Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Accelerade...Magic Elixir?
Wanted to post about a new sports drink I am trying that appears to work, very, very well. Accelerade is a liquid sports drink (somewhat like Gatorade) that claims it's 4:1 (Carb:Protein) formula is ideal for endurance and fitness training and performance. So far, this product really seems to live up to its billing.
I have only used this product for two days so far, but the results have been amazing.
I initially purchased my first bottle (20 oz., regular price $1.99 before discounts) at Target. I thought to give an "energy" drink another try after listening to a friend rave about another product, Perpetuam by Hammer Nutrition, and his cycling efforts. According to the friend, he could do very long rides without running out of energy when using the Perptuem mix. It helped my decision that Accelerade comes in grapefruit flavor (as well as several others). I like the taste of grapefruit a lot.
On Monday, I did my first ride while using the Accelerade sports drink. This was a 40 mile ride where the temperature was around 100 degrees and the heat index was well into the hundreds. I immediately noticed that my muscles did not seem to lose energy as they normally would (and did on the ride the day before). It is really hard to describe the feeling. It is not like I had more strength (and consequently speed), just that my legs felt fresh the entire ride. Very notably, I had no soreness after the ride, nor later that evening. This may have been the hottest day so far this year.
The next day, Tuesday, I decided to continue my trial. I chose to do a brick (combination cycling/running effort). I first rode 20 hilly miles. Then I immediately followed this up with a 3.5 mile run. Once again, drinking the Accelerade along the way I felt much fresher the entire time. In addition, once again I experience little to no soreness. This is much different than the same training not using Accelerade.
I little about my personal physiology. I seem to carry a lot of water and generally do not have a problem in very hot weather. I can regularly exercise (such as a bike or run) in 100 degree weather for at least an hour with no additional water and not feel ill-effects. On reading the many articles on the importance of hydrating while exercising, I have tried to up my water intake on rides and runs. This does not seem to help all that much. In fact, too much water seems more or a problem than too little water.
I have also tried (and generally use) Gatorade on very long exercise periods. This seem to quench my thirst. I generally tolerate Gatorade (even warm) very well. Only a large dose will leave me feeling bloated. In addition to Gatorade, I have tried many gels (such as GU) and power bars. I generally like Apple-Cinnamon Powerbars the best. Importantly, none of these aids seem to make a noticeable difference in my performance. At best they delayed complete exhaustion.
The other training nutrition foods/drinks differ from my experience with Accelerade, in that the Accelerade made a noticeable difference in my performance during and after training. I look forward to continued use and trial.
I have searched the net for suggestions or examples of how others are using Accelerade. Other than some general testimonials I have not seen any specific training recipes. For reference, I have been drinking the Accelrade every 15 minutes during exercise with each drink consisting of a couple of swallows of the drink. I have been using the pre-mixed ("ready to use") bottled version of grapefruit-citrus Accelerade. My drinking rate is around 20oz per hour and a quarter when cycling. I have no problem drinking the Accelerade unchilled.
To recap. Drinking Accelerade I have experiences fresher muscles and longer endurance. I have experience a noticeable reduction in during and after workout muscle soreness. The only (slightly) negative item with Accelerade is a sightly "cotton-mouth" taste in my mouth after drinking it. In my case this is very mild feeling and not a problem. In contrast, when drinking straight water durning heavy exercise, my mouth always feels unquenched, so I probably prefer the slightly "cotton-mouth" feeling of Accelerade.
Some general thoughts:
1. Anti-drug. I have been around other who have used performance stimulating drugs such as anabolic steroids and stimulants. I do not advocate or condone their use in a any way. I have seen the users exhibit the negative effects. Accelerade does not list any questionable chemicals in it's ingredient list.
2. Supplements. I generally do not believe in vitamin supplements. My unscientific belief is that these are generally more harmful then helpful. If your body naturally creates a chemical, unless there is medical deficiency, I believe the addition of a lab-made supplement will just encourage the body to shut down it's natural production. It also seems that users tend to have to use more and more of the supplements to get the same benefits.
3. No Pain, No Gain. Anybody who has suffered a torn ACL or MCL can tell you that this thought process is wrong. No way can you work through this injury nor does it make you a better athlete. Keeping this in mind if a sports drink allows you do do strong effort with less pain, I believe my training is more effective.
2. Milk vs. Soy protein. Accelerade uses milk-based whey as it's protein source. While I have read articles advocating the superiority of soy-based whey, I am not sure I believe they are actually superior. Based on my limited trial of Accelerade it still appears to work.
I have only used this product for two days so far, but the results have been amazing.
I initially purchased my first bottle (20 oz., regular price $1.99 before discounts) at Target. I thought to give an "energy" drink another try after listening to a friend rave about another product, Perpetuam by Hammer Nutrition, and his cycling efforts. According to the friend, he could do very long rides without running out of energy when using the Perptuem mix. It helped my decision that Accelerade comes in grapefruit flavor (as well as several others). I like the taste of grapefruit a lot.
On Monday, I did my first ride while using the Accelerade sports drink. This was a 40 mile ride where the temperature was around 100 degrees and the heat index was well into the hundreds. I immediately noticed that my muscles did not seem to lose energy as they normally would (and did on the ride the day before). It is really hard to describe the feeling. It is not like I had more strength (and consequently speed), just that my legs felt fresh the entire ride. Very notably, I had no soreness after the ride, nor later that evening. This may have been the hottest day so far this year.
The next day, Tuesday, I decided to continue my trial. I chose to do a brick (combination cycling/running effort). I first rode 20 hilly miles. Then I immediately followed this up with a 3.5 mile run. Once again, drinking the Accelerade along the way I felt much fresher the entire time. In addition, once again I experience little to no soreness. This is much different than the same training not using Accelerade.
I little about my personal physiology. I seem to carry a lot of water and generally do not have a problem in very hot weather. I can regularly exercise (such as a bike or run) in 100 degree weather for at least an hour with no additional water and not feel ill-effects. On reading the many articles on the importance of hydrating while exercising, I have tried to up my water intake on rides and runs. This does not seem to help all that much. In fact, too much water seems more or a problem than too little water.
I have also tried (and generally use) Gatorade on very long exercise periods. This seem to quench my thirst. I generally tolerate Gatorade (even warm) very well. Only a large dose will leave me feeling bloated. In addition to Gatorade, I have tried many gels (such as GU) and power bars. I generally like Apple-Cinnamon Powerbars the best. Importantly, none of these aids seem to make a noticeable difference in my performance. At best they delayed complete exhaustion.
The other training nutrition foods/drinks differ from my experience with Accelerade, in that the Accelerade made a noticeable difference in my performance during and after training. I look forward to continued use and trial.
I have searched the net for suggestions or examples of how others are using Accelerade. Other than some general testimonials I have not seen any specific training recipes. For reference, I have been drinking the Accelrade every 15 minutes during exercise with each drink consisting of a couple of swallows of the drink. I have been using the pre-mixed ("ready to use") bottled version of grapefruit-citrus Accelerade. My drinking rate is around 20oz per hour and a quarter when cycling. I have no problem drinking the Accelerade unchilled.
To recap. Drinking Accelerade I have experiences fresher muscles and longer endurance. I have experience a noticeable reduction in during and after workout muscle soreness. The only (slightly) negative item with Accelerade is a sightly "cotton-mouth" taste in my mouth after drinking it. In my case this is very mild feeling and not a problem. In contrast, when drinking straight water durning heavy exercise, my mouth always feels unquenched, so I probably prefer the slightly "cotton-mouth" feeling of Accelerade.
Some general thoughts:
1. Anti-drug. I have been around other who have used performance stimulating drugs such as anabolic steroids and stimulants. I do not advocate or condone their use in a any way. I have seen the users exhibit the negative effects. Accelerade does not list any questionable chemicals in it's ingredient list.
2. Supplements. I generally do not believe in vitamin supplements. My unscientific belief is that these are generally more harmful then helpful. If your body naturally creates a chemical, unless there is medical deficiency, I believe the addition of a lab-made supplement will just encourage the body to shut down it's natural production. It also seems that users tend to have to use more and more of the supplements to get the same benefits.
3. No Pain, No Gain. Anybody who has suffered a torn ACL or MCL can tell you that this thought process is wrong. No way can you work through this injury nor does it make you a better athlete. Keeping this in mind if a sports drink allows you do do strong effort with less pain, I believe my training is more effective.
2. Milk vs. Soy protein. Accelerade uses milk-based whey as it's protein source. While I have read articles advocating the superiority of soy-based whey, I am not sure I believe they are actually superior. Based on my limited trial of Accelerade it still appears to work.
