Graphic courtesy of Egonutritions Sdn Bhd
A couple of weeks ago, a representative of N8 Sports Nutrition emailed me. He had read my posts about hydration and sports drinks. He asked if I would review N8 Endurance, a drink mix product that hydrates and improves recovery for cyclists, runners, and other endurance athletes. N8 Endurance is one of a range of sports nutrition products manufactured and marketed by N8 Sports Nutrition.
The product is designed to help endurance athletes increase stamina, reduce muscle fatigue, improve recovery, prevent cramping, and remain hydrated throughout their chosen activity.
N8 Endurance provides Branched Chain Amino Acids to aid in muscular recovery and muscular efficiency, Electrolytes to prevent or minimise muscle cramping, a “Smart Carb” in the form of Palatinose to sustain energy levels, and Creatine Monohydrate to increase muscle growth, muscular endurance and recovery.
I said I would be happy to review N8 Endurance. Within a few days a complimentary box of the product was at my doorstep.
N8 Endurance is in powder form, packed in single serving sachets. There are 20 sachets per box.
Photograph courtesy of bicyclebuysell.com
The directions for use are straightforward.
RACE DAY/ ACTIVITY DAY
Take 1 sachet of N8 Endurance with 250ml of water 30 minutes before your activity. Mix another sachet with water in your tumbler/hydration bag/ or water bottle to be consumed throughout your activity. Consume 1 sachet for every 45-60 minutes of activity.
CRAMP PREVENTION
Take 1 sachet of N8 Endurance with 250ml of water the day before your activity before bed. Take 1 sachet of N8 Endurance with liquid of choice when you are about to experience muscular cramp.
I have not had problems with cramps for some time now. Probably due to increased fitness levels and proper hydration. So I followed the Race Day / Activity Day directions.
The powder dissolves rapidly in water. The product is not effervescent, so there is no pressure buildup if you cap your water bottle immediately.
N8 Endurance has a pleasant, light, blackcurrant flavour (the only flavour available). When I first tried it I thought the taste was too light. However after a few sips I appreciated the lighter taste as compared to other sports hydration products. N8 Endurance has no lingering aftertaste. Nor does it have that slightly bitter taste that products using artificial sweeteners tend to have.
A pleasant tasting product is important. It is hard to finish the recommended 500 to 600ml of fluid an hour if you don’t like the taste.
I have done four rides so far with N8 Endurance in my water bottles. The total distance was 300km, with 4,700 metres of climbing. All the rides were in the morning. A 100km ride finished in the heat of the day at 1.30pm.
My conclusions about the effectiveness of N8 Endurance are of course qualitative and unscientific. I can only compare how I felt while riding and consuming N8 Endurance with how I have felt while using another hydration product.
With that proviso in mind, I can say that N8 Endurance did a good job of keeping me hydrated. I didn’t feel unusually thirsty after my rides, despite sweating a lot.
I did not suffer any cramps, so the electrolytes did what they were supposed to do.
My energy levels stayed high, even after 1,200 metres of climbing. That must have been due, in part, to the Palatinose.
Overall I felt good while riding, although I do admit that I felt like throwing my bike into a drain during the long climb in Hulu Yam. Just as important, I felt pretty good the day after each ride too. It is hard to say for sure without scientific analysis, but I do think that the Creatine Monohydrate made my recovery a little easier. At 58 years of age I can use all the help that I can get.
So in summary, I think N8 Endurance does what it claims to do. Help endurance athletes go further, stronger, longer, faster.
N8 Endurance is available at these locations:
Fitness Zone
Taman Selayang Utama
Johnson Fitness
1 Utama
Sunway Pyramid
Anytime Fitness
Solaris Mont Kiara
QLIQ Damansara
Oasis Ara Damansara
Anabolic Gym
Aman Suria Damansara
Merican Muay Thai Gym
Solaris Mont Kiara
One More Rep Fitness Centre
Ampang
Body Factory
PJ21 Commercial Centre
Ultimate Gym
Wangsa Maju, KL
Muscle Brothers Gym
Desa Sri Hartamas
Yokkao
Taman Danau Desa
Fever Fitness
Teluk Intan
For further information please contact:
EGONUTRITIONS SDN. BHD.
G-36 Aman Suria Damansara, PJU 1/45,
47301 Petaling Jaya, SEL, Malaysia
Telephone: +(60)3-7804 8970
FAX: +(60)3-7804 0970
E-mail: sales@n8.com.my
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