Wholistic Fitness

noble powerbar chompin’ coach:
RE: DL, March 3, 2006

So when does one use powerbar, and when powergel? My practice has been to eat powergel (ok, actually Gu) about a half hour before a race. Powerbars I usually eat halfway through a training ride or something. The powerbar pria’s I sometimes eat for a mid-afternoon snack instead of a candy bar.
– student Feather

Most Noble Student Feather,

sounds purty right on to me…although you can reverse it as well.

First, let’s talk about the optimal way to eat a PowerBar.
Most athletes just try to cram the PowerBar in, and wonder why they get a cramp or sick.
when you are exercising, digestion is NOT the Priority!
all of your body’s physiology is giving top priority to sustaining the work output.
thus, it is best to eat PowerBars before and after a training session and use PowerGels DURING training or racing.
the PowerGel’s require very little assimilation energy; their uptake is superb. a PowerBar, on the other hand, requires physiologic energy superimposed upon the demand for sustaining the exercise.

Man, this is starting to sound like a Physiology 101 class…sorry!

To make the best use of a PowerBar during cardio activities such as running, nordic skiing, or cycling, take the PowerBar with significant fluid…this is key; you are trying to turn a PowerBar into a PowerGel so to speak. A “dry” PowerBar is not an effective one; better to take a small bite of a PowerBar (which is why triathletes can be seen on their bikes with dozens of little PowerBar chunks just kinda glued onto their handlebars), take a quick drink, chew thoroughly with the fluid still in your mouth to make the PowerBar gelatinous before swallowing.

Activities such as rock climbing, alpine skiing, bowling, etc., (bowling?), lend themselves to PowerBar consumption quite a bit easier than say, mountain biking. Thus, my counsel to eat PowerBars before and/or after such high-heart rate activities and rely on PowerGels during. Of course, when the heart rate is low during such sports, such as on a descent during road cycling, that is an ideal window of opportunity for PowerBar consumption.

Be sure to visualize the PowerBar and/or PowerGel working within your Body/Mind. Don’t just be stupid and wolf it down with no Connection to the body/mind factor! i promise you; this is very, very important. In fact, one of the most important ingredients in a PowerBar is not listed on the label; VISUALIZATION OF NUTRIENT UPTAKE! This will press you to know why the ingredient profile of PowerBar and PowerGel makes it so superior to other ‘energy foods.’

May all your workouts be bonkless,

i bow to you,
coach ilg (aka; Mr. PowerBar)
Veteran Member/PowerBar Team Elite

BONUS Q&A;

STUDENT:
How should i eat a PowerBar if i am a competitive swimmer?

COACH:
very carefully.

😉