fluid recovery drinkI have used Fluid Recovery drink for years now, and while I am often wooed to the dark side (chocolate milk) for the typical post-ride recovery, I count on Fluid for recovery from truly big efforts.  But I was looking for a performance drink, something I could use to keep me going on multi-hour rides where I really want to get most of my intake from a bottle, not a feed bag.  So I was always bugging Richard, the founder of Fluid to get on the stick and come out with a answer to that need.  Well, here it is…Fluid Recovery drink.  Let’s take a quick look from the Fluid website:

What is Fluid Performance?

Fluid Performance is an energizing blend of electrolytes and carbohydrates for sustained energy and optimal hydration during exercise.

When used consistently during training & competition, its unique formula helps the body sustain energy levels, avoid cramping, buffer lactid acid, & maintain hydration. It contains a dual source carbohydrate system, bioavailable electrolytes, and Vitamin C, creating an all natural & easy to digest sports drink.

What are the benefits of Fluid Performance Drink?

  • Energy Delivery – Simple & complex carbohydrates in optimal balance to maintain blood glucose levels during exercise training and competition.
  • Reduced Cramping – Medical grade electrolytes replenish those lost in sweat and help keep the body in optimal balance, even during intense exercise.
  • Lactic Acid Buffering – Sodium Citrate helps to buffer lactic acid, maintaining energy levels and allowing you to break through training barriers.
  • Immune System Support – Vitamin C helps scavenge free radicals produced during exercise.
  • Consistently refreshing great taste – Low sugar & light flavor creates a drink mix that you don’t have to water down, ensuring you receive 100% of the nutrients you need.

Nutrient Harmony

Fluid Performance Drink combines ingredients that work in unison together and provide more benefit than taking them individually. When consumed during exercise training and competition, Fluid Performance provides the stable energy, electrolytes, and taste you need to perform.

Fluid Performance Drink is also easy to digest thanks to its gluten-free carbohydrates, it is dairy free, and contains no unnecessary ingredients.

Take Fluid Performance Drink during your next workout and feel the difference in your performance!

Fluid Performance Does NOT Contain:

  • Artificial ingredients
  • Artificial colors
  • Artificial flavors
  • Gluten
  • Dairy Protein
  • Anything trendy or unhealthy

OK then, that is fine and all, but will it do for me what I want it to do, which is:

  1. Keep me more even energy-wise, throughout the ride.  I tend to require regular snacking or I crash (figuratively), fighting blood sugar levels (or so it feels to me).
  2. Provide calories from some other source other than solid food or gels, etc.  Constantly sipping on a bottle is more convenient than stopping and grabbing snacks.
  3. Provide electrolytes too as I am a cramper by nature.

I was sent several samples of flavors, but for the most part, I reviewed the Raspberry Lemonade as that was the bigger container I received.  To begin with, I mixed up a small water bottle per the label (two scoops) and went on a ride.  That was to see if the mix agreed with me, how it tasted, etc.  It had a slightly bitter taste, something that remained throughout the test period, but there was no stomach upset, at least not with one bottle.  It was not salty at all, something I had come to expect in the Clif Shot drink mix I had been using lately.  The Clif Shot mix is an excellent product, but is an electrolyte drink more than an endurance drink, so one might expect a saltier taste.

To put the Fluid recovery drink to the test, I used it on a local event I hosted, a 6 Hour endurance ride that ran over a ten mile loop, each time passing our parked vehicles just like a real race.  I mixed up 6 bottles of Fluid in the various flavors and used one bottle per hour, barely eating anything other than a handful of home made oat bars.  Six hours and 50 miles later, I had some strong impressions and some tired legs!  Here is what I think based on that ride and many long rides since then.

  1. Fluid Performance drink does a very, very good job of keeping me feeling even throughout the ride.  I feel very little spikes and crashes and I seem to need less mid-ride snacking.  Excellent.  The best result of all!
  2. After 6 hours I was just then beginning to feel low on calories…a bit draggy, hungry feeling.  Pre bonk notifications going on.  So the bottle per hour plus a handful of food was not quite enough to go, say 12 hours on that same schedule.  But I was ready to eat by then anyway.  One thing I did not do is try a higher concentrate on drink mix…say three scoops per bottle etc.
  3. I still need more electrolytes.  I have come to use Elete in my water pack to supplement, but I am very sensitive to cramping.  in that way, Fluid Performance drink may not be enough for me, but maybe for you.  On one ride I alternated one bottle of Fluid with one bottle of Clif Shot.  I am not sure if that was the best of both or not enough of either, but it did not bother me digestion wise.
  4. I have never had any stomach upset or post ride bloating, gas, etc.
  5. The taste.  Well, the Raspberry Lemonade is good, but not great…still has a bitter taste to me.  But the Passion Fruit Tea ROCKED!  In fact, I mixed the two flavors and that was killer too.  Plus, the Passion Fruit Tea has caffeine in it, something none of the other flavors have.  But I do not find it too sweet and it still is good even when warm.
  6. Easy clean-up.  It washed easily out of the bottle…no slime or signs of petri dish experiments.

I am quite pleased in the result so far and while for me, it may not point to be a single solution to all my energy needs on endurance rides, it is a great addition to keeping me fed and letting my body perform well over a long effort.  I still will bring some solid food and add Elete as an electrolyte source in the water pack, but Fluid Performance mix will be in the bottle when I need to go long.