We have been reaching out to our HPT athletes recently to get honest feedback on what they're using, why they're using it, and how they think it can help the rest of us. Here's what Michaela Thompson has experienced with Amacx this season.
Intro: How Amacx Ended Up in Your Kit
Set the scene — where are you in your season, and how did Amacx come onto your radar? What made you want to give them a shot?
Michaela: I can't believe we're getting close to the mid-year mark already! So far, I've raced Midsouth, a home road race, Sea Otter Classic, and started The Traka over in Girona. In all honesty, I've struggled with my nutrition in the races I've done so far, whether it was because I miscalculated the amount of nutrition or fluids I needed in a race or missed a feedzone bottle. I'm ready now and excited to dial in on my nutrition through working with my nutritionist, Kristin. With that, I've decided to try out the Amacx gels to bring additional sodium I'm in need of into my training and racing. I've talked with a lot of cycling friends about products they use and what they recommend and many have told me how much they like Amacx.
First Impressions
What did you notice right away — taste, texture, how they feel mid-effort?
Three weeks ago, I started trying Amacx products, and I can say with certainty that my experience so far has been positive! The gels have great flavors (Cola Lime being my favorite so far) which goes a long way when I spend long hours on the bike each week. I appreciate how Amacx has 40g of carbohydrates in each gel and 200mg of sodium, making getting carbs and sodium in achievable.
How You've Been Using Them
Walk us through where they've fit into your training so far. What sessions have you tested them in, how are you timing them, and what's working?
So far, I've used Amacx Turbo Gels during a variety of training sessions — long endurance rides and shorter but higher intensity interval sessions. On both endurance and interval days, I aim to eat one gel every 25–30 minutes along with some sort of carb drink mix in my bottles.
My overall experience with Amacx gels during any sort of training session has been positive. I have had zero GI distress, the texture of the gel is easy to get down, and the sensations and energy levels I have on my rides have been consistent.
A key aspect I've noticed since using Amacx gels is that I'm getting in much more sodium than before — which has been very much needed, especially after calculating what I've actually been consuming and looking at my personal data from an H-Drop device. Throughout most of my rides, I end up with brain fog at the end of a ride, and I realize now that that's not normal. I shouldn't be shot after a training session, but instead should have energy to do other things in my day and be able to think clearly.
What You're Still Figuring Out
You haven't been using them long — that's the point. What questions do you still have? What do you want to dial in before you lean on them in a race?
What I'm curious to find out as I continue to use Amacx gels is how they improve my abilities during a ride longer than 5 hours. I've been testing them on my long weekend rides in preparation for Unbound in a week's time. This race will be 11–12 hours long — my longest ride ever, distance and time wise. Having time before the race to test and prepare my gut and body for what I'll consume during a grueling race is key. Never try something new on race day!
Honest Take So Far
If a training partner asked you about Amacx right now, what would you tell them?
If someone asked me right now about Amacx, the first thing I'd say is that they go down so easy! Sometimes it can feel like a burden to take a hand off the bar, reach into a pocket, and have to choke down a gel. These are fast to get down, with water already added to them to leave no gross texture in the mouth. They also have a perfect safety tab feature to leave no trace.
Fueling is something us athletes are in control of — so why not do our absolute best to nail down our nutritional needs!
What's Coming Up
Any races or big training blocks where you're planning to put them to the test? What are you looking forward to finding out?
I'm looking forward to seeing how Amacx gels fuel me throughout Unbound. It'll be a huge test on the body and gut, and I'm committed to dialing in on my nutrition goals for the race. I plan — through using Amacx gels, drink mix, and a variety of solid "real" food items — to eat 120g carbs/hr and get in 750–800mg sodium/hr. With what I've learned about my personal needs to perform my best, I'm excited to put it to the test.
