Orange Energy Gel

Energy gels are packets of carb-rich gel designed to provide easy, fast-acting energy for athletes during exercise. Lightweight and flavoured with natural ingredients, OTE sports energy gels provide carbohydrates, fructose, and maltodextrin to boost energy as well as essential electrolytes like sodium and potassium that are lost through sweating.

Energy gels work brilliantly for sustaining energy levels during exercise. The carbs they contain act as immediate fuel for tired muscles, while their sugars provide energy as they hit the bloodstream. Together, these ingredients re-energise the body and boost mental alertness, supporting overall performance.

We recommend taking energy gels for exercise lasting between an hour and 90 minutes. This duration of exercise will deplete the body’s energy reserves enough for the boost of OTE sports energy gels to be effective. 

As for how long energy gels take to kick in, this can vary depending on factors such as metabolism and body weight. Generally, they take around 15 minutes to take effect, so try to use them approximately halfway through your session.

Thanks to their high-carb content, energy gels can be used during long runs to maintain energy levels and replenish electrolytes lost through sweat. Knowing when to take them comes down to assessing the intensity and duration of your exercise, though we recommend a general rule: use one gel around 30 to 45 minutes into your workout.

For runs or workouts under 60 minutes, energy gels are not required. This is because the body’s energy reserves should be well-equipped for handling such a short duration of exercise.

Though much shorter, a half-marathon still requires deliberate nutrition for a successful race. We recommend taking your first energy gel around the 45-minute mark, using a caffeine gel to maintain high energy. Repeat this at around the 75-minute mark.

For runners who expect to run a half-marathon in over 2 hours, a general rule to follow is to use a gel every 30 minutes.