Summary

Nutrisport Energy Boost 4:1 is a carbohydrate, protein mixture specifically designed for before and during your workout. It contains a 4:1 ratio of carbohydrate and protein, as well as electrolytes to help you maintain a well hydrated state during your training.

Normal protein and carbohydrate drinks contain either similar ratios of carbs to protein or a 2:1 ratio. While some protein is needed before and during your workout to help stop muscle breakdown, only a small amount needs to be present for this to occur. Having large amounts of protein slows the rate at which the stomach empties (gastric emptying) and therefore slows the supply of carbohydrate to your exercise. Therefore a 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein (23:6g per serving) is ideal for stopping muscle breakdown but supplying carbohydrate to your workout. This may be especially relevant to those on low carbohydrate diet to help cut weight, as it is more likely they will need a good supply of carbohydrate to perform at their best during training.

Energy Boost also provides the key electrolytes (sodium and potassium), which are essential for proper hydration. Drinks containing electrolytes are MUCH more effective at helping you stay hydrated than just plain water.

Flavours: summer fruits

Sizes: 1.5kg (3.31lb), 5kg (11.02lb)

Summary

Pro Fuel from CNP is a carbohydrate product containing pure maltodextrin. Pro Fuel can be used on its own or added to a protein shake as a source of energy and to increase calorie content.

As a simple carb source, maltodextrin is most suitable for consumption after workouts as the energy it contains will quickly be digested and be transported to the muscles where they are most needed. This can have the effect of increasing the rate at which muscles recover from intense exercise, potentially leading to better results from weight training sessions.

Maltodextrin is a densely packed energy source, which also makes it ideal for those looking to add easy additional calories to their diets, by adding Pro Fuel into shakes to bump up their calorie content. For those who find adding muscle size and weigh difficult, using Pro Fuel in addition to regular meals could be a convenient way to add more calories to the diet.

Flavours: unflavoured (naturally sweet)

Sizes: 1.8kg

Summary

Garnell Nutrition has found many bodybuilders have achieved better results when they supplement with Complex Carbohydrate during a “mass cycle”.

During such a period of a training programme, individuals typically following a strenuous weight programme, at which time the body seems to thrive when given an abundant supply of complex carbohydrates.

Complex Carbs are also excellent for those engaged in high energy sports like rugby, cycling and distance running.

Sizes: 2.27kg (5lb), 4.54kg (10lb)

Summary

The majority of gym goers know the importance to some extent of getting adequate protein to provide muscles with the material needed to grow, but few appear to know the important of having sufficient energy from the correct sources and how this effects in gym performance – after all without an effective energy-fuelled workout muscle will not be stimulated to grow and become stronger. In ‘Battery’, PhD Nutrition has brought to the market an energy supplement that helps trainee’s get the most from their workouts and power through exercises at maximum capacity, leading to faster gains in performance.

Energy output is a complex matter. A certain amount of carbohydrates is needed to ensure that glycogen stores are fully stocked which means exercise can be performed to optimum ability. Slightly more complicated is the matter of pre-workout energy continuation and post workout glycogen replenishment. Carbohydrate sources with different GI measurements are needed to satisfy these varying requirements. It’s additionally important that along with the triple-charged carbohydrate content of Battery +/- 3. amino acids that are vital to the muscle preservation process are also included.

For mid and long term energy Battery contains fructose and maltodextrin to ensure that taken before and during exercise, the blood sugar spike will not be so dramatic that it impairs performance in the gym. Fructose has a low glycemic index (GI) so it’s conversion to blood sugar is slow and steady. Maltodextrin has been used for many years as a complex carbohydrate, thought of as a better alternative to simple sugars such as high fructose corn syrup, though in reality it is suited for mid-term energy storage and particularly effective when used post exercise to help replenish glycogen stores and aid efficient recovery from training.

For immediate glycogen restore, high impact carbohydrates are called for, this being dextrose monohydrate which has a high GI rating ensuring immediate and effective glycogen replenishment and an instant raising of blood sugar for a complete recovery. This step is incredibly important immediately post exercise. Glycogen reserves have been drained and need immediate replenishment during this short window of time.

Flavours: Orange and mango crush

Size: 1kg (2.2lb)