Customer Reviews

Hammer Energy Gel 20oz Jug (26 Servings) - 6 Flavors

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This tastes great, does not require mixing with water, is low in sugar, and for only 90 calories per serving gives 23 grams of carbohydrate.

Often I go straight to the gym from my office in the evening before I eat dinner. I used to eat a protein bar to get me through my workout and then 5 mile run on the treadmill. Now I just take one serving of gel before my workout, and another serving before my run, and I am fine--no hunger pains, and much less calories and sugar, but more carbohydrates, than a protein bar.

When I do my 10 mile runs outdoors, one serving before and one serving midway gives me all the energy that I need. I noticed a difference right away from the energy level from the protein bars that I used to eat. The gel is superior, and requires no time to digest.

I highly recommend this product. I also suggest buying the regular flask (not the more expensive pliable one) that Hammer Nutrition sells for as an easy way to carry and consume this gel.

Update October 25, 2011: I recently bought a jug of the chocolate gel, which previously I had been using in individual packs. While the gel itself is great, unlike other flavors that I have used in a jug, the chocolate is very thick and a bit more difficult to dispense. Also, I usually put the gel from a jug into a container with server markings. But I gave up doing that with the chocolate gel since I had trouble measuring out the servings since the chocolate gel is so dark and coats the sides of my container.

Bottom line: Hammer Gel is great, but I probably will not buy a jug of the chocolate again since I did not realize how thick it was compared to other flavors.

I have used Hammer Gel for climbing Mount Whitney (14,500') in a dawn to dusk hike; for lesser mountains but longer climbs such as Mauna Kea (13,500') on the Big Island of Hawaii; and, for 5K competition races. I particularly like that it is ultra low sugar so you do not get insulin spikes. Also, you can drink it right out of the container without mixing, if you so desire. I think all the Hammer products are great and recommend such for serious athletes or active persons who spend more than two hours climbing, running, jogging, bicycling, kayaking, swimming, windsurfing, etc.

i've used hammer gel for many years, ever since i did an exhaustive reading of several cycling messageboards, adn found that hammer gel was just about the top rated gel amongs users. sometimes i've bought Gu gels becuase they do tend to be cheaper, esp. when you can find them on sale, and they suffice, but hammer gel seems to give me a little more energy, especially this espresso flavor with the caffeine load.
I use either for inline speed skating races (always), and quite often during training for the same, or while doing running training, esp. when i feel i need a little get-up-and-go. The espresso works wonders in this regard. In fact, it works 'too good' and i have to watch that it doesn't become a mandatory part of every training workout.
Though many suggest taking it with water, i haven't found it necessary, and i hate to carry water bottle, so i take it straight.
Best to take a little a few minutes before starting and then once or twice during workout. For races, best to take as recommended, and they do suggest intervals on the instructions.
The bottle does save a few bucks, but sacrifices convenience. Bottle allows for partial shots. on one order (rom REI), i found both bottles to require thinning with a little water since it was very thick- no problem to accomplish. Personally, i go with the bottles, and carry a few of the packets in my sports bag in case i ever forget the flask or just run out.
I love this stuff, and it does give a kick to my workouts. It will also save your workout big time if you ever find yourself bonking. That's why i originally got it, but i use it more generally now.

I have switched from GU to Hammer Gel. I like the flaver better and it is not quite as thick which is a plus. I am impressed with Hammer's research and attention to detail in the preparation of their products.

I love this gel. I like the flavor and love the energy. A 5 star product in my eyes. Hammerheads and bonkers alike rejoice!

I got my 20 oz. bottle of Tropical gel and used some right away. Seemed to do me just fine on an hour-long run. The taste wasn't great, though. I was a little surprised, though, to find caffeine (25mg) listed as an ingredient. It was very surprising considering that the Amazon description states that the only flavor with caffeine is the espresso one. I feel a little cheated there since I wanted something without caffeine. The Hammer website does show caffeine, so it's Amazon's fault really. I'll try another flavor next time.

If you have never used this type of product, it is to fuel longer workouts, where your body is too busy running/biking/canoeing/whatevering to use a lot of resources on digestion. You need something easy to transport, easy to consume and easy to digest. Hammer Gel does this better than any other gel I have tried and it tastes better than the others, too. I have used it for everything from bike rides of an hour or two, to one of my fuels for adventure races up to 72 hours.

Hammer Gel is primarily maltodextrin, a complex carb that breaks down easily. That makes it very easy to digest, even when you are on the move. It is very low in simple sugars. A touch of electrolytes. Multiple flavors. I personally think that apple cinnamon is great. (As a teammate exclaimed when I introduced her to it: "Oh my gosh! That tastes like pie!") The tropical and espresso flavors have caffeine.

Hammer Nutrition makes healthy, effective products and they support them all the way.

Not really what I expected from a nutritional supplement made me sweat more than it gave me energy. Will stick with energy bars.

So far every hammer gel flavor I have tried is delicious, but apple is my personal favorite. It doesn't make me feel as thirsty immediately after drinking it and it taste like apple pie filling!

As far as performance goes, it does seem to keep my energy levels up while I'm out hitting the trails. I just wish there was an easier way to take it while mountain biking. I've tried a couple of different flasks, but they were both difficult to manage without loosing pace. I usually have to slow down to keep from making a big sticky mess of myself.

I love Hammer's Montana Huckleberry Gel. It tastes great and it's easy to eat. I highly recommend this product.