Caffeine Critic

[Review] PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts (Raspberry)

PowerBar is well known across the fitness world for their energizing snackfoods, and they seem to be held in pretty high regards and trusted by most of the active community. Ask anyone who’s into cycling, long-distance running, hiking, or weight lifting what a good brand is for an energy bar and chances are they’ll refer you straight to PowerBar.

Energy Gel Blasts are a new product from PowerBar, and are much different from their standard grain-filled candies. These things are more akin to fruit gushers than a candy bar, and seem to be perfect for quick energy when you don’t have time to stop and eat. Just pop one or two in your mouth, chew and swallow. That easy. But how well do they really work?

Review:

The first thing you’ll notice about PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts is their construction. Simple, though it may be, it is also a really aesthetically pleasing candy in design. The base is a solid white, and the upper half is a semi-transparent golden hue, allowing you to see the pink gel inside of the sweet snack. On the very top sits an embroidered P, surrounded by a starry explosion. It really is quite an impressive and appealing design.

The real treat isn’t looking at it, though. Pop one in your mouth and you are treated to a deliciously sweet gummy snack, with an excellent texture that is just right in terms of chewiness, and when you finally get to the middle there is a refreshing blast of gel. The berry flavor works great, and I have very few complaints. It is a bit too sugary, and eating more than just one or two reveals an aftertaste that is slowly building up. It’s nothing glaring, and overall the little Gel Blast is a delicious treat.

But is it effective? No caffeine, no taurine, no guarana. While it may not seem like your traditional energy product, PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts use the innovative standard mix of ingredients developed by PowerBar scientists called C2 Max. What is C2 Max? Apparently, it is an advanced blend of carbohydrates with glucose and fructose to make your body absorb more carbs than it can on its own, meaning you have more fuel for your exercise. Or something. Read this, it has all the answers. All that science mumbo jumbo bores me.

And if you are anything like me, you don’t want to read to know why something does what it does, you just want to know if it works. And the answer to that is a simple yes. While not the most effective thing I’ve ever used, these things are much more effective than I ever would have thought, and they are a whole lot better for you than using an energy drink to achieve maximum physical potential. I used them at the gym, following instructions on the pack, and noticed impressive results. These could also be used pushing carts, jogging, cycling, swimming, working in construction or doing anything else that demands constant physical performance.

A pack of Powerbar Energy Gel Blasts runs for roughly $1.99 per pack when you buy a case of 12 from their online store. This price is perfectly reasonable and is the industry standard for energy drinks, meaning you aren’t spending more money if you’re switching from those to these during your workouts. And besides, your body will thank you in the end.

Final Words:

PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts are a solid product. They are handsomely packaged, have smart and appealing design, taste great, and are effective. Much healthier than energy drinks, much easier to eat than energy gels, and they get the job done. I just want to point out, before I wrap this up, that these shouldn’t be eaten as a snack or to stay up later and finish a stage in Sin and Punishment: Star Successor or to get to the next chapter in Alan Wake. Popping these like candy would be awful for your body, use these only when training if you are burning them off immediately.

Score: 8.5/10 (Great)