FAQs
Q. Why does Formula 369 come in a bag and not single serve packets?
A. Single serve packets are expensive to produce because instead of putting 5 pounds of powder in 1 bag, a very expensive machine would have to put 90 grams of powder in 73 packets, which is much more labor and time intensive and uses much more packaging material. We believe our customers are more than capable of putting their own powder in a plastic bag or other reusable container if they need to carry single servings. This also creates less waste that goes to landfills.
Q. Why is Formula 369 not flavored?
A. This comes down to our mission of creating the best performing product at the lowest cost. Most people don't realize that flavorings are often the most expensive ingredient in drink mixes. Most people also don't realize that if you add a flavor, you also have to add an acid, such as citric acid, to make that flavor taste right. Flavoring does not make you faster, citric acid does not make you faster, so we left them out. We also like not adding citric acid to our product because it helps keep the pH more neutral which for some, could help reduce GI distress.
Don't worry, just because it's not flavored does not mean it doesn't taste good. Most customers find the flavor to be enjoyable, mild, and very easy to drink at any temperature. Also, not having a strong flavor like most drink mixes, reduces what is called flavor fatigue. This is when after drinking a strong flavor repeatedly, it becomes overbearing and many times sickening (we've all been there!). Formula 369 has a mild sweet flavor and is no neutral it doesn't cause a strong reaction to your taste buds, so you don't even think about the flavor as you drink it. It just goes down easy all day long.
Q. Formula 369 only has salt. Don't you need other electrolytes too?
A. This is a fallacy many endurance athletes have been trained to believe by marketing hype. Sodium (and chloride, but they are a package deal) by far, makes up the majority of electrolytes lost in sweat during exercise. Yes, you do lose very small amounts of calcium, potassium, and magnesium in sweat, but these amount are so minute, there is no need to replace them during exercise. You should be getting enough calcium, potassium, and magnesium in your everyday nutrition, to provide what your body needs during exercise. We strongly believe that sports drinks should not be multivitamins. Many times ridiculous amounts of electrolytes or B vitamins are added to sports drinks just to make it seem like you are getting more value, and so they can make more flashy claims on their packaging, but the reality is, you don't need them during exercise and they only add cost.
Q. The powder clumped in my bottle. How do I prevent this.
A. We tried to be very clear in our instructions on the bag. Fill you bottle with water first, then add the powder into the water, and shake. If you do it this way, it mixes up without any issues every time. If you put the powder in your bottle first, then add water, there is a chance some of it could clump and be harder to mix.
Q. I see some dark specs in my powder. Is this normal.
A. Yes. We don't use standard processed table salt in our product, but instead use Redmond Real Salt which is an unrefined rock salt that is mined from underground. Because it is a natural source and not processed and refined, you don't just get sodium, but also trace amounts of over 60 minerals including the electrolytes potassium, magnesium, and calcium. We felt spending the extra money on a high quality sodium source was worth it because just like your sweat contains small amounts of electrolytes, so does our salt.
Q. I have no idea how many carbs I need for exercise. How much should I use?
A. First understand the basic principal of how our body burns glycogen (sugar). At a low intensity of exercise, our body will be using a good amount of fat for fuel, as well as some glycogen. At a high intensity of exercise, our body will be using almost exclusively glycogen and very little fat. So think of your activity you will be doing, and try to fuel appropriately.
As a general rule of thumb, see below:
<1 hour: 0-1 scoop per 22-28 oz. bottle of water, drink 1 bottle per hour.
1-2 hours: 1-2 scoops per 22-28 oz. bottle of water, drink 1 bottle per hour.
3-6+ hours: 3-4 scoops per 22-28 oz. bottle of water, drink 1 bottle per hour.
For hard workouts or races, we recommend 3 scoops per bottle per hour.
*Consult a medical professional if you have any medical conditions or special dietary needs.