I have been a long time user of GU products though predominantly the Energy Gels. I was training for my second Ironman in 2004 and had always struggled with energy gels. They either didn’t taste great or didn’t sit well in my stomach. I also am not one who likes to eat solids while I am training or racing. I read some positive reviews of GU but unfortunately they weren’t available in Canada, glad they are now though. I asked a friend of mine who was going to South Carolina to find a store and pick some up for me. He isn’t a runner or cyclist and thought that the whole idea of eating something called GU was crazy. Being a good friend he thought he would get me the most unappealing flavour possible “Just Plain”. Turns out that it was the best gel I had ever tried, slight vanilla taste but not too sweet and something that I was able to eat all day. When we did IM Switzerland in 2008 I used 19 of them to get me through the day. To this day it is the only one I every buy.
Funny thing is that I never embraced any of their other products. I was happy with my sports drink (eload) and recovery drink (Endurox R4) and since they worked well I never switched. I was given the opportunity to try the GU Brew and Recovery Brew. After trying them I ask myself why didn’t I try them before.
First GU Brew. I don’t like really strong tasting drinks and generally gravitate to a lemon/lime option if there is one. I like this drink a lot. It mixes well and tends not to clump up too much on the bottom of my bottles. I found in the past with some drink if it doesn’t mix right away it never does. This isn’t the case with GU Brew. It always disolves. I also find that it sits well in my stomach and not surprisingly it works well with their Gels. I find that the formula that they use keeps my energy levels pretty steady though if I get behind on my hydration it quickly picks me up. I find that it sits well in my stomach and I am now a convert.
Now to GU Recovery Brew. I have been using Endurox R4 for a long time. If you have used this product you know it works very well but tastes horrible. I have been using Recovery Brew for the past few weeks and I can say that it tastes great and allows me to bounce back quickly from hard workouts. It recommends mixing with water which I have done but I like the consistency better when mixed with milk, I also throw in some frozen fruit and blend it up into a smoothie. Recovery Brew isn’t chalky which you often get with products that have protein. This is a great product and really like the way it helps me recover. I have been using the Chocolate flavour and it is like having a post workout milkshake. I highly recommend this product.
If you haven’t used them yet I would recommend you give them a try. They are both priced very well and much less than the products I have been using. Can’t comment on any other flavours but if you like lemon/lime and chocolate these may be for you.
