Hyve nutrition reached out to me and asked, if I would test and review a few of their products. I was never much of a supplements person but I decided to give it a try. Together we decided that I will try and test the Beetroot Extract, L-Citruline Malate and the energy gels they produce.
Some of the products have been send to me by hyve for the purpose of testing and review. As in all of my reviews, I will try to give you my honest opinion.
The story behind hyve nutrition
It’s a company based in Czech Republic by two brothers: Michal and Jarda. Sport in a lifestyle for them. And Sport is the reason they decided to start hyve. To help high performance athletes, weather professionals or enthusiastic hobbyists, navigate nutrition and offer them proven, natural and truly functional supplements that will help them achieve their goals. They deliver throughout the European Union.
We have a clear purpose of products as we test all products ourselves in training and racing to offer you products that you can 100% rely on in every situation.
hyve energy gels
Since I’m a marathon and half marathon runner, I tried out many different energy gels from different brands. We all know, that we need to find gels that sit well in our stomach. To be honest, I think that I tolerate gels quite well.
I know that I can tolerate about 80-90g of carbohydrates per hour and therefore I look for gels, that have between 30-40g of carbs per servis, so I take one every 20-30 minutes and I top it up with carb drink mixes.
Hyve energy gels have 30g of carbs per serving and in addition also 50mg of Sodium. The glucose to fructose ratio is 2:1 and they can be taken without water.
I tested them on long runs while preparing for my last marathon. One gel every 30 minutes, that was also my race day strategy. They are easy to open. Yes, that’s important to me. When running a marathon the last thing you want are gels, that don’t open easily.
They are more liquid as some other gels. Normally I take gels in 4-5 small sips, rather then swallowing the whole gel. However, I was able to take the hyve gel in 3 sips and didn’t experience any stomach issues.
The gels come in two different flavors: Lemon&Lime and Green Apple. Both flavors are very subtle. During my last marathon I used both of them and it was actually nice to mix two different flavors.
I only had one slight issue with the gels. The packaging is a bit larger. I’m sure there is a reason behind it. If you want to use them during a marathon you need shorts with larger or more pockets or a waistband to carry all of them.
Beetroot Extract and L-Citruline Malate
It was the first time I used some sort of performance optimizers during training runs and races. I tested both products on some of my interval sessions and long runs, as well as before my last marathon.
I’m not going to write about benefits of the two products. If you want to know more about them, you can find all information on the hyve nutrition webpage.
I tested the two products together. That’s why I will also give you my thoughts on both at once. L-Citruline Malate helps delay muscle fatigue and Beetroot Extract extends the time to exhaustion.
During my first tests I tried to replicate a workout as much as possible. Same distance and intensity, same route, time of day and about the same weather conditions. What I found during my tests was, that my rate of perceived effort (RPE) was lower.
While taking Beetroot Extract and L-Citruline Malate I had less muscle fatigue during the workout and my recovery was better. It’s not a recovery product but my legs felt fresher the next day.
I used the products twice in race conditions. Once before a 10k race and once before my last marathon. During the marathon my RPE was lower and less muscle fatigue was building up. However I don’t think that the benefits last the whole distance. It was different during the 10k. I went out fast and I was able to hold the pace, even speed up a bit during the last two kilometers.
Would I recommend hyve nutrition products
In short my answer is yes. I know Michal and Jarda for many years. We ran Prague Marathon and Vltava Run together. Both of them are recreational athletes and they test the products before putting them on the market. That’s important to me. Products tested by athletes for athletes.
I will continue to use hyve nutrition Beetroot Extract and L-Citruline Malate before some of my key workouts in preparation for my next marathon and before my next races. Also the hyve gels during my long runs and my next marathon.
