As a self-proclaimed fitness junkie, I am constantly on the look out for healthy, yet effective workout aids.
Unfortunately, with hundreds (probably thousands) of products that claim to play a role in improving workouts, it’s hard to know which products actually work, which products are safe, and which products are worthwhile.
Fortunately for us (fitness fanatics and health-conscious folks), Vega has solved some of these issues with their new line called Vega Sport.
{How crazy generous is this?}
For those of you who haven’t heard of Vega – it’s a line of plant-based products formulated by endurance athlete Brendan Brazier. You know, the guy I raved about a few days ago?
All of the Vega products operate on a few guiding principles.
- They are made from plant-based whole foods.
- They are nutrient dense.
- They provide energy through nourishment, rather than stimulation.
- And they minimize exposure to common allergens.
According to their website, Vega Sport is a synergistic collection of purpose-driven products for those that demand results.
It’s a synergistic collection because it contains products that work together to improve every stage of your workout – from beginning to end. You can prepare, sustain, and recover. That’s a nice little trio, wouldn’t you say?
In addition, the Vega Sport performance system is 100% plant-based, free of dairy, gluten and soy, and contains no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.
I’d say they’re worth a try. When contacted, I was more than willing to try out their line of products. Actually, I wasn’t only willing, I was downright excited!
I have already tried several Vega products (whole food health optimizer, shake & go smoothie, bars, etc..) and I’ve always been satisfied.
So, let’s break it down by workout stage.
A product to prepare you for your workout.
Need a little boost before your workout? Then the pre-workout energizer is the product for you.
This comes in two flavors – acai berry and lemon lime. Both are tasty – but the lemon lime won my heart.
And oh boy, did this work. I drank this little packet about 20 minutes before Zumba and I was seriously raring to go!
Then a few days later, I shared the goodness with my brother, sister, and Tommy. We needed to get in the zone before getting sweaty with Insanity Max Interval Plyo!
{It’s Vega in those cups!}
Clearly, we’re all cheesing because we’re enjoying our energy boost!
How about products that help you sustain through a workout?
There are three products that help you to push harder, last longer, and take your workout to the next level.
The electrolyte hydrator comes in lemon lime and pom-berry flavors. Again, the lemon lime is my favorite and I am definitely going to buy some of this for myself.
Zero calories to add some pizzazz, minerals, and antioxidants to my water? I’m in.
I was pleasantly surprised by these bars as well as the protein bars. In general, I’m not a huge fan of protein bars. They usually taste chalky to me. But these were quite tasty.
I especially liked the acai berry (as did my brother)!
{2 flavors – orange zest and raspberry}
The endurance gels are, of course, plant-based and all natural and they’re made to offer immediate and sustained energy plus electrolytes and vitamins during workouts.
I absolutely love that the ingredient list contains both dates and coconut oil! For anyone who carries dates while on long runs – these gels are for you!
Since Vega was SO generous with the products they sent, I haven’t got a chance to try out these out just yet.
Considering the fact that I’ve loved each and every other product – I’m going to say that these probably get a gold star as well.
Finally, the line also contains products to help you recover.
Vega Sport offers three products to help you recharge, repair, and do it all over again.
Both the performance protein and the protein bars now feature SaviSeeds, which are a rich, plant-based source of the amino acid, tryptophan.
According to the Vega site, Tryptophan is a key component of serotonin production. Serotonin, also called the feel good hormone, helps with the mental aspect of recovery, so you’ll keep the drive alive and be motivated to train again.
I’ve never heard of a product that also helps with the mental aspect of recovery, so this was super intriguing to me. Especially since I believe that a lot of fitness is mental – at least in the beginning. Sometimes you have to psych yourself up to hit the weights or the treadmill, right?
The performance protein helps to improve strength and repair and rebuild muscle in between training.
It is plant-based with 26g of protein per serving! That’s pretty awesome.
{3 flavors – chocolate, vanilla, berry}
I have always been a huge fan of Vega protein. The stats are amazing and the flavor is great – even when simply mixed with water.
The performance protein wasn’t any different. I used the chocolate to make a post-workout smoothie and it ended up tasting like cake batter. Don’t ask me how. I don’t question cake batter.
{frozen banana, frozen blueberries, almond milk, Vega Chocolate Performance Protein}
As I said before, I was a huge fan of these protein packed bars. The chocolate SaviSeed was similar to a candy bar – in both taste and consistency.
A plant-based, candy bar-like post workout treat with 15g of protein? I’m all over that.
Plus, the ingredients are great – take a look.
- Protein Blend (Sprouted Whole Grain Brown Rice Protein, Pea Protein)
- Dark Chocolate Coating (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Cocoa Butter, Sunflower Lecithin, Vanilla)
- Dates
- Sorghum Syrup
- SaviSeed™ (Sacha Inchi Seeds)
- Pumpkin Seed Butter
- Sorghum Crisps (Sorghum, Quinoa, Rice, Tapioca)
- EnergySource®** (Grape Juice, Natural Rice Dextrins)
- Natural Flavor
A chocolate cake batter smoothie + a candy-like protein bar. Seriously.
{2 flavors – apple berry and tropical}
Last, but not least, is the recovery accelerator.
This is formulated to help you recover in these areas:
- Muscle glycogen replenishment
- muscle tissue repair and protein synthesis
- hormonal support
- soft-tissue repair
- immune function
- inflammation-reduction
- rehydration
This drink is to be enjoyed within 20 minutes of your workout to reap the benefits. And for best results, you should use it in conjunction with the performance protein.
The apple berry flavor is outstanding!
A great post-workout smoothie to combine the recovery protein + accelerator?
- 1 scoop berry performance protein
- 1 scoop apple berry recovery accelerator
- frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries…)
- frozen banana (for creaminess)
- almond milk/water to get it all moving
Hello, delicious recovery smoothie!
Overall thoughts?
I am totally crushing on this entire line. I love that there are products for every stage of the workout so that you don’t have to mix different brands.
Also, the fact that these products are ALL plant-based is amazing. I’m always skeptical of chemical-laden proteins and bars – so this just gives me piece of mind.
Not only that, but their website is simply stellar. Click here and you can see a usage chart that recommends which products to use for which workouts.
A HUGE thank you to Vega for their generosity in allowing me to review these products.
You’ve gained a few new loyal customers – not only me, but my family as well.
<3 Stefanie
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