GU Energy Gel is specifically formulatedTo energize your body during exercise. Using GU during your regular workouts will keep your mind alert and active, and your muscles going strong. GU givesThe most concentrated form of immediate energy with no stomach bulk or distress, is quickly and efficiently absorbed, and will maintain your blood sugar atThe optimal level for a great workout startTo finish.During a workout or race, no matter whatType, you needTo quickly absorb carbohydrate-based calorie
This stuff is great. I can't believe all the negative reviews posted... must be some kind of conspiracy.
Gu is never pasty, goes down easy, never upsets my tummy, and has lots of great flavors (Vanilla, Jet Blackberry, Blueberry-Pomegranite, etc). It is a bit expensive full price, but look for sales and stock up when the price is right. Roctane also rules for racing or really long rides.
Similar Products Used: Clif shots, Power Gel, Hammer gel, etc.
Bike Setup: Multiple 29ers
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Submitted by
Frank Hogan
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2011
Strengths: energy
Weaknesses: price, package
Bottom Line:
I won't use those foil packages anymore. Do people still buy em, You'd think this fabulous economy and job market would have finally changed our wasteful western habits. the best carb gel for cross country is max energy, hard to find though, got some in palo alto and fairbanks, for the readers try http://www.endurancemaxenergy.com
Submitted by
SenorSerioso
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2011
Strengths: Works kinda
Weaknesses: Works kinda
Bottom Line:
Benefit does not exceed flavor compromise. Chocolate Outrage and the Coffee flavor were the only ones I could stomach. I felt so terrible after consuming the others. It took me 30 minutes to get the nasty taste out of my mouth.
Submitted by
maxwilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Vacaville, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2011
Strengths: it's carbs in an emergency
Weaknesses: price, packaging and sugar.
Bottom Line:
why do all those endurance nutrition companies practice the mantra of muscle head sport nutrition marketing? Magic supplemental nutrients! There's no magic in any of them and then they add sugar to hide the nasty taste of the so-called magic. And, I won't handle those foil packages. I keep going back to endurance max energy gel. Clean maltodextrin carbs, no sugar and packaging that makes sense. I use it in racing 3 - 24 hours and it always works.
Similar Products Used: power gel, max energy, enervitene, cytomax, gatorade, clif, accelerade, hammer gel, heed
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Submitted by
cross country runner
a Cross Country Rider
from Orangevale, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2010
Strengths: deffinitely gives you energy
Weaknesses: not easy to digest- the last two times i have raced with it I have collapsed on the course and vomited 7+ times. It might just be me. But I gag trying to get it down, its so disgusting
Bottom Line:
tastes awful, can cause vomiting, more of a placebo than actually working. DONT BOTHER.
Similar Products Used: Gatorade pre-game, powerblocks
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Submitted by
ramilcp
a Weekend Warrior
from Whittier, CA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2008
Strengths: Provides good energy. Prevents me from bonking.
Weaknesses: Bitter chemical aftertaste on some flavors. Best to just swallow it down and not savor it.
Bottom Line:
I think the chocolate flavor is the most palatable of the Gu shots. The taste of Just Plain and Vanilla are disagreeable during the heat of physical activity. I get these at a discount so the I'm willing to get over the taste for a quick energy boost because taste aside, these shots work.
power gel is too sweet, clif shot has a nasty after taste Gu isnt great tasting but better than most, tried all flavers tri berry & orange taste best, just plain is just plain nasty, I finally settled on java for the double caffiene. I've resd several studies that conclude caffiene is the only quick boost that works, I'll have to agree. as for the taste & waste, eat it in 1 big swallow, drink water and carry a baggie for the sticky package
Submitted by
kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from thousand oaks, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005
Strengths: gives energy
Weaknesses: taste!
Bottom Line:
I want my Power Gel Back! This stuff is disgusting. Really, no joke. Plug your nose don't chew and pray the after taste doesn't linger for as long as it normally does. No noticable advantage in energy over power gel. And I compare power gel to yogurt (straw-banana), and GU to play-doh.
It's really a toss up between this and Hammer Gel, I prefer the vanilla taste of this one, it's kinda a "nothing", my primary concern if I'm slamming this down is to get it down, not savour the taste. I have used it in several 24hr enduros and at first I was scheptical about the usuage, but at 3am halfway through my 4th lap, getting one of these down left me in no doubt. Gel's work! Try different flavours and brands as I've had some that make me want to chuck. Not good when your bonking!
Strengths: The Chocolate Outrage actually tastes good. I haven't tried some of the other flavors but I'm told vanilla and plain are repulsive. I did notice a little boost of energy ~1/2 hour into my daily run....nothing too significiant though.
Weaknesses: This product is outrageously expensive and can be very messy if one is not careful.
Bottom Line:
The success with most of these products lies in the marketing. Yes, it does provide an little extra boost of energy but certainly not for the price. I suppose products like this would benefit a consumer most when, while they are competing, they are starting to feel their energy levels become depleted. Consuming energy gel before a race or exercise session, in my opinion, is probably a waste of money and time. As I stated above though, the psychological effects should not be underestimated. Eating a well balanced diet, staying well hydrated, and exercising properly will serve you just as well and enable you to achieve the same performance results. Save your money.
Similar Products Used: Granola bars, Powerbars, Gatorade, Powerade
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Submitted by
Kodi Ehbear
a Racer
from Missoula, Montana
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2003
Strengths: Gives a quick boost of energy, I race bikes and I use it when the competition starts to heat up. I also carry it when hiking, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and everything else that relates to extreme activity.
Weaknesses: Tastes bad after brushing your teeth.. :)
Submitted by
woodyak
a Cross Country Rider
from rockport, ma
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2001
Strengths: Variety of flavors, sold in value packs, nice quick boost, convenient.
Weaknesses: Sticky, some flavors are terrible, low cals.
Bottom Line:
This stuff helps me get going after a long day of sitting at my desk. I don't feel like eating a meal before I ride after work and powerbars/granola stuff doesn't seem to help me out at all. I pound this stuff down and it helps me get past the post-work lethargy.
Similar Products Used: PowerBars, gatorade, other power bar imitations, granola bars.
Bike Setup: Klein Mantra, Marz Z-2, Mavic Crossride, Time ATAC's, yada yada yada
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Submitted by
Mike Carey
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson,AZ
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001
Strengths: lots of flavors
Weaknesses: tastes like crap- too sweet and chemical like
Bottom Line:
I tried each flavor and found that I could not even think about eating another one. They all made my stomach turn upside down while racing. (didn't have this problem with carb-boom, which I still eat on a regular basis).
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