Looking for feedback from anyone using their products specifically Optygen HP, EFS and EFS Liquid Shots. Seems like good stuff based on ingredients or just another brand of snake oil? haha 
Fan of efs liquid shot was using efs but like skratch labs better due to subtle flavor
Optygen HP I prefer the old formula with cordyceps to the new formula
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the product with the biggest difference for me is the liquid shots. they are the best gel/goo/paste i have ever used and makes a huge difference in how happy my tummy is during a race.
Big fan of EFS Liquid Shot here, have carried it twice in marathons and plenty of times on bikes. Vanilla is a flavor that I actually enjoy/crave when Iām working hard and for me at least the consistency of LS is better than GU.
Based on my positive experience Iām going to branch out and try EFS as well.
I use the Optygen HP. Lots of people think it works; lots donāt. For me itās hard to separate out whether my training has been better, the difficultly of the course/conditions, etc. to be able to say one way or another whether it makes a material difference in endurance.
Iām a big fan of the EFS liquid shot. I put four shots in a water bottle and mark the sides with a sharpie so I know how much to take it per hour of racing. Much easier than messing with goo packets and Iāve always been able to tolerate it well. Donāt love the taste, but itās certainly bearable and if I follow the regimen, I know Iāve taken in the proper calorie/electrolyte mix.
I use the Optygen HP. Lots of people think it works; lots donāt. For me itās hard to separate out whether my training has been better, the difficultly of the course/conditions, etc. to be able to say one way or another whether it makes a material difference in endurance. ā¦
About the same for me and Optygen HP. I started taking it this past winter and it seems to improve recovery both between training rides and after short bursty high power work during rides and races. Could be all placebo but after many years of training and racing my legs and my recovery definitely feel different in a good way this season. And though not directly sports related my overall mood seems better as well but maybe thatās because my workouts have generally been better and that always helps my mood.
The latest batch I ordered is the new mix without the cordyceps. I havenāt started in on those so I canāt comment on any differences but I have seen several long term Optygen users post comments about liking the older cordyceps version better. Weāll seeā¦
-Dave
I trialled Optygen HP for two months of heavy training and racing. Here is my review:
I found the liquid shot to be far too sweet for my palate. Vanilla was the only flavor I tried so I canāt comment on the others. I also had stomach issues with the combination of EFS drink and liquid shot during a race, but many factors were at play that could have caused that so I donāt directly blame the FE products. Nonetheless Iām a big fan of their Multi-V and PreRace but Iāve since looked elsewhere for my training/racing fuel.
Not sure if its placebo affect or not, but I āthinkā I can feel the positive affects of Optygen. Particularly in the build stage of my training when I am working in more race pace efforts.
On the flip side, I really donāt like the Liquid shot. It is WAY to sweet.
EFS=awesome
liquid shot is sweet but I like it okay once its diluted
Ultragen is the best recovery aid Iāve consumed.
I use EFS Liquid Shot for training and racing (I use the 5oz. flasks and add just a little bit of water to thin it out some). Iāve used GU and Sport Beans in the past but always had stomach issues when doing long distances with them. With EFS Liquid Shot I havenāt had any stomach issues at all and used it during my last HIM. I prefer the vanilla and kona mocha flavors (I usually mix them). I also use Ultragen as a recovery drink and have found it to work great, both the cappuccino and orange cream flavors taste good - not too sweet and dissolves easily.
Just trained for and raced CDA using alot of First Endurance products.
Big fan of of EFS liquid shot - especially the new coffee flavor. I grew a little tired of the vanilla flavor, and have never cared for berry (although their berry was fairly palatable). Ultragen is hands down my favorite recovery drink. EFS drink, for whatever strange reason, just doesnāt work with my gut - invariably gives me GI issues. I canāt figure that one out, as itās supposed to have a similar composition to the liquid shot.
Iāll also add a +1 for Optygen HP. I always seem to have my best gains when Iām taking it - and Iām a big fan of the idea of reducing the impact of stress hormones in general. The guys at First Endurance have always impressed me with their earnestness for what theyāre doing, for whatever thatās worth.
Ultragen is the best recovery product and Optygen really works to up your game. The owner of the company used to live in my town and he won the local sprint hands down. The dude walks the walk and his advice to our club has been invaluable. I use the gels during races and can run IM marathons with them without stomach trouble. Great stuff!
the Kona Mocha liquid shot is the bomb. If you get the concentration right, itās like drinking iced coffee on a ride. The berry is eh (admittedly, I donāt like artificial berry flavored anything). I havenāt tried the vanilla, but wondering if I mix it with the mocha if itād be like a vanilla latte.
I would echo the positives about the liquid shot and the Ultragen. Never gave Optygen much of a fighting chance (itās kind of expensive really). I trained with EFS for IMFL and it was always a little rough on my gut. Has a ton of electrolytes, seemingly to a fault for me and my gut. On race day, I had to disgard my EFS bottles and live off the course. Definitely a bad idea to go into a race with something youāre not in love with in the first place but for some reason my dislike for EFS was magnified on race day. People that like it, swear by it though.
I absolutely love the liquid shots. Theyāre like a quadruple Gu (400 calories), taste good, and go down easy. I used one at CIM and Wildflower. I wish they had one with caffeine.
I tried the EFS drink as well (Grape), but did not like it. It is too sour in my opinion. Iām currently using Gatorade 02 perform, but Iām looking for a better option.
I use EFS ā fruit punch flavor and I am a big fan of it. In my opinion, the only down side is if you are going to use 2 scoops, which gives you around 200 calories per bottle, it has a pretty overwhelmingly strong taste (especially when it gets really warm). At first I found the powerful taste was tough to take in when racing/performing a hard effort and taking a big gulp of it. However I still think it is great, it just takes some getting used too. Also I recently signed up for their newsletter on their website and they sent me a 20% coupon and discount on Optygen HP and I saw a commercial yesterday while watching the Tour for a 20% discount.
I had the chance to interview First Endurance co-founder and head of R&D Robert Kunz this week. Frankly I was very impressed, and have been convinced to at least experiment with EFS drink and Liquid Shot in training/racing (have used Perpetuem, Shot Blox, and PowerGels as primary fuel for several years).
http://triplethreattriathlon.blogspot.com/2013/09/born-from-research-interview-with-first.html
Iām curious to hear how others use EFS drink/ Liquid Shot on race dayā¦ eg one or the other or both? EFS drink on the bike and Liquid Shot on the run? etc.
Appreciate any insight.