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A fancy natural supplement formulated by science boffins to help with muscle fatigue and improve your fitness? We’re not big on nutritional science or training hard at ADVNTR, so we asked someone who is. Sarah Hewitt is a competitive XC racer and willing guinea pig to test TRR Nutrition’s Pro Advanced Collagen sports supplement.
As a 40 something cyclist with an appetite for competition, I am always looking at ways to improve my performance. I follow a focused training plan, which includes meaningful recovery phases so I don’t undo all that hard work. Working in conjunction with the training, good nutrition can enhance athletic performance. My most recent discovery is that I can benefit from adding collagen to my diet.
Like many competitive cyclists, I want to perform at my best and remain injury free. It means I can enjoy more time on my bike and ultimately get faster and stronger. Anyone with a big training goal or a long distance event on the calendar probably shares similar desires, right?
I’m by no means a professional on the subject, but I have a nerdy interest in sports nutrition and endurance training. Which is what initially triggered my interest in the TRR Pro Advanced Collagen supplement. Although Coronavirus has put the kibosh on my big events for the season, I’m still more determined than ever to keep training. With extra free time available, I’ve increased my training schedule. Perhaps the perfect opportunity to put TRR’s claims to the test.
Just what is TRR Pro Advanced Collagen anyway?
TRR’s Pro Advanced Collagen is a daily liquid sports supplement. It’s fancy combination of active nutrients are specifically formulated to help support joints, bone health and the immune system. Some of the ingredients include 10,000mg of marine collagen, turmeric, ginger, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, copper and vitamin C.
With age, your ability to synthesise collagen reduces. This can lead to wrinkled skin, wounds can take longer to heal and you get increased joint pain. Trawling the internet, I have learnt that collagen can significantly help endurance athletes with injury prevention and recovery. It can also promote deep sleep, a healthy gut and lessens UV damage to the skin. Sounds like quite the wonder ingredient, doesn’t it?
There are natural ways to add collagen to your diet, but none of them sounds appetising. Animal bones and cartilage, boiled hooves and fish heads are prime sources of the good stuff. Tasty…
A 50 ml bottle of TRR Pro Advanced Collagen contains high-quality marine collagen (Peptan) peptides. Peptan is a high purity, natural product containing more than 97% protein. Peptan is bio-active collagen peptides, their hydrolysed form makes them easily digestible by us humans.
TRR Pro Advanced Collagen is certified by Informed Sport, an officially recognised quality assurance program for sports nutrition products. For those competing in professional events, you can be assured that it does not contain any banned substances.
Powered by Collagen? We may need to work on the strapline…
Enough of the science stuff, what’s it like?
For £38.99, you get a pack of 10 handy 50ml bottles of the TRR Pro Advanced Collagen formula. Enough to last you for 10 days, butthe guidance advises you will need significantly more than that to see results. TRR suggest taking it daily for 30 days and then you can drop to every other day after 90 days. A significant spend I’m sure you’ll agree, and clearly TRR realise this too as they offer bulk discounts. Purchase a pack of 90 and you’ll benefit from a 35% discount. At £288, you got to be committed to the idea.
For best results, you need to take the collagen formula straight after your workout. This is when your body effectively switches on its repair mode. I have to admit that the product is an acquired taste and takes some getting used to. TRR say it is cherry flavoured, but to my taste buds tastes nothing like cherry. I’m struggling to think of a more suitable description other than sweet and spicy. I’ve actually come round to liking the flavour, it’s just a shock the first time you try it!
Long term results
I’ve been taking the TRR Nutrition Pro Collagen supplement for over 4 months now. Outside of a true lab test, it’s hard to measure how effective it is. Some of what I’ve experienced may well be placebo, but I believe my wellbeing has seen a marked improvement. Generally my fatigue levels have lessened and any muscle pain or joint aches are no where near as bad as I remember them.
The TRR supplement has given me peace of mind that I am giving my body the chance for optimal recovery. I’m certain I can feel the benefits. My joints don’t have quite the same numb feeling the morning after a hard workout. And more crucial for me, I’m sleeping a lot better.
The right diet and supplementation can help take your training to the next level. Collagen supplementation, when timed with a workout, can help improve your joint health and recovery from injury. Train hard rest harder!
Verdict
Bottom line is that TRR’s Advanced Collagen will only appeal to those who are serious about training. It isn’t cheap, especially when you need to take the product consistently for it to be effective. You’d see little benefit just by purchasing 2-4 weeks worth and expect to see significant results. You need to look at this as a long-term project. Much like you would a training programme.
Personally, I feel the cost of TRR Nutrition Pro Collagen is the biggest limiting factor. I would definitely continue to use the supplement if it was more affordable.
TRR Nutrition Advanced Collagen
£38.99
Pros
- Reduces muscle aches and pains
Cons
- Pricey
- Takes a long time to see results
Last modified: 15th May 2020
