Aptonia Anti-Chafing Gel, Relax Massage Gel, and Warming Gel

Aptonia anti chafing, warming and relaxant gels are a competitively priced range of pre, mid and post ride creams and embrocations that manage to be effective, pleasant smelling, convenient and hygienic to use.

Starting in logical order, we've the aptly named warming gel, which behaves in pretty much the same fashion as everyone else's. Such preps are designed to work in two ways, warming the muscles before an event while safeguarding against fluctuating temperatures during. A moot point in Majorca but a godsend if the mercury plummets on an early season saunter in Stockport. However, think of a warming gel as complementary to a physical warm-up, not a substitute for one and take a preliminary spin on the turbo or twenty minute saunter in the lower gears before letting rip.

The 100ml tube makes application controlled and relatively easy, but steer clear of broken or damaged skin, and eyes. The chilli pepper extract isn't a relish, so wash hands thoroughly afterwards. That ingredient accelerates warming and supposedly provides insect repelling properties to boot. Judging by a sizeable bite on my right calf, I'm slightly sceptical about that claim. However, my leg muscles have felt supple within ten, rather than twenty minutes while staying pleasantly warm for two or three hours.

Don't slather it on mind (unless you are particularly sensitive to cold) or prepare for uncomfortable overheating. My arms became decidedly flushed after fifteen minutes of donning an old school rain cape during a decidedly unsettled first outing.

Next in line comes their anti-chafing sauce. This is a slightly generic formula designed to appeal to triathletes, runners and others seeking to avoid sore, cracked nipples, groins and similar ailments rather than a dedicated butt balm per se. Once again, those nursing pre-existing boils/saddle sores will need to dress these areas first.

At room temperature it emerges with a stodgier consistency than traditional balms. Triathletes and others who add a little running to their training regime will find thinner layers work best on torsos/nipples, though the groin area appreciates more generous helpings, ditto endurance riding contexts.

Aptonia recommends a comprehensive basting of buttocks, inner thighs and chamois pad. In practice, this is less convenient than with a chamois cream of runnier consistency but hardly a deal breaker. A small pot would be arguably easier to carry around but the tube doesn't impose inside a jersey or jacket pocket or medium sized wedge pack. It's a more hygienic option for sharing too, since there's much less risk of cross contamination.

Performance has been favourable, not quite on par with my favourite but nonetheless it's absorbed expediently by the skin, delivering sufficient protection for day rides spent moulding a particularly thick leather saddle to my derriere.

Residual stickiness hasn't been an issue either, although I make a point of dismissing all hint of embrocation having hit the shower.

This leads me nicely to their relaxant gel that soothes and refreshes tired, aching muscles, while, it's claimed, simultaneously boosting the body's immune system.

Best applied by a significant other, its effectiveness is somewhat determined by applicator skill. Unlike traditional massage oils, the thicker texture means it won't rush everywhere, but offers suitable grip/traction required for restorative, deep tissue work.

Rapidly absorbed by smooth skin, its coverage lags behind that of other blends and was pretty much exhausted after six forty-minute treatments. Its flowery scent curried greatest favour with female recipients, yet seems subtle enough that most fellas won't object.

On some levels, massage techniques are more significant than lotions employed, though the marriage of menthol and chamomile clearly accelerates recovery of tired/aching muscles and we've noticed improved quality of sleep, mood along with concentration- significant physiological boosts leading up to a big event/race.

Overall, I've been genuinely impressed by the range and closer interrogation suggests nothing dubious lurks within their ingredients.

Verdict

Nicely priced embrocation range well suited to competitive riding/training.