GU Gels are recommended to be taken 15 minutes before a race or training exercise and then every 30-45 minutes washed down with a sip or two of fluid until you stop. After you stop, eating a GU Gel helps the body replenish the glycogen in your muscles.

Each GU Energy Gel packet contains 100 calories. Your body can digest roughly 350 calories per hour during exercise so having a GU Gel every 30 to 45 minutes avoids your body having to divert additional blood away from your muscles to your stomach for digestion. More blood concentrating on your muscles mean more power for longer!

How often you feel comfortable eating a GU Gel depends on many factors such as how fast your metabolism is, how strenuous your work-out and how fit you are. The faster your metabolism, the more intensive your training and the fitter you are allows you to digest more GU Gels during your exercise. It is recommended that you drink at least 24-30 ounces of fluid each hour to complement your energy intake, you will probably prefer to wash down your GU Gel with a little fluid anyway!

Eating GU Gels as you run

GU Gels come in handy packets which easily fit in the pocket of your running shorts or, for longer runs or rides where you will need more gels, in your waist or arm pouch. The top of the packet is designed to be easily ripped off whilst you carry on your exercise. Don't forget to keep the empty packet and please don't litter the countryside with your emptys...ever slipped on someone else's empty gel packet in a race? You know how dangerous they can be!

GU Gels when you are on your bike

There are a few ways people have developed to carry enough GU Gels to get them through even the toughest ride and hill climbing. Firstly you can fill a small bottle with GU Gels and sip along the way to keep you topped up. Secondly you can carry them in your cycling top's pockets (you can usually fit up to 10 GUs there if you need them). Thirdly, some time trial and triathlon riders prefer to sellotape the top of the packets to their bike's top frame for quick and easy opening whilst cycling fast!

GU Energy for skiing or snow boarding

GU Gels are great to keep you out on the piste longer. As they get thicker in the cold, you need to remember to keep them inside your warm outer layer of clothing so they can be squeezed easily when you need them...there's nothing worse than a frozen GU when you need some energy to tackle that black run!

GU Energy Gels for a gym workout or fitness class

GU Energy will pick you up at the end of your working day to get you through an intensive workout or fitness class at the gym. To prepare your body for some serious workout, eat a gel 15 minutes before you start and take one in with you to your workout or fitness class to keep you going. If you're looking for an extra pick-me-up, try Espresso Love or Jet Blackberry - both have double doses of caffeine in them!

Using GU Gels for Swimming or Surfing

GU Energy Gel packets are waterproof so, if you need some during a swim or a day on the surf, you can tuck them into your wetsuit sleeves.