With PowerBar’s wealthy sports activities vitamin historical past, I can’t imagine that is the primary time I’ve tried the model’s PowerGel vitality gels.
PowerBar is the world’s first producer of vitality bars to be used in endurance competitions. If you happen to’re like me, a 90s child that got here of age within the Pacific Northwest of the US, you’re no stranger to PowerBar’s rise in recognition throughout the decade. Not simply the jocks had been consuming it. Many highschool classmates ate the chewy bar as an on a regular basis snack.
90s nostalgia, certainly.
With out additional ado, right here is my expertise after utilizing PowerBar’s PowerGel Authentic vitality gels on a 16km run.
Advertising and marketing claims
Listed here are 4 bullet factors from the corporate:
- Improved packaging.
- C2MAX Twin Supply Carb Combine accommodates a particular ratio of glucose and fructose sources.
- Designed for fast absorption and transport of vitality to working muscle tissue to assist enhance endurance efficiency.
- With sodium, the first electrolyte misplaced by sweat.
Nothing outrageous right here. After going by the product pages, I’ve to say PowerGel Authentic is a typical vitality gel that provide you with what you want.
Substances
- Maltodextrin
- Water
- Fructose
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium citrate
- Citric acid
- Flavoring
- Preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate)
Maltodextrin offers glucose, and fructose affords one other pathway for the physique to provide vitality throughout train.
I assume maltodextrin (glucose supply) and fructose are the primary components for its “C2MAX Twin Supply Carb Combine.” I couldn’t discover the precise ratio of the 2 sugars, however it’s usually 2:1 glucose : fructose or close to 1:1 in vitality gels I’ve examined earlier than.
Dietary info
Every pack of PowerGel Orginal is 41g and offers the next:
- 107 energy
- 0g fats
- 26.7g carbohydrates, of which 9.8g are sugars
- 0.4g protein
- 205 mg sodium
At 41g, this vitality gel is unquestionably on the heavy sidel. But its 26.7g carbohydrate content material is larger than the standard 20g in most gels.
Style and consistency – cough syrup-like
I had the Lemon-Lime taste. For some cause, in my head, I related it with Gatorades’ lemon-lime sports activities drink. Their flavors couldn’t be extra completely different. PowerGel Orginal Lemon-Lime is of the sweet-syrupy-medicine variety.
Too candy and thick for me. I desire extra tartness in lemon or lime vitality gels.
Packaging – much less litter
I applaud vitality gel manufacturers that innovate, significantly concerning packaging. Please see pictures.
The package deal has what the corporate dubbed the “trash chain” close to the opening. After you rip open the gel, the little piece that always turns into litter stays connected to the sachet. Me likey.
Nevertheless, the vitality gel is huge, about 15cm lengthy. Ensure it suits in your fuel-carrying gear earlier than buying.
Efficiency – a strong possibility
It was an early morning run on an empty abdomen – 16km simple, with the final 4km at marathon effort to let unfastened and observe pacing I took one vitality gel minutes earlier than the run and a second one on the 9km mark. I additionally carried a 500ml flask of water.
Some takeaways
- Because it wasn’t a high-intensity or super-long exercise, I wouldn’t say I completely test-drove PowerGel Authentic. Nevertheless, it stored me going regardless of working on an empty abdomen. I ate dinner early the night time earlier than at 5pm, so I positively wasn’t topped off to begin the run.
- The vitality gel set effectively. My abdomen didn’t grumble and didn’t make me gassy like another gels (my poor coaching companions).
- The style wasn’t horrible, however because it’s a 41g vitality gel, you need to ingest extra of it to get the complete dose, exacerbating the below-average taste.
- Mouth-to-muscle time was about 6-7 minutes primarily based on the second gel I took on the 9km mark. Not the fastest-reacting gasoline I’ve tried, however the vitality surge was noticeable when it got here.
- The packaging is value mentioning once more. I actually prefer it. It’s simple to open, and I don’t have to fret about by accident dropping bits and items of the vitality gel sachet.
- I solely needed to convey one packet for the run, so measurement wasn’t a priority that morning. Nevertheless, I can think about it being cumbersome if I’ve to hold 5-7 of this gel on a marathon.
Conclusion
It’s a strong possibility. It’s not making an attempt to throw a boatload of know-how at you. It gained’t bowl you over with extras. The ingredient checklist is straightforward, and the package deal is well-designed.
It’s a race gasoline with ample carbohydrates and sodium. For us weekend warriors, it has every part we really want.
Style and consistency are under common, however that is extremely subjective. I’m positive many individuals discover it acceptable because it’s one of many best-selling manufacturers on this planet.
I give PowerGel Authentic Lemon-Lime a impartial ranking. If the one possibility I see in a working retailer is PowerGel Authentic, I’ll don’t have any downside utilizing it since I do know it should get the job completed. Nevertheless, I’m positive I can discover one thing equally efficient however higher match my style desire in a real-life retailer.
_______________________________________
Want just a little motivation to go out the door? Listed here are some fan-favorites from our “Inspiration” part. Happiness occurs once you run.
