Now that I’ve had some time to put FRS through the paces, I can compare it to ACT, which I’ve used for a couple years already.

(For a longer introduction, see my FRS Overview and my ACT Long-term Test, which contain all the details about each of these energy drinks for healthy eaters.)

Now, on to the direct comparison…

FRS vs ACT - Price

FRS costs about $2.50 per can if you get a little 4-pack, but if you were to order a case of 24 cans, it would be about $2 per can (including shipping.) ACT costs $1.92 per can (including shipping) if you order two cases from their website, so the bulk prices are fairly similar.

FRS powders cost about $1.50 per packet, while ACT packets cost closer to $1.25. If you get ACT powder in a canister, it’s about $1 per serving.

Overall the price is similar, but FRS can be found in smaller quantities (or even a free trial) while ACT has to be purchased in bulk to get the good prices.

FRS vs ACT - Taste and Texture

I actually like both of these drinks, but each one is totally different.

FRS is like a fruit juice, especially the cans and liquid concentrate. The powder is a little bit closer to a typical energy drink, but overall, FRS is like drinking orange juice.

ACT, on the other hand, tastes like a typical energy drink. In the cans it has a light texture and some carbonation, and a quirky berry flavor. It’s kind of like a cherry soda versus FRS being more like a cherry juice.

FRS vs ACT - Flavors

FRS offers about four different flavors, some of which come in “all natural” and “low cal” versions. These flavors include Orange, Lemon Lime, Peach Mango, and Wild Berry. And each one is good!

ACT was limited to one flavor (berry) for a while, but recently came out with a new flavor (tropical.) The cans are still limited to the berry flavor, though, so if you’re looking for flavor options, FRS has you covered.

FRS vs ACT - Ease of Use

Both FRS and ACT have cans, and both are easy to drink. Both have powders, too, although the FRS powder is much easier to mix than ACT. The ACT powder takes a lot longer to prepare because you have to mix it in warm water and let it sit for a while.

Not to mention how FRS comes in the “health chews” which are super easy to eat. I’d say FRS is the clear winner in the “ease of use” battle.

FRS vs ACT - Testimonials

If you browse their websites, both contain a lot of testimonials, even from pro athletes. But ACT has lesser-known pro athletes and a relatively unknown cyclist, while FRS has a very well-known Tour de France champion in their corner.

Here’s what FRS says about that deal:

“Lance’s relationship with FRS is more than an endorsement deal, it’s a partnership. After carefully reviewing the science behind the product and meeting our management team, Lance Armstrong has joined our Board of Directors and chosen FRS to be the exclusive beverage he represents worldwide. FRS aligns with his lifestyle choices and what he believes in. Power your life with FRS.”

FRS vs ACT - Carbs and Calories

FRS comes in all natural and low carb varieties, so you can limit your calories if you choose, but the low carb variety contains sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener and something I try to avoid. In cans, the all natural has about 130 calories, while the low cal has about 25 calories.

ACT only has one formula, but it is still low in calories (25 per can) without the need for artificial sweeteners. That way you can drink it without worrying about calories or the possible negative side effects of artificial sweeteners.

FRS vs ACT - Healthy Ingredients

FRS contains a blend of the antioxidant quercetin and green tea extract which contains lots of catechins, along with numerous vitamins and minerals (including important B vitamins.) Researchers have found that EGCG (the primary catechin in green tea) is 100 times more potent than vitamin C against free radical damage. So that is awesome, but FRS still contains ~ 200% DV of vitamin C for good measure!

ACT contains some vitamins and minerals, too. A serving has a whopping 450mg potassium and just 20mg sodium, along with 100% DV of Vitamins C, B16, and B12.

But ACT contains a lot of ‘energy’ ingredients: Guarana, Green Tea, Panax Ginseng, Stevia extract, L-arginine, Taurine, L-Carnitine, and Tyrosine.

So it seems they are both fairly healthy, although FRS has a lot more antioxidants,vitamins, and minerals, while FRS has some interesting ingredients and energy supplements that aren’t found in FRS.

FRS vs ACT - The Energy Boost!

Hands down, FRS offers the best energy boost of any healthy energy drink of sports supplement I’ve used. A glass of FRS in the morning provides an uplifting feeling that lasts all day. It’s not a blast of energy, but it seems to last forever.

ACT provides a little bit of an energy boost, but it’s not as powerful. However, it is still better than getting a big rush and crashing in 30 minutes.

Pulling an all-nighter or taking a long road trip? Then go with FRS.

Need a slight pick-me-up in late afternoon or evening? Use ACT. (I can use ACT later in the day without it affecting my sleep.)

The big reason I still use ACT, though, is that it seems to have better recovery benefits. Used after a hard workout, I manage to feel good the next day!

FRS vs ACT - The Results

Let’s see… both are expensive and come in a variety of forms, and are relatively healthy. I will keep using both on occasion: FRS each morning and maybe during a workout, then ACT afterwards for recovery. (However, it’s harder for me to get through a day without FRS.)

FRS is easier to get (and offers a free trial,) so it’s much easier to get some FRS.

FRS has an all-day energy boost, slightly better than ACT. I like the fizziness of the ACT though. Also, I can take ACT in the evening after a workout to aid recovery, and I’ll feel better, but I can still get to sleep. With FRS, I make sure only to take it early in the day because I don’t think I could get to sleep afterwards.

So…

Need an all-day energy boost? FRS.

Want a decent tasting energy drink that is also healthy? ACT.

Have to choice just one? Honestly I’d have to go with FRS. That could change in a few years or even a few months, but for now, FRS is my go-to drink.

Learn more about FRS: www.healthyenergy.com

Learn more about ACT: www.ridewithACT.com

It has been a while since my initial ACT review, and I had probably been drinking this for a year before that - but my long term test of ACT Energy Drink is finally here!

At first I was extremely skeptical, considering that this product was a Red Bull competitor, and also because it was sold through network marketing (think Mary Kay cosmetics or a Tupperware party) rather than in health food stores. Since then, my views have changed considerably.

Now I actually drink ACT on occasion for the healthy energy boost, recovery benefits, and flavor. It’s much healthier than drinks like Red Bull and Monster, and it tastes better, too.

Here’s a quick summary from the website:

A.C.T. Energy balances highly-effective, all-natural ingredients that all work together on the cellular level. The resulting formulation creates a large, healthy, mental and physical boost that starts working in minutes, and lasts for hours!

Continue reading for more details…

ACT - Powders, Cans, and Bars

You can get ACT powder in single-serving packets for ease of use or big canisters for cost savings. The packets are supposedly good for use on the go, however, mixing up powders isn’t always easy, and you need scissors to open the pack. I mix my powder in advance (see the first review for instructions,) so I’m a fan of the canister.

I am really liking the mixed berry flavor now, but I’m still excited that they’re coming out with a new flavor, Tropical Blast. (At least for now, Tropical Blast is only available as a powder.)

At first I hated the idea of ACT in a can, especially since it was carbonated, but I got used to it… and now I love the cans! I actually love the light carbonation and flavor from the can, and I’ve been taking the cans over the powder any chance I get. (Except if I need to fill a water bottle… then it’s powder for sure. I wouldn’t want anything carbonated while riding or working out.)

This is where the health comparisons can really be made “can to can.” One 12oz can of ACT has just 24 calories and 5g sugar, which is surprisingly low for any flavored beverage, let alone energy drinks. It also contains 450mg of potassium citrate and is full of vitamins, especially B vitamins (100% DV of B6 and B12; 50% B3.)

It makes sense when you consider the proprietary blend: Fibersol-2 (Dietary Fiber), Guarana (seed), Juice Extracts (Cherry, Pineapple, Mango, Orange), Green Tea, Panax Ginseng (root), Stevia (leaf) extract, L-arginine, Taurine, L-camitine, Tyrosine, Maca (root).

It’s like health food that gives you a bonus energy boost!

You can also get ACT as a “berry blast” energy bar. I haven’t tried these yet, but they are on my shopping list.*

It makes sense to add the bar because you can’t survive a long bike ride with only 50 calories in your water bottle and nothing else. Now hard-core ACT fans can get their fix through a food or beverage.

*While I will probably try these, I doubt they will replace my regular Powerbars or Clif bars.

ACT for Energy

The obvious use for any energy drink is to drink it during physical activity (i.e. a ride or race) to keep your energy levels high. On occasion I’ll use ACT while riding, and it gives me enough energy to finish a ride without getting worn out. It doesn’t give me a one-time boost like GU energy gel; rather, it makes it so I don’t get that “oh man, I need an energy boost” feeling.

In other words, it gives me just enough energy that I don’t have to think about my energy levels. There’s never a big energy spike or crash.

Most of the time, though, I use ACT as a “pick me up” on days when I’m feeling tired or run down and still need to get some work done. It does the trick and perks me right up. It also comes in handy for long road trips because it keeps me awake and alert.

For example, let’s say you go for a ride during your lunch hour. It sure would be nice to do the ride, then lounge around and get a massage for the rest of the day, but some people have to actually do work after a ride… ACT is perfect, because you drink it after a ride for a recovery drink, then it also perks you up just enough to get through the day.

(FRS is much more powerful, though.)

ACT for Recovery

Speaking of recovery, that is the #1 reason I drink ACT.

I never thought of ACT as a recovery drink until I heard a certain success story… A guy I know that does masonry (which is serious hard work,) uses ACT to recover from a hard day. When he does, his legs aren’t sore the next day.

After hearing that story, I starting using ACT a lot (despite the cost.) It turns out that ACT actually works as a recovery drink! (Don’t ask me how, but it seems to work.)

How to Get ACT

There are two ways to buy ACT. First, you could sign-up to be an independent distributor, which would allow you to buy it by the case at a discounted price. Second, you could find someone that is already an independent distributor and buy ACT one packet at a time.

Unfortunately, you won’t find ACT in stores. (I wish you could, because I really hate the “downline” crap cluttering their site, and I despise having to join in their network marketing scheme just to order in bulk.)

My final verdict is…

I still feel that ACT is expensive, but it’s worth trying, if only for the recovery aspect. I use it after hard rides, races, or workouts, and I’m mostly recovered for the next day.

You might not need it every day, but I’d at least try it for something crazy like a double race weekend or a time when you absolutely have to be fully recovered the day after a hard workout.

Or, even if you’re not a competitive racer, ACT makes a healthy alternative to crap like Red Bull. ACT costs about the same (or slightly less when purchased in bulk,) provides just as much energy, and it’s healthy.

Website: www.RideWithACT.com

[Click here if you would like to get your product reviewed on CoachLevi.com.]

Here we have a new energy drink. Normally I would not find something like this, but my mom got me started on it because we know some people who are into network marketing. This is actually a drink more like Red Bull than Gatorade, but luckily it looks fairly healthy. It’s actually something you can drink without worrying about crazy side effects.

ACT Energy is sort of like a cross between Red Bull and fruit punch Gatorade. It tastes a little odd, but it is nowhere near as bad as Red Bull or those other drinks. There is no caffeine, and it has healthier ingredients like guarana seed, juice extracts, green tea, ginseng root, stevia leaf, taurine, and tyrosine. (And a few other things that I’m not exactly sure what they are.)

You can get ACT in powder form in packets and canisters, and soon it will be available ready-to-drink in cans. The packets are great for travel, the canisters are nice at home, and the can is convenient (and looks cool.) The biggest drawback is the mixing process.

Unlike whey protein, this stuff mixes easily, but it foams up like crazy. If you put the powder in a half-full bottle of water and shake, it mixes easily. However, you’ll have to let it sit for a while the foam settles before adding the rest of the water!

Sidenote on mixing:

1. Fill 16 oz water bottle half-way with room temperature water.
2. Pour in a scoop of ACT powder.
3. Close the lid and shake a few times.
4. Let it sit for a while.
5. Fill the rest of the way with cold water.
6. Give it a gentle shake and start drinking. (Although personally, I do prefer to mix it with just 8 oz of water, total, and drink it pretty fast.)

Now to talk about the effects and my energy levels…

The first time I tried this, I only had a few sips. Even though it is an energy drink, guess what happened… I almost fell asleep! After that I just laughed at this “energy” drink. But, a week later, I decided to give it another chance.

The next time, I actually mixed up a full bottle and drank all of it. I seemed to get tired after a few sips, but once I had downed most of it, I perked up instantly! At first it was just some extra energy, but 10 minutes later I was flipping out. I must have gone crazy for about 4 hours!

I couldn’t just sit around and watch TV or read a book, I had to do something! I started working out, and although I collapsed eventually, I felt stronger than ever. I was ready for anything! It was even better than the time I had codeine pills after getting my wisdom teeth removed!

But alas, later in the afternoon, my energy slowly returned to a normal level. I didn’t crash, but I didn’t have that cool crazy feeling anymore.

After that experience, I had another bottle the next day. But for some reason it did not have much of an affect. I kind of felt the energy boost, but is was nothing like the first time. The third day was nice, though. A good, solid energy kick (although nothing compared to Day 1.)

So you might get a huge energy kick the first time you use this, but after that it will give you more of a ‘normal’ energy boost.

My final verdict is…

This is something worth trying. I know some people who really like it, so maybe it will work for you, too. But you should try it at least once to see if you get that crazy rush of energy (that lasts for hours!) The problem is that it costs almost $2 per serving, but you can get it cheaper if you buy in bulk.

If you are thinking of buying in bulk, take a look at the network marketing plan behind it. You can buy in bulk to stock up for yourself, or you could go in on it with your riding buddies - buy in bulk to save money and split the product amongst yourselves.

Although I would recommend finding someone who can give you a free sample or sell you just 1-2 packets (before signing-up for anything.)

Website: RideWithACT.com

[Click here if you would like to get your product reviewed on CoachLevi.com.]