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TFS Review: Gatorade Endurance Formula

Posted November 30th, 2006 at 1:00 PM by Jonathan Faccone

Section: Nutrition, Hydration, Race Prep & Recov, Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews

Check out TFS’s review of Gatorade’s Endurance Formula; a revolutionary new product for mainstream endurance sports.

Product: Gatorade Endurance Formula
Price: $1.49 (24 oz bottle), $1.69 (34 oz bottle), $24.99 (50.2 oz powder canister)
Rating: Very Good 8.3/10.0
Pros: Provides increased electrolytes and other benefits for endurance athletes; good value; convenient to purchase
Cons: Slightly salty taste; could include some additional vitamins
Overall: If you can get over the slight difference in taste, then all things considered - Gatorade Endurance Formula is one of the top hydration choices for your training runs and endurance events.

Effectiveness - 8.5 - I used the Gatorade Endurance Formula during several of my training workouts and found it be more effective than my traditional endurance sports drink. I noticed that it prevented me from feeling as fatigued in the latter stages of my workouts; presumably because of its substantially increased electrolyte and potassium content. The Endurance Formula has nearly twice the amount of sodium and potassium as Gatorade’s original formula and substantially more of both nutrients than Accelerade. It is also more convenient on the go than other carbohydrate and electrolyte replacement products. The one thing that might improve the Endurance Formula is to add in some amino acids (like AminoVital) to help with muscle recovery and/or some extra vitamins and minerals to provide that extra boost to your system.

Taste - 7 - I myself am not picky when it comes to taste. This is especially true after having the been the victim of countless supplements (bars, drinks, etc.) that just simply taste awful and have chalky and/or grainy consistencies. The Endurance Formula does have a saltier taste than their original formula. In addition, the pre-mixed bottle version tastes better than when you use the powder to make it yourself. Overall, I did enjoy the taste (More than Accelerade and Powerbar’s Endurance drink - just not as much as Gatorade’s original formula), but I can understand how some people may be slightly turned off by it. However, when you’re pushing your body to extremes, effectiveness is most important - and plus, when you have been sweating for hours on end - the slight difference in taste is something you probably won’t even notice.

Value & Convenience - 9 - It does what it promises and does so at good price. It is less expensive than competitor’s like Accelerade and is far more convenient to buy (since it is even available at most supermarkets and many convenience stores). There are many product out there for endurance runners that are helpful, but too overpriced to really be worth it. That is certainly not the case with Endurance Formula. I believe it is a product that is well worth the expense.

Just like their original formula, Endurance Formula does a good job of replenishing and keeping you hydrated. The increased electrolytes and potassium can be helpful for endurance athletes and/or for anyone engaged in an intense workout. The product is definitely worth a try and I believe that many people will agree with me that it is more effective than comparable products. Give it a try and let us know what you think by leaving a comment or by sending an email to: thefinalsprint@gmail.

You can purchase Gatorade Endurance Formula at supermarkets, many convenience stores, specialty running shops, etc. It can also be purchased online from Gatorade directly

For more information on Gatorade Endurance check out our previous write-up entitled: “Gatorade Endurance Formula: Making a Huge Splash in the World of Running.”

Editor’s note - The overall rating was calculated by weighting Effectiveness as 60%, Taste as 20% and Value & Convenience as 20%. Our tests and trials were done with the lemon-lime flavor of Gatorade Endurance Formula.

Although this review is authored by just one of TFS’s team members, it reflects the cumulative results of the entire groups’ trial.

Kevin Manning said:

I have used Gatorade endurance formula and I truly think it is disgusting and it upsets my stomach. There are a lot of other better options out there, I feel that by chosing Gatorade Endurance Formula for your primary drink you are chossing to settle. I would rate this product a 5.5/10.
December 12th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Geoff said:

It is very sugary, very acidic. Causes stomach problems for me and no other sports drink/elec. drink does (can use Nuun, gu, accelerade, everything but this).

I think it’s awesome that gatorade has 1) made an endurance drink and 2) committed itself to ironman racing; but they’ve got a long way to go before they enter the same arena as other sports drinks.
December 13th, 2006 at 12:48 am
Rob said:

“I noticed that it prevented me from feeling as fatigued in the latter stages of my workouts; presumably because of its substantially increased electrolyte and potassium content. ”

Could I suggest that this might have something to do with your knowledge that you were trying out an exciting new product? There’s a reason why medical trials are done using double blind designs, and I suspect also a reason why the manufacturers of sports drinks don’t seem to do such trials to compare their products with competitors. Without doing a properly blinded test it is quite simply impossible to know if it was really the product having this effect, or if it was something else, I’m afraid.
December 13th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Adam Jacobs said:

Dear Rob,

I appreciate your concerns. However, we do blind testing.

We will use several different products over the course of a few weeks (non-testing team members prepare what goes in the testers hydration packs - so that the testers do not know what they are using).

Comments are made by the testers after each trial about what they were using - although they are unaware of what the product is at the time.

The quote you are referring to was made about the Gatorade Endurance Formula - although at the time, the tester had no idea they were using Gatorade E.F.

If you have any other questions feel free to send me an email: adam@thefinalsprint.com

Thanks,

Adam

–
Adam Jacobs
Editor-in-Chief
TheFinalSprint.com
December 13th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Jordan Perez said:

Too much sugar for me… Water does the body best.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:39 am