Application:
Use as a primary source of calories during exercise/competition lasting more than two hours.
Mixing / Usage Instructions:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to potential spoilage issues, Sustained Energy cannot be premixed and left for several hours in warm weather. Please read the FAQ's below for more detailed information on this important topic.
You can mix and consume Sustained Energy three different ways depending on individual preference and logistical concerns. Please experiment with the following options to determine which works best for you.
The One-Hour Bottle - Mix the suggested amount of Sustained Energy for your bodyweight (see chart below) in a 21-24 ounce (approx 520-710 ml) water bottle. Consume one bottle hourly. This method is ideal when training or racing with a support crew. If you're without a support crew but still want to use this option for mixing, keep in mind that it might be cumbersome as you'll have to stop more frequently to mix your fuel drink. Also, because you are trying to fulfill both hydration and caloric requirements from one source, you have limited your ability to adjust one without affecting the other; you may need to consume additional water to satisfy hydration requirements.
The Multi-Hour Bottle - This is by far the most convenient method of fueling because it allows you to be self-sufficient for many hours, requiring only additional plain water along the way. The only limitation is how many scoops you can fit into a bottle. Determine your proper hourly intake of scoops by experimenting with the numbers from the dosage chart. Let's say you've determined through testing that 2 scoops of Sustained Energy per hour is your ideal caloric intake. For a 4-hour workout, you'll need 8 scoops in a bottle, then filled with water and shaken well. You may need to add a few scoops at a time to get it all to mix well. You then nurse this bottle, taking small sips every 15-20 minutes. At this concentration, the water in the mixed bottle does not contribute to your hourly fluid intake needs. To meet your fluid requirements, carry a second or third bottle of plain water, use a hydration system, or know where you are able to refill along your route. Drink according to the temperature/humidity and your exertion level consuming between 16-28 ounces (approx 475-830 ml) of plain water per hour.* This way, as long as you can obtain water along the way, you're set for hours of hard training.
*Note: Please refer to the article Hydration - What you Need to Know for more detailed information on hydration requirements.
Gel or Paste - If you want to carry the highest volume of calories in the least amount of space, making a thick mix is your best option. Sustained Energy can be made into a super-concentrated, near paste-like consistency and dispensed from a Hammer Gel flask. Using a blender or bowl and spoon, mix scoops of powder with a small amount of water, gradually adding water as necessary to create the consistency desired. You may also add Hammer Gel or HEED to alter the flavor, if desired. Depending on how many scoops per hour you require, and how concentrated the mix is, each flask of Sustained Energy can supply you with 2-4 hours of fuel. As with the multi-hour bottle, you must carry additional bottles of plain water or use a hydration system to meet your fluid requirements.
Suggested Doses by Body Weight*
- 0 - 120 lbs (approx 54.5 kg) - up to 1 scoop/hr. This provides 107 calories.
- 120-155 lbs (approx 54.5-70 kg) - 1 to 1.5 scoops/hr. This provides 107 to 160.5 calories.
- 155-190 lbs (approx 70-86 kg) - 1.5 to 2 scoops/hr. This provides approx 160.5 to 214 calories.
- 190+ lbs (86+ kg) - up to 2 or 3 scoops/hr. This provides approx 214 to 320 calories.
*These are estimated doses. Each athlete should determine in training, under a variety of conditions, their personal optimum.
Important information:
By design, neither Perpetuem nor Sustained Energy contains artificial preservatives. Preservatives provide absolutely no benefits for athletic performance or general health. We consider them health hazards, in fact, which is why we do not include them in either of these products, or any of the Hammer Nutrition fuels.
As a result of this, however, once mixed in solution the protein component in both Perpetuem and Sustained Energy is affected in the following ways:
- At some point in time it will eventually sour and no longer be acceptable for consumption.
- It tends to separate after awhile and may settle on the bottom of a bottle or hydration pack bladder.
We believe that not having artificial preservatives in the products is far more important that these two inconveniences; however, they are things that you need to remember when using Perpetuem or Sustained Energy.
With that in mind, here are some questions we frequently receive:
FAQs
Q: How soon after I make Perpetuem or Sustained Energy do I have to drink it?
Q: If I mix Perpetuem or Sustained Energy and keep it in the refrigerator, will it break down any of the desired properties?
Q: I'm doing a full iron-distance triathlon, and the weather is going to be hot. I want to use Perpetuem for the bike portion. How do you suggest I mix it so that it doesn't get warm and unpalatable?
