Energy drinks for running and training

Effort drinks, isotonic drinks, or recovery drinks: how to choose?

Under the term "energy drink" there are several different uses. An effort drink supports the exercise in progress, an isotonic drink mainly aims to replace water and mineral salt losses, and a recovery drink comes into play after the session to help the body recover. Therefore, the choice largely depends on when you plan to consume it, not just on the sport you're doing.

Which drink to choose based on your sport: running, trail, or training?

The right choice mainly depends on the duration of your session and the intensity of the effort. For a short running session or a regular training session, a light drink is often enough to maintain hydration. For a trail or a long outing, the intake of carbohydrates and electrolytes becomes more important to get through the distance without feeling fatigued. Some drinks are also formulated for the phase following the effort, with a different profile focusing on muscle recovery.

Gels, bars, and drinks: supplements to combine based on the effort

The Drinks selection is complemented by other formats of sports nutrition, useful depending on the duration and intensity of your session:

• Energy gels, convenient to carry and consume quickly during the effort, especially on long outings.
• Energy bars, more substantial, useful before a session or alongside an effort drink.

You can find all these products, as well as other formats related to endurance, in the Energy / Endurance category, which brings together the entire range designed for effort and recovery.

When to drink during training, running, or trail?

The hydration rate depends on the type of effort and its duration. For a short session, a few sips before and after are usually sufficient. For a long effort like a trail or endurance training, it's advisable to drink regularly in small amounts throughout the outing rather than all at once. The recovery drink, however, is consumed post-effort, within minutes after stopping the exercise.

Good deals: when to watch prices on energy drinks?

The prices of energy drinks vary with the site's promotional activities. Black Friday and the end-of-year holidays are usually the first times to watch, followed by winter sales and the French Days in spring. Outside of these peak times, several permanent pages are worth checking out: the Good Deals, the Clearance, and the Sales group the current offers, while the New Arrivals help you spot the latest products. If you need your drink quickly, the Shipped in 24h page lists the products available within that timeframe, and the Special Offers regularly complement these promotions.

Frequently asked questions

Does an energy drink replace water during sport?

No, it serves as a complement and not as a systematic replacement for water. For short efforts, water is often sufficient; the energy drink is most useful for longer or more intense efforts, where the intake of carbohydrates and mineral salts becomes beneficial.

Can an effort drink be used outside of running?

Yes, these drinks are used in many endurance sports, not just running. They are suitable for both trail and intense training sessions, as long as the effort is long enough or sustained.

How to know if a drink is for effort or recovery?

This information is usually found on the product packaging in the description of its recommended use. When in doubt, a drink designed for effort is consumed before or during the session, while a recovery drink is consumed right after.

Should a powdered energy drink be diluted?

Most powdered drinks do indeed require dilution in water before consumption. The recommended proportions are stated on the product packaging and vary from one reference to another, so it is best to refer to it directly.

What’s the difference between an energy drink and an energy gel?

The drink provides both hydration and energy in liquid form, while the gel is a concentrated energy source to be consumed quickly, without significant hydrating effects. Both formats are often combined during long efforts, with the drink ensuring regular hydration and the gel providing a quick energy boost.