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

7
£4.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Nicely priced embrocation range well suited to competitive riding/training
Weight: 
104g
Contact: 
www.decathlon.co.uk

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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.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Aptonia Anti-Chafing Gel, Relax Massage Gel, and Warming Gel

Size tested: 100ml

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Warming gel "Promotes muscle warm-up when combined with a massaging action. For use outdoors in cold weather."

Anti chafing gel: A must-have to reduce chafing (skin against skin, skin against garment, skin against accessory rubbing...). Ideal for cycling and running.

Massage Gel: "Muscle recovery

The relaxing gel combined with the massaging action will relax the muscles.

Soothing effect"

 

The relaxing gel combined with the massaging action will relax the muscles.

Soothing effect

Contains menthol and chamomilla extract with relaxing properties.

Anti Chafing "A must-have to reduce chafing (skin against skin, skin against garment, skin against accessory rubbing...). Ideal for cycling and running".

Relaxing Gel

Muscle recovery

The relaxing gel combined with the massaging action will relax the muscles.

Soothing effect

Contains menthol and chamomilla extract with relaxing properties".

 

Reasonably priced, reasonably effective.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Warming: Aqua, Glycerin, Paraffinum Liquidum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-20 Stearate, Capsicum Frutescens Oleoresin, Capsicum Frutescens Extract, PEG-100 Stearate, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Zingiber Officinale Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol,

Pentylene Glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tarchonanthus Camphoratus Oil, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Fragrance, Dipropylene glycol, CI 14700, CI 15985, CI 19140

Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Paraffin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, BHT.

INGREDIENTS: Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Menthol, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Rutin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, CI 42090, CI 47005.

Massage: Contains menthol and chamomilla extract with relaxing properties.

 

Paraffinum Liquidum, Cera Microcristallina, Paraffin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, BHT.

INGREDIENTS: Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Menthol, Xanthan Gum, Dipropylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Phenethyl Alcohol, Rutin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, CI 42090, CI 47005.

Relax Massage Gel:

Contains menthol and chamomilla extract with relaxing properties.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall, this range of embrocation is easily applied, hygienic and well suited to cycling and other endurance sports.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Ease of use and reasonable performance.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing given their asking price, although the relaxant gel was too readily absorbed by the person administrating, as opposed to receiving massage.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Quite possibly.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, for the most part.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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2 comments

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Galius | 10 years ago
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If anyone is having similar problems as '' Kevin'' with rashes or skin reactions when using chamois creams or massage oils try GALIUS Sport Chamois Cream and Massage Oils & Gels: www.galiussun.co.uk

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kairey1964 | 10 years ago
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I used the anti-chafing gel and it wasn't for me, it caused more rashes and itching than having nothing. My dermatologist said it was not an allergy and more down to this type of product blocking the pores, I had the same issue with plain old vaseline. So if you ride like I do in a hot country think twice, I use nothing or Assos and Utterly Butterly now....

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