Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy + Electrolytes

Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy + Electrolytes — Aminos, Caffeine and Hydration

The hydration version of ON's most versatile product. 5g of amino acids and 100mg of naturally sourced caffeine, plus an electrolyte blend to replace what you sweat out — all at around 10 calories with no sugar. Energy, recovery support and hydration in one drink. In stock at TopDog Nutrition.

Why Electrolytes Belong Here

Sweat isn't just water. It carries sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride, and losing them without replacing them is what causes cramping, flat performance and the heavy-legged feeling in a long session.

Hydration status has a direct, measurable effect on strength output and endurance — even mild dehydration measurably reduces performance. Water alone rehydrates you, but without electrolytes your body struggles to hold onto it and to maintain the fluid balance that muscle contraction depends on.

Adding them to a drink you're already sipping through a session is the practical solution. No second product, no second bottle.

The Three-Part Formula

• 5g amino acids — a free-form blend including the branched-chain aminos leucine, isoleucine and valine. Free-form means no digestion required and fast absorption, which is why it sits comfortably mid-session where a protein shake wouldn't. Most useful during fasted training, long sessions, or on days protein intake is short.
• 100mg natural caffeine — from green tea and green coffee. About one coffee's worth: enough to lift energy and focus, moderate enough for more than one serve a day.
• Electrolyte blend — sodium, potassium and magnesium to replace sweat losses and support fluid balance.

10 Calories, No Sugar

This is what makes it an all-day drink rather than a training-only one. A sports drink runs 100–200 calories with 25–50g of sugar. This gives you the caffeine, the aminos and the electrolytes for around 10 calories and no sugar.

Across two drinks a day, that's a few hundred calories you're not drinking — which matters if you're cutting or just watching liquid calories.

When to Reach for This One

Compared to standard Amino Energy, the electrolyte version earns its place when:

• You sweat heavily, or train in heat or humidity — a New Zealand summer or a poorly ventilated gym both qualify.
• Your sessions run long — endurance work, long lifting sessions, sport training.
• You cramp. Cramping is often an electrolyte problem rather than a hydration one.
• You want one drink covering energy, aminos and hydration instead of two products.

If none of that applies, the standard version does the same job on the amino and caffeine side, usually for less.

Directions

Mix 2 scoops with 300–400ml of cold water.

• Pre-workout: 20–30 minutes before training.
• Intra-workout: sipped through the session — the best use for the electrolyte version.
• Anytime: through the day, particularly in hot weather or after physical work.

Count your caffeine: two serves is 200mg. Avoid within 6 hours of bed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as a sports drink?

It covers similar ground with far fewer calories and no sugar, plus aminos and caffeine that a standard sports drink doesn't have. For very long endurance events where you need carbohydrate as fuel, a traditional sports drink still has a role — the sugar is the point there.

Will it stop cramping?

It may help if your cramping is electrolyte-related, which is common. Cramping also has other causes — fatigue, poor conditioning, nerve factors — so it isn't a guaranteed fix.

Can I drink more than one a day?

Yes. Just track total caffeine — 100mg per serve, and most healthy adults sit comfortably under about 400mg daily across all sources.

Is it a pre-workout?

A light one at 100mg caffeine, with no pump or endurance ingredients. For heavy training, Gold Standard Pre-Workout is the better tool.

Can I take it fasted?

Yes. At around 10 calories it won't meaningfully affect a fast, and the aminos and electrolytes are both useful during fasted training.