One of the keys to preforming at a high level is maintaining a consistent source of fuel for your body both in terms of calories and electrolytes. Our nutrition selection has nearly doubled with the new space giving you a wide variety of products and brands. But remember, never try anything new on race day - experiment and find what works best for you during training.
Gels: The ultimate fast food! Best when you need fast-acting, easy-to-digest source of energy on the move! Use it before and during exercise (every 30-45 minutes) to keep you going strong. Most packets are about 100 calories with some flavors having caffeine which helps metabolize fat during exercise, giving the body an additional fuel source. We offer four brands: GU, Accel Gel, Hammer and Clif.
GU is the original energy gel. It provides 100 calories of high-quality carbohydrates in the form of 70-80% maltodextrin and 30-20% fructose (ratio depends upon the flavor) along with a unique blend of amino acids and electrolytes to fight muscle fatigue, speed up the conversion of carbohydrates into usable energy, maintain focus and prevent cramping. The chocolate mint tastes like a peppermint patty!
ACCEL GEL: Accel Gel is unique because it contains protein. The added protein gives you a head start on the recovery process and may help you feel satiated longer. It has a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate and protein which has been found to increase endurance, reduce muscle damage, and promote recovery. This 100 calorie gel is best to use during or after your workouts. Kiwi-strawberry is our top-selling flavor!
Hammer Gel: Hammer Gel uses long-chain complex carbohydrates for consistent energy release. There's only a little sugar, so it doesn't set off insulin spikes causing crazy ups and downs! Like other gels, it is easily digested and has a concentrated source of complex carbohydrates with four amino acids. It is also gluten-free, vegan friendly and MSG-free. Kosher Certified too! I love the apple cinnamon flavor-tastes just like apple pie filling!
Clif Shot Energy Gel: Clif is renowned for their less is more approach. Their gels have the fewest ingredients of all the brands, plus the ingredients are 85-90% organic. Their formula has a thinner consistency which makes it easier to wash down and contain 60-90mg of sodium and 50-85mg of potassium to keep your electrolyte supply topped off. Each pack features an ingenious litter leash which keeps the tear tab connected to the main packet to reduce litter on the trail.
Chews, Bloks, Chomps & Beans: When you need something to chew on... Sometimes gels just don't work. Either you can't tolerate the glob or they infuse too much good stuff at once in your stomach which can lead to cramping. These products are great because they taste like gummy bears and can be eaten individually over a period of time which keeps your fuel levels consistent and your mouth occupied.
Honey Stinger Chews: These energy chews are the first to include naturally occurring fiber and protein derived from 100% organic tapioca syrup and honey. The chews are smaller and softer than others and not sticky sweet. They are made with organic ingredients, are gluten and dairy free, contain no GMO ingredients and have zero trans-fats and no partially hydrogenated oils!
Cliff Shot Bloks: At 33 calories a cube and their patented Fastpak packing, it's easy to carry and monitor your nutrient intake. The fruity-flavored Bloks feature organic brown rice syrup which is a minimally-refined source of carbohydrate with naturally occurring sodium, potassium and magnesium. No high fructose corn syrup! Some varieties like Black Cherry contain caffeine while Margarita has extra salt to encourage you to drink more fluid.
GU Chomps: These chomps have the same proven blend of carbohydrates, amino acids, antioxidants and electrolytes as their energy gel, but in a chewable form. These tasty bites have an optimal blend of carbohydrates, the GU amino blend as well as Vitamin C & E. Each packet contains two servings which will fuel 1 1/2 to 2 hours of activity. The peach tea flavor tastes like a Snapple Peach Tea - yum!
Jelly Belly Sports Beans: These yummy beans look - and taste - like regular jelly belly jelly beans, but they do so much more! They are scientifically formulated to maximize sports performance using carbohydrates, electrolytes, vitamins B1, B2, & B3 and Vitamin C! They are naturally sweetened and use six real fruit juices. The Sport Beans come in a resalable pack so you won't have to cry over spilled beans in your pocket.
Bars & Waffles: They look and taste like decadent treats, but they are chock full of good ingredients to fuel your exercise. These options are perfect for people who can't stand gels, need to switch up their fuel during a prolonged workout/race or want to ingest real ingredients. Use before, during or after your workouts.
Bonk Breaker Bars: The official bar of Ironman! These yummy bars combine sports nutrition with home-style baking! Each super-fresh 250 calorie bar uses all-natural, organic ingredients and contain no wheat or dairy products. It is a favorite mid-day snack for us staffers, though we can't seem to decide which flavor is the best: PB&J, PB & chocolate chip, fig, apple pie, PB & banana or almond butter & honey. Sooo good!
Honey Stinger Waffles: We like to snack on these too! At160 calories per waffle, these 100% USDA organic treats are easy to digest. They were inspired by one of Lance Armstrong's favorite Belgian training treats (in fact, Lance loves these waffles so much that he became a part-owner of Honey Stinger)! The best way to eat a waffle? Let it sit on top of your steaming mug of post-workout coffee for a few minutes. Melt in your mouth goodness!
Liquid Fuel: Sometimes your body needs more than what H2O can provide. These sport drinks are low on sugar and high on electrolytes and energy.
Hammer-HEED:This sports drink is subtle tasting, has complex carbohydrates and goes down easily! And, it supplies you with consistent, long-lasting energy and the electrolytes you need to keep you going strong! Available in single-serve envelopes and multi-serving canisters.
Hammer-Perpetuem: Perpetuem is best for training sessions or events longer than two hours. Its unique formula - complex carbohydrates, GMO-free soy protein, healthy fats, and key auxiliary nutrients such as sodium phosphate - helps maintain optimal athletic performance. It provides consistent, reliable energy, maximizing stored fat utilization, while buffering lactic acid to prevent muscle fatigue. Available in single-serve envelopes and multi-serving canisters.
Generation UCAN Sports Drink: Powered by SuperStarch, this drink provides consistent energy, without spikes, crashes and gastric irritation. It has both carbs and fat for dual fuel which puts your body in its ideal performance state. Best when taken 30-45 minutes before your workout. If you have a sensitive stomach, you need to try this product. It's worked wonders for several staffers whose stomachs don't do well with other energy products.
Gatorade Endurance: This isn't your regular Gatorade! It has 2x the amount of sodium and a unique blend of five electrolytes to keep your muscles cramp-free. It is designed for prolonged activities and is frequently found on marathon race courses.
Nuun: Want to stay hydrated without adding more calories to your diet? Nuun is a sugar-free electrolyte drink that recharges your depleted salts without the calories, mess or sticky-sweet taste found in other sport drinks. What cool about Nuun is that it is a portable effervescent tablet that you add to your own water. It fizzes as it dissolves (no mixing or shaking needed) and then becomes flat so you can easily drink it down. Lots of crisp, refreshing flavors to choose from.
Recovery Zone: Your body needs 200-300 calories of specific nutrition within 15 minutes of your athletic pursuits to speed physical and mental recovery since recovery has a direct effect on your performance tomorrow. I think of them as wonder products!
Cliff Rok Shots: Just in! These yummy protein bites are perfect for post workouts or healthy snacking. These gumdrop-sized "roks" deliver much needed protein, maximizing your recovery. In fact, 10 roks (1 packet) provides a whopping 20g combination of high quality whey/milk protein wrapped in a protective, edible shell so there is no melting mess (think M&M's!). Flavors include peanut butter, chocolate and chocolate chip cookie dough!
Hammer Recoverite: Recoverite supplies your body with the proper 3:1 ratio of complex carbohydrates and the high quality whey protein isolate that helps your muscles, immune system, and digestive tract, along with multi-beneficial glutamine to boost your immune system, reduce the symptoms of overtraining, enhance glycogen synthesis, and stimulate muscle protein synthesis for muscle tissue rebuilding. It also contains the antioxidant l-carnosine and plenty of electrolytes. The strawberry flavor tastes like a smoothie!
Generation UCAN Recovery: Like its "sport drink" brethren, this protein-enhanced powder contains UCAN's proprietary SuperStarch that helps maintain glucose levels, enable fat burn, and optimize recovery by using nutrients to restore glycogen stores and rebuild muscles. The chocolate and vanilla flavors are great when blended with ice and a banana for a delicious post-run shake.