Prevent Energy Crashes and Optimize Performance Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
Prevent Energy Crashes and Optimize Performance Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
Real-time glucose monitoring isn’t just for diabetics anymore—it’s your new secret weapon for endurance, recovery, and sustained energy
In the world of elite and endurance sports, understanding how your body responds to food, stress, and training is key to maximizing performance. One of the most exciting advances in recent sports science is the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) by athletes. Originally designed for people with diabetes, CGMs are now being embraced by runners, cyclists, triathletes, and other high-performance individuals — and for good reason. Continuous glucose monitors can improve performance in athletes by providing real-time insights into how the body uses fuel during training, racing, and recovery.
What is a CGM, and Why Should Athletes Care?
A CGM is a small wearable device (usually worn on the back of the arm or abdomen) that tracks your glucose levels 24/7. Unlike a standard finger-prick blood test, a CGM provides continuous data on how your glucose levels rise and fall in response to food, sleep, stress, and physical activity.
For athletes, this information is gold. Glucose is the primary energy source for your working muscles during exercise. When glucose levels crash — especially during long or intense training — performance plummets. By learning how your glucose behaves during different activities, you can fine-tune your nutrition and avoid those dreaded mid-run or mid-ride bonks.
How Continuous Glucose Monitors Can Improve Performance in Athletes
Athletes are using CGMs to:
- Prevent energy crashes by knowing when to fuel up
- Identify how different meals and sports drinks impact glucose levels
- Fine-tune carbohydrate timing during long workouts and races
- Adjust fueling strategies based on training intensity
- Understand recovery patterns and optimize post-workout meals
Want to know how CGM data changes the game? A cyclist may discover that their go-to granola bar spikes glucose too quickly, leading to a crash 30 minutes later. With CGM insights, they can switch to a slower-burning carbohydrate or adjust timing — preventing bonks and improving consistency.
Not Just for Pros: Everyday Athletes Benefit Too
While CGMs are being used by Olympians and elite marathoners, they’re also valuable for age-groupers, high school athletes, and anyone who takes their training seriously. They’re especially useful for those struggling with:
- Energy crashes mid-workout
- Trouble recovering from training
- Fatigue during long runs, rides, or games
- Gastrointestinal distress from certain fuels
Many of my clients are shocked to learn how unpredictable their glucose patterns are — and how simple nutrition shifts can make a massive difference.
💡 Curious how to use CGMs to fuel smarter? Schedule a Special Introductory Session with me, and I’ll help you explore whether this technology makes sense for your training goals. It’s not just about tracking numbers — it’s about transforming how you fuel and perform. Click here.
Dig Deeper
Bottom Line: Continuous glucose monitors can improve performance in athletes by offering a personalized window into fuel usage, allowing you to train smarter, recover faster, and perform at your peak.
If you’re tired of guessing how to fuel — or if you’re chasing that next level in training — it might be time to let the data guide you.
Don’t just train hard—train smart.
Let’s turn your nutrition into your most powerful performance tool.
Ready to take the guesswork out of performance nutrition? Book your strategy session now.