Gamers and fitness enthusiasts often drink the same energy-inducing beverages. They enhance focus and improve physical performance as well. Gatorade is a sports hydration drink, and its G series claims to be a workout and recovery aiding system.
G1, G2, and G3 are Gatorade drinks meant to be consumed in that order:
- Starting with G1 before a workout
- Drink G2 while working out
- Finish with G3 after the session
The contents of different G3 series beverages vary based on their intended result, which also impacts the taste of the respective Gatorade.
In this article, you will discover how these beverages differ in effectiveness, taste, and availability. We will also compare the drinks to non-Gatorade alternatives and assess whether it is healthier for athletes and gamers to have Gatorade or other drinks. Most importantly, we will judge whether the beverages even work.
| Gatorade G1 | Gatorade G2 | Gatorade G3 | |
| Use | Before exercise | During workout/game | After working out |
| Availability | In health stores only | On Amazon and in hypermarkets | In health stores, only |
| Unique Feature | Contains vitamins | Has less sugar | Contains protein |
| Average Calories Per Serving | 100 | 30 | 110 |
| Range of Flavors | Low | Highest | Low |
| Medium | Liquid/Powder | Liquid/Powder | Liquid/Powder |
| Contains Electrolytes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
G1, G2, and G3 are part of the Gatorade G series. G1 is supposed to be a pre-workout Gatorade drink for activities that result in high moisture and water loss. It has a distinct taste mostly powered by the product’s texture more than flavor. It is often confused with Gatorade G (which is labeled the ‘original thirst quencher’).
G2 is lower calorie gatorade. Given that the beverage is often consumed during exercise where one sweats a lot, it is easy to see why the drink has the fewest calories in the G series. After all, the point of the G series is to cover each exercise stage in the order of the G digits, and you don’t want to overdose on sugar while working out.
G3, the last digit/drink, is consumed after a workout to aid recovery. This drink has a taste similar to the G2 drink, and the difference in texture is not more noticeable than the contrast between G1 and G2.
In this article, we will go over the strengths and weaknesses of each product as well as the ideal context to consume each. For this, we will use literature and resources, including Gatorade’s own description of their products and the collective rating of different G series drinks.
But first, let’s go over the metrics that we use to judge sports drinks.
Effectiveness
The difference between Gatorade and plain juice is that the former serves a different function than fruit juice. Regardless of the Gatorade variety, one must first judge its effectiveness in what it claims to do.
Is G1 really good as a pre-workout sports drink?
Does G3 really help recovery, or is it a marketing ploy paired with a placebo?
Answering these questions is crucial.
Taste
Gatorade is consumed by non-athletes as well, and the primary reason they like the sports drink is its taste.
Whether you use Gatorade as a juice alternative in a sedentary life or actually need a sports drink but prefer a beverage that tastes better, knowing which G series drink tastes better is helpful when deciding the one you should buy.
Availability
Availability is one of the least-discussed yet most critical aspects of beverage selection.
Most athletes and gamers are creatures of habit. They like to select the beverage that accompanies their activities and like to keep it as a recurring company.
A sports drink that is seriously rare is going to be hard to get. Moreover, it might result in a delivery premium which can affect the amount you spend on sports or gaming snacks.
Gatorade G1
Gatorade G1 is not to be confused with Gatorade G or Gatorade Original Thirst Quencher. Gatorade G is the ‘main’ Gatorade and features little to no difference from what used to be the only Gatorade before Pepsi acquired the company.
Gatorade G1 has sugar which should give one the kind of rush needed for a workout, but the presence of sugar also negates the point of exercising for many people. This puts the beverage’s effectiveness in question.
Effectiveness: 3/10
Unless you See Gatorade G1 or the original Gatorade in isolation, its purpose is to be the first of three servings for an average athlete.
It is supposed to be consumed before exercise because the manufacturer asserts that the beverage can improve one’s mid-workout performance. While this is true to an extent, Gatorade G1 is not as effective as the average pre-workout.
Moreover, it loads your body with empty calories, which can be counterproductive for aerobic exercises.
Is Gatorade G1 effective?
For an energy boost before a muscle workout?
Yes, but less than a standard pre-workout. For exercises that help you lose weight? No.
Taste: 9/10
G1 is among the best-tasting Gatorade beverages simply because the formula has no compromises.
When manufacturing Gatorade G1, Gatorade’s producers don’t replace sugar content. As flavor remains a crucial priority in the process, the drink has an addictive taste. The texture of this beverage is more robust, and the aftertaste lasts a more extended period than G2 and G3.
However, since G1 is not the main Gatorade, it comes in a strict range of flavors. Other Gatorade beverages are derivatives of the G2 or Gatorade G. flavors. G1 doesn’t come in all the G2 flavors, but the opposite is true. G2 comes in all the flavors available in G1 and 3.
Availability: 3/10
George G1 is the least commonly available Gatorade because it is exclusive to health stores like GNC. The default Gatorade drink is available on Amazon and most hypermarkets. However, that isn’t the case with G1 packages.
This can make some people erroneously believe that the G1 series is discontinued. In reality, Gatorade G1 is simply consigned to health stores, and the ‘original thirst quencher’ bottle is marketed toward the masses.
Most stores that carry Gatorade G1 or G3 also carry Gatorade G., but stores that carry Gatorade G or G2 don’t always have G1.
Gatorade G2
G2 should be consumed during exercise because its primary function is to hydrate the body without adding too many calories. This is also why most people believe that ever since the G series launch, the original Gatorade has been renamed G2 while the newer, sweeter, more sugary G1 is re-positioned as the ‘original thirst quencher.’
Anyone who has consumed Gatorade before the G series launch can confirm that G2 taste is the closest to the original Gatorade.
Effectiveness: 5/10
Gatorade G2 is effective in hydrating the body mid-exercise. It also is recommended in the same context as the original Gatorade. Before the G series, Gatorade wasn’t consumed pre-exercise or post-workout.
It was mostly consumed during long periods of aerobic activity. Its lower sugar contents make it somewhat ideal for sweat replacement and rehydration, but if your primary goal is to lose weight, the sugar in the beverage can set you back a few steps.
Gatorade Zero is a better mid-exercise alternative for those trying to lose weight. Gatorade G2 is better for those who work out their muscles and don’t have a strict and small calorie budget.
Taste: 8/10
For the enthusiasts of Gatorade taste before the G series, G2 is the best-tasting Gatorade. However, since Pepsi acquired the sports drink over 20 years ago, it is unlikely that most people remember the G2 taste as the original Gatorade taste.
Still, the drink tastes pretty good and has a wide range of flavors. From summer-inspired tropical flavors to abstract ones, Gatorade G2 is available in most of the flavors in which Gatorade G1 is offered.
Availability: 8/10
G2 is available in health stores and on Amazon, but the chances of finding it in your local grocery store are slim. Stores don’t want to take the stock risk that comes with consigning or buying large quantities of low-sugar versions of sports drinks.
The fact that the G2 bottle clearly states that the product has ‘less sugar’ isn’t encouraging for more procurement managers. That said, G2 is unlikely to be discontinued since it has consistent demand.
Gatorade G or Original Thirst Quencher is available in a far more significant number of stores. It is a more sugary version of G2.
Gatorade G3
G3 is Gatorade’s version of a post-workout drink. It is positioned by the sports drink manufacturer as a recovery-aiding beverage and features a few ingredients to help the process.
G3 is supposed to be consumed in conjunction with other G series beverages but can also be taken in isolation.
Effectiveness: 7/10
G3 features significant protein content, which can help you recover from a muscle workout. It doesn’t help you recover from aerobic or weight loss exercises but can be quite refreshing and helpful if you want to unwind and regain strength after a heavy session with weights.
It doesn’t feature branched-chain amino acids, so the recovery support isn’t as efficient as it would be with a regular post-workout beverage. Still, of all the Gatorade drinks in the G series, this comes the closest to doing what the manufacturer claims it does.
Taste: 6.5/10
G3’s protein content is tasteless, but an average of 3 to 6 grams sugar reduction compared to original Gatorade does result in a noticeable taste downgrade.
If you consume Gatorade for its taste, you’re more likely to be satisfied with the original thirst quencher (G) or G2.
The taste won’t be a dealbreaker if you want to drink G3 because of its impact. With a small range of flavors, G3 has an acceptable taste, though it requires getting used to.
Availability: 3/10
Like G1, Gatorade G3 is also available exclusively in health supplement stores like GNC and not in the average hypermarket. It is also at risk of being discontinued because fitness consultants do not support the G series proposition (drinking three Gatorades in conjunction).
Multiple factors keep this beverage’s future unclear, from better alternatives to uncertain demand. While it is an acquired taste, it is advisable not to get used to it just yet.
Which Gatorade Should You Choose?
Gatorade G series is often referred to as a marketing disaster because the people that it was marketed to did not fully embrace it. The best Gatorade isn’t even from the G series.
The Gatorade you should choose is Gatorade Zero as it contains zero calories and the electrolytes you need to maintain your focus. If you want to pick from G1, G2, or G3, then G2 with less sugar is a decent choice.
But Gatorade’s drawbacks are not justified by its perks for gamers. Gamers don’t have the same needs as physical athletes. Their beverages should cater towards mental impact.
While Gatorade is good for gamers to an extent because it helps them avoid hyperfocus-driven dehydration, it is not as good for gamers as other sports drinks.
Is There a Better Drink for Gamers?
There are many drinks that are better for gamers and are even formulated to cater to gamers’ needs. G-Fuel is one of the best beverages for gamers as it contains stimulants that help gamers focus and stay alert.
However, the caffeine content of G-Fuel can have a dehydrating effect on the average gamer. While Gatorade isn’t too much of a necessity for a regular gamer, it is almost mandatory for gamers who consume energy drinks or coffee.
G-Fuel is a gamer’s energy drink, and if you have multiple servings of it, you should sneak a bottle of Gatorade Zero into your consumption sequence.
A new hydration drink called Prime Hydration by KSI and Logan Paul has stepped into ring! Check out this article where we put Prime Hydration and Gatorade head to head.
How Much Gatorade Should You Have in a Day?
You should not have more than two bottles of Gatorade in a day. If you use powder to make Gatorade at home, you should not take more than 125 ounces of Gatorade.
This number is ideal for gamers who want to drink G-Fuel or Redbull as well as Gatorade because G-Fuel also has a maximum consumption limit.
Recap: Gatorade G1 vs G2 vs G3
Gatorade G1, G2, and G3 system works for athletes who want to build muscle mass. Everyone on a calorie limit cannot use it.
For gamers, G2 is the most beneficial, while Gatorade Zero has the least impact. But since Gatorade has no caffeine, gamers who want to focus better should opt for gamer energy drinks like G-Fuel instead.
