GU Gel, a nutrition energy gel brand, was the brainchild of Dr Bill Vaughn, who sought to improve his daughter’s performance during her ultra-marathons. Since then, the company has taken the running and cycling scene by storm. Now being used by some of the world’s most elite endurance athletes.
The question we all are thinking is, can this work for ordinary folk? Who just want to sustain their athletic activity over a longer period of time? We’re here to answer that for you, so let’s take a look at how GU Gels work, and why they’ll work for you as well.
IMPORTANCE OF HYDRATION AND NUTRITION
While riding, the average person is burning anywhere from 350-800 Cals depending on the pace and intensity. This means that your body is firing on all pistons and you should fuel up adequately. As you begin upping the distances you ride, nutrition starts to play a bigger and bigger role in ensuring a comfortable ride.
It’s crucial to replace lost electrolytes and take in the right nutrients to refuel during and after a ride. This means knowing what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat. We’re going to guide you through just that! Everything a cyclist needs in terms of nutrition.
Check Out Our Full Article on the Importance of Hydration and Nutrition!
WHY GU GELS?
GU Gel is a highly compact, calorie-dense, and portable packet filled with a carbohydrate gel containing a mixture of fructose and maltodextrin, which are quickly absorbed by your body with minimal effort on the part of your digestive system.
GU Gel leverages branched-chain amino acids such as Valine, Leucine, and Isoleucine, to keep Muscle Fibre Damage to a minimum and reduced fatigue, while also working to improve the speed of your recovery post-workout. GU also claims that their gels improve cardiac output during prolonged exercise.
The gel contains Na (sodium) for electrolytes to replenish the main electrolyte lost while you sweat, this helps to increase hydration and maintain water balance when taken with plenty of fluids. All GU Gels are Vegan and Gluten-Free, so you can keep your conscience energised as well as your body!
GU energy gel comes in a variety of types and interesting flavours – some of which contain caffeine to help to increase concentration and ward off fatigue in users. Some flavours include:
- Triberry
- Espresso Love
- Salted Caramel
- Chocolate Outrage
- Caramel Macchiato
- Mandarin Orange
Roctane Gu Gel
- Cold Bew Coffee
- Blueberry pomegranate
- Chocolate Coconut
- Vanilla Orange
- Pineapple
- Cherry Lime
- Strawberry Kiwi
- Lemonade
- Sea Salt Chocolate
- Tutti Frutti
HOW TO USE GU GELS
GU Gel packs are easy to use. They come packed in single-serving packets, and all one has to do is have one pack every 45 minutes of ride time. This will provide you with a consistent supply of energy throughout your workout.
While consuming the gel, make sure to have the entire pouch, and do not try to save some for “later”, as the gel’s formula is meant to be consumed at once and in full in order to get the maximum benefit from it. Make sure you don’t litter and discard the cover once you reach your destination.
It’s important to note here that taking GU Gel, or any other energy gel, also requires enough water to assimilate the gel. Squeeze the gel in and follow thru with some water.
Each pack contains around 100 Calories, 450mg of Amino Acids, and 21g of total Carbohydrates. You can select from a wide range of flavors as mentioned above, to find the perfect GU Gel for you!
WHAT IS GU GEL ROCTANE?
Put simply, GU Roctane is the regular GU Gel but taken to another level and is specifically created for Long-Duration and High-Intensity Activities. The biggest difference between Roctane Energy Gels and normal GU Energy Gels is more (3x more) branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) and the addition of the amino acids beta-alanine and taurine.
- Branched-Chain Amino Acids that prevent mental fatigue and reduce muscle damage
- Beta-Alanine helps buffer acidity levels in your muscles to prevent soreness and reduce muscle fatigue
- Taurine to support your heart contractility and cardio output during long exercise sessions
- Some flavors contain 35mg of caffeine to help improve focus and decrease perceived exertion
Roctane products are created for your extreme efforts or long-duration activities. In order to perform at your highest potential, you need a boosted supply of certain essential nutrients that are both portable and easy to digest.
In order to stay fuelled on your most grueling rides, and to avoid notoriously ‘bonking’, it’s important to have a portable source of energy that is easy to consume and quickly digestible.
GU Gel is specifically designed to supply energy as well as other key nutrients, such as amino acids, which not only give you the energy you need while on your rides, but also the nutrients needed to recover quickly and efficiently.
GU Gel can help you achieve your peak performance, so if you’re not already using it, then you’re missing out big time! Grab some for your next ride today!
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CYCLING:
I love the freedom which comes with riding a bike. On my Hardtail MTB , nothing is an obstacle, I seamlessly flow down trails and through traffic like water in a river. And that flow gives me immense satisfaction and the continued drive to get back on my bike the next day.
DISCIPLINE: Mountain Biking & Commuting
CURRENT BIKE: Marin Bolinas Ridge Disc
DREAM BIKE: Cannondale TOPSTONE Carbon Lefty 3
