Who does not want to run the extra mile to achieve a milestone? Endurance training, like running and cycling, requires extra fuel to carry you over the line. Yes, a sudden burst of energy that fills your calorie burn. Something that keeps you focused and maintains body balance.
The best energy gels for runners is the solution for your long-lasting stamina. These gels are no less than magic. They instantly deliver energy, and you get recharged for a second lap or more. Also, they are lightweight and do not make your stomach heavy after digestion.
The glucose in energy gels are well formulated so that it gets absorbed in the bloodstream quickly. Importantly, these gels have zero side effects. Turning tables is no big deal when you have a constant energy supply. The gels of Miracle are also indulged in a wide range of flavors. It’s time to learn more about the best energy gels for runners in the market.
Top 7 Best Energy Gel
- GU Energy Gel
- Science in Sport Energy Gel
- CLIF SHOT Energy Gel Double Espresso
- Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel
- Huma Chia Energy Gel
- Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel
- TRANSCEND Glucose Gels
1. GU Energy Gel
Do you want to find something exotic that boosts your running? Then try the GU energy gels for quick bursts of 100 calories. Each pack is loaded with dual-energy sources of maltodeMaltodextrinuctose. Also, it has optimum electrolytes to maintain hydration in your body.
It also contains branched-chain amino acids to decrease muscle wasting and mental fatigue. Besides, each pack contains no less than 40mg of caffeine. That is enough to boost your focus and concentration from tiring.
Just make sure you take one packet before training. You better take the second pack every 45 minutes of training if it lasts an hour. In case of use, take one packet 5 minutes before the activity and every 45 minutes. Last but not least, this brand has six exciting flavors.
Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Water, Fructose, L-Leucine, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, and more.
Pros:
- Minimizes muscle damage.
- Maintains proper hydration.
- 100 calories per serving.
Cons:
- Doesn’t taste good.
2. Science in Sport Energy Gel
If you want to push the boundaries of performance, try the Science in Sport Energy Gels. Its fast-acting, long-lasting gels are good to go for your hours of training. Its isotonic formula contains 22 grams less carbs and 1 gram less sugar. Its isotonic formula contains 22g of carbs and 1 g of sugar. The best part is you don’t need any additional water with this.
These gels have multiple exotic flavors and are completely free from banned substances. This is clinically tested and competitively proven for energy boosts. The world champions and Olympians have tried this for improved performance. This lightweight gel is also suitable for avoiding digestive distress such as vomiting and cramp. So, you can be relentless in maintaining a rhythm.
Ingredients: Water, Maltodextrin, Gelling Agents, Natural Flavouring, Acidity Regulators, Preservatives, Sweetener, Sodium Chloride, Antioxidant.
Pros:
- Free of banned substances.
- No extra water is needed.
- It is cheaper compared to other brands.
Cons:
- It has a weird chalky aftertaste.
3. CLIF SHOT Energy Gel Double Espresso
What if there is an energy gel that customizes caffeine levels? This brand does that in four levels, from 0 to 100mg of caffeine. That allows you to customize your energy boosts as well. Well, these gels are exclusively designed to serve quick energy for athletes. Also, you would love to lash on it for its nine delicious flavors.
This brand is also brilliant for its litter leash. Something that helps you to keep your trails and roads pristine. Though it’s a bit thick, it constantly energizes you during running or training. Make sure you sip in water after this. Take one shot before your showdown and one in every hour of training.
Ingredients: Maltodextrin, Cane Sugar, Water, Coffee Extract, Green Tea extract, sea salt, potassium citrate, and natural flavors.
Pros:
- Customizable caffeine levels.
- Nine delicious flavors.
- Quick energy for training.
Cons:
- Too thick to gulp.
4. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel
Nothing beats the taste of Honey Stinger Organic gels. Its combo flavors are excellent in taste and easily absorbed into your system. Also, its natural carbohydrate combo is better tolerated than simple sugars.
These energy gels are gluten-free and USDA certified. Besides, each pack weighs 31.1oz and provides no less than 100 calories per serving. Also, these honey-based gels are soy-free and nut-free. Its high glycemic index provides sustained energy without crashing. So you get more energy without muscle fatigue.
Ingredients: Organic honey and organic tapioca syrup.
Pros:
- Great flavor.
- Soy Free and nut-free.
- USDA certified.
Cons:
- Much thick and sticky.
5. Huma Chia Energy Gel
Let us introduce the best in business. It is a brand with all-natural ingredients and 100% pure fruit puree. That is also gluten-, vegan, and dairy-free; in short, easily digestible quickly. This will allow you to give your real stomach food to process quickly, and your stomach problems can disappear. It eliminates maltodeMaltodextrinkes dextrose. Many say its formula is too good to disappear some stomach problems.
This brand is also exclusive for its unique taste blasts. Also, an energy gel that includes all nine essential amino acids. Guess what? The chia seed it contains is finely modulated for even energy output. It has a 2:1 ratio of short and long-chain glucose to fructose for maximum carbohydrate uptake. This gives you energy for a long going—the perfect deal for cyclists, runners, and endurance athletes.
Ingredients: Strawberry Puree, Evaporated Cane Juice, Filtered Water, Brown Rice Syrup, Milled Chia Seeds, Strawberry Concentrate, Sea Salt, Citric Acid.
Pros:
- 100% natural ingredients.
- Contains all nine essential amino acids.
- Gluten-free and safe for the stomach.
Cons:
- It is a bit pricey.
6. Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel
You don’t need any tagline to justify the quality of Gatorade. Gatorade Endurance gels are perfectly tailored for the marathon and other endurance training. It serves 80 calories and 20g of carbohydrates per serving. That fuels and hydrates athletes for a long duration and maintains a proper body balance.
What’s larger is these gels are easy to take and feel smooth in the mouth. Besides, they are sticky and recommended to take them with water. Each pack is good to go to keep you in flow for an hour. For diabetes, this works as a miracle to balance the sugar level after a hard chase. Try it if you are still skeptical about energy gels.
Ingredients: Brown rice syrup, MaltodeMaltodextrin, salt, sugar, citric acid, potassium citrate, calcium citrate, xanthan gum, natural flavor.
Pros:
- 80 calories and 20g carbohydrates for a solid energy boost.
- Tailor-made for marathon runners.
- Wide ranges of exciting flavors.
Cons:
- The texture is not appealing.
7. TRANSCEND Glucose Gels
Let’s refuel the body with carbs that have a strong strawberry flavor. This gel is designed to raise your blood glucose instantly after you take it. 15g of glucose with succulent strawberries and that too with syrup consistency. Not only athletes but also doctors, EMS, and patients with diabetes take it as the first choice.
What else to notice? Its pouches are so light and easy to one on the first attempt. Because of its formulation, you don’t need any additional water with this. Its long-lasting energy will boost for almost an hour in every serving. Considering the price, it also falls within your budget to afford.
Ingredients: D-Glucose, water, natural flavor, cellulose gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate.
Pros:
- Syrup-like consistency.
- Used by EMS, doctors, and patients with diabetes.
- Good texture and taste.
Cons:
- Only one flavor.
What is Running Gel?
- Running gels or energy gels are carbohydrate-rich gels that provide energy in a quick time. These gels are commonly used by athletes in endurance events like cycling, running, and triathlons. Energy gels are carbohydrates, sports, nutrition, and endurance.
- Energy gels are nothing but a blend of sugars- mostly a mixture of fructose and maltodeMaltodextrincome in single-served small plastic packets that weigh nearly 1 to 1.5 ounces. Besides, these exclude fat, fibers, and protein and digest quickly in your body. So, you get bursts of energy for a long going.
What Kinds of Gels are there?
- Though all energy gels serve the same purpose, they are classified into two different types. They can be either isotonic gels or energy gels. Isotonic gels are mixed with water beforehand, making them much easier to consume.
- Also, you don’t need to take additional water after eating these gels. It saves time and hydrates you quickly. The only downside of this variant is its weight. So, you must catch and consume a bulky item in the middle of your running.
- On the other hand, energy gels are stickier and contain the least amount of water. So, you have to take additional water after this. Most of these packs contain caffeine for a mental boost. The best advantage of it is it’s lightweight. They are so light, and you can carry them while running or cycling.
What do energy gels do?
- What happens when you catch speed in the running? Your muscles demand more calories as more glycogen is used up. These energy gels help to replenish your glycogen level. So, you can continuously produce energy for your muscles—more fuel for a longer destination.
- These gels are formulated so that they can disburse energy in no time. This is also good for recreating balance in your body. Sometimes athletes pull up more than their energy reservoir, resulting in a sudden stroke. But this sticky flavor yummy gels ensure you are ready for another round.
Are you choosing Factors of Best Running gels for Runners?
How do we choose energy gels for running? Choosing these gels is no hard deal if you consider a few parameters. Some of these include-
I. Features
Look for nutrient levels, product purity, taste, use, etc. Also, you can find its ingredients. Not all of them are isotonic formulations. Sticky gels would require additional water after eating energy gels.
II. Ease of use
Though all energy gels come with smart pouches, there are brands with smart litter leashes. It’s a bonus in packaging that allows you to strip off in seconds. You want to save a few seconds to open up these gels.
III. Taste
In most cases, brands offer multiple flavors, yet consumers complain about their taste. No one would love to swallow a sticky gel that is bizarre in taste. Instead, you can try the flavors and pick the most palatable one during training.
Benefits of Using Energy Gels
Energy gels have a good number of benefits to count. Some of these include-
i. Boost Energy
Energy gel’s prime purpose is to boost energy so that you can sustain long. It bursts almost 100 calories per serving and serves in no time. So, you gain extra fuel when you are down in the middle of your training for endurance events like the marathon.
ii. Replenishes Electrolytes
No wonder we sweat and sweat hard in endurance training. That costs a lot of minerals like sodium and potassium. Energy gels contain all the necessary minerals and fill your body’s demands that you lose through sweat.
iii. Keeps you hydrated
Energy gels with isotonic formulas include enough water. On the other hand, athletes take additional water with the sticky ones. So, it keeps you hydrated either way.
iv. Preserves glycogen
One of the best benefits of energy gels is they delay glycogen depletion. That is because it supplies glucose almost instantly to your blood. So, your glycogen is preserved for long-lasting actions. Our body can store, on average, 2000 calories in glycogen. Glycogen depletion will force your body to find energy from fats. That is a less efficient process and often causes fatigue or muscle cramps.
v. Lightweight and Affordable
Energy gels are so lightweight and weigh around 30 grams per pouches. That allows you to take your costume without any hurdles. Also, these gels are reasonable. So, good for your budget too.
vi. Easy to Use
Opening up these gels in the middle of your running is easy. You don’t need any additional tools to tear it off. Also, there are brands with litter leashes for easy opening. That’s great for keeping your roads and trails spotless.
Tips to Use Energy Gels
Follow some tips if your stomach is too sensitive to handle these gels.
- Try to take only part of the pack at a time. Please take it in portions to get adapt to your body. Make sure the time duration will shrink. Or else you will need more energy in the long run. Say instead of taking one pack in every hour. You will make three portions of it. Consume 1/3 of each pack every 20 minutes to maintain a good balance.
- Take it with water but not with a sports drink for easy digestion. Water is also suitable for getting through the digestive tract quickly. So, no big chance of bowel irritation.
- How often you will take an energy pouch gel depends on the brands you choose. Make sure you go through its review for proper use.
- Experiment with brands can help you find the gels that are well tolerated. Also, look for gels that taste good to your taste buds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When Should You Take Energy Gels for Running?
Ans: You can take energy gels before, after, and in the middle of your running. As a rule of thumb, try a pack of energy gels every 45 minutes for muscle endurance. Also, take one pack at least 10 minutes before your start. If you feel too low in energy, try energy gels even after you run.
Q: How often should you take energy gels for running?
Ans: Energy gels can lift energy for at least 45 to 50 minutes. Try to take energy gels once an hour. Try energy gels every 40 minutes or so if it’s a marathon. Make sure; you gulp adequate water to hydrate yourself for long-going.
Q: Should I take a gel before the race?
Ans: Energy gels are lightweight and do not make you feel heavy for a race. Instead, they boost you high for a flying start. They are so. Trying one pack before the race would help to find a good start. Most expert advises taking energy gels at least 10 minutes before the race.
Q: Can I gain weight from energy gels?
Ans: Not really! Energy gels are a mini boost to replenish your energy loss. Athletes lose too much energy in endurance training. So they require these gels to recharge energy and maintain body balances quickly. They have the least carbs, and you have zero chances to gain weight from energy gels.
Bottom Line
None of us have ever-lasting energy. So, you need an extra boost to hit a better milestone. Energy gels are the perfect solution to derive your goods. It is easy to consume and quickly refuels your body. Also, you can taste its delicious flavors to recapture your focus on sports. At Fitgeeky, we have listed some of the best quality energy gels for your training. Go and grab it to fight your training misery.
