CrossFit Angkor

What a fast crew!

Electrolytes: Do You Actually Need Them?

Electrolytes are having a moment right now, especially in hybrid racing and Hyrox, where people sweat a lot and are constantly trying to replace what they lose. Electrolytes themselves aren't new, they've always been part of how our bodies work. We're just talking about them more because fitness racing, and endurance sport in general, keeps getting more popular.

So the real question is: do you actually need them?

If you're a sweaty person, chances are you're losing a decent amount of sodium and other minerals every time you train hard. A 30-40 minute high-intensity session, a Hyrox workout or race, or a 10k in the kind of heat we get here in Siem Reap, for most people you're just not going to replace what you lost through normal food and water alone.

Part of the reason is that modern diets don't carry these minerals the way they used to. Sodium, magnesium, and potassium, the three main ones you'll find in any electrolyte drink, are easy to run short on if you're not paying attention, especially once you stack heat and heavy training on top.

Walk into any supermarket here and you'll find plenty of drinks branding themselves as a healthier, sportier alternative to regular soda, some local, some international. They're popular precisely because they market themselves that way. And sure, they're better than a can of Fanta or Sprite. But most of them are still built on sugar first, electrolytes second. What you're mostly getting is sugar, not the minerals you actually need, and you're unlikely to notice much of a performance difference from drinking one.

If you want something that functions like a real sports electrolyte drink, look for three things: enough sodium, enough potassium, enough magnesium. And ideally, no added sugar. If you want carbs, for energy or recovery, get them somewhere else, deliberately, rather than as a side effect of your electrolyte drink.

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Wondering what actually happens inside a CrossFit class? 👀

Every class starts with a clear briefing, followed by a warm-up. Then your coach teaches the movements, gives you time to practise, and helps you choose the right version for your level.

Some people use heavier weights. Some use lighter weights. Some use no weights at all. The goal is the same: move well, work hard at your own pace, and get a little better each time.

Then we do the workout together 💪

And yes, high fives are basically mandatory.

Curious to try it for yourself? DM us to book your free trial class.

5 Reasons CrossFit Angkor Is for YOU

You don’t need to be the fittest person in the room. You don’t need to know all the movements. And you definitely don’t need to “get in shape first.”

You just need to start.

At CrossFit Angkor, you’ll learn new skills, build real strength, improve your fitness, and achieve things you may not think are possible yet.

You’ll also meet people from different backgrounds who are working toward the same goal: becoming a little better every day.

Every workout can be adapted to your current level, and our coaches are there to guide, support, and challenge you. It’s hard work, but you’ll never have to do it alone (and yes, you might even enjoy it).

These are just five reasons CrossFit Angkor could be the right place for you.

Message us to ask about your first class, or tap the link in our bio to read our How to Start guide.

We're excited to welcome Brian to our coaching team!

Brian, a certified CrossFit L1 Trainer, has just moved to Siem Reap to help us build the CrossFit community here, bringing his experience as an athlete, competition judge, and now a coach.

His CrossFit story starts later than most, though — at 40, going through some major life changes and badly out of shape, he started personal training because he was too intimidated to walk into a class. His PT happened to be a CrossFit coach, and after two months of hard work, that fear turned into confidence — and confidence turned into a love for the methodology. He was hooked and witnessed real change faster than he ever expected.

That experience is exactly why Brian coaches today. He's felt what it's like to be the person too intimidated to walk in the door, and he's lived the proof that it's never too late — that your body can still do incredible things, from your first gymnastics skill to your heaviest lift.

He's passionate about sharing that same discipline and enthusiasm with others figuring out health and fitness in midlife and beyond, and he brings that same patience and empathy to every athlete he coaches.

Whether you're chasing your first pull-up or your next PR, Brian is here to help you move better, lift heavier, and build real confidence along the way.