What is a hydration test

Media Platforms Design Team

Electrolytes are essential to a properly functioning, sweating, body. You use them, you deplete them and then you need to replenish them. While the concept seems fairly simple, the exact mechanics around why we need to stay hydrated, the reason for replenishing electrolytes after sweating, and the protocol for drinking “at least 8” cups of fluid a day is sometimes harder to define beyond “because you’re supposed to.”

The Importance of Water

Your body depends on water for survival (it’s the main component of blood). It’s needed for critical body functions including: Delivery of substances including oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the cells and removal of waste from the cells. Regulation of body temperature Control of intracellular and extracellular fluid levels.

We lose water daily, through the obvious sweating, but also when we do things like go the bathroom and even breathe. Water loss is more rapid in warmer weather, or with excessive sweating (hello hot sweaty summer long run).

How Much Water?

There are different beliefs around how much water you should be drinking in a day, though most follow the “6-8 glasses per day” recommendation. While this is generally good, as runners we may need even more fluid than that.

One of the easiest ways to test your hydration is through bathroom frequency and urine color. Your urine should be light yellow and you should be emptying your bladder on average 5-8 times per day.

Another way to determine hydration levels (especially after a run) is a sweat test. This will help you determine just how much fluid you need post workout.

To test:

• Measure body weight naked before and after your run
• Sweat loss (ounces) is equal to body weight (pounds) before exercise minus body weight after exercise. 16 ounces (2 cups) of water should be consumed for every pound that has been lost.

How Electrolytes Can Help

The term “electrolytes” is really just a fancy name for minerals that help the body perform its natural functions; they include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. These minerals, which dissolve in the fluids in our body and break into electrically charged ions, keep the body in balance. They work both independently and with each other performing roles such as helping to move glucose and other nutrients into your cells, and helping to remove waste products and extra water from your cells.

As runners, electrolyte balance is key for both successful training and optimal performance. When you have an imbalance of electrolytes, your body starts to remind you through stomach cramps, muscle cramps and spasms, side stitches and if it gets really extreme, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and more.

Don’t let thirst be your reminder to reach for a drink, though. Usually by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already on the road to dehydration. Sipping an electrolyte-rich beverage at some point during the day will allow you to stay refreshed and balanced, and avoid dehydration. Plus most people find it more appealing to reach for a flavored beverage than plain water all the time. Just be careful not to purchase one that’s also loaded with lots of sugars and high calories (read your nutrition labels!)

Portuguese Football Federation consensus statement 2020: nutrition and performance in football.

Abreu R, Figueiredo P, Beckert P, Marques JP, Amorim S, Caetano C, Carvalho P, Sá C, Cotovio R, Cruz J, Dias T, Fernandes G, Gonçalves E, Leão C, Leitão A, Lopes J, Machado E, Neves M, Oliveira A, Pereira AI, Pereira B, Ribeiro F, Silva LM, Sousa F, Tinoco T, Teixeira VH, Sousa M, Brito J. Abreu R, et al. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021 Aug 26;7(3):e001082. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001082. eCollection 2021. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2021. PMID: 34527279 Free PMC article.

The MX3 LAB, test strips and app work together to provide a seamless, on-the-go version of lab testing and results. Test for hydration several times a day or as needed, and track changes and results over time.

Add To Cart

*Online ordering is currently only available for the U.S. and Australia.
**For countries outside the U.S. and Australia please email .

Hardware Included:

• MX3 LAB Pro Version
• 120 Disposable Hydration Test Strips
• Test Strip Dispenser
• USBC Charging Cable

Software Included:

• Access to the MX3 App: The app is available on Apple and Android devices.
• Access to the MX3 Portal: The web-based portal allows customers to set up and access their health data via web browser.

* No calibration needed

• Size 8.4 x 1.8 x 1.0 in / 214 x 45 x 25 mm
• Weight 5.6 oz / 160 g
• FCC Compliance 15.107, 15.109 Class A  
• CE Certification
• FDA Registered Osmometer
• Bluetooth version 5.1
• Battery life more than 1000 measurements when fully charged
• Type Single Cell rechargeable, Li-Po, 3.7V, 1100mAh
• Charging port USB-C
• Charging cable USB-C to USB-A 1m 

• Compatibility iOS and Android
• Downloadable free with purchase of HTS kit

Terms of Use

By ordering MX3 products, you are accepting the Terms of Use outlined in the MX3 Terms of Use/Privacy Policy (https://portal.mx3.app/terms-of-use). If you are purchasing on behalf of an organisation, you confirm that you are authorised to accept these terms on behalf of this organisation.

Please refer to the user manual for limitations and the correct usage of the MX3 hydration testing system. 

The MX3 Hydration Testing System comes with a 1-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship from the date of delivery. A 90-day extended warranty applies to repairs returned within the last 90 days of the warranty period. The rights outlined here are in addition to your statutory rights provided by Australian or US consumer law.

Eligible goods may be replaced with a new or refurbished equivalent or superior product (where applicable). Eligible goods may also be repaired with new or refurbished parts or refunded at MX3’s discretion. 

This warranty will not apply to:

• Cosmetic damage due to regular use
• Damage caused by unintended use
• Damage caused by external causes
• Damage caused by non-authorised disassembly, servicing or modification. 

This warranty does not guarantee uninterrupted or error free use. MX3 is not liable for any incidental damage resulting from defects (as limited by law). 

To claim the warranty, you must contact MX3 support at within the warranty period with proof-of-purchase. If online support or in-person service is not available, you may be required to mail-in your Hydration Testing System for service. For such situations, MX3 will cover shipping to and from your location. 

For Australian Customers: Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure

Warranty Obligor Information

MX3 is excited to make saliva-based hydration testing simple and accessible. If you are not satisfied for any reason with the MX3 Hydration Testing System, you can return it for a replacement or refund within 30 calendar days of delivery. To qualify, returns must be undamaged and in original packaging. Please contact for return information. 

You may cancel your pre-order at any time before the product is shipped for a full refund by contacting . You will be notified 3-5 business days before shipment is made. 

You may be responsible for return shipping costs, where applicable. Missing accessories, consumables, or packaging will incur a restocking fee equivalent to the retail value of the missing parts. Opened MX3 Test Strips are not eligible for returns. Refunds will be processed to the original payment method. 

Terms outlined here are in addition to your statutory rights under Australian or US consumer law.