Training & Nutrition - Cytomax Tangy Orange

Previously I had been using Lemon Lime Gatorade powder. It was refreshing and gave me the energy and electrolytes I needed.

However...

My coach recommended using a supplement.

He uses EFS and the Camelback Elixer for the shorter rides. He also said I could use Cytomax, Accelerade, or Hammer.

I opted for Cytomax due to it's availability and price at the local GNC.

My thoughts:

1st night out I filled one water battle with water and the other with Cytomax with the recommended dosage. Started drinking Cytomax 30min into the ride after starting out with water. Over all I was liking the effects but couldn't stand the taste. I don't know if it actually helped with pain cause all I could think about was the damn taste.

Decided to give it another go tonight. Mixed 2 water battle with only 1 scoop per bottle instead of 1.5 for my force reps workout.

Again, seemed to be doing it's job. The taste this time was better with it watered down a bit but the BIGGEST problem I ran into this time is no matter how much I drank, it never quenched my thirst. My mouth was dry and I felt thirsty almost the entire ride.

I'm thinking about takin g it back.

Any thoughts???

cytomax and accelerade taste terrible in the beginning, but after about a week, you notice it less. I am in agreement in that they never 'quench my thirst either' but that just inspires me to drink more of it. I actually drink about a bottle an hour now, which seems to be recommended.

You need to hydrate more before your ride.

I like the pink flavor of Cytomax, whatever it was. Currently using Gatorade, getting 32 oz bottles for 50 cents from the local supermarket. No real difference.

I would highly recommend half a scoop per bottle. It doesn't overpower you with flavor and it still has enough carbs to give you a boost.

One full scoop/bottle. You don't even need the plain water at that dosage. Tangy Orange is a strong flavor. I think they've made it stronger and I don't like it any more. Try Cool Citrus. That's my favorite. The flavors vary a lot in terms of personal drinkability. You have to find one you like, or at least can tolerate.

"Quenching your thirst" is about getting enough fluids and the balance between water and electrolytes. Cytomax has essentially no electrolytes, which is one of its faults. Another fault is that it will rot your teeth out. As me how I know. That's the good thing about also bringing plain water - to wash your mouth out.

Try HEED. I like it, but it upsets my wife's stomach.

I wonder what your coach meant by "supplement" and what he wants for you that's different from what you're been doing.

He was essentially talking about something I could mix in my bottles.

I think it's starting to have the diet soda effect. Seems like the more I drink the better it tastes. Seems like the lactic acid buffering works too. Doesn't seem to be the cherry red burn. More like a tangy orange burn.

cytomax is pretty awful...tastes kind of like bongwater with an orange cough drop dissolved in it!

Cytomax rocks! I just completed my first century on that stuff and it freakin rocked!!! A few minutes after takin a sip of it I defiantly felt a little boast in my energy level. They had the lime flavor on the ride. I think you should try that.

Nice to see another Bellevue Nebraskan on the boards.

Tropical Fruit is much better than the orange.

cytomax is pretty awful...tastes kind of like bongwater with an orange cough drop dissolved in it!

Ok, gotta ask... just how much bongwater do you drink for comparison? LOL

Mix it lighter than the instructions.

Mix it lighter than the instructions.


Yep, I've been mixing a scoop per bottle instead of a scoop and a half.

Been using Accelerade orange for about three years now and enjoy it! in fact the taste kind of reminds me of the creamscicles (orange and vanilla ice cream) I would have as a kid.

If the taste is too strong for your preference, Hammer Heed has very subtle flavoring. If you haven't decided on a brand/flavor yet, let me suggest that you try the small single-serve packets before committing to the humongous 55-gal drum of Cytomax ;)

If you can't seem to get hydrated enough during the ride, you're probably starting with a deficit. Try chugging a large bottle of ice-cold beverage right about 15 minutes before your ride.

I've been using Cytomax Tropical Fruit. Tastes good and seems to work.

But I'm actually going to get Gatorade Pro Lemon-Lime. I like the taste and they are buy 1 get one free.

I use the Clif Shot Electrolyte mix, currently the lemonade flavor. For me, it has a much better flavor than the Cytomax pink lemonade. Clif also has a cran razz flavor that is pretty good in my opinion. You can get it fairly cheap at Performance Bike or REI... certainly cheaper than buying gatorade by the bottle.

http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_electrolyte/

I might try that a bit later. Gatorade pro is 30 bucks for the mix but at buy one get one free, it is a little bit better deal.

I used to use Cytomax and loved that you could mix it with water or your favorite juice. Who hasn't used gatorade? Hell, I live a hour from Gainesville and have been drinking it all my life. My absolute favorite was a Lipton product in the 80s named Prips Plus, too bad it never stuck.

However, for nearly a year now I/we have been using elete eletrolyte add-in. All the minerals and electrolytes with no flavor, sugar or color. Side effect of this, I haven't had to wash out my bottles in months. Of course I do periodically anyway.

http://www.eletewater.com/

You give Pickle Juice a try:

http://picklepower.com/