I’m a fan of Decathlon. I’ve bought a lot of its reasonably priced but high quality gear for a variety of sporting actions, however that is my first time utilizing the French firm’s sports activities diet merchandise.
I picked up the apple taste for a half marathon. Listed here are my ideas.
Advertising claims
Decathlon underscores the power gel’s micro-nutrient content material. Beneath are three highlights.
Components
- Liquid glucose
- Fructose
- Water
- Maltodextrin
- Citric acid
- Taste
- Citrate sodium
- Zinc gluconate
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B12, B6, B1
Dietary info
At 32 g, it offers:
- 92.4 energy
- 23.1 g carbohydrates, of which 20.8 g is sugar
- 20 mg sodium
- 0.3 mg vitamin B1
- 0.4 mg vitamin B6
- 0.7 mg vitamin B12
- 3.6 mg vitamin E
- 3 mg zinc
The power gel certainly offers a hefty dosage of micro-nutrients. The quantity of the varied vitamin Bs represents 20-30% of really useful each day worth and 28% and 20% for vitamin E and zinc, respectively.
Packaging
The packaging is normal. The dimensions, barely bigger than that of GU, ought to slot in most shorts pockets and operating belts.
I’m seeing extra power gels incorporate a non-detachable design to forestall creating litter after ripping open the sachet. The Decathlon power gel has simply that.
Decathlon solely sells the gel in a field of 4. Therefore, dietary data is printed solely on the outer field and never on the gel sachet.
Style and consistency
The power gel is sort of syrupy with a tart sweetness. The apple taste jogs my memory of Jolly Rancher’s onerous sweet. Should you soften down a kind of inexperienced ones, it might in all probability style just like the Decathlon apple taste power gel.
I discover the style okay, however want it wasn’t as thick.
Efficiency
I examined Decathlon’s power gel at a half-marathon. I ran the race as a marathon tempo observe with the final 2km at tempo effort (3-5 seconds sooner per km than my marathon tempo) to get in a top quality stimulus.
I took the primary gel on the 30-minute mark after which a second one at one hour. The beginning time was at 4pm, so I had all day to eat, digest, and cargo up on glycogen.
A half-marathon sometimes takes me lower than 90 minutes, and I in all probability may have hit my objectives with out extra gas. Due to this fact, it was maybe not the best setting for testing power gels.
Regardless, it’s good to observe consuming gels at race tempo and be vigilant about staying topped up for a day race at greater temperatures (round 27 levels Celsius at first).
Some takeaways:
- Primarily based on the dietary data, the power gel offers ample sugar, which is the first objective. The additional micro-nutrients are a welcome addition, however their results are more durable to confirm.
- I discovered the gel a bit thick for a scorching day, requiring extra water to chase down. The aftertaste additionally lingered.
- The surge feeling was lacking. Though I used to be in a position to hit my tempo targets, I felt low in power. There might be many causes for that. Unseasonably excessive temperatures and late-afternoon begin time (I like early-morning begins) being two.
Conclusion
The field of 4 prices NT$169 or US$5.42, so every power gel is US$1.35. It’s reasonably priced however not a lot totally different from extra outstanding manufacturers I’ve tried and appreciated, comparable to GU and Hammer.
Every athlete reacts to race gas in another way, and replenishing misplaced glycogen and electrolytes is extra artwork than science. I didn’t really feel re-energized by the Decathlon power gel, however that doesn’t imply it wouldn’t be just right for you.
The feel didn’t win me over, both. Personally, I don’t thoughts paying extra for a better-tasting possibility that I’m assured will work for me. Sadly, Decathlon Power Gel gained’t be part of my fueling arsenal.
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On the lookout for power gel suggestions? Listed here are just a few power gels reviewed by us just lately.
Honey Stinger Natural Power Gels, Prompt Surge
Spring Power CanaBERRY – Even Power Movement From Actual Meals
PowerGel Authentic Lemon-Lime, a Stable Possibility
GU Liquid Power – GU Plus Water Equals Drinkable Power
32GI Guarana Caffeine Shot, Separating Power Gel & Caffeine
Huma All-Pure Power Gels, Eat Chia Seeds and Run
