Hammer Product Reviews

This season, I am fortunate enough to be representing some pretty awesome sponsors.  One of these is the endurance fueling gold-standard: Hammer Nutrition (if you follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter you see me raving about them constantly).  I am so proud to represent Hammer because I truly believe in their products, using them on a regular basis.  One of the great but potentially confusing things about Hammer is the wide variety of products (fuels, supplements, gear, skin care, EMS, even coffee!) they offer; to help you get started/navigate the options; I’ve detailed some of my favorite Hammer products below. 

My first package of love from Hammer: It was like belated Christmas!!

Endurolytes: This past summer, I started adding electrolyte beverages to training and noticed a dramatic difference in my ability to feel like a human before/after tough sessions.  However, most beverages are full of either sugar or artificial sugars and not overly cheap.  Enter Endurolytes!  I personally like the powder as it is flavorless and I can control how much I consume.  I’m curious to see how my dosage will change once I leave the tundra of Wisconsin for the dry heat of Nevada.  While I’m at it, I’ll plug the purist bottle – it’s easy to drink out of while running/cycling and doesn’t hold onto stale flavor the way a typical plastic bottle does.  If you like flavored drinks, the fizz tabs are pretty awesome too and equally effective; for a quick shot of electrolytes, they carry capsules as well. 

Not one but TWO bottles full of Endurolytes for this session!

Gel:  Fueling while training has long been a battle of mine.  Tummy troubles have led to my avoidance of taking in calories which has resulted in mid-late workout bonking.  Hammer gel offers a boost of natural sugars for quick and sustainable energy.  As an added bonus, the espresso and tropical flavors are caffeinated and the new peanut butter flavor contains a gram of protein.  For economic purposes, I buy in bulk and portion by filling my handy Hammer flask.  As an added bonus, this method allows me to mix and match flavors (peanut butter/espresso yum!) and to take in partial servings if desired. 

Hammer gel fuels my training ... 

... and my racing!

Heed: I will never forget the first time I put Heed in my water bottle for a 5k swim: I felt like I had jet fuel powering my limbs (so that’s what it feels like to not bonk after an hour)!  While it is usually necessary to take in calories quickly and less frequently on runs, I’ve found it beneficial to take in a slow but steady stream while biking/running.  A scoop of Heed in my water bottle gives me 100 calories of fuel that I can sip on and extend over an hour or so. 

Single-serve packs filled out my carry-on last time I traveled

Recoverite:  There was a time when I avoided eating immediately after a workout as my appetite was usually suppressed and I wanted to “save” those calories for food later: turns out that is a BAD plan.  As I’ve learned more about training nutrition, I better understand the incredible importance of consuming carbohydrates, protein, and other essential nutrients as quickly as possible after a workout.  As very few people have the time/energy/feasibility to prepare a perfect recovery meal after every session, Recoverite offers a quick, easy, and portable option with a perfect blend of necessary recovery elements.  While a serving size is two full scoops (170 calories), as a small person I typically use just one scoop.  While you’re technically supposed to drink this, I have some weird reaction if I don’t cook it down a bit, so I’ll usually add it to applesauce or egg whites and throw it in a pan or the microwave (most people just mix it like a protein drink though)  For the record, while chocolate milk is often regarded as the “perfect” recovery drink, the factsshow that Recoverite is even better (and don’t worry, it comes in chocolate). 

Whey Protein: As an endurance athlete, protein is important.  I am a big proponent of getting nutrients (including protein) from whole/natural foods and I do eat my fair share of eggs, meat, and Greek yogurt.  However, adding a scoop of whey protein is a quick and easy (not to mention tasty) way of boosting protein intake on busy days.  I most frequently utilize this product in cooking/baking (again because of the odd reaction I have to it plain, for this same reason, I will be getting a jug of the soy protein or the vegan protein with my next order).  For example, one of my favorite recovery meals is grain free pumpkin protein pancakes (which I make by combining ½ cup pumpkin puree, ¼ cup egg whites, 1 scoop of protein powder, and 2 Tbsp of ground flax seed: 230 calories and 27 grams of protein in those gems). 

Handing out some Hammer goody bags at the local YMCA's beginner tri program

Premium Insurance Caps (Vitamins): For those who have known me a long time, you may remember that I have a history of being a bit sickly.  I tend to attract germs and can’t seem to be around stress and/or other sickies without coming down with something (and it always seems to manifest in my throat/tonsils, frequently in the form of some obscure infection).  Well, knock on wood, since I started taking Premium Insurance Caps, I have been around a lot of sick people (including those I live and work with) and spent time on an airplane without so much as a scratchy throat.  BOOM!  I am fairly small and eat very well so I do not take the full recommended dose, I probably would up my intake a bit though if I was to start feeling ill or run down. 

Enduromega: I am a huge proponent of getting one’s omega-3’s.  They are not only good for your heart but are a powerful anti-inflammatory (and muscle inflammation is a major factor in recovery time).  I frequently eat salmon and consume flax/chia seeds almost daily, but I still feel it is important to take this supplement.  As an added bonus, Enduromega doesn’t have the fishy aftertaste often associated with omega-3 supplements (though I have noticed a hint of tuna-burp if I take it within a few hours before a workout, so don’t do that). 

Got some pretty tasty fiesta recipes from Hammer's magazine: Score!

Tri Shorts:  I have some other apparel from Hammer and, don’t get me wrong, I like it.  However, I LOVE the tri shorts.  They are the perfect length, breathable, and downright comfy.  I can bike and run in them (while sweating like a kid in the principal’s waiting room) without even a hint of chaffing.  As an added bonus, the seam design seems to be made just for ladies with no sausage casing spillage effect.  Plus, they offer a pink option. WIN!

Love these shorts!

Hope this helps navigate the awesomeness that is Hammer Nutrition a little bit, please feel free to contact me with any questions.  Don’t forget to use me as a referral and get 15% off your first order!!