What Makes An Excellent Fitness Supplement Brand?

Don’t be fooled by tricky marketing and false claims. Know what to look for from a fitness supplement brand so you can shop from the reputable ones and avoid the sketchy ones.

High Quality Muscle Building Supplements

A variety of high-quality muscle building supplements is ideal from a reputable brand. A company that produces one or two items and doesn’t offer up an entire lineup that complement one another might not be worth your time, especially if you’re looking to really focus on your fitness routine and muscle gains.

You’ll know products are high quality by the ingredients that they contain, the sources where ingredients come from, customer reviews, potential results and claimed benefits that have supporting evidence. Ingredients that can help build muscle include creatine, protein, beta-alanine and amino acids. Look for one or more of those components in a supplement you’re considering.

Supplements for Athletes

Supplements that are designed for athletes will accommodate the physical demands that the body has when going through rigorous workouts over and over again each day. It’s important that your body is getting enough protein, but also other nutrients that will ensure your bodily processes are occurring efficiently and effectively. Iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium are just some of the things that should be in your high-quality fitness supplements.

High Quality Ingredients

Nutrients and other ingredients can be sourced a number of ways, some of which are better than others. Naturally-sourced ingredients that come from whole foods, herbs or plant sources are optimal. What you want to stay away from is low-quality ingredients that are synthetic or cheaply produced.

Excellent Customer Service (They Care)

The quality of a customer service department provides a lot of insight into what you should expect from the quality of the products they produce. If you contact the staff to find out more about a specific product or ask a question, you should always be met with a prompt response that is accurate and helpful. Your questions and concerns should never be brushed off or disregarded. Feeling like a company cares about you often reflects the amount of work and effort they put into their brand and products.

Fast and Free Shipping

Paying for shipping when you order a fitness supplement is something that you probably want to avoid and rightfully so. After all, shipping can start anywhere from five or six dollars and go all the way up to ten dollars or more. The best fitness supplement brands for working out will provide you with free shipping if you spend over a certain amount. The lower that amount is, the better.

The Top 10 Supplement Brands to Take Your Fitness Higher

Now it’s time to look at the top ten supplement brands that will help you take your fitness success higher.

#1. 1st Phorm Supplements

1st Phorm is one of the top fitness supplement brands on the market right now. A lot of research and development has gone into their product line, producing supplements that take the hard work you do each day to the next level. They have an exceptional customer service department that is ready to help you with any questions that you have. 1st Phorm also stands by their products. They have a 110% money back guarantee with no questions asked. If you’re not happy with the product you’ve tried, simply contact the company to start the return process. I’m confident you’ll love their products. From protein to post-workout supplements, 1st Phorm has everything you need to build lean muscle, drop weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Each product from 1st Phorm has been tested rigorously before being sold. Some of the items were developed over the course of months or years before finally making it into customer’s hands. Feel free to check out 1st Phorm’s core values that they base their brand on. From loyalty to enthusiasm, this is a company that will provide you with more than just fitness supplements. They provide you with a way of life.

Pros

• Large selection of products
• Rigorous testing process used
• Formulations have been designed over years
• Made from some of the most nutritious ingredients out there

Cons

• There are dozens of products available from 1st Phorm. If you’re looking to combine supplements, you’ll want to check the safety of your supplement regimen.

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#2. Transparent Labs

Transparent Labs is a brand of fitness supplements that are made from premium and high quality ingredients. Their lineup is divided into different categories such as pre-workouts, products for bulking up, ways to stay lean, creatine, protein, mass gainers and much more. Each product has its own unique combination of ingredients that will help regulate your hormones, boost your metabolism, increase your protein intake and even reduce your recovery time. You can find a supplement through Transparent Labs that will accomplish very specific goals that you have set for yourself.

Transparent Labs produces high quality products that are made without the use of anything harmful or artificial. They do not have dyes, preservatives or fillers in them. You’re getting only the pure ingredients that your body needs to thrive. Their whey protein isolate is one of the cleanest on the market.

Pros

• Pre-workout products designed to increase mass and promote a lean look
• There are products available that are stimulant free if you’re sensitive to caffeine
• Organic vegan protein products are available
• Clinically dosed with the support of scientific data
• Transparent data

Cons

• Stevia is used as a sweetener in many of their products

#3. Jacked Factory

Jacked Factor acknowledges that you’re working hard every day to challenge yourself and meet your goals. Pushing your body to the limits, you need support to support your training. Whether you need assistance with short term issues or long term gains, Jacked Factory has a series of products that are formulated with the use of science-backed ingredients. They have been rigorously tested in the gym and in the lab as well.

Jacked Factory offers products such as pre-workouts, BCAAs, protein, post-workouts, fat burners and much more. The brand was started in 2015 with the goals of offering exceptional value, fantastic customer service and top notch products. Rather than adding to the disaster that is high-priced, watered down products, Jacked Factory strives to be one of the industry leaders in the fitness world.

Pros

• No artificial ingredients, including dyes, fillers or flavors
• Doses are determined by reputable research
• Brand transparency
• Results in better, more effective workouts
• 100 percent money-back guarantee
• There are a few different protein sources among the JF lineup, including plant-based options

Cons

• Contains artificial sweetener (sucralose) in addition to stevia

#4. Bulk Supplements

BulkSupplements is based out of Henderson, Nevada, offering 500 different nutritional supplements to the fitness community. They have served thousands of consumers over the years, formulating and manufacturing products from their NSF Certified & FDA-registered cGMP manufacturing facility. With the help of over seventy employees, BulkSupplements dedicates their work to the health and wellness community. All products are made in-house before they are distributed. Testing is used to confirm safety and purity on site, but third-party testing is also used from US-based independent labs.

BulkSupplements carries a number of fitness supplements, such as protein, amino acids, creatine, pre-workouts, post-workouts and BCAAs. What’s interesting about this brand is that they sell a vast selection of supplements that you can work into your routine to increase your nutrient consumption and wellness routine. For example, you can purchase artichoke extract, apple cider vinegar powder, alfalfa extract and aloe vera extract. Many of their products can be mixed together to get the results that you’re looking for.

Pros

• Extremely large product list
• You get the ingredients you’re looking for without anything artificial added
• Most products are free of soy, dairy and gluten
• Affordably priced for bulk amounts

Cons

• This isn’t just a fitness supplement company, but you can find pretty much anything you’re looking for through them

#5. GNC Supplements

GNC strives to motivate and support individuals on their health and wellness journey through a variety of products and supplements. Whether you’re looking to get started with a fitness or health routine for the first time or you’re just looking for a change, there are countless products that you can source through GNC. Quality, safety and efficacy are just some of what GNC has to offer, as they use science to create all of their products. Researched heavily, you’re getting supplements that will benefit your body throughout your workouts or daily routine.

Some of the products that you can find through GNC include protein powders, muscle builders, pre-workouts, recovery supplements, superfoods, greens and vitamins. They sell a variety of reputable brands that you can trust, but always take some time to look into the individual brand that you’re considering buying.

Pros

• They sell a variety of brands, including their own GNC brand
• You can purchase products based on your goals; fitness, weight loss, muscle gains, mental focus, energy support, etc.
• In-person stores are available across the U.S. in addition to online shopping

Cons

• Purchasing through GNC may require some additional research to ensure you’re purchasing a high quality product

#6. MuscleTech Supplements

MuscleTech was created with the hope of redefining the limits of human potential. This is a brand that’s committed to research in order to create the most superior products possible. Globally recognized as a leading sports nutrition brand, MuscleTech is distributed to more than 140 different countries. Their goal is to inspire fitness enthusiasts and athletes to become stronger together. They’ve been around for over 20 years, optimizing performance and taking fitness to the next level.

You can check out MuscleTech’s line of innovative supplements if you’re looking to take your routine to new heights. You can use products like protein, creatine, pre-workouts, intra-workouts, BCAAs, testosterone and vitamins to increase strength, endurance, recovery and power.

Pros

• Designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts
• Large selection of products available
• Affordable
• This brand is always researching, developing, patenting and producing the safest and most effective supplements around

Cons

• Artificially flavored products are included

#7. Animal Pak Supplements

Animal goes beyond nutrition to support people on their fitness journeys. You can get stronger and more fit with their product line, which consists of items like protein, pre-workout and energy supplements, muscle building and recovery, aminos and products that help you cut. Created in 1983, Animal puts athletes first so they aren’t held back by a lack of proper supplements or nutrients.

Passion, dedication, discipline and integrity are just some of what Animal focuses on with their brand. Their website also features helpful information that can give you insight into why you’re experiencing plateaus or challenges. You’ll also learn more about what you can do to turn things around.

Pros

• A company dedicated to performance and health of athletes
• Stacks offer combined products that are more affordable
• Animal offers a number of protein products to help you recover faster

Cons

• Not vegan friendly

#8. RSP Nutrition

RSP Nutrition was created by Victor, Davanzo, a former collegiate athlete who noticed the evolutionary trends of fitness and nutrition. People were turning to organic products and natural supplements. There was a market for the everyday fitness lover and not just athletes. With HIIT, Metcon and CrossFit becoming so popular, Davanzo saw the need for supplements to help with these routines. Unfortunately, the stores and online markets didn’t have what Davanzo was looking for.

RSP Nutrition now offers a wide range of products that are affordable enough for everyone to invest in. You can shop their website using common categories like protein, pre-workouts, meal replacements, weight management products, keto-friendly supplements, items for on-the-go and much more.

Pros

• Well designed website that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for
• Affordably priced
• You can subscribe and save
• RSP Nutrition sells products that are convenient, effective and easy to understand

Cons

• Contains stimulants like caffeine

#9. Optimum Nutrition

Quality and authenticity is very important to Optimum Nutrition. They have a series of tips on their website that help you determine if you have an authentic Optimum Nutrition product. From the tub design to the neck bands on the products, they want you to be sure that you’re consuming only the safest and healthiest supplements on the market. There are a number of options for the most commonly sought after fitness products, allowing you to increase your energy, reduce recovery time, up your protein intake and meet all of your goals that you’ve set.

Optimum Nutrition is home of the bestselling protein powder supplement in the world. Their Gold Standard Whey protein helps ensure you’re getting enough protein to build mass, recover faster and stay lean. It contains twenty-four grams of protein in each serving along with 5.5 grams of naturally occurring BCAAs.

Pros

• High quality products that are popular all over the world
• More than twenty different flavors are available
• Products are tested for banned substances
• Gluten free products

Cons

• Artificial sweeteners are used (sucralose)

#10. Pro JYM Supplements

Jim Stoppani, PhD, is the leading man for Pro JYM Supplements. He is an expert on exercise science, sports nutrition, and supplementation. His product line was started with his knowledge from researching the effects that exercise and diet have on gene regulation in muscle tissue. He’s an accomplished author, researcher and business owner.

Pro JYM Supplements sells a line of ultra-premium protein supplements, high performance pre-workouts, easy to digest carbohydrates and even multivitamins. Each product has been created with only the best ingredients available, providing your body with exactly what it needs to keep up with your fitness routine and busy lifestyle.

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Nutritional supplements are available, including fish oil and multivitamins
• Products are designed for athletes and lifters
• Pro JYM Supplements shares a great deal of helpful knowledge on their website to back their products and help you life a healthy lifestyle

Cons

• Many products carry an allergen warning for one of the eight major allergens

The Bottom Line

We’ve talked in great detail about some of the best fitness supplement brands out there. If you’re in need of some kind of supplement to keep you going, one of these brands has what you’re looking for. Many of the companies I’ve talked about in this article focus on research and science to formulate their products. You can trust that what you’re getting from them is made from pure, safe and effective ingredients.

Tips for Success from the Nutritionist

Here are some of my helpful tips to consider when you’re experiencing issues with your workout routine.

Weight Loss Plateaus

You may actually be working out too much or not consuming the right nutrients before and after your workouts. There are different ‘states’ that your body can go into when you’re working out or after you’re done working out. A catabolic state can cause you to lose muscle and gain more weight in the long run. Take a close look at your diet and protein consumption.

Rest Days

A lot of people feel like it’s beneficial to work out every single day and not take a day off. This is putting your body under too much stress. You’re not giving your muscles enough time to recover, which doesn’t do you any good. Work in days where you rest completely or do something relaxing like yoga or going for a walk. You’ll still get your heart rate up but won’t have to worry about exhaustion or plateaus.