FAQ
Powerbar Bundle
Do all the products in my bundle have the same best-before date?
No, please note that the products included in the bundle may have different best-before dates. For logistical reasons, we are unfortunately unable to put together a bundle set with a uniform best-before date for all products.
Can I return individual products from a bundle?
Yes, that’s no problem at all! You don’t need to return the entire bundle. You can easily return individual products from the bundle to us.
How does the return process work for bundle products?
The return process is exactly the same as with all your other orders. You can easily initiate the return within the regular 14-day period via your order history in our online shop to select the items you wish to return.
How is the refund calculated if I return part of a bundle?
The bundle discount is applied proportionally to the individual products in the set. If you return items, you will only be refunded the amount for the products actually returned (minus the proportional discount). The refund is issued automatically via the payment method you selected at checkout.
Can I apply an additional discount code (e.g., from the newsletter or from sale promotions) to a bundle that is already discounted?
No, unfortunately that is not possible. Our bundles already offer a price advantage and are therefore excluded from further discount promotions, such as the newsletter welcome discount or other sale promotions. A combination of different discounts cannot be applied.
Product characteristics, ingredients, allergens
How can I check if a product contains an allergen (e.g., lactose, gluten) that I need to avoid due to an intolerance or allergy?
As a company, we are legally required (under the Food Information Regulation) to identify and (visually) highlight the most common allergens in the ingredients list of products if they are included as an ingredient. Powerbar® also voluntarily declares potentially possible traces of allergens. On our homepage, you can also activate a filter under "Dietary requirements" among the products, e.g., gluten-free, and thus get an overview of all gluten-free Powerbar® products. If you have any further questions about allergens, please contact: nutritionteam@powerbar.de
Are there products that are also suitable for vegans?
We always make sure to represent the interests of our consumers and therefore also offer vegetarian and vegan products. You can find the complete range of vegan products in our product filter under Dietary Requirement: Vegan. Any further questions about this? Contact: nutritionteam@powerbar.de
Is the product still edible after the best-before date (BBD) has passed?
The best-before date is located on the back of the packaging or underneath the container (depending on the product). The best-before date indicates the date until which a food item or product can be consumed without significant loss of taste or quality or any health risk, provided it is stored properly. As this is a best-before date and not an expiry date, the product may still be fit for consumption after the stated date. However, as the manufacturer, we do not guarantee the quality of our products if consumed after the best-before date. The passing of the best-before date can not only affect the taste, appearance, and microbial spoilage of a food item, but may also affect its effectiveness. To ensure the longest possible shelf life for our powdered products, such as DELUXE, LEAN, CLEAN WHEY 100% ISOLATE, RECOVERY ACTIVE, RECOVERY MAX, ISOACTIVE, and ISOMAX, we recommend storing them in a tightly closed, dry container after opening, and protecting them from heat and moisture.
Can the Isoactive Isotonic Sports Drink or the Isomax Isotonic Sports Drink also be prepared as a hot drink?
Yes, both the ISOACTIVE Isotonic Sports Drink and the ISOMAX Isotonic Sports Drink can be prepared as a hot beverage. When poured into a thermal container, both sports drinks are also ideal as a warm refreshment for winter athletes on the go.
Is the small hole in the white seal or intermediate lid of our cans normal, or is this a defect?
The small hole in the white inner lid of some of our products is not a quality defect – this hole (also known as a pinprick) must be present here. It ensures the resistance of the sealed lid against high pressure differences (pressure equalization). This prevents the can from collapsing or bursting. Therefore, the pinprick is present on cans where this is technically necessary. This means that although air can escape from the can when pressure is applied from the outside, no air can enter the can through the hole.
Sports Nutrition
“By the 30-kilometer mark at the latest, I’m usually empty” – How can this be avoided in a race (marathon)?
Even during training, a race-day situation should be simulated to get a feel for WHAT should be consumed or drunk, in what QUANTITY and at WHAT TIME during exercise, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises or symptoms caused by a drop in blood sugar levels. It is also beneficial to eat enough carbohydrates (pasta, bread, dried fruit, etc.) in the days leading up to a marathon to ensure that the energy stores in the muscles (glycogen stores) are well replenished. In addition, for optimal preparation, nutrition in the hours leading up to exercise should be carefully planned.
There are also caffeinated sports drinks (e.g., Isomax Isotonic Sports Drink). When should these ideally be consumed?
Caffeine, in the right dosage, can enhance performance both within 60 minutes BEFORE and/or DURING prolonged endurance exercise. Especially after the first half of a longer endurance session, caffeine intake can delay the onset of fatigue and thus contribute to improved performance.
Doesn't caffeine dehydrate the body during exercise?
Scientific data does not confirm that moderate caffeine intake (< 5 mg/kg body weight) during exercise negatively affects fluid balance or even leads to dehydration (fluid deficiency).
What should you think of carboloading? How exactly does it work?
Carboloading is a proven strategy to replenish glycogen stores in the muscles (i.e. the energy tanks). Strategies have changed significantly in recent years. Nowadays, simplified methods are recommended: In the last three days before the competition, focus on a high-carbohydrate, low-fiber and low-fat diet while simultaneously reducing training volume. Carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, dried fruit and fruit smoothies are well suited for this so-called "carboloading phase". Easy-to-implement tips are: At meals, scoop, for example, two more spoonfuls of rice or pasta onto the plate than before, choose a banana instead of low-calorie berries for dessert, and eat an energy bar or a handful of raisins as an in-between snack. It is important to know: Effective carboloading causes additional water to be stored in the body, as carbohydrates are stored together with water in the glycogen stores. This increases body weight. This means that you have to "carry around" a little more weight. It is therefore important to try out this sports nutrition strategy before a long and intense training session. Carboloading can certainly have a positive effect on longer endurance efforts!
When is the ideal time for cyclists to lose weight?
A reduction in energy and carbohydrate intake should be planned for the off-season to ensure that neither performance nor recovery is adversely affected. A diet may also increase the risk of injury and illness and should therefore be carefully planned and tailored to the individual athlete.
What do vegetarians and vegans need to look out for?
A poorly planned omnivorous diet is no more balanced than a poorly planned vegetarian diet. A well-thought-out lacto-ovo-vegetarian or vegan diet appears to sufficiently meet an athlete's nutrient requirements. With a vegan diet, particular attention should be paid to the intake of vitamin D and B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and the minerals iron and zinc. Vegans and vegetarians often have lower muscle creatine stores. A suitable creatine product can be a useful supplement here. This is because well-filled creatine stores allow for more intensive training, which can improve, for example, repeated sprint performance.
What should the proper or optimal daily diet for endurance athletes include, or does it vary from person to person?
For every athlete, a healthy, varied and appropriate diet is important. Total energy requirements vary individually and depend on factors including age, gender, muscle mass and physical activity. The following factors can also influence total energy requirements and the optimal ratio of macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates and protein): - Weight management or the management of the optimal ratio of body fat to muscle mass - Training periodization.
What are the most common nutritional mistakes made in training and competition?
A common mistake during exercise, besides an improper hydration strategy, is inadequate or poorly timed carbohydrate intake, which varies depending on training goals or race duration. Continuous and individually pre-tested optimal carbohydrate intake is a crucial factor for maximum performance in competition. In contrast, carbohydrate intake during training is not always necessary or beneficial, depending on the desired training adaptations.
What is recommended shortly before the start of a competition?
Small carbohydrate snacks such as energy bars (e.g., ENERGIZE bars or NATURAL ENERGY FRUIT BAR) or a ripe banana, combined with some fluid up to one hour before exercise, are a good choice. In cases of high anxiety, liquid carbohydrate preparations (e.g., gels dissolved in water) are usually better suited than solid food.
What and how much should I drink before a competition?
As a general recommendation, approximately 5–10 ml of fluid per kilogram of body weight is recommended 2–4 hours before exercise. Within the final hour before a competition, approximately 100–300 ml of fluid is optimal. Anything that is well tolerated individually is suitable here (sports drinks such as ISOACTIVE Isotonic Sports Drink, sweetened teas, water, etc.). Some athletes also like to use drinks containing caffeine. Caffeine can support performance and is considered a "mental booster" among endurance athletes. The prerequisite, however, is that you tolerate caffeine well.
How many gels need to be taken during the marathon and when?
This is an individual decision and should definitely be tested in training beforehand. As a rule of thumb, depending on individual tolerance, a carbohydrate intake of up to approx. 60g per hour (e.g. one POWERGEL® every 30 minutes) is recommended for a marathon. However, your hydration strategy should not be neglected.
There is a wide range of drinks, bars, and gels on offer. Which one is right for whom?
The product format in which carbohydrates are consumed during exercise should be chosen individually, depending on personal preference and the duration and intensity of the exercise. For a sensitive stomach, high levels of nervousness, or high-intensity exercise, energy gels and sports drinks are usually more suitable than solid food. For longer bike rides, a combination of liquid and solid food can be a sensible way to add variety.