Gatorade Sweat Patch: features, reviews & alternative sweat tests

Do you want to optimize your performance during training and competitions? Proper hydration is paramount. Recent studies by the Australian Institute of Sport show that dehydration can reduce an athlete’s performance by up to 30 percent. Also, a 2-3% loss in body weight due to dehydration can significantly impair athletic endurance and cognitive function.  

If you are looking for a sweat test solution to help you attain peak performance, you must have encountered the Gatorade sweat patch. This is an innovative device that offers a glimpse into your body's inner workings, providing valuable insights into your hydration gaps and electrolyte levels. But does it live up to the hype?

Join us to explore its features and how it works and uncover its best alternative, the Liipoo AbsolutSweat sweat patch.

What is a Gatorade sweat patch?

The Gatorade sweat patch is a microfluidic sweat sensor designed for DIY sweat tests for athletes of all disciplines. It is a single-use sweat patch that pairs with the Gx app to estimate sweat rate and sodium loss during training or competition. You can use it for indoor or outdoor physical activity across different sports, but not in water.

The wearable patch is usually worn on the inner left forearm and sticks to your skin through a certified hypoallergenic adhesive. This allows it to capture your sweat data directly from the skin and then create a sweat profile on the app. The sweat data is combined with the specific activity type, duration, intensity, and weather to create personalized sports fueling recommendations.  

It is a simple, fast, and accessible sweat test for everyone. However, for the Gatorade endurance sweat patch to work efficiently, users must work out for at least 20 minutes at an intensity level sufficient for significant sweating. The device works optimally when the temperature is between 8 and 35°C (47 and 95°F).

How does the Gatorade sweat patch work?

The Gatorade Gx sweat patch works in tandem with the Gx smartphone app to monitor sweat rate and electrolyte concentration. It is easy to use, as shown below:

Step 1: Wear the sweat patch

First, you should wipe, clean, and sanitize your forearm’s left ventral or inside part to remove sunscreen, lotion, or spray tanner from the skin. Dry the skin to make it free of moisture or sweat. After it dries, press down the Gatorade sweat patch for 10 seconds to seal it and ensure it firmly attaches to the skin.

Step 2: Workout to induce sweat

Next, you should exercise for between 20 minutes and 2 hours. The Gatorade sweat patch will collect your sweat samples throughout your workout. The patch is filled with non-toxic food dyes that indicate sweat levels. The orange channel gets filled to indicate your sweating rate, whereas the purple channel estimates the lost sodium electrolytes.

Step 3: Get your results

After the physical activity, use the Gx app to scan the Gatorade sweat patch while still wearing it before you cool down. Ensure sufficient lighting and don’t move when scanning. After the scan, the Gx app will show your sweat test results and your hydration and nutrition needs.

The Gatorade Gx sweat patch is a one-off wearable that should be replaced for every exercise session. If you want to know where to buy Gatorade sweat patch, the company’s website is perfect, but you can also get it from verified vendors like Amazon. The Gatorade sweat patch cost​ of purchasing a new sweat test kit is about $75 for three packs. Afterward, you can get a pack of two sweat patches for $25.   

Gatorade sweat patch reviews: is it worth it?

The Gatorade sweat patch is ideal for guiding replenishments during, after, and before workouts, and boosting your workout performance. Let’s weigh out its pros and cons to determine if it works for your scenario.

Pros

● The Gatorade sweat patch is effortless to set up.

●  It is compact and light enough to wear comfortably.

●  The adhesive part sticks well to the skin.

●  You can easily pair the sweat patch and the Gx app.

Cons

● It is tested and proven to lack accuracy by labs and athletes.

● It is a single-use sweat patch, requiring a new replacement for each test.

● The sweat profiles generated on the Gx app cannot be edited afterward.

● The sweat patch leaves an orange dye on the skin after you take it off.

● You may have to scan the sweat patch several times for the app to register it.

Overall, the Gatorade Gx sweat patch is an innovative sweat-testing solution that provides insights into hydration levels and measures sweat rate.

However, it is not recommended for professional athletes because of its low accuracy, tested by labs. Also, the Gatorade Gx sweat patch results leave out other essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. This is not comprehensive enough to provide athletes with helpful hydration and nutrition plans.   

The good news is that there is an alternative sweat patch testing for the Gatorade sweat patch. It is lab-accurate and yields more detailed workout feedback. Read the next section for more.

Liipoo AbsolutSweat: best alternative for Gatorade sweat patch

Liipoo AbsolutSweat is the smartest, most practical, and most effective way to conduct sweat tests by yourself. It is a miniaturized biosensor device that’s usually worn on the chest as you work out. The direct contact with excreted body fluids allows it to continuously measure your sweat biomarkers with lab test accuracy.   

Elite athletes like Sawan Serasinghe, winner of 7 Oceania Championships, already use the Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor. It helps track sweat, calculate sweating rates, monitor hydration status, dehydration endurance, fatigue levels, and more, with scientific replenishment plans for quick recovery.

The Liipoo AbsolutSweat is specifically designed for professional marathon runners, cyclists, triathletes, footballers, etc. Fitness lovers participating in endurance training or sports will also find it valuable.  Its sweat loss and sweat composition results are easy to interpret, and you can quickly integrate the scientific hydration and nutrition recommendations into your training routine.

How the Liipoo AbsolutSweat solution works

The Liipoo AbsolutSweat comprises a wearable sweat biosensor and the AbsolutSweat tracker app for smartphones and watches. The wearable device has a hydration pod and a replaceable sweat patch for sweat collection. During exercise, sweat enters the pod and creates a chemical reaction that transmits an electrical charge to the detection module for realtime analysis.

The hydration biosensor kit will then send the results to the AbsolutSweat app. Here, you can see a comprehensive report of your sweat information. It details your electrolyte loss, water loss, fatigue endurance, dehydration endurance, etc. But that’s not all. A scientific hydration plan is also generated to guide you in achieving proper hydration and replenishing accordingly.

You can conduct a Liipoo AbsolutSweat sweat test anywhere, in the gym, on the track, at home, etc., at any time and as often as required.

How helpful is Liipoo AbsolutSweat

The best thing about Liipoo AbsolutSweat is that it is your perfect companion for every stage of your exercise routine. Below are its key features:

During sports or training

You can use Liipoo AbsolutSweat sweat patch for realtime sweat monitoring mid-workout. It measures your sweat rate, monitors hydration, tracks dehydration, and notifies you when you should hydrate. That way, you can replenish fluids and take electrolyte supplements accordingly to stay at peak performance throughout the session. This is very crucial for preventing muscle cramps, stomach pains, dizziness, and early fatigue, which may lead to injury.

After sports or training

Liipoo AbsolutSweat also comes in handy post-workouts. It shares your sweat loss report that indicates exactly what you lost while exercising. In addition, it gives a personalized scientific hydration plan that tells you which type of foods and drinks to replenish, the right portions, and when to take them. That way, you can recover quickly after exercising.

Moreover, Liipoo AbsolutSweat also evaluates how you perform in a workout and shares details about your fatigue endurance, sweat rate, dehydration endurance, etc. You will learn more about your hydrated state and know your limits for dehydration. This allows you to remain hydrated after your workout session.   

Before sports or training

Another instance to apply the Liipoo AbsolutSweat solution is pre-exercise. But for this to work, you must have used it previously to capture your sweat and electrolyte loss patterns. This allows you to receive hydration and supplementation guidelines to use before your next workout. Liipoo will create pre-hydration strategies to help prepare yourself for peak performance while you prevent early exhaustion.

How to use Liipoo AbsolutSweat

The Liipoo AbsolutSweat is a simple sweat test kit that anyone can use with ease.

Step 1: Set up and pair with the app

After unboxing the Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor, you should assemble it and activate it. Upon activation, a green strobing light will appear.

Visit Google or the App Store and download the Liipoo AbsolutSweat app. Open the sweat tracker app and scan the QR code or Mac no. on the back side of the Liipoo sweat testing kit.

Tear the sweat tracking kit's removable opening. This will expose the adhesive part, which will stick to your chest. Attach the Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor to your chest, and you are set.  

Step 2: Begin your training and track

Start exercising to induce sweating, which will be collected by the Liipoo AbsolutSweat hydration biosensor for sweat analysis. The data is then synced with the AbsolutTracker app to produce a full report. You can learn details about your sweat production rate, glucose status, fatigue levels, Na+ and K+ ion concentration, and electrolyte levels. Plus, you will receive a scientific replenishment plan generated based on your sweat loss data, age, weight, and height.

Final verdict

To sum it up, both the Gatorade sweat patch and Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor are great options for at-home sweat tests and analysis. However, the Gatorade sweat patch’s biggest setback is its inaccuracy, which makes it less suitable for professional athletes.

You need the Liipoo AbsolutSweat biosensor if you aim to conduct detailed sweat rates and sweat composition analysis. It gives reliable results for your water loss, electrolyte loss, fatigue level, etc., and is as accurate as lab tests. Each time you use it, your sweat rate may vary depending on various conditions, such as the climate and exercise intensity. The good part is that Liipoo AbsolutSweat incorporates this data to generate accurate hydration plans and better evaluate your dehydration endurance. You receive fully personalized hydration strategies based on the sweat data report.

So, what are you waiting for? Get the Liipoo AbsolutSweat sweat testing kit now and completely transform how you train and compete. It is painless, effective, and convenient!