What Type of Post Workout Drink Is Best for Weight Loss?

Let’s break down some of the important ingredients that many brands include in their post workout drinks for weight loss. They each serve a very important role in your recovery and weight loss journey.

Protein

There is an anabolic window of time after working out when consumption of protein is beneficial. As discussed in our top protein shakes for weight loss, protein will help the muscles to recover and become stronger.

Muscles are actually very sensitive to protein and are able to use it more efficiently directly after exercise rather than later on or before. It’s recommended that you consume protein within one hour of working out if you’re looking to reduce fat on the body and increase muscle mass.

See our benefits of protein for women complete guide to learn more.

Glutamine

Your body goes through a great deal of stress when you’re working out, even if you feel great afterwards. Glutamine can boost the body’s immune response so your body recovers faster and appropriately. Glycogen reserves will become depleted right after your workout. When this happens, you’ll experience slower recovery. This means you can’t get back into the gym as quickly as you would like, which slows down your weight loss journey.

BCAA

Branched chain amino acids taken after your workout can help you in a number of ways. For starters, you’ll experience faster recovery thanks to less muscular pain, which I highlighted in our top BCAA supplements for women. BCAA’s can also help you manage your blood sugar levels so you don’t overeat after working out (which would defeat the purpose). Many people find BCAA’s to be an important tool when working towards their weight loss goals.

CLA

One of the most prevalent benefits of conjugated linoleic acid post workout is an increase in fat loss. This omega-6 fatty acid is typically found in meat products but also often added to weight loss products. It can help you burn more fat when working out and recovering from a workout. CLA also promotes insulin sensitivity in the body, which can help with the transfer of glucose from inside the blood to your muscle cells for energy. If you're a female, and interested in this, check out our top CLA supplements for women, to see which is best for you.

L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is included in post workout weight loss drinks thanks to its ability to burn extra fat and extra calories. It can also increase your performance and boost endurance. When you’re looking to lose weight, making the most of your exercise routine is optimal.

The Five Best Post-Workout Drink for Weight Loss

Now that you know what to look for in a post-workout drink for weight loss, let’s learn more about some of the specific products that are popular right now.

#1: 1st Phorm Phormula 1 & Ignition Post Workout Stack

1st Phorm’s Phormula 1 protein and Ignition Post Workout products are stacked together to replenish glycogen in the body and increase muscle energy. Essential protein for weight loss comes from the Phormula 1 portion of the product. It’s formulated to enter the bloodstream quickly for optimal repair of muscles and tissue. When you use this product you’ll experience less muscle soreness, increased satiety and optimal weight loss results.

Pros

• Promotes muscle growth
• Restores glycogen levels back to a beneficial level
• Reduces the amount of time that you need to recover from a hard workout
• Tastes great
• One scoop only adds up to 100 calories
• Dissolves easily with no clumping

Cons

• Contains whey protein isolate, so this is not a dairy-free product (some people prefer plant-based protein)

#2: L-Carnitine with Fucoxanthin (Fat Loss Support)

1st Phorm’s L-Carnitine with fucoxanthin increases your ability to burn fat while providing your body with the nutrients that it needs to thrive. L-carnitine is an amino acid that helps facilitate the passage of fatty acids over to your cells so they can be burned off as energy. Also included is L-tartrate with fucoxanthin, which is a carotenoid found in many superfoods. The fucoxanthin portion will be stored inside of your fat cells as a method of preventing fat storage and promoting loss of fat.

This is an excellent post workout product to use if you’re looking to boost weight loss thanks to additional ingredients like green tea extract, which helps your body eliminate toxins that might be slowing down your metabolism. When this happens, your body can’t break down fat as easily as you would like. You may also experience increased focus throughout the day, a noticeable change in energy levels and an increase in insulin sensitivity.

Pros

• Increases hydration post workout
• Tastes great and mixes well
• Comes in six different flavors including berry lemonade, orange sunrise and cherry lime
• Potentially replaces your caffeine consumption with a more natural source of energy

Cons

• Contains sucralose as an artificial sweetener

#3: PacificHealth Post Workout Recovery Drink

This Pacific Health supplements provides protein, carbohydrates, electrolytes and antioxidants for optimal muscle recovery and weight loss. It contains a specially formulated 4:1 carb to protein ratio that is essential for the post workout phase. This protein synthesis can decrease the amount of damage that your muscles experience so you can get right back into the gym to drop more pounds. You may also notice that you have more endurance when working out. Taking your exercise routine to the next level is often what people need in order to get past any weight loss plateaus that they’re experiencing.

Pros

• Backed by science with more than 18 different peer-reviewed studies
• Tangy orange flavor is very mild and pleasant
• Contains a very specific protein to carb ratio that will help with weight loss and boost protein synthesis
• Fast absorption rate
• Neutralizes free radical formation

Cons

• Flavor is a bit on the sweeter side

#4: Glutamine Recovery Support

Glutamine is the most prevalent amino acid in the human body. We use these amino acids as building blocks for protein synthesis as well as the production of different chemicals in the body that can aid in metabolism of glucose and weight loss. When we complete a hard workout, glutamine stores are depleted. When these levels become very low, your muscles will take much longer to recover. This supplement from 1st Phorm ensures that your body has the glutamine that it needs to get you back to the gym in as short an amount of time as possible. Many people find that this product helps to preserve muscle while still promoting weight loss.

Pros

• Can improve your gut health, which affects your immune system. Your immune system also plays a role in the post workout recovery phase.
• This is a basic glutamine supplement that does not contain any other ingredients
• Five grams of supplement powder contain five grams of L-glutamine
• Can be taken thirty minutes prior to your workout as well as immediately after your workout
• Reduces chronic pain and inflammation post workout

Cons

• May contain trace amounts of milk, soy, egg and wheat

#5: 1st Phorm BCAA

Branched chain amino acids are just three of the essential amino acids that the body needs in order to function each day. This product from 1st Phorm contains leucine, isoleucine and valine to increase muscle protein synthesis, promote muscle growth and decrease workout fatigue. It can also prevent a catabolic state, which means your body is breaking down tissue. It’s ideal for periods of fasting, high intensity cardio workouts and frequent exercise for weight loss.

The BCAA’s in 1st Phorm’s product helps your body synthesize protein properly, leading to a potential increase in weight loss. You can use it right before your workout or post workout to preserve lean muscle, burn fat and increase the length of your workout.

Pros

• Takes your weight loss workout to the next level
• Comes in a variety of tasty flavors like pineapple mango and lemonade
• Promotes a faster workout recovery
• Mixes well with no lumps
• Promotes protein synthesis

Cons

• Includes artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners

#6: 1st Phorm CLA

CLA from 1st Phorm is a conjugated linoleic acid supplement that is naturally occurring. This is an omega-6 fatty acid that can fill in gaps you’re not getting from your diet. Scientific research was used in the formulation of this product to ensure the right dosages were used. Studies show that approximately 3,000 milligrams of CLA is needed for optimal benefits, whereas your average American consumes just 181 milligrams each day on average. Supplementation post workout can result in optimal fat loss and lean muscle growth.

When you’re trying to recover quickly after your workout, CLA is a go-to supplement option. Many people attempting to lose weight find it frustrating when they need to skip a day or two at the gym because of soreness or fatigue. While listening to your body is ideal, you can use CLA to get moving again in addition to feeling more full for longer periods of time.

Pros

• Can be combined with other workout products, included stimulant-based fat loss items
• Does not contain any artificial ingredients or flavors
• Comes in an easy-to-swallow pill
• Great customer service

Cons

• Results are often experienced with the regular use of this product

#7: Collagen Powder with Dermaval

Collagen is a substance that can be found in all of our bones, joints, tendons and ligaments. While it can be obtained and produced in the body from our diet, most people are deficient in collagen. This is especially true as we age and our collagen production decreases. This hydrolyzed collagen powder, Collagen With Dermaval from 1st Phorm, is low temperature processed and hydrolyzed to make it more bioavailable to the body. It is sourced from five different sources of collagen. You can mix it into a smoothie or any other drink that you’re consuming.

1st Phorm has also included 50 milligrams of Dermaval in this product to maintain healthy levels of elastin in the body. Collagen can help you feel full longer, reduce fat accumulation in the body and even increase muscle mass.

See our choices of the top weight loss collagen powders to learn more.

Pros

• Improves the quality of your hair, skin and nails
• Comes in six different flavors
• Aids in recovery and weight loss
• Combines collagen with the popular Dermaval supplement

Cons

• Contains artificial flavors and sweeteners (sucralose)

The Bottom Line

Many people who are looking to lose weight do so in a very unhealthy manner. The goal is not to deplete your body of calories and nutrients. You should strive to fuel your body with what it needs in order to perform, burn fat, etc. All of the different post workout drinks that we’ve looked at today provide essential nutrients and ingredients that can make a big difference in how quickly you lose weight and how your body feels throughout the process. You’re more likely to stick with a weight loss plan if it’s comfortable, effective and makes you feel good. Consider using a post workout drink for your own weight loss journey.