If you are a hockey fan and have not heard the name Biosteel mentioned during the past couple of years, you could’ve been living under a rock. Before the pre-season camps begin for most clubs, those on Twitter and Facebook can see a stream of updates coming from Biosteel camp, which is by invitation only to the most talented players and prospects in the game.
The Biosteel container contains 325grams of the powder to make 60 portions of the drink
Such has been the buzz around Biosteel sports that we have taken a look at the product to see what the hype is all about. On first look at the company, it has several recognisable ambassadors ranging from Mike Cammalleri from the Montreal Canadiens and Steve Stamkos from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Biosteel is the brain child of the respected strength and conditioning coach Matt Nichol (follow him on twitter via @M_Nichol). Nichol first came up with the formula for Biosteel in 2004 when he was the strength and conditioning coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Team Canada at the World Cup of Hockey. The company Biosteel Sports was formed in 2009 and was originally only sold exclusively to professional teams and franchises, but has in a few years been made available to the public as well.
On first look Biosteel High Performance Sports Drink (HPSD) comes in a tub of 375grams, which equates to approximately 60 portions of the drink, when mixed per one scoop to 250ml of water. Having used similar products, such as N.OX Explode by BSN I had my reservations about the taste and the effectiveness of the drink. Similarly, it was interesting to test the drink against some of the sports drinks that you are able to pick up in supermarkets (Lucozade Sports and Powerade).
As with any sports drink you consume, you want to be sure of its effects and that it is easy to drink. When comparing Biosteel to N.OX Explode taste wise, Biosteel is a clear winner. The powder smells almost like bubblegum and there is no strong taste in the Biosteel drink, which makes it easy to drink, compared to N.OX Explode, which has a strong and almost a sickly sweet taste to it. Taste of any sports supplement is a big thing. If the taste is not to your liking you are likely not to drink it.
Biosteel also mixes really well. Whether mixing it into a glass by using spoon or into a shaker, there is no excessive frothing of the drink, nor does the powder leave any clumps at the bottom of the glass or shaker, so there is no fear of having any un-wanted surprises with your drink.
Cheers! Drink the pink. The Biosteel powder mixes exceptionally well and is easy to drink.
Biosteel also promotes energy and where I wouldn’t necessarily class Biosteel as an energy drink in the same vain as Red Bull, it definitely improves energy levels during workouts. As we all know, caffeinated drinks are the worst possible drinks to have before, during or after a workout or game. Energy drinks that rely on caffeine and sugar give you a momentary boost and where you might feel that the traditional caffeinated drinks work, you’ll actually crash sooner and often without reaching your peak. With Biosteel, however, the energy release is consistent and you don’t experience a peak, but your performance is improved throughout your workout/game.
Similarly to sports drinks like Lucozade Sports, Powerade and Gatorade, Biosteel promotes recovery and hydration. Now this is where I have the greatest interest in the product. Having used Powerade and Lucozade Sports drinks excessively for hockey, I have always felt that they are – to a greater or lesser extent – really sugary and sweet in taste. So how does Biosteel compare to these supermarket, household names? It fares great against these products. Because it is mainly mixed into water and due to the mix of nutrients and electrolytes in the drink, Biosteel not only replaces lost fluids, but gives you that extra boost without a hint of caffeine or other substance that would make you experience a crash.
As an example, I’ve used both Biosteel and Powerade during my bike workouts. I do a workout on the bike that consists of 45 second sprints and 1minute 30seconds of active rest periods. Normally I try to complete 15 sets. With the use of Powerade, I feel that I am replacing lost fluids, but not much else. I can’t clearly explain it but the feeling of quick recovery and hydration is not there. Also further negative for Powerade is that even the ‘sugar free’ version tastes really sugary and sweet. Compared with Biosteel, I had one of the best workout sessions on the bike since I started doing it. I found that the sets just breezed past and I was literally in the zone and kept finding that little bit extra.
In hockey it has proved a great help too. It does give you that consistent feeling of energised and I do feel that I am more focussed and pumped than with some of the other products mentioned in this review. Infact I’ve become such a convert for Biosteel that it is an essential in my locker and kit bag for away games.
Biosteel should be an essential in the kit bag
Usually with any product of this type, I am really cautious of the hype, but Biosteel has really put its money where its mouth is.
The annoying thing about Biosteel is that I really wanted to find a flaw in the product, but I can’t. I simply cannot find anything wrong with it. Biosteel has come up with probably the best composition for a sports drink out in the market. It is not only hockey players that benefit from the product, but I can see that it has the potential to become a huge international success.
The only downside, for now, is that there is not a distributor in Europe, though you are able to order the product from the Biosteel website for the European market. I only hope that a smart, forward thinking distributor/online store will start stocking Biosteel so that athletes across the pond can also drink the pink!
For now you can buy Biosteel from: http://www.biosteel.com/buy_now.php
Overall Verdict: 5 out of 5
Taste: 5 out of 5
Mix-ability: 5 out of 5
Effectiveness: 5 out of 5
Look and feel: 5 out of 5
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The product does not work I hit a wall in the second period
That’s not the drinks fault, that’s on you! This product is by far the best on the market
I’m not sure whether this is an effective drink or not but unless I can see what is in the product I won’t be ingesting any of it – how much sugar is in it and what other chemicals and additives are there?
The ingredients list is available on the Biosteel.com website. I’ve gone through my tub already and discarded it, but from memory there was zero sugar, which was a big plus when we reviewed it.
While it’s obviously not a magic potion to turn out of shape individuals into NHLers, taking the word of a user with the name “Drinkthepink!” which is BioSteel’s slogan on twitter isn’t really all that smart
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make
a really good article… but what can I say… I
procrastinate a lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
Would you suggest this product for a 13 year old that plays AA Bantam and worksout?
Hi,
While there is no set age guideline for Biosteel, I would err on the side of caution for a player so young. To confirm, I would get in touch with Biosteel (they are quite responsive). From my experience, supplements such as these are not recommended for children under the age of 16.
Haha, haters. I play KHL. I buy this in Europe when we come for games. http://www.getbiosteel.eu. Some guy saying sugar and additives? NONE! And it gives huge energy level and hydration. KHL player. Where do you play?
It just cured my hangover so..
Great review of a great product! You can now buy Biosteel products at http://www.hockeyswe.se
Welcome!