ELLE Fit: I Found Out Why Honey & Salt Has Become The Fitness World's Favourite Pre-Workout

Sometimes, trends bubble up in our algorithm orbit without us catching on. Take the subtle coup matcha has been staging against coffee, or the quiet revolution of raw and real images over perfectly aesthetic ones. So, when I noticed a new pre-workout ritual bubbling up all over my feed—a mix of honey and salt—you know I had to go down the rabbit hole.

At first glance, it seemed almost too simple. No fancy packaging, no laundry list of ingredients, just two pantry staples, with people even videoing themselves doing a quick lick-off-their-hand in the car, on the way to the gym. But don’t let its minimalism fool you—this combo has become the fitness world’s new favourite, under-the-wraps weapon for peak performance.

The magic lies in the synergy of these two powerhouses. Honey, a natural, fast-digesting carbohydrate, delivers an instant energy boost without the crash. I'd definitely recommend you do the organic, raw variety. Its simple sugars—mainly glucose and fructose—are rapidly absorbed, making it the perfect pre-workout fuel. Meanwhile, salt (specifically mineral-rich Celtic sea salt or Himalayan pink salt) helps replenish electrolytes, keeping muscle cramps and dehydration at bay.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jack Hallows | Online Fitness Coach (@jackhallowsfitness)

Science backs it up. Carbs before a workout? A no-brainer for sustained energy. Sodium? Essential for nerve function and hydration, especially for those who favour sweating it out at high-intensity training sessions. The combination provides a quick, but effective lift, making it an ideal alternative for people like me, who don't like buying ten different supplements and prefer to skip synthetic pre-workout formulas, loaded with artificial stimulants, and the fear of side-effects. It's also a Godsend, if like me, you don't like eating before a workout.

Fitness influencers and trainers alike swear by it. Some mix a teaspoon of honey with a pinch of salt in water, while others go for the straight-up method—honey on a spoon, salt on the tongue. Either way, the verdict is the same: a noticeable uptick in endurance, focus, and performance.

And the best part? It’s accessible. No need for pricey powders or hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Just a trip to your kitchen cabinet. It’s this back-to-basics approach that’s fueling its viral status, proving that sometimes, the simplest solutions really are the most effective.

So, is the honey and salt duo here to stay? If the growing number of devoted fitness enthusiasts is any indication, this might just be the pre-workout revolution we didn’t see coming. Consider this your sign to grab a jar of honey, a sprinkle of salt, and give it a shot before your next workout. Your muscles (and your wallet) will thank you.