Gels should be an important part of your training and race day nutrition strategy.  Taken right before a race as well as during longer races, gels will fuel your body with a boost of energy to help you perform your best. 

When considering gels we often hear the following questions:

What kind of gel should I get? 

The gel you use may depend on your performance level as well as how your body responds to supplements.  Gu and Hammer brands are very technical with their gels engineered to offer what is scientifically proven to help your body perform its best.  However, some technical brands can have filler additives such as maltodextrin, which is most often found in processed foods.  On the flip side, gels such as Huma and Stinger offer an all-natural formula which energizes your body as nature intended and is argued to sit better with your stomach.  For example, the Stinger Gel is honey based and Huma boasts of ingredients such as sea salt and chia.

Should I get gel or chews? 

Gels and chews offer the same desired results but gels are thought to absorb faster into the body while chews may be more convenient to take during an event and offer a more specific portion control than a pouch of gel. 

The question is really not “to Gu or not to Gu?”, but rather “what kind of gel or chew is best for me?”  Depending on what you are looking to accomplish the knowledgeable staff at Complete Runner will be sure to help you determine your race day nutrition plan to make sure you perform your best!