Have you ever cruised the slopes only to find yourself fatigued or cramping half way down the mountain? Enlyten Strips, a new electrolyte product claims to help mitigate these problems. Why are electrolytes important you ask? Electrolytes are important because your muscles (and other cells) use them to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions). In short, electrolytes make sure your muscles are contracting and relaxing efficiently so you don’t cramp or become excessively fatigued. For example, when you are skiing all day, you sweat and consequently lose electrolytes; particularly sodium and potassium. Electrolytes must be replaced to keep body fluids constant.

When I hit the slopes, I normally mix water and my favorite sports drink together, grab my camelback and head for the mountain. Last April I was offered a small container of tiny electrolyte-laden strips instead. I put 6 of them (loading dose) on the inside of my cheek, let them dissolve, and motored my way on to first chair. They tasted a little like an orange cream soda and had a rather chalky texture. I wasn’t expecting anything magical to happen but after a few hours on the slopes, I noticed I really didn’t need a break. I gulped down some water and put a couple more strips on the inside of my cheek. Three hours later I was feeling the normal wear and tear from skiing the bumps, but I was definitely up for some more. About this time I am normally ready to pack it in and grab a beer (yes, even trainers like to kick back a few now and again).

After I made a few more turns I called it a day and concluded that I took in less calories, no high fructose corn syrup (unfortunately, many of the top sports drinks now use that as an ingredient) and felt better all the way around. What happened the next morning was the most interesting detail to note. I woke up expecting to be a little leg whipped, and although my legs were tired ,they were definitely less fatigued than normal. One caveat to Enlyten Strips is that they are a bit of a bear to get out of the container when wearing ski gloves.

In the end, Enlyten Strips did their job. Hopefully, Healthsport (parent company of Enlyten Strips) will make them “glove friendly” for snow sports enthusiasts soon!

Enlyten SportsStrips-Athletic Pack
3 Cassettes
Each Cassette has 18 strips
Price: 9.99
www.shopenlyten.com

Stay Fit Skiing!
Andrew Hooge, CSCS