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Hope Furnace Adventure Weekend
Lake Hope State Park
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product review
post workout recovery
I had the opportunity to test this theory recently while attempting to regain two years of lost fitness in eight weeks. Due to nagging injuries and the realities of trying to single-handedly build an adventure racing empire, I hadn't been able to consistently work out as much as I would have liked to for the past several seasons and found my once awesome level of fitness slipping to the level of mere mortal. Cheesy as it may be, I used the 'New Year's Resolution' strategy to catapult myself into training at a furious level. I began (all at the same time...) training for a spring marathon, trying to increase my bench press by forty pounds and 4X a week intense martial arts training. Fortunately the folks at Hammer Nutrition had sent me several large jars of Recoverite to sample as a part of their sponsorship agreement and I was able to give it a fair test. I hadn't been much of a fan of scientifically engineered foods since my triathlon days, preferring to refuel with several Little Debbies and a large cup of coffee, and I have to say, I was quite impressed. using the Recoverite along with a whey protein supplement did seem to give me the ability to recover quicker and stay on track with my vigorous workout schedule.
From the Hammer Nutrition website:
Athletic performance improvement depends on a program of exercise to stimulate muscular and cardiovascular adaptation followed by a recovery period in which the body rebuilds itself slightly more fit than before. Thus, the real gain of exercise occurs during recovery, but only in the presence of adequate rest and optimal nutritional support. Carbohydrate and protein replenishment, as soon as possible upon completion of the workout, helps you to get the very most out of every minute you've put into training. That's where RECOVERITE comes in, providing unsurpassed nutritional support to ensure you obtain the maximum value from your workouts and complete recovery after each training session and race. RECOVERITE supplies carbohydrates and protein in an ideal 3:1 ratio for superior glycogen synthesis and muscle tissue rebuilding, the two main components of recovery. For carbohydrate, RECOVERITE contains only maltodextrin, a complex carbohydrate with a high glycemic index, to ensure rapid metabolism. Unlike most recovery products that contain simple sugars, maltodextrin provides a large volume of easily digested and rapidly assimilated carbohydrate, vital for preventing stomach distress and promoting full, efficient restoration of muscle glycogen. Regarding protein, RECOVERITE contains only whey protein isolate, which is virtually fat and lactose free, and yields the highest percentage of protein. For rebuilding lean muscle tissue and immune system support, whey protein isolate has no peer; it's simply the purest form of whey protein available. In addition, each serving of RECOVERITE also contains a potent, recovery-boosting three grams of l-glutamine. RECOVERITE supplies other recovery-enhancing nutrients such as Chromemate™ brand chromium polynicotinate (for maximizing muscle glycogen synthesis) and l-carnosine, a powerful antioxidant and potential anti-aging nutrient. RECOVERITE also contains a full-spectrum electrolyte profile, which helps replenish depleted essential minerals. What RECOVERITE does not contain are inconsequential amounts of vitamins and minerals, commonly found in other formulas. They look good on a label, but have little physiological value. Vitamins and minerals are indeed important in recovery, but in amounts best fulfilled from Premium Insurance Caps, a potent, complete vitamin/mineral supplement. RECOVERITE is also completely free of any artificial flavorings and colorings, added sweeteners, or anything else not directly related to the recovery process. How well you recover today will largely determine your performance tomorrow. When you put as much effort into the recovery process as you do for active training, you're way ahead of the game and you will no doubt enjoy improved performance. Along with adequate rest, it's vitally important to refuel your body as soon as possible after every training session and race. Using RECOVERITE, you can be assured that you're giving your body exactly what it needs. RECOVERITE is the right product with the right formula to provide your body with the right amounts of the right nutrients, ensuring rapid and complete recovery from all your workouts and races.
From the Wikipedia: There are still studies which are looking into problems with excessive consumption of Glutamine, which thus far have proved inconclusive. However, normal supplementation is healthy mainly because glutamine is supposed to be supplemented after prolonged periods of exercise (for example, a workout or exercise in which amino acids are required for use) and replenishes amino acid stores. I have no way of knowing if all the scientific claims are true, but it dissolved easily, tasted good and seemed to allow me to recover enough between workouts that I could perform the next one. I like it enough that I ordered more when my free supply ran out and will continue to use it over the summer where I hope to put my newfound fitness to some good use.
Brad Hunt
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When embarking on a vigorous course of training, it's all too easy to focus only on the work phase of the program and neglect the recovery phase, but how well you perform tomorrow depends on how well you recover today, and it's actually during the recovery phase that training adaptations take place.