Isotonic drinks - how much of a ripoff are they?

My gym, like most, has a powerade machine. You hear so many conflicting opinions on them. Interested to know if people think theyre worth the plastic bottle they come in

I buy lucazade somedays when I train.

Simply because I like to take around 30g carbs before I workout in liquid form so it's easy on the stomach.  Some days I just have dextrose, but prefer the flavour of isotonic drinks.
 
But the simple answer, other than using it to increase blood glucose levels around your workout they're useless.  All the advertisement around electrolytes  is over rated and even then they're of no use from a bodybuilding perspective who trains for 1hr to a max of 2 hours.
 
If you where training for say 4 hours, then perhaps they may become beneficial.  But I'd say they're marketed towards endurance athletes.
 
But even though I use them as a simple way of getting 30g carbs pre workout, it's not the cost effective source.
 
Worth = zero.
Taste nice though. 

I'm pretty much of the same opinion. I dont find they rehydrate me any better than water or give me that much more energy than I had before. Was just interested to see if there would be a split of opinion on here.

Agree with Liddy, if you've taken on enough fuel prior to your workout(1hr roughly for most of us)then you're not going to be depleted during or towards the end of your workout...I take a non-sugar energy drink while i train just because I think it gets me slightly more focused...but just water is needed really..

'Isotonic' drinks are useful but as with any 'tool' like this there is the right tool for the right job.
 
Just because they're not really suited to the way you're using them doesn't mean they're useless.

they're good but expensive for 1-2 times ed, i guess convenience plays a part. your talking 25-30g carbs? could get some dexrose dirt cheap and throw in a shake in stead for recovery. and if your eating well, no need prior.
 
in terms of rehydration have to agree with above, the only thing that does is powerade or gatorade, with electrolytes in. i buy a tub of gatorade podwer on ebay for like £7 last ages. but thats general use not just for training. great for hangovers :)
 

They certainly have their place and are not a rip-off, although they are very expensive.  There purpose is not to provide calories and fuel, but they're there to hydrate.  The carbs are there to speed gastric emptying.
Have a read of my article: Hydration in Bodybuilding

good read, cheers