Infinit EN Formulas - Any good?

mussonag

 Hey there EN nutrition experts-

I am looking at making the switch to Infinit from a combo of Hammer products (perpetuem, gels, HEED) and came across the special blends for Team EN.  Has anyone used these?  They are very close to my custom formula when I go through their quick start interview but is $5 cheaper than a custom formula (pre-discount).  

http://www.infinitnutrition.us/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=166&idcategory=33#details

I realize that the whole point of Infinit is to have a custom formulation that meets your needs and it looks like this formula matches my profile pretty well.  I just saw the EN label and figured that somebody here must have tried it.  Anyone tried these canned EN formulas?  Good, bad, ugly?

Thanks folks!

Andy

morpheus

Hey Andy,

off topic here. Tho I like the Infinit stuff, I'm really trying to hone in on using On Course Stuff like Perform. So, I can't answer your question. But, I used to use Infinit so I'm still on their mailer. Just wanted to make sure that you knew about their Cyber Monday Sale, starts Monday at noon (est)...50% off orders in first hour, 40% off in second hour, 30% off in third, 20% off in fourth.

I assume you know about it already but just in case you didn't, there you go.

jdizzle

I haven't tried the EN blend yet. Just got their speed blend for OS workouts. First time trying their products. I love it! Tastes great, no GI issues and never feels like I'm close to bonking. I love the Hammer products, too, but I'm going to go with Infinit for now.
The cyber Monday sale sounds great! Thanks for the heads up Chris. I'm going to stock up.

Scott Alexander

Call them and get their free consultation, totally worth the time!

John Withrow

I just checked out that formula and it looks very similar to my custom formula with one glaring difference... I take the flavor all the way down to 0 because I only use Infinit in concentrated form, usually 2.5-3.0 servings per 24oz bottle. So if I am using 3x as much as normal, I want as little flavor as possible so it doesn't taste too strong, especially after it gets warm.

Joe Matchette

x2 on dialing the flavor down. I have my flavor at ~10% and I am going to be dialing it back to 2-3% this year. Like John says, when you concentrate it, the flavor is really strong....tastes like 10x, not 3x. Weird, I know, but that is how it is.

Bruce Thompson

3x on reducing the flavor strength so that you can concentrate it.  I use a 3x bottle for HIM bike and two 3x bottles for an IM ride. 

mussonag

@ Chris- Yep, I had heard about the sale and figured I should check them out. Thanks!

@Scott- Will do!

@John & Joe- That was the major difference between my custom formula and the team EN ones. I was a bit afraid that it would be too strong of a flavor when concentrated. Do you guys use it at 1x strength for training sessions and then 3x for races or do you just use it in the concentrated form?

Joe Matchette

Andy - I admit that I only use my Infinit on my longer IM/HIM plan rides. The past couple of years, I did not fuel during my OS rides. However, just listened to CoachP's IM Texas nutrition podcast and I am rethinking that.... I expect that I will be mixing up a single serving for each of the weekend OS rides, but not the mid-week rides.

John Withrow

I only use Infinit in the concentrated form... If I'm doing less than like 1.5 hours, I don't bother to use it at all. Otherwise, I always make a 2.5-2.75hr bottle (sometimes I put in an extra 0.5-1.0 scoop). If I'm only doing a 2 hr ride (which is rare in IM training) I'll just drink about 2/3 of the bottle. I'll then throw the left over bit in the refrigerator for another day. I can't tolerate thicker than a 3hr bottle, so if I'm doing a 3.5 or 4hr ride I will usually just take along a couple powerpars to supplement. I don't mix 1hr bottles because I want my stomach to be used to taking in the concentrated stuff and I want to be used to chasing it with water...

For a HIM, I use one 2.75 hr bottle. For an IM I use two 2.75hr bottles. I also supplement with 1 Powerbar on a HIM and 2-3 Powerbars for an IM.

Jay Lakamp

I stopped using Infinit 2 years ago because no matter how I mixed it up it still tasted like "old tomatoes".  I called in several times and talked with their personnel and tweaked the formula and it all tasted the same. I had other people taste it and they said the same. I loaded it up for my last race but I had to ditch it about 1/3 of the way through the bike and so I stuck with drinking Coke, water, and taking salt tabs which worked OK. I read Macca's book on the way over to the island and that is what he used as a fall back formula. I am willing to try it again on Monday due to the decreased price of the product. We shall see if it tastes differently to me and others this time.  I too would only use it for long rides in the OS (diluted) and for training during the IS (concentrated) RR days. It's a little costly if you can't stomach the taste of the product.

Jenn Edwards

IMO the EN mix is good, but the key is to get the consult. It's my understanding that the consult is what will get you the "until we get it right" guarantee.  I used that guarantee liberally and am now THRILLED with the product!  Good luck! 

Bruce Thompson

I agree with Jenn...get the phone consult.  I have used Infinit for 2 race seasons, in races from Olympics to IM distance, and have had no GI, cramping or bonk problems (knock on wood, cross fingers) in any races.  I have 2 formulas: a bike version with more calories (280/hr), and  protein.  The run formula has fewer calories (240/hr) and no protein but adds in caffiene.  Both have weak favor so I can concentrate it and 580 mgs of sodium/hr.  I'll use the run formula for an Olympic during the bike.  For a HIM or IM, I use the bike formula 3x concentrated on the bike and then use the run formula on the run.  For workouts, I only use the Infinit for workouts long than 2 hours, either a ride or a run.  If I do use it, I concentrated 3x just like I would in a race so that I'm use to the taste, concentration, etc.  When I drink the concentrated formula, I always take a sip of water first, then sip Infinit, then another sip of water to wash it down.  Hope this helps.

mussonag

I will definitely be getting a phone consult with Infinit soon. I am lucky to have not had much in the way of GI issues or bonking in races so far but want to get rid of the whole messy system of gels, HEED, perpetuem and salt caps... it just causes more stress on race day which is not needed. Keep it simple!

I haven't needed to fuel during any of the OS workouts but all of your comments on overpowering flavor when concentrated makes sense to me. I will have to ask the Infinit guys about toning down the flavor. That was the main difference between my preliminary custom formula and the canned team EN one. It seems like everyone has liked the product but had to tweak it a bit to get it just right. I will have to do the same.

Thanks for all your advice folks!

Bob Irwin

I switched from perpetuem to infinit, and have been very happy.  Took me a while to dial in the formula, but Michael was really helpful.  I use it concentrate during races in a 3 hour bottle - second bottle in special needs for IM.  Sayingt that, I'm thinking of trying to use what's on the course this year.  The concentrate is just one more moving part on race day.  But I haven't decided for sure since infinit really workded for me.

zharveymd

I have been a faithful user of Hammer Perpetuum in the past, but had to supplement with salt tabs. I like the fact that Perpetuum comes in a "non flavored" powder and have added squirts of no calorie MIA to get the flavor and strength I like. I also like that with MIA I can change up my flavors for variety. The Infinite intrigues me. Do they make a non flavored version?

Peter Greagg

Zane — you can dial down the flavour to where ever you want.

zharveymd

@Peter:  Thanks.  I will have to give it a try.