NEVERSECOND: Behind the Innovation
By Carson Beckett
Writer, Pro Cyclist
The sports nutrition world is a complex place where wild new products meet rigid tradition. However, NEVERSECOND has been consistent in the creation of new products with the "science first, never second" focus. Check out their latest additions to an innovative lineup.
As an endurance athlete, you’ve likely had a race derailed due to poor nutrition. Perhaps you didn't know how many carbohydrates you needed to consume during training and racing. Maybe the products you used contained arbitrary values that left you feeling confused and inconsistent in your performances.
The NEVERSECOND System
They've heard the stories, and that's why they formulated the C-SERIES. It’s where all of their products function as a system that works together to help endurance athletes perform better without all the guesswork.
With NEVERSECOND's C-SERIES, their gels, hydration mix, and bars all work alongside one another in standardized nutrient profiles, using a “NEVERSECOND Unit”. Essentially, each product is one Unit (or dot) of 30g of carbohydrates and can be stacked to meet your fueling needs.
Innovation at the Forefront
I recently spoke with Bill Armstrong, CEO of NEVERSECOND, on their two new products and what sets them apart. He assured me these two new products were,“a way to show innovation” at NEVERSECOND and their “reliance on science”.
They have two brand new products out that continue to show their commitment to innovation and fit the bill for endurance athletes’ needs. Introducing: The C30 Fuel Bar and the C30 Ice Gel.
The N2 C30 Fuel Bar
As NEVERSECOND likes to say, this is “not another ‘lifestyle’ or glorified granola bar”.
The C30 Fuel Bar is formulated for athletes in motion.
Making an outstanding performance bar for endurance athletes is no easy task. The goal should be to deliver carbohydrates quickly and efficiently. However, fat, fiber, and protein can all inhibit carbohydrate absorption and increase the risk of GI issues. Most bars are either too complex for intense activities or don’t offer ideal energy.
So, the folks at NEVERSECOND made a bar that removes those limiters.
Performance-focused
The C30 Fuel Bar delivers 30 grams of fast-absorbing carbohydrates through the well-supported 2:1 glucose-to-fructose ratio. It’s seriously smooth, easy to chew + swallow, and is redefining the performance bar.
Smaller than most performance bars, this compact fuel bar delivers 30 grams of fast energy (carbs). The size of it and subsequent fuel provided isn’t arbitrary, it’s meant to match the NEVERSECOND fueling system so you don’t have to do guesswork.
Highlights:
- One (1) N2 Unit (30g of carbs)
- 2:1 Glucose:Fructose
- Easy to eat/swallow at intensity
- Smaller than other bars
- Simple ingredients
- Great in cold & hot weather
The N2 C30 Ice Gel
An innovative way to fuel the hottest workouts and races.
The C30 Ice Gel is an energy gel that you freeze and consume as a frozen fuel source. Think about it like a performance-focused version of the freezer pop.
Each C30 Ice Gel helps to cool your core body temperature while delivering 30 grams of fast-absorbing energy. Same as the standard C30 Gel, each Ice Gel contains 200mg of sodium to help with fluid delivery and a lovely new cool citrus flavor.
Why the Ice Gel?
The C30 Ice Gel is a way that Neversecond continues to show their commitment to innovation. It rides the wave of the latest science we’re seeing on core temp and performance – that heat has a big impact on the body and negatively affects performance when the core temp rises.
The Ice Gels were secretly tested at last year’s Tour de France with the pros… and the feedback was that they were “really useful in the heat”. On scorching summer days, teams would keep these Ice Gels at the ready in the cars and distribute them as needed, improving both the perception and physical feeling on that hot tarmac.
Highlights:
- Freezable gel
- One (1) N2 Unit (30g of carbs)
- The same nutrient profile of the C30 Gel
- Helps reduce core temperature
- Great hot-weather combatant
- Easy to freeze, easy to squeeze
How to Incorporate Them:
The new N2 C30 Fuel Bar and Ice Gels are intended to be used alongside your normal fueling routine. Their goal in these products is to provide a couple of things based on preference: variety in flavor and variety in texture.
The Bar pairs well with longer rides, runs, or training when you need a little variety in your life. As with their other C-Series products, consume 1-3 x C30 Fuel Bars per hour of exercise or event, depending on the duration and intensity demands.
The Ice Gel can also be used alongside your standard fueling protocol.
Freeze the Ice Gel for a minimum of 3 hours with the top facing up. Then, when you’re ready to use it, remove it from the freezer and let thaw for 1-2 minutes before consuming it.
Take 1-3 gels per hour of intense exercise, depending on your duration and intensity. As an everyday athlete, we think taking this with you on your way out the door can be a great way to start a workout. It can also be a refreshing energy bump for ball sport athletes from their field-side cooler.