If you're one of those cyclists who typically suffers from burning muscles on hard rides, you really want to give these a try. Take a few of these before you start your ride, then one to two an hour, and your muscles will probably feel much better at the end. These really don't help with fatigue so you're not going to be any stronger. But the muscle burn will likely be significantly diminished allowing you to push that much harder, which means in the long run you will be stronger.
Was it losing two kilos , buying a Cervelo C5 or using Sportlegs that has made me ride at a higher level over the last six months ? My guess is all three. Since your mind is a powerful training tool the idea that Sportlegs is helping me , and I have been using them for years now , certainly plays a part. When I know I am facing a hard or longer ride they seem to provide some benefit including a lock of post ride soreness. I say like my other performance enhancers ,Beet Elite and cordyceps and organic pear juice diluted in my bottle I feel better with my little friends than without them. I ride with much younger guys so many of the rides are like a team time trial at or near my limit. I rarely run out of this product.
I tend to sweat a lot and cramp a lot, especially when I drink coffee, so I take Sportlegs as recommended in the summer and on rides longer than 2 hours, especially if I'm pushing the pace. I like them better than other capsules I've tried since the sodium content is not as high as some of the competitors. However, if I am cramping, I'll reach for the higher sodium content replacements. I also keep some Dijon Mustard packs in my jersey once the cramps set in. Also, I'm a big fan of pickle juice, but that's not being reviewed here!
I was really surprised by how well these work, and the underlying rationale on the science behind it was discussed in an article in Velo News in the Spring (myths about lactic acid-lactate). I was initially thinking the effectiveness was largely a placebo effect, but after several rides (most hilly) I was impressed both by a sense of having more power-endurance and, more dramatically, far less soreness post ride.
Take 3 pre-ride as per label and try to take one per hour (when hands can safely get free!).
Overall I would at least recommend giving them a try and see what you think. A thumbs-up from me.
Delivered as promised. I am able to sustain high outputs with this product especially on the first 30 mins of the rides. My rides are flat with 15-20 mph headwinds or 1000-1500 ft climbs. 15-50 miles pending on routes.
I've used sports legs for years with the same results. They work! The best way to describe is after a hard pull at the front of a paceline or a full out sprint the legs seem to recover quicker. I always use them before a tough ride.
Rode a long century in the Smokies recently with over 10K of climbing and used the samples of this they were giving out, made a huge difference in recovery and legs barely sore the next day. Normally would have wiped me out. Rare to say that a product makes such a profound difference. I bought a whole bottle and take them now when I have a big ride!
Absolutely love my sportlegs. I do a lot of climbing and somewhat steep. Follow directions and you too can ride pain free. Legs feel great the next day and day two when the soreness usually kicks in. Highly recommend. Enjoy.
It's hard to say Sportcaps boost performance, but I definitely feel less achey and depleted the day after long and/or intense workouts and races. If you ride (or do other types of exercise) in hot conditions where you sweat a lot, it's worth taking a few capsules before and after your workout or race.
This is a product that you really benefit from. Your legs feel fresher, pain free, and you can push yourself harder without any next day soreness! I was kinda skeptical but decided to try it, now I have no regrets about using this product and love using it before each ride!
Sports legs do seem to help on repeat big effort days. I use them on Sunday after a big Saturday effort. Sports doctors sell better products, which are not available OTC, are very expensive and consequently I use them sparingly. Sports Legs helps me alleviate that initial burn and will keep you going.
Pros The product seems to work well, especially on very long rides with multiple climbs when the lactic acid builds up again and again. It is not an quick fix (like a caffeine boost), but rather my legs seem to be fresher, longer. I've done my own, non-scientific testing, trying the same long rides with and without Sportlegs, and they seem to work well.
Cons Pricey. Wait until they're on sale. At 210lbs, the recommended dose is 6 capsules every couple of hours.
I use these on rides when I know I am going to suffer and they never fail me. They seem to minimize the lactic burn when I am girding out the miles. They seem to perform as advertised, but they are expensive, so I only buy them when they are on sale.
