poll before last, i asked “During exercise, are you more likely to use”
Bars: 10%
Gels: 69%
Gummies: 8%
None: 12%
in the most recent poll, prior to the current poll, only 1% of you said you’ll eat energy products only or mostly as a snack. most of you will use these products during exercise.
in the current poll, only 30% of you say you don’t eat gummies during exercise. i’m pretty sure you’re not eating gummies as snacks. 70% of you use gummies during exercise. but only 8% of you prefer gummies over the other energy options. so, what is my take-away from this? that 7 out of 10 of you use gummies, but almost all of you who do use gummies use other products more than gummies. is that what you’re saying?
For rides and races I just use gels. Driving to a race or as a snack, it’s bars.
Before a workout (if I’m feeling low on carbs) or after (during the glycogen “window”) I may grab some gummies if I have them around. They are usually found in my kitchen as schwag from a race, or a new flavor that piqued my curiosity at the LBS (ex. the liquid center cola ones from Powerbar). Unlike bars or gels, I don’t buy 12/24 packs and have them around at all times.
I fit your profile - use gummie (Shot Blok) whenever running > 25 minutes), but not as a source of nutrition, and not at other times. I feel naked running without it, whether on the treadmill, track, trail, or road, race or training.I feel better running with it for two possible reasons?
Recent research about glucose in the mouth fooling the brain into thinking there will be a sufficient source of fuel in the near future - I started using before I read this, but the fact that I feel better (and go a little faster) with the Shot Blok may be supporting anecdotal evidence.
Without it I spit 2-4 times a mile; with it, I don’t. Maybe I make more saliva, and so my mouth/throat is less dry, and I can swallow?
“Remember, just a pinch between your cheek and gums!”
Well For me I look at your polls as independent questions so for poll one, I’m most likely to use Gel, poll 2 I only use it during exercise. Poll 3 I’ll pick my fav gummie, not that I use it often but when I do that is the one I pick.
So I guess your understanding is correct for me anyway.
Ben
I actually eat mostly gels (e-gel), but like to have actual gummy bears (from Haribo) as a change of pace in between especially on longer rides or races.
Dan,
I didn’t take the poll.
My gummy use is strickly pre-workout. Say, on my way to do a track workout after work. I need to get something in me and I like the feeling of “Eating something” but also need something quick and simple.
For during training and racing its Gels.
I don’t use gummies because I can’t coordinate their chewiness and breathing.
I do use gels occasionally on the bike and run.
I use bars on slow, sustained efforts, like long strenuous hikes or at a stop on a long bike ride. I don’t use them during runs or during the actual riding. They end up doing a dance on my stomach if I do.
Mostly I use Infinit in varying concentration on any sustained cardio efforts.
poll before last, i asked “During exercise, are you more likely to use”
Bars: 10%
Gels: 69%
Gummies: 8%
None: 12%
in the most recent poll, prior to the current poll, only 1% of you said you’ll eat energy products only or mostly as a snack. most of you will use these products during exercise.
in the current poll, only 30% of you say you don’t eat gummies during exercise. i’m pretty sure you’re not eating gummies as snacks. 70% of you use gummies during exercise. but only 8% of you prefer gummies over the other energy options. so, what is my take-away from this? that 7 out of 10 of you use gummies, but almost all of you who do use gummies use other products more than gummies. is that what you’re saying?
Yep, pretty much true. I love gummies (blocks, chomps) but don’t use them much during races . Use them during long rides and maybe pre-ride. So I use them, but just not as much as Gels. Bars are for pre/post workouts for me.
Before PowerGels Blasts that was true for me. No gummies tasted good to me so I exclusively used gels.
Now I love the Gel Blasts which is great because I actually look forward to eating them on the bike.
Others have said they can’t chew and breathe heavy and that’s true for me too. However, I’ll eat them during training rides, or before rides or races, or during a HIM. I can’t eat them while running or while going at Oly bike intensity or shorter. Plus, during shorter races, you really don’t need that energy.
I plan to eat almost 3 packages of Gel Blasts during Vineman 70.3.
I use gummies as a transition “snack” from one workout to another. So say i’m leaving the pool to go to the track for another workout in less than an hour, i’ll down a baggie of gummies because I know that they won’t upset my stomach, and digest quick enouph so I don’t have to worry about a full stomach during the second workout.
I consider that using them during exercise even thought some would understandably call that a “snack use”. Way I look at it I have never been sitting on the couch eating gummies so I have never ate gummies as a snack.
Gel-High intensity activity that’s long enough to need fueling
Bars-Longer, slower training. Breakfast before early morning training/racing. Snack before evening workout. Immediate post activity recovery food.
Gummies-Not readily available enough. Cliff bars/powerbars are at the grocery. Gels are at least at the LBS. Gummies I’d have to go out of my way to order. If they were easily picked up off the shelf I would use them somewhere in between gel and bars.
before I workout in the weekday ams, I usually either have about 6 oz of FRS energy drink or 2 Shot Blox. I have a very picky stomach and my am workouts are usually runs or swims lasting around an hour and change. If I do a long run weekday am, I take a gel with me.
before a ride of over about 30-40 miles I have a small bowl of cereal, no milk and then a gel on the run if it is a brick.
long runs: gels (egel or carboom)
long rides up to about 70- water and shot blox and sometimes sport beans, usually pick up a gatorade if it is super hot (which it is from oh, May to October) midway and drink some of it. Rides over 70 miles I pull out my liquid nutrition and use about 1 bottle of that (unless race simulating) and maybe shot blox.
To me, gummies really suck when they are hot. Sticky nasty things whose texture make me want to puke. Gels get better when they are warm. Some clif bars too.
