As I walked into my native Fleet Toes one thing new and unusual caught my consideration. It regarded like GU however larger. As I picked it up, I may inform instantly that this was one thing just a little bit totally different. I may sense the sloshing and motion of the liquid throughout the packet (very a lot not like the unique GU). Certainly because the identify suggests this was GU’s new Liquid Vitality product and I needed to give it a attempt. I picked up three totally different flavors and requested the fella on the counter if this was GU’s try at isotonic gel. I’m undecided if he heard of SIS isotonic gels earlier than, however he responded – Nah, it’s simply GU with water.
On this evaluate, I share my expertise of attempting GU Liquid Vitality throughout a 15 mile coaching path run. I attempted the GU Liquid Vitality Strawberry Banana, in addition to the Orange and the Espresso flavors, these final two include 20 and 40 mg of caffeine respectively.
Advertising and marketing Declare – GU gel in a refreshingly gentle and easy liquid kind
The nice individuals at GU make a fairly simple pitch that their liquid power merchandise ship the identical moveable and fast-absorbing power as the unique gels however in a unique kind issue – liquid. The explanation for the brand new kind of gel, in accordance the product overview web page, is that having quite a lot of kind components makes it simpler to make sure you preserve fueling up throughout endurance classes. I didn’t see any claims from GU about not needing to drink water alongside the liquid gels, quite the opposite it states proper on the packet “each 45 minutes & hydrate alongside the way in which”.
GU Authentic vs GU Liquid Vitality – Diet and Measurement Comparability
The distinction in measurement of the liquid power from the unique GU is apparent. It’s nearly twice the load at 60 grams vs 32 grams for unique variants, however just a bit large taller (seen with tip already ripped off in picture under), and possibly 1.5 occasions wider. The package deal remains to be very cheap to hold in your operating shorts or belt. I used to be capable of carry three of them with no drawback in my shorts again pocket.
So far as diet comparability, they’re similar to the unique GU gels.
- Energy: the strawberry banana taste of Liquid Vitality had 95 kcal whereas the unique GU of the identical taste has 100 kcal.
- Carbohydrates: 23 grams for each forms of kind components
- Salt/Sodium: The liquid power variant lists .19 g of salt – which equates to only over 70mg of sodium, whereas the unique lists 55mg of sodium.
- Each merchandise additionally include amino acids resembling L-leucine, L-Valine, and L-Isoleucine.
Right here’s the again label of two of the flavors I attempted, the espresso and the strawberry banana:
Style and consistency
Not like Runivore Will (the opposite reviewer on Runivore), I don’t thoughts the style of power gels an excessive amount of. They don’t seem to be one thing I’d ever eat on their very own for enjoyment, however I benefit from the taste once I’m on lengthy runs or throughout a race. I’ve additionally used GU power gels greater than some other kind of diet merchandise throughout marathons or ultras. I like them for the number of flavors.
From the very first gulp, or reasonably sip, of GU Liquid Vitality, I felt like I used to be consuming one thing very acquainted. In different phrases, the flavors that I attempted all had been similar to the unique GU gel flavors. I believe there’s additionally one thing distinctive to GU gels usually and this uniqueness remained within the Liquid Vitality merchandise as effectively.
So far as consistency, GU liquid power went down easily and I didn’t really feel like I wanted water as a chaser. It appeared like a barely thick juice or overly concentrated gatorade.
Packaging – the outlet may very well be barely larger
I did see within the GU evaluations that some individuals complained in regards to the opening not being large enough and a few individuals had bother getting the gel out simply. I didn’t actually discover this to be a major problem and it’s in all probability a built-in spill deterrent because the gel is liquid. I bear in mind having to suck just a little bit for the espresso taste – however maybe I didn’t execute the rip as effectively as with the opposite flavors.
Right here’s the trio of gels I attempted:
Efficiency – 25 km with marathon tempo part
I normally don’t take power gels till about 40 minutes into my coaching session or race, however on this specific day I had skipped breakfast so I really adopted the instructions proper on the opening tab which acknowledged: 5 min earlier than, each 45 minutes. I took the Strawberry Banana taste about 5 minutes earlier than the exercise session. It tasted fairly good and though I didn’t want water when it comes to getting the GU cleared out, I did have just a few sips simply as a pallet cleanser. I took the Espresso and the Orange taste with me onto the paths.
I ran 5 km (about 3 miles) at a straightforward tempo, then 15 km at my marathon tempo, and completed it off with a 5 km straightforward tempo. I took the espresso taste on the 45 minute mark into the coaching. It tasted very nice and went down easily, I didn’t observe it up with water as my makeshift water station was a few mile after I took the gel. It didn’t hassle me to not have any water with it. I undoubtedly advocate it when you’re operating a marathon and need to absorb power gels in accordance with a time schedule and never depend upon being near a water station.
I took the ultimate gel on the 1.5 hour mark and continued for simply over half-hour to complete my exercise.
Some takeaways:
- From begin to end I by no means felt for lack of power even whereas skipping breakfast and beginning the run fairly late ~ 11AM.
- I loved the style, and the watery texture was a pleasant break from the thick GU I’m used to.
- So far as efficiency, it did the job, though I hoped for a bit extra of a caffeine kick from the Espresso taste. I’m a excessive caffeine consumption runner so I assume the 40 mg within the espresso taste and the 20 mg within the orange taste had been simply too little to make an influence.
- The packaging opening may very well be only a tad bit wider, in any other case it’s a must to simply suck just a little to get the power out fully. This was not a sport breaker for me.
- Costs on the retail retailer had been cheap at simply over $2 per GU liquid power and promote for about $2 on the GU web site.
Conclusion:
I’ll undoubtedly give these gels a attempt once more, particularly if I make the error of signing up for one more 100 ok or if I get another foolish thought. The considered mixing up conventional gels and the liquid power looks as if a good suggestion to me.
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