BY STEVE BORN
In early 2003, Hammer Nutrition introduced a long distance fuel with the same beneficial ingredients and features as the time-tested Sustained Energy formula (introduced in 1992), plus some additional ingredients that provided even more benefits. That fuel was named Perpetuem (think perpetual motion), and since its introduction a bit over 14 years ago, it's passed every conceivable test that endurance athletes could throw at it. You name the event and chances are that Perpetuem has not only been there, it's conquered it!
Perpetuem's first conquest
During the record attempt of a back-to-back crossing of the brutal Furnace Creek 508 route - a total of 1,016 miles and 70,000 feet of climbing - I used Perpetuem as my primary fuel for about 60 hours of the 75.5 hours that I was on the bike. Thanks in large part to this amazing fuel I was able to complete history's first and only Double Furnace Creek 508 in October 2002. Although I of course experienced some fatigue during the record attempt (which is to be expected when you're on the bike that long!), I never had any energy issues from my fuel. With Perpetuem as my main fuel, augmented mainly by Sustained Energy and Hammer Gel (no HEED back then!), my energy levels were consistently rock solid.
Since that successful record attempt set nearly 15 years ago (which still stands), thousands of athletes competing in endurance contests of every kind imaginable - and perhaps even a few unimaginable ones! - have relied on Perpetuem to thoroughly and successfully fuel their bodies. Even in ultra-extreme competitions/events/expeditions - Race Across America, English Channel crossings, Double, Triple, even Deca Triathlons, summiting Mt. Everest, and more - Perpetuem has proven to be the supreme ultra-fuel, delivering:
- Consistent, long-lasting energy
- Maximum fat utilization
- Reduced muscle fatigue
Perpetuem - The real ultra-distance fuel for 14 years and counting
Phrases such as state of the art and quantum leap are used so frequently in sports nutrition formulations, that their meaning is oftentimes diminished. That's not the case with Perpetuem. Unlike any other fuel - with the exception of Sustained Energy, Hammer Nutrition's original ultra-fuel - Perpetuem has proven time and time again to be THE true state-of-the-art, all-in-one calorie source needed for anything lasting several hours to several days.
Fuels that tout themselves as all-day fuels, but contain not much, if anything, more than simple sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose, etc.) and a lot of salt, are simply not going to be up to the task. When you're going long, you need a substantially more complete fuel to help you get the job done. You want complex carbohydrates - not simple sugars - as the primary component in your endurance fuel, and you also want a sufficient amount of protein, a bit of healthy fat, and other beneficial endurance-enhancing nutrients.
Perpetuem's ultra-effective formula
Complex carbohydrates - Perpetuem contains maltodextrin, a complex carbohydrate that provides fast-acting, long-lasting energy without the flash and crash that's common with simple sugars. The 8:1 ratio of carbs to protein is optimal for long-distance fueling.
Soy protein - Soy contains naturally occurring high amounts of certain amino acids - histidine, alanine, aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and more - that have during exercise benefits, making it the ideal protein for use during extended exercise.
Lyso-lecithin fatty acids - The small percentage of healthy, soy-derived fat in Perpetuem helps cue your body to release its fatty acid stores for use as energy, while also helping you feel satiated on fewer calories.
Sodium tribasic phosphate - This compound neutralizes the effects of excess lactic acid and helps increase endurance by balancing acid/alkaline levels in the blood and by improving the availability of oxygen to working muscles.
Chromium Polynicotinate - This is a trace mineral that helps regulate blood sugar, works with insulin in transporting blood glucose into cells for energy production, and is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat.
L-Carnitine - Acts as a transporter of fatty acids into muscle mitochondrial cells where the muscle fuels are burned for energy production. If the body is depleted or low in L-Carnitine, fatty acid reserves are unavailable to be used as an energy source because they lack sufficient amounts of this carrier agent.
Choline Bitartrate - This member of the B-complex family also functions at the cellular level to help the body access its stored fatty acids for energy conversion.
Carnosine - A naturally occurring dipeptide from histidine and alanine, carnosine functions primarily to buffer lactate buildup in muscle structures and acts as a multiple free-radical scavenging antioxidant.
Summary
Whether you use Perpetuem as your sole fuel from beginning to end, or as your primary fuel - using other Hammer Nutrition fuels for some variety in the menu - it doesn't matter how long your workouts or races are, you will have ALL your caloric needs met thoroughly and completely. For 14 years and counting, no other fuel has successfully met the extreme challenges that Perpetuem has. We guarantee that it will work for you!
