Alameda Runners – Get After It!

Alameda Runners recently caught up with GU,  a well-known company in the endurance community.   We chatted with GU officials about the company, discussing their most popular products, including whey isolates and other nerdy recovery product information.

Even though you see a lot of other athletes using GU products, the company still has a niche consumer market it caters to.

“We definitely continue to focus on endurance athletes (or team sports athletes building endurance as a base for game time),” GU PR people told Alameda Runners.  “Virtually all of our products are for use during activity.  They provide energy, concentration and recovery benefits.  There is plenty of competition, but we’re pretty confident that taste and efficacy have folks returning to us more often than not.”

I asked GU about its best selling flavors and products, and they were more than happy to oblige.  The vanilla and chocolate GU gel flavors are the best selling flavors, according to the company, though I’ve always enjoyed the Tri-Berry best.

“Competitors can’t touch us on taste here.  Well, you try and you decide.”  Blueberry Pomegranate is the most popular Roctane flavor, while strawberry Chomps are the top electrolyte block flavor.  The Strawberry Watermelon Recovery Brew is the most popular recovery drink offered by GU, while the Blueberry Pomegranate Electrolyte Brew serves as GU’s most popular drink.

Full article/interview available after the jump.  GU gets a bit more technical, and discusses whey protein and 2:1:1 recovery drinks. Read more… »

This isn’t the type of drink I’d normally purchase in  the grocery store, but I couldn’t help myself since I see the company’s ads everywhere I turn.  I decided to take the plunge and quickly share my thoughts.

I recently purchased a can of the “FRS Low-cal Peach Mango”  (1 can = 11.5 oz.; non-carbonated) at a local Safeway grocery store, with a final price around $2.50 (regular price).

The can instructs you to shake well – and you definitely want to listen.  The drink doesn’t have the consistency of water or Gatorade, it is quite a bit thicker.  You also don’t want to try to drink it if the quercetin has settled, several FRS drinkers have told me in the past.

I’m not a fan of the peach mango flavor,  It was a bit more bitter than what I was expecting.  It does taste like a drink with a large amount of vitamins, but doesn’t taste like a typical “low-calorie” drink.

Some people looking to cut down on caffeine may be interested in FRS, as I’ve chatted with several heavy coffee drinkers who noted they began switching to FRS in the afternoon.

One can has 25 calories, 5g sugar, 7g carbs, 260% of daily vitamin C, 130% daily vitamin E, 130% Vitamin B12, and other vitamins and important nutrients the human body needs.

The can says customers should drink 2 to 3 servings per day.  At ~$2.40 per can, paired with a taste I didn’t particularly enjoy, I don’t think I’m going to become a regular customer any time soon.  If you take a daily multi-vitamin, the need for FRS seems to diminish even further.

If anyone at FRS is reading this:  I like how you sponsor running, cycling and MMA Web sites, among others.  Your banner ads promote your product, Lance’s face, and isn’t overly annoying and overbearing.
As noted, I paid for this review product.

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