when should i use my Hammer energy products?

Question

i have several samples from Hammer Nutrition and im not sure when to use them. i need something effective to use for XC racing, about a 45min-1hr race for me. i did some research and found that i get cramps while racing due to a lack of electrolytes. should i have a water bottle filled with Gatorade or use the Hammer Endurolyte capsules? heres the other stuff i have:

-dozen Enurolyte capsules
-i pack Pertetuem
-1 pack Recoverite
-2packs of Heed
-1 pack gel

do i fill up on Heed before a race? keep a bottle full of it during a race? drink gatorade suring a race? take the endurolytes before or during a race?

i just need to keep the cramps away, other than that, i have a lot of energy.

i only have a few samples, so i need to find out what works so i know if i need to order more.

Answer 1

First and foremost, NEVER TRY ANYTHING NEW ON RACE DAY! I'm sure you know that but it never hurts to reitterate ( =

I'd say go with Gatorade or Pedialyte before you race. Both are made for restoring lost electrolytes during normal athletic activity, which is what you are engaging in.

My experience is that anything less than a 1/2 Ironman, stand alone marathon or century plus ride doesn't require too much supplementation other than Gatorade beforehand and sometimes afterward.

Racing for 45minutes to an hour hardly qaulifies as endurance racing, you should be very careful you don't cause yourself to develop an electrolyte overload by using these supplements. Electrolyte overload sucks more than cramps, your entire body fatigues and you slow down so much it feels like you're barely able to move.

If you choose to try the supplements, follow the directions on the packages or see the product website as some people recommended. Make sure you use them during training and keep notes of the times, results, etc you see from each product. You will find that some of them may make you feel sick or may not be easy to digest. You may find that some work really well for you.

Good luck!

Answer 2

the samples are to try. if i use Hammer (the only suppliment i use) then i rarely mix it with something like Gatorade. These samples are to experiment with so use them to try out before the race day to see how they work for you. Depending on the day ill use a gel within 30min. of riding or on a day after having a rough night ill down one before a ride to really get going. Perpeteum is the greatest and i use it well into a ride when its wicked hot out and im 15mi. in the middle of nowhere. Its hard to bonk out if u use this right. U should check out the E-caps.com site for all the info. Its a very informative site on when/how to use their products. If your only racing for an hour i wouldnt even waste the perpeteum, id down a Gel, start racing and hit the Heed throughout the race maybe. Go to the website though, has all the info you need and remember try it out before you race.


Kristy, from your source list id think youd be able to recommend something other than Gatorade. Everyone is different and just because you dont need to eat or drink anything while biking for 150hrs straight doesnt mean the same will work for someone else. I only drink Gatorade later on in the evening when im sitting on the couch. Hammer is a serious and well known suppliment brand that rocks IMO - maybe you should check it out, might put ya on the podium. ;)

Answer 3

It should tell you on the package wether they are for recovery or active excercise. If not, try their website.

The only thing I would watch out for wold be whatever the recommend for _on_ the bike. It's been my experience that these companies always tell you to use way more than you need which can lead to bloating and/or cramping. I always cut their recommendations for pre-race and on-the-bike in half - for example if they recommend one scoop of powder in a 20 oz bottle, I'll use 1/2 a scoop. Remember your body can have a diffcult time absorbing carbohydrate concentrations that are too high. For me, even straight gatordade is too strong, I have to cut it with water.

But, that's just me. Still, start out lighter than what they recommend. If you don't feel the benefit, then increase the concentration. You need to experiment to find out how you body reacts to different conditions.

Answer 4

regrettably, none. For an eighty minute hill climb, you're probable suited off with a gel or power drink; an power bar won't get digested in that factor. the two way, you're able to desire to maintain ingesting fluids, quite in case you utilize gel. you're able to desire to probable get via with a million bottle of water, yet i might advise which you carry a 2d one basically in case -- you could constantly sell off it out throughout the race in case you do no longer elect it.