The energy gel you use in training and racing becomes a repeated nutritional decision. Understanding what is in your gel and how it fits into your wider fuelling plan is one of the most practical steps you can take for consistent endurance performance.
For more than 39 years, Hammer Nutrition has helped endurance athletes fuel intelligently. Hammer Gel® is a portable endurance energy gel made with maltodextrin and rice syrup, providing convenient carbohydrate calories before and during running, cycling, triathlon and other endurance exercise.
New to endurance fuelling? Read our Beginner's Guide to Endurance Fuelling for guidance on what to use before, during and after training.
Why Choose Hammer Gel?
- Portable carbohydrate energy for training and racing
- Smooth texture that is easy to consume on the move
- Less sweet than many conventional energy gels
- No added simple sugars
- No artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners
- Gluten-free ingredients
- Available in 12 flavours, including caffeinated options
A Measured Approach to Endurance Fuelling
Many modern sports-nutrition strategies encourage very high carbohydrate intakes using combinations of glucose, sucrose and fructose. These approaches may suit some athletes in carefully practised circumstances, but they are not necessary or comfortable for everyone.
Hammer Nutrition follows a more measured philosophy: supply a practical amount of carbohydrate that the athlete has tested and can tolerate. Hammer Gel uses maltodextrin as its primary carbohydrate source and includes selected amino acids to complement the formula during endurance exercise.
The principle is simple: fuel efficiently, not excessively.
Suitable for Running, Cycling and Triathlon
Hammer Gel is a practical choice whenever you need compact, easy-to-carry calories, including:
- Road, trail and marathon running
- Road cycling, gravel riding and mountain biking
- Triathlon training and racing
- Ultra-distance and adventure events
- Hiking and other prolonged outdoor activities
Practise your fuelling plan during training before using it in a race. Individual calorie, fluid and electrolyte requirements vary according to body size, pace, weather, duration and personal tolerance.
How to Use Hammer Gel
Before exercise: Take one serving approximately 10–15 minutes before training or racing when additional carbohydrate energy is required.
During exercise: Start with one gel every 45–60 minutes and adjust within your practised fuelling plan. Hammer's general guideline is approximately 120–180 calories per hour for most endurance athletes, with runners often requiring slightly less.
Take with water: Hammer Gel is concentrated. Consume it with water and manage electrolytes separately according to conditions and individual needs.
For more detailed timing, dosing and race-day guidance, visit our fuelling guidelines and the complete Hammer Gel Fuelling Guide.
Caffeine Information
Most Hammer Gel flavours are caffeine-free.
Espresso: 50 mg caffeine per serving
Tropical: 25 mg caffeine per serving
Check the selected flavour and nutritional panel before use, particularly if you are sensitive to caffeine or combining several caffeinated products.
Choose the Right Hammer Gel Format
Individual pouches: Convenient for racing, travelling and carrying in a running belt or cycling jersey.
Sampler pack: Try 12 flavours with the Hammer Gel Sampler Pack before choosing your favourites.
Bulk jug: The 26-serving Hammer Gel Jug offers a lower cost per serving, less single-use packaging and includes a free five-serving flask.
You can also create a personalised selection using our build-your-own bundles.
Hammer Gel vs HEED vs Perpetuem
Hammer Gel: Compact carbohydrate energy that is easy to carry before and during exercise.
HEED® Sports Drink combines carbohydrate energy, hydration and six electrolytes in one drink, making it a practical option for sessions up to approximately two hours.
Perpetuem® is designed for prolonged endurance exercise beyond approximately two to three hours, providing carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.
These products can be combined according to the duration and demands of your event, but practise your complete strategy in training first.
Complete Your Race-Day Fuelling
Hammer Gel provides convenient carbohydrate energy, but a complete endurance fuelling strategy also needs to account for fluids and electrolytes.
Pair Hammer Gel with Endurolytes Fizz for an easy-to-use electrolyte drink during training and racing.
For longer sessions, hotter conditions or when you need to manage electrolytes independently from your calories and fluids, consider Endurolytes capsules.
Want Your Race-Day Nutrition Sorted in One Go?
Our Race Day Bundle brings together complementary Hammer Nutrition products to make planning your endurance fuelling simpler.
For additional variety during longer sessions, consider Hammer Bars or Perpetuem Solids.
Every product is covered by our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Further reading: Hammer Gel vs Other Energy Gels in the UK and the Hammer Gel Fuelling Guide.
Let customers speak for us
By far the best tasting recovery drink I’ve used in over 25 years. Lovely taste and consistency. It’s my go to protein drink now!
Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem was a key part of my fuelling strategy for the Leeds Ironman last weekend.
It gave me steady, reliable energy throughout the race and, most importantly, sat really well in my stomach.
No heavy feeling, I was able to keep fuelling consistently right throughout my cycling. A great product for long-distance — so glad this was recommended to me during my early training in preparation.
Extremely useful to use whilst cycling, removes the faff of opening gels whilst cycling and the solid bottle makes it easy to get in / out of jersey pockets.
Brilliant product - i use these in all my endurance events - some lasting up to 20 hours. These are great to ensure you get the required electrolytes without over hydrating.
Great product! Very good quality supplement
Great service and the products are amazing, especially for endurance sports. I'm a big fan of the Endrolytes Electrolyte Caps. Their magnesium supplement and vitamin D are also very very good! I would highly recommend.
I’ve used Hammer products for around 6 years now & my favourite by a mile is the hammer Perpetuem, it’s fueled my last 100 mile ultra marathon not to mention multiple long distance triathlon's . It has 180calories per serving and it’s 34g of carbs & 5g of protein seems to work well . I’d strongly recommend for anyone who wants to take on ultra races as this fuel will support you when you need it most .
I started using Hammer Heed and Perpetuem 5 years ago and it's been such a game changer for my. Finding nutrition you can trust is so important for any athlete and I highly recommend Hammer Nutrition for any distance and any sport.
I couldnt race without hammer products. Heed is my favourite, such an amazing product. Paired with the gels it makes a great fueling recipe. Always fast shipping
Wonderful product for general Well being and Recovery. Great quick shipping.
Love all your products. I personally will concentrate on the perpetuum for my long swim(45km) as it feels like a meal every 4mins.
Thank you
great taste! great weight to calorie ratio! thanks
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my delivery take and how much does it cost?
Orders placed before 2:00 PM (UK time) are dispatched the same working day. Standard delivery to mainland Great Britain takes 2–5 days at a flat rate of £3.50, or free on orders over £10.
Large tubs are automatically upgraded to DPD next-day delivery. Shipping to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Scottish Highlands costs £4.50, or free on orders over £80.
Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
Because we process and dispatch orders quickly, we are usually unable to modify products, delivery methods, or addresses after submission.
To cancel an order, you must contact us on the same calendar day it was placed. If dispatch has already occurred, you can return the unused items within 14 days at your own shipping expense.
What is your returns policy if I change my mind?
You have 14 days from the day after delivery to cancel your order. Items must be unused, in their original packaging, and in resaleable condition. Important Step:
You must email us via the bottom of our Home Page first to obtain a Returns Authorisation Number and a free Royal Mail returns sticker; unauthorised returns cannot be processed.
Note that opened, sealed supplements cannot be returned for hygiene reasons.
What should I do if my order is damaged, faulty, or incorrect?
Check your parcel immediately upon arrival. If there is an issue, notify us within 48 hours of delivery via teh contact us at the bottom of our Home page.
Please include your order number, a description of the issue, and photos of the damaged items and packaging. We will provide a free replacement or full refund.
How long do refunds take to process?
Once your return is received, inspected, and approved, we process refunds back to your original payment method (card, PayPal, or bank transfer).
This typically takes place within 7 working days, and always within a maximum window of 30 days.
Are Hammer Nutrition products safe for drug-tested athletes?
Yes. Key products within our range—including Endurolytes (4ct/120ct), Endurolytes Extreme (3ct/120ct), Endurolytes Extreme Powder, and Endurolytes Fizz - are officially Informed Sport certified.
Additionally, our products are manufactured in strict ISO, GMP-compliant, and SQF Level 3 Certified facilities to ensure the highest standards of food safety and purity.
What do you use to flavour your sports nutrition products?
We use only premium ingredients with zero artificial flavours, artificial sweeteners, or chemical colorants.
Our natural flavours are extracted from real food sources (such as fruits, essential oils, and botanicals) in full compliance with FDA regulations.
They are entirely derived from non-allergenic materials and are formulated for a clean, subtle, non-sweet taste.
What should I do if my order has not arrived?
Estimated transit times are 2–5 days. If your parcel has not arrived within 5 days of placing your order, notify us immediately via our contact us at the bottom of our Home page.
We will launch an investigation with the carrier and provide updates or arrange a replacement where appropriate.
Do you accept backorders for out-of-stock items?
No, we do not accept backorders. If an item is currently unavailable, you can enter your email address in the "email me when back in stock" widget directly on the product page to receive an automated real-time notification the moment inventory is replenished.
Are your supplements suitable for specific dietary restrictions?
Our clean sports nutrition range is formulated to support optimal body function and is completely free from gluten, artificial preservatives, and artificial colorants.
If you have specific medical conditions or severe allergen concerns, we recommend checking the explicit ingredient panels or consulting a healthcare professional prior to consumption.
