Isotonic Drinks and Carboloading – When and how to use them

Planning your nutrition for endurance training or racing isn’t just about energy gels and bars. Hydration and pre-event carbohydrate loading are key parts of a complete strategy. Lightning Endurance offers easy-to-use isotonic drinks and carboloading solutions to help you fuel smarter.

What are isotonic drinks

Isotonic drinks are specially formulated to deliver both hydration and carbohydrates in a balance that your body can absorb quickly. They help replace fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat while also providing energy for ongoing effort.

When to use isotonic drinks

Isotonic drinks are especially useful for:

  • Long training sessions or races where hydration and energy are both important
  • Hot conditions when fluid loss through sweat increases
  • Events where drinking plain water alone may not be enough to maintain performance

They’re a convenient, all-in-one solution that fits easily into your bottle cages or hydration packs.

What is carboloading

Carboloading means increasing your carbohydrate intake before an event to help maximise your body's glycogen stores. It’s typically done in the 1–3 days leading up to a race, helping ensure you have extra energy in reserve for long efforts.

When to carboload

Not every workout needs carboloading. It’s most useful for:

  • Long events (over 90 minutes)
  • Races where consistent energy delivery is critical
  • Planned peak performances like marathons, triathlons, or long cycling events

Lightning Endurance products for hydration and carboloading

Our range includes:

  • Isotonic Drink – Easy to mix, balanced formula for hydration and energy during training and races.
  • Carboloader – Designed to help increase your carbohydrate intake before your big event, fitting smoothly into your nutrition plan.

Our promise

At Lightning Endurance, we're committed to clear, honest, and practical sports nutrition. Our drinks and carboloading solutions are designed to be easy to use, helping you plan your fueling with confidence.

Ready to plan your hydration and carb-loading strategy?

⚡ View our hydration and carboloading range

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