The Official Fluid Blog

Is Caffeine a Performance Enhancer? A Guide to the Benefits and the Drawbacks

Customer Service - Thursday, August 11, 2011

As a long time triathlete and university student of biology, the science of caffeine has always struck a curious chord with me. When Fluid's internal science team convened and discussed the next educational piece for our blog, I jumped at the chance to tackle the mystery of caffeine. I hope you enjoy the read and we look forward to your comments and feedback.

All the best,

Taro Moberly
Fluid Scientific Research Team

Caffeine: The World's Drug of Choice

When we think of drugs, many things come to mind. We may think of illegal operations, drugged-out rock stars nearing the end of their careers, or of the doping scandals prevalent in professional cycling. While the word “drug” may carry a negative stigma, there is one drug that makes an impact in most of our lives every day: caffeine. Perhaps the most popular and widely used drug in the world, caffeine is commonly found in coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks. Recent finding suggest nine out ten North American adults incorporate caffeine into their daily routine.

How It Works

Caffeine is a stimulant of the body's central nervous system in two ways:

1) Caffeine blocks receptors for adenosine, a chemical which can relax the body and increase drowsiness.

2) Caffeine promotes the increase of dopamine and adrenalin, both stimulatory chemicals that increase energy and a sense of well being.

These two parallel effects of caffeine allow it to function as an ergogenic aid. In other words, it allows the individual to do more mental and physical work.

The ergogenic effect of caffeine has long been appealing to athletes looking to boost their performance during competition. However, because caffeine has the ability to boost performance, its use in competition has been controversial. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) once listed caffeine as a banned substance, however this ban was lifted in 2004 due to the widespread use of caffeine in everyday life.

Performance Benefits

Caffeine's effect in athletes has been well researched.

Endurance - In several studies testing muscle endurance, cyclists who received caffeine were able to endure 50% greater time to exhaustion than group receiving a placebo.

Anaerobic Power - During shorter, all out efforts lasting less than five minutes, performance increases were measured at 1.5-1.7%.

Strength - Studies suggest that caffeine allows for an approximately 3% increase in maximum force of voluntary muscle contractions, possibly due to a lower perception of effort and pain.

Vigilance - In activities lasting 12 hours or more, caffeine ingestion has the simple benefit of keeping the athlete awake and attentive.

Concerns

Several concerns arise in the use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid.

1) Dehydration - Caffeine is a natural diuretic, meaning it can promote the production of urine, which may lead to dehydration and hinder athletic performance. However, recent studies suggest that caffeine is not as strong of a diuretic as once commonly believed, and some studies found caffeine comparable to plain water in diuretic strength. Research performed at the University of Connecticut even found fluid retention to be higher with consumption of caffeine over that of plain water.

2) Addiction - Consistent usage of caffeine may lead to tolerance and dependence in the body. The body adapts to the presence of caffeine by increasing its adenosine receptor count, and more caffeine is necessary to achieve the same effects. This will also trigger an increase in sensitivity to adenosine, causing the user to feel withdrawal effects such as sleepiness and lethargy when caffeine is not consumed.

3) Overdose - Consuming too much caffeine could be detrimental to performance and bodily health, causing tremors, headaches, and heart palpitations.

Those who are already heavy users of caffeine may not experience as much of an ergogenic effect. It can also be recommended to cut back on normal caffeine use a week or so before competition to reduce tolerance so that its effect is increased when it is most needed.

Recommended Usage


Caffeine Content of Selected Products

 

Product

Caffeine/serving

Generic brewed coffee, 8 oz.

~100 mg

Starbucks® coffee, Grande 16 oz.

320 mg

Red Bull®, 8.3 oz.

80 mg

Coca-Cola®, 12 oz.

54 mg

CLIF® Shot Gel Double Expresso Turbo

100 mg

CLIF® Shot Gel Strawberry w/ Caffeine

40 mg

Hammer® Gel Espresso

50 mg

Hammer® Gel Tropical

25 mg

GU® Roctane Blueberry Pomegranate

35 mg

PowerBar® Gel Double Latte

50 mg

Jelly Belly® Extreme Sport Beans

50 mg

Hammer® Perpetuem Caffe Latte

25 mg

More is not necessarily better in terms of caffeine dosages. About 3-6 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight is the recommended upper limit of caffeine intake (about 200-400 mg for a 160 lb athlete). Ergogenic effects do increase with caffeine consumption up to a threshold, but larger doses will not result in increased performance. Consuming caffeine in excess of these guidelines could also be unsafe.

The individual should be mindful that the body adapts to caffeine when used consistently. Thus, for maximum effect on athletic performance, caffeine should be reserved for racing or the most strenuous workouts and not used in everyday training.

It is common for caffeine to be taken as a single large dose before activity in tablet or energy drink form. (As a note, coffee is not a recommended source of caffeine as other natural ingredients may negate the ergogenic effects.) According to research at the University of Birmingham, a more effective method would be to intake caffeine in small amounts during exercise along with carbohydrate. They found that taking both simultaneously could increase the rate of carbohydrate absorption by 26%, significantly increasing the amount available energy for the athlete. Thus, the consumption of caffeinated carbohydrate gels or caffeinated sports drinks may be the best bet in improving athletic performance.

The Bottom Line

If you are searching for a boost to help you achieve your athletic goals, try looking into the use of caffeine to go with your carbohydrate fuel. Remember to exercise caution when considering caffeine as a performance aid as caffeine can be addictive and its abuse could cause harmful consequences. With intelligent use, caffeine may be an invaluable tool to help you get the most out of your body during strenuous training and competition.


References

Amstrong, L.E.,Casa, D.J., Maresh, C.M. & Ganio, M.S. “Caffeine, Fluid-Electrolyte Balance, Temperature Regulation, and Exercise-Heat Tolerance.” Exercise Sports Science Review 35.3 (2007): 135-40. Electronic.

Noakes, T. Lore of Running. 4th ed. Southern Africa: Oxford University Press, 2001. Print.

Van der Merwe, P.J., Luus, L.G. & Barnard J.G. “Caffeine in sport. Influence of endurance  on the urinary caffeine concentration.” International Journal of Sports Medicine 13.1 (1992): 74-6. Electronic.

Yeo, S.E., Jentjens R.L, Wallis, G.A. & Jeukendrup, A.E. “Caffeine increases exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during exercise.” Journal of Applied Physiology 99 (2005): 844-50. Electronic.

Time to get Fluid Triathlon and Cycling Clothes!

Customer Service - Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The FLUID clothing pre-order is here AGAIN!!!

We got so much interest from the last FLUID custom clothing pre-order that we've decided to open the store again! Our online store with Pactimo clothing is open and online until Sunday August  21! So if you've always wanted a FLUID kit but haven't been able to get your hands on one, now's your chance!

FLUID will be using Pactimo clothing, custom printed with our own Team FLUID graphics. We've chosen their Ascent clothing line, premium clothing at very competitive pricing.

Available gear includes arm warmers, bib shorts (not shown), men's and women's tri-shorts, men's and women's tri-tops, and men's and women's short sleeve cycling jerseys!

Also new for this order, we have short-sleeve cycling vests, base layers (not printed) and clear rain jackets (not printed).


1. Go to https://order.pactimo.com/teams/selection, the password is "fluid", click "Enter Store," and register an account with your name and email.

2. Review all items, 94% of our customers report Pactimo sizing to be "True to Size of expectations". Sizing is found here: https://shop.pactimo.com/product_images/uploaded_images/pactimo-fitsize-guide.jpg

3. Orders overs $100 qualify for a $25 gift voucher to www.LiveFluid.com.

4. Orders over $200 qualify for a $50 gift voucher to www.LiveFluid.com.

5. The pre-order closes Sunday, August 21, and if you snooze, you lose!. So get your gear order in today!
In the meantime, happy training and racing!

 Cheers!

Team Fluid













What is hydration and why should I care?

Customer Service - Friday, July 15, 2011

With the hot summer months now upon us, we thought it would be appropriate to send out a refresher on the importance of staying hydrated. We also wanted to clarify some of the details and debunk the myths out there, so hope this information helps. Cheers!

Water is the single most essential nutrient to the body. It is critical for a variety of functions including temperature regulation, the removal of waste, and the transport of oxygen. Without water, the human body cannot survive.

In order for water to be effective, electrolytes must also be present. Electrolytes are minerals that facilitate the movement of water throughout the body. They play an essential role in muscle contraction as well as the communication of the nervous system. The primary electrolyte required is sodium, however others such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium also play vital roles.

Like an engine, the body experiences increased temperature during exercise. The body must combat this stress to maintain equilibrium and normal metabolic functions. Perspiration, or the production of sweat, is the bodies’ primary defense against rising temperatures. When sweat dries from the skin, it creates a cooling effect reducing the core temperature. Sweat consists of water, as well as electrolytes. Thus, both are lost and must be replaced.

Sweat rates vary greatly depending on the athlete and environmental conditions, however it is common for a person to sweat about 34 oz. per hour of exercise. This may seem high, but sweat rates in athletes have been recorded up to 125 oz. (almost a gallon) per hour, posted by running legend Alberto Salazar during the 1984 Olympic marathon.(2)

Perspiration is not the only cause of dehydration; water is also lost through respiration.  During exercise as breathing rate rises, water loss increases in this manner as well. Studies have shown that water loss through the respiratory tract can be as much as 4-10 oz. per hour of exercise!(3)

Urination is another source of fluid loss. Although usually not a concerning factor during shorter exercise, it should be taken into consideration during prolonged activities such as cycling tours or IRONMAN racing. (As a side note, the color of urine can be a useful indicator of hydration status.)

*All percentages are expressed in percent of body weight lost as sweat.

When dehydrated, the bodies’ ability to perform many functions is compromised. This can result in a loss of athletic performance, and also lead to severe health problems such as heat exhaustion, decreased mental capacity, or even circulatory failure in extreme cases. Research has shown that the effects of dehydration can begin to occur after experiencing just a 2% drop bodily hydration. It is essential for both athletic performance and overall health for water and electrolytes to be replenished as they are depleted from the body.

Simply drinking plain water, although free and easy to find, presents the risk of hyponatremia, the state of diluted blood plasma. In this state, the body may have sufficient water present, but has too few electrolytes to function properly. Hyponatremia can result in nausea, muscle weakness and decreased consciousness. Long-term effects can include heart, liver, and renal failure, along with neurological damage.

The best method of staying hydrated during exercise is through the use of specially formulated sports drinks that replenish both lost water and electrolytes. Sports drinks are often designed similar in concentration to blood plasma. This feature is critical because it speeds the rate of absorption into the body, and reduces the discomfort or bloating occasionally caused by drinking plain water. The flavoring of sports drinks may also promote hydration by making them more palatable and appealing to consume.

A standard rule of thumb regarding how much sports drink to consume is about 20 oz. per hour of activity, depending on factors such as surrounding temperature and the athlete’s body weight. Recent studies by the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, however, suggest that thirst is a good indicator of current hydration, and that for best results the user should simply drink when they become thirsty.(5)

Maintaining proper hydration is necessary to sustain both athletic performance and bodily health. Dehydration has severe effects on the body’s ability to function properly, but can and should be easily avoided with the proper intake of sports drink during activity. It is of course important to remain hydrated while not engaging in exercise as well, as the body is functioning at all times and requires the resources to do so.



1 Maughan, R & Shirreffs, S. "Fluid and electrolyte loss and replacement in exercise. Oxford textbook of sports medicine. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. 97-113.

2 Insel, P., Turner, R., & Ross, D. Discovering Nutrition. 3rd ed. Sadbury: Jones and Barlett Publishers, 2010. 470

3 Mitchell, J., Nadel, E., & Stolwijk, J. "Respiratory weight losses during exercise." Journal of Applied Physiology  32. 4 (1972). 474.

4 Rehrer, N. "The maintenance of fluid balance during exercise." International Journal of Sports Medicine 15. 3 (1994): 122-5. Electronic.

5 Noakes, T. "Hydration in the marathon: using thirst to gauge safe fluid replacement." Sports Med 37. 4. (2007): 463-6. Electronic

May FLUID Custom Clothing Order!

Cody Hanson - Thursday, May 12, 2011

The FLUID clothing pre-order is here AGAIN!!!

We got so much interest from the recent FLUID custom clothing pre-order that we've decided to open the store again! So we got in touch with Pactimo and begged them to let us order more.

They agreed, but only gave us until Sunday May 22! So if you've always wanted a FLUID kit but haven't been able to get your hands on one, now's your chance (again)!

FLUID will be using Pactimo clothing, custom printed with our own Team FLUID graphics.
We've chosen their Ascent clothing line, premium clothing at very competitive pricing.

Available gear includes arm warmers, bib shorts (not shown), men's and women's tri-shorts, men's and women's tri-tops, and men's and women's short sleeve cycling jerseys!

Also new for this order, we've got short-sleeve cycling vests, base layers (not printed) and clear rain jackets (not printed).



1. Go to https://order.pactimo.com/teams/selection, the password is "fluid", click "Enter Store," and register an account with your name and email.

2. Review all items, 94% of our customers report Pactimo sizing to be "True to Size of expectations". Sizing is found here: https://shop.pactimo.com/product_images/uploaded_images/pactimo-fitsize-guide.jpg

3. Orders overs $100 qualify for a $25 gift voucher to www.LiveFluid.com.

4. Orders over $200 qualify for a $50 gift voucher to www.LiveFluid.com.

5. The pre-order closes Monday, May 22, and if you snooze, you lose. So get your gear order in today!
In the meantime, happy training and racing!


Cheers!

Team Fluid














Is Chocolate Milk a good recovery drink? A guide to the benefits and the drawbacks

Richard Smith - Tuesday, March 29, 2011

8 years ago, I was a collegiate athlete working out 8-10x a week. To enhance recovery and maximize the results of my training, my coach at the time suggested I start consuming a post-workout drink containing carbs, protein, and electrolytes. He told me it was a critical component of training that many athletes skipped, but that if I wanted to be the best athlete I could be, I should focus on this huge detail! He gave me options that included popular canned diet shakes,  smoothies and chocolate milk. He also said I could make my own if I felt so inclined...little did he know I would take him up on the idea, but that is another story entirely!

The purpose of this post is to address the recent explosion of using chocolate milk as a recovery drink. It seems that not a week goes by where someone says to me, "How does FLUID Recovery Drink compare to chocolate milk?" Or, "I already have the best recovery drink, I use chocolate milk!" So in an effort to deliver quality information on a larger scale, here's my rundown on the positive & the "other" of chocolate milk:

The Research:chocolate milk

In 2006, researchers from the University of Indiana studied the effects of chocolate milk on cyclists' recovery capabilities. The cyclists exercised for 4 hours, then consumed either chocolate milk, Gatorade, or Endurox (another recovery drink). Carbohydrate content and drink volume was matched in all products, but not calories. Cyclists then cycled again at 70% V02 max to exhaustion. The results indicated that chocolate milk was far superior in recovery capability, followed closely by Gatorade, with the commercial recovery drink Endurox coming in a distant third place. Two things of note: 1) The study was partly funded by the Dairy and Nutrition Council, an industry group. 2) In hundreds of studies conducted worldwide comparing Gatorade to Endurox, Gatorade had never previously proven superior. Here is a link to the abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16676705

In 2009, another study was conducted by Central Washington University. This study had cyclists and triathletes cycling to deplete energy stores, consuming a recovery beverage, then cycling to exhaustion again after a 15-18 hour rest period. No significant difference was found between chocolate milk or a commercial rehydration beverage. These findings challenged the previous study at the University of Indiana, however no comment of this study has been made through any media outlet, unlike the media response to the first study. Here is a link to the abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20029509

The Good:


Chocolate Milk is a liquid source of protein and carbohydrates. It tastes good and is always a nice change from most sugary tangy sports drinks. It can be cost effective if you buy it by the gallon, but that's a lot of chocolate milk to drink, so most people by it by the pint which equates to about the same cost as any other drinks these days including a Starbucks coffee, which  = $2/serving.

The Other:

1. Protein:

 Not all protein and carbohydrates are created equal. The protein source is milk protein, which comprises of about 80% casein protein and about 20% whey protein. See the diagram at right courtesy of WheyofLife.org.
milk protein breakdown
Both are excellent complete proteins, however casein is a more complicated protein that takes between 4-5 hours to digest. Whey protein has been shown to digest as fast as 45min and usually tapers by 60min. When time is of the essence due to the body's recovery window, whey protein is the clear winner. Chocolate milk also contains lactose, fat, and cholesterol. Lactose can cause stomach upset, gas, and/or bloating even in people who are not lactose intolerant, and most certainly in people who are. Milk fat can also slow the digestion/absorption process, another thing to avoid when speedy absorption is of the essence. 

2. Carbohydrate

The carbohydrate source of chocolate milk is usually high fructose corn syrup or sucrose, both of which are not ideal carbohydrate sources. Any remaining carbohydrate is comprised of lactose. Any combination of these sugars on a sensitive stomach can also cause an upset stomach. A quality recovery drink will use a carbohydrate that's both quick to absorb yet gentle on the stomach and will usually be lower in sugar. 

3. What's missing

Chocolate milk does not contain added glutamine, which can help support the immune system & can help manage aches, pains, & soreness by reducing inflammation. 

Here is a quick table to break down the key items and how Chocolate Milk & FLUID Recovery Drink compare:



Comparison Chart
 

Chocolate Milk Fluid Recovery Drink
Protein Source 80% Casein, 20% Whey 100% Whey Isolate
Protein Digestion Speed Slow Fast
Carbohydrate Source HFCS, Sucrose Maltodextrin, Fructose
L-Glutamine No Yes
Lactose Yes  No 
Fat  Yes  No 
Cholesterol Yes   No 

Final Thoughts: Chocolate milk is a source of liquid carbs & protein designed for a tasty alternative to regular milk. Use it if you drink milk and want to treat yourself to something tasty. Using it as a recovery drink is like being up to bat, swinging a 2x4 instead of a baseball bat to hit and expecting a homerun. While they may be made of similar ingredients, the purpose of their creation is entirely different. If you want to maximize your fitness results, use a tool that was designed for the job of muscle recovery, rehydration and replenishment from the very beginning. You will have less chance of a stomach ache, you'll feel like eating real food again sooner, and you'll mitigate inflammation better with the added L-Glutamine.

Cheers,

Richard Smith
Founder/CEO

The Role of Fructose in Nutrition for Optimal Performance

Cody Hanson - Friday, March 04, 2011


Here at FLUID HQ, we occasionally get emails with questions about what FLUID is and how it works. We love these emails because concerned, honest questioning benefits everyone. Knowledge is power; drink it up!

Here's the question from a recent email:
Looks like you almost have a great product.....why ruin it with fructose?? What about using stevia or agave? Thanks for you consideration.

Here's what Richard Smith, FLUID Founder & CEO had to say:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your concern and for contacting us. It sounds like you've been doing your own research and are trying to make the best nutritional choices you can. I will attempt to answer your concern, however I won't know for sure without your feedback. Please let me know your honest thoughts after you read our explanation.

1) The ingredients you mentioned, agave & stevia, were options at our disposal in the creation of FLUID. For specific purposes they were not used.
2) Fructose plays a critical role in sports nutrition that is lesser known & less discussed, often because the benefits of fructose are overshadowed by the discussions associated with high fructose corn syrup, junk food, and obesity.

Fructose is metabolized through a separate pathway from glucose in the body. It is also metabolized more slowly, correlating to a lower rise in blood sugar. These two features provide a second source of energy when the body is importing glucose during exercise, and provide blood sugar stability to avoid rapid rises/crashes with glucose-only sources of carbohydrates. We call this "parallel processing". It has also been proven repeatedly that athletes who are fed drinks with a glucose-fructose mix vs. glucose alone will outperform their competition during exercise, and will reload their carbohydrate stores faster and more effectively after exercise. This is critical because without glycogen reloading, the bodies' ability to perform in subsequent bouts of exercise is decreased.

3) While stevia is an option for a sugar substitute in foods, it does not provide the functional benefits that fructose does because it does not contain calories or carbohydrates. Agave is another great option for a sugar substitute, however, agave is naturally high in fructose. This accounts for its sweet taste (fructose is much sweeter than other sugars), and the fructose content explains why agave is a lower glycemic alternative as well.

4) Crystalline Fructose & High Fructose Corn Syrup are not the same nutritional compound. While they may both come from corn sources today, they are metabolized differently and have a different effect in the body. As mentioned above and in my citation below, fructose is a positive nutrient to consume during exercise. Please see this study as one example of many and note that the source is the American College of Sports Medicine, a highly credible organization composed of sports physicians, cardiologists, and exercise physiologists: http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/2005/03000/Oxidation_of_Combined_Ingestion_of_Maltodextrins.13.aspx

Also, the author of the article you linked, Andrew Weil, MD, speaks about moderation with fructose and its varying benefits on his website. I've taken this paragraph directly from his discussion on fructose and agave:

"Agave has been getting a lot of bad press recently in connection with its fructose content. In fact, the fructose in it accounts for its low glycemic load. The body does not metabolize this natural sugar well, so it does not readily raise blood sugar (glucose) levels. In moderate amounts - as in fruit, honey, and agave - fructose in the diet is not a concern. Very large amounts, as one might get through high consumption of sugary drinks made with high fructose corn syrup, probably affect liver function and promote insulin resistance and obesity in many people. In the animal study you mention, the doses given were huge. So I wouldn't worry about the effect on your liver of modest quantities of agave or fructose." Source: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400722/Is-Agave-Syrup-Dangerous.html

To come full circle, we are staunch advocates of natural foods and living a healthy lifestyle, rich in exercise. Fructose is a natural sugar found in many foods that plays a critical role in the performance of the body during and after exercise. In our effort to make the best recovery drinks possible with the latest information from the scientific community, we chose the most appropriate ingredients we could.

Please let me know your honest thoughts and feedback, and thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Rich
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All of us at FLUID hope you found some new information in these words. We urge you to continue your own research and quest for knowledge in all of your healthy athletic pursuits. And let us know when you have a new question! In the meantime, we too will be working hard to stay at the forefront of nutritional research and development to bring you the very best performance nutrition for humans.

Cheers!
Team FLUID

Cycling Highlight: Team Fluid Las Vegas

Cody Hanson - Friday, February 11, 2011

There's a certain group of diehards who live in the desert. They like to ride bicycles and they're pretty darn good at it. They're also very good at finding dedicated, aspiring individuals who are just entering the sport, and training them to be the best they can be. The folks I'm referring to make up Team Fluid Las Vegas, a developmental cycling team based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Their mission is "to develop club level cyclists into skilled racers through an environment of encouragement, coaching, and ethical participation in sport." That mission is exactly why we're so proud to be their title sponsor. Too often do we hear stories of compromised integrity in the world of sports, whether it be for money, glory or both. So Fluid has made it a point to be involved with organizations who lead the way in ethical sporting and competition. However, being a Fluid athlete or team doesn't just mean you're a good person. It also means you're good at what you do, that you're an inspiring athlete. And according to their race results, Team Fluid Las Vegas has had no trouble keeping up that classification. They travel often, so if you see their kits out on the road, take notice that those folks in blue and orange are pedaling their hearts out to be the fastest riders with the most class the sport of cycling has to offer.

Thank you for all you do, Team Fluid Las Vegas!

And cheers of health and fitness to everyone!
-Team Fluid

P.S.-Click this link to find out more about Team Fluid Las Vegas via their Facebook page, and let them know you're a fan!


Fluid's New Action Sports Phenom!

Cody Hanson - Friday, January 21, 2011


You've ridden a bike. You probably still ride one pretty regularly. But really, no one rides a bike like our buddy Trevor. Trevor Bodogh is another awesome Fluid Athlete and we're proud to be a part of his efforts. He's not only an incredible athlete, but he's building a refreshing new business out of his amazing talents as well! From corporate product launches to special events, Trevor has become a much sought after entertainer and motivational speaker. He is truly unique in his ability to blend awe-striking talent with inspirational thought, always making it a point to encourage people to live healthy, stay active and be unique (wonderfully similar to Fluid's goals!). But because I cannot describe to you what Mr. Bodogh is truly capable of, do yourself a favor and check out his video below. Seriously, it is awesome! He also has a sweet new website (trevorbodogh.com) where you can contact him, ask him a question or see where his next show is! We just ask that you please refrain from attempting what he does. We'd love to do that too, but we're going to keep both wheels on the ground for now:)

Cheers!
Team Fluid

Fluid partners with Project RideRED, attends World AIDS Day Ride LA

Cody Hanson - Tuesday, November 30, 2010


 
Earlier in the year, Fluid was approached by a representative from Project RideRED. This organization works with top companies in the cycling world to develop products that allow cyclists to show that they care about finding a cure for HIV/AIDS. Most importantly though, they're active in solving the problem, from funding innovative programs that promote AIDS education, to helping those currently living with AIDS, to actively supporting AIDS vaccine development.

Fluid jumped at the opportunity to help and is now honored to be the official recovery drink of Project RideRED. To show our support, we headed out to the 4th annual World AIDS Day Ride this past Sunday. The ride started and ended at Bike Effect in Santa Monica, California, and all riders wore red to show their support of those living with AIDS and their dedication to finding a cure. Members of the Fluid crew rode the course with the group before happily serving up Fluid to everyone at the finish.

The day was filled with good people, beautiful views, and plenty of reflection, not to mention the best recovery drink on the planet! All of us at Fluid look forward to the future of this project and to working with Project RideRED to find a cure. To learn more about Project RideRED and find out how to get involved, take a look at http://www.projectridered.org/.

Fluid Launches Coach's Corner!

David Brown - Friday, October 22, 2010

Welcome to a brand new offering by Fluid and friends!

Coach's Corner is a new line of blog posts designed to further help Fluid users maintain peak performance and overall well-being.
We're very fortunate to have help from some incredibly qualified individuals for these informational bits. The posts will be covering a range of topics from endurance training techniques to the importance of emotional well-being.

Our first contributor is Dr. Dan Rudd. Dr. Dan is a triathlete, husband, father, grandfather, psychotherapist and founder of Dr. Dan’s Training for Emotional Fitness.  He has competed in the sport of triathlon for 25 years and loves training and racing with his 2 sons and friends.

"Similar to physical fitness, we can improve our level of emotional fitness through training.  In physical training, there are periods of stress where the muscles and organs of the body are exerted, and periods of recovery.  Of course Fluid helps with this recovery. Without recovery, the physical body will eventually become injured and start to break down.  The same is true with emotional health and fitness:  it is essential to have periods of rest and recovery. 

"Just as we are hard-wired to be physically active, we are also hard-wired for happiness.  Recent research in affective neuroscience shows how our thoughts can change the function and structure of our brain.  This is very exciting in terms of happiness and performance.  The purpose of this column is to share this information with you and answer any questions about how to maximize your enjoyment and performance in your sports activities.  

"Let me start with my motto in life:  'The winner is the person who has the most fun!'  When it comes to the brain and emotions, what we focus on get bigger.  If you focus on the enjoyment of your training and being thankful that you are able to train, your mood will be positive.  Start by noticing what you say when you talk to yourself, because those thoughts are programming the software in your brain.  I look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you have about health, happiness and training.  Just Ask Dr. Dan!"

To learn more about Dr. Dan and his work, visit http://drdanrudd.com/emotional_fitness_training/motivational_speaker/seminars_and_events.aspx 

Stay tuned for more from Coach's Corner and as always, we love to hear your feedback! Please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact us.

Calendar of Events

Blog Posts In Your Email

Delivered by FeedBurner