellular repair processes.^[18] The inclusion of tryptophan supports serotonin production for mood regulation, while phenylalanine serves as a precursor for dopamine and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters crucial for focus and motivation.

  By combining essential amino acids with electrolytes, HYDR8 addresses both immediate hydration needs and longer-term recovery processes, making it an ideal choice for serious athletes and active individuals who want comprehensive support rather than just basic fluid replacement.

Flavors Available

Here’s an up-to-date list of all flavors of GR8 Lifestyle HYDR8:

The Strawberry Watermelon flavor delivers a refreshing, naturally sweet taste that makes staying hydrated enjoyable without the cloying sweetness of traditional sports drinks.

How to Use HYDR8

For optimal results, mix one sachet (12.5g) of HYDR8 with 8 ounces of cold water. The product can be consumed at various times depending on your hydration and recovery needs. It’s generally used during exercise (intra workout) but you can also use it pre-workout, for post-workout recovery, or for some daily tasty hydration support.

Don’t be afraid to travel with a few packets and bring it to any hot weather events — it works great for these purposes too!

Conclusion: Hydration Redefined… with Aminos

HYDR8 represents what makes GR8 Lifestyle different: taking familiar supplement categories and elevating them through thoughtful formulation and premium ingredients. This isn’t just another electrolyte drink, it’s a comprehensive hydration and recovery system designed to support optimal performance and cellular health.

GR8 Lifestyle Supplements has arrived at GNC nationwide! Their 5 innovative products each contain 8 science-backed ingredients for optimizing performance at work, rest and play.

By combining essential electrolytes with a full spectrum of essential amino acids, HYDR8 provides everything your body needs for proper hydration while supporting muscle recovery and protein synthesis. The sugar-free formula means you get effective hydration without unnecessary calories or blood sugar spikes.

Whether you’re looking to enhance workout performance, support daily hydration, or accelerate post-exercise recovery, HYDR8 delivers a premium solution that transcends traditional electrolyte supplements. It embodies the GR8 Lifestyle philosophy of supporting peak performance across all aspects of life — work, rest, and play.

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