When looking to begin a new supplement regime with the aim of building muscle, all too often we only think of protein in its various forms. Surprisingly, some of the best supplements to get ripped and build muscle fall outside of the whey protein category. Today’s supplement market is huge, and with so much choice out there, is it no wonder that we as consumers don’t know where to turn to when looking to find a new supplement.
In this comparison review we have done the research for you. We have sourced 4 top quality muscle building supplements that have a loyal following of past customers, several who have written glowing 5-star reviews on Amazon.
It is worth reminding you at this point that the quality of your diet will always remain the predominant factor in determining the results you will achieve, not a ‘secret supplement stack’. However, picking the correct supplement to take in conjunction with your diet can help to make a measurable difference in your muscle gain and fat loss.
Our selections in this review are all top quality and reputable muscle building products for varying reasons. We will now cover the positive and negative points of each product.
Comparison Chart
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Double Rich Chocolate, 5 Pound (Packaging May Vary)
Genius Muscle Builder – Best Natural Anabolic Growth Optimizer for Men & Women | True Weight Gainer Supplement for Steel Physique | Vitamin D w/ HMB & PeakO2 Natural Mushrooms
Best Supplements for Men and Women to Build Muscle – Our Top 4 Picks In Detail
Creatine by Bulk Supplements
Review
Micronized creatine monohydrate is very important in allowing the body to transfer energy directly to the muscles. It has also been proven to boost energy, strength and muscle mass. This Bulk Supplements product contains 99.99% Creatine Monohydrate and is also lab tested to confirm this. What’s more, the company state that the product is 100% free from banned substances and because this supplement is pure creatine, it is also suitable for vegans.
At the time of writing this review, the supplement has a total of 12,533 reviews on Amazon; 86% of which are 5-star reviews and only 3% are 1 star. The product appears to have a loyal following of customers, and only a couple of negative points arise throughout large number of reviews.
Many of the reviewers highlight how they noticed a large increase in strength and muscle gain after a period of consistently consuming the product. Another positive aspect that also continues to crop up in the reviews is that the supplement is very pure Creatine at 99.99% purity which means that when you buy this product, you are not paying for any filler whatsoever and so you are getting more value for your money. It is worth noting that creatine is normally best taken as a pre-workout supplement as it allows your muscles to function at optimal levels during your training session.
It is also worth bearing in mind that whist the majority of customers have a positive experience with this product, a small number of users have had negative experiences. The main complaint that appears to be a recurring theme amongst the 1-star reviews is the side effects. Some people have reported bad head aches and stomach pains after taking the supplement.
Pros
- Good value for money
- Effective at building muscle mass and strength
- 99.99% pure Creatine
- Available in several sized packages
Cons
- Some report head aches and stomach pains after taking the product
- No serving scoop provided
In summary, this product is of very high quality, good value for money and it will be effective for most people looking for more strength and muscle mass. However, you may be one of the few that reacts in a negative way physiologically to the product. Therefore, it may be wise to only order the smallest package (3.52 Ounce/100g) to begin with, and then order a larger pack once you know if your body reacts well to it.
100% Gold Standard Whey Protein by Optimum Nutrition
Review
Protein is an essential amino acid responsible for building and repairing muscle tissue in the body. Because of this fact, whey protein supplements are firm favourites amongst men and women looking to build more muscle mass and strength. However, not all protein supplements are made equal. It is important that you choose a quality product to use as part of your regime if you want to see and feel notable results as soon as possible.
Our top pick when it comes to protein supplements, is the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard When Protein powder. Each serving contains a substantial 24g of protein, 4g of glutamine (a building block of protein) and 5.5g of BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids). Each one of these ingredients help the body to build lean muscle, especially after resistance training. The product listing on Amazon has 10,831 reviews at the time of writing, 73% of which are 5-star reviews.
A great aspect of this product is that is it low in sugar and carbs which means that your insulin secretion is kept to a minimum when you drink the shake. This means that to are not as at risk of gaining weight in body fat rather than muscle. In fact, this protein powder contains only 4g carbs, 1-3g sugar, and only 1-1.5g of fat which is fairly low for any muscle building supplement. This product is also gluten free and the Double Rich Chocolate flavour is also free from sucralose. This means that people intolerant to these ingredients are able to use this protein shake without the worry of falling victim to any adverse reactions.
The product is also designed to mix well without clumps and lumps which makes for a more pleasant experience when drinking the shake. The product listing claims that the supplement comes in 20 different flavours. However, after visiting their website and taking a closer look at that product, there appears to be only 14 flavours listed. Furthermore, one of these flavours is ‘unflavoured’ and so really there is 13 different flavours on offer. Still a broad selection to choose from, but I am not sure why Amazon says that there are 20 flavours available. You can see the list of flavours on Optimum Nutrition’s official website below.
The majority of past customers agree that this product is very high quality and tastes great. Many of them comment on how the protein shake tastes just like a normal milkshake when mixed with milk. Also, the sucralose free and low carb/sugar aspect of the product goes down well with the many people who are conscious of sugar and artificial sweeteners and their negative effects on the body. Of course, the increases in strength and muscle mass has also been noted by users of the supplement, which is of course why we take the supplement in the first place.
Every product on the market will receive some negative reviews and this one is no different. At the time of writing, around 8% of the 10,000+ reviews are in fact 1-star reviews. The main complaint that comes up is the taste. Whilst most of Optimum Nutrition’s customers love the taste, some people feel that the company have changed the formula and so the product does not taste the same as it used to. It would appear that the company does still add sucralose to most of their shakes apart from the double chocolate flavour. Some reviewers believe that it is the sucralose that accounts for the overly sweet flavour. However, it is important to remember that this is for 1% of the reviews. What’s more, liking or not liking the taste of something is very subjective and is a matter of opinion. It may be the case that if you do not like an overly sweet flavour in your protein shakes, then you should opt for the Double Rich Chocolate flavour seeing as this particular flavour is completely free from sucralose. I always advise trying any product for yourself and making your own judgement when it comes to something as subjective as flavour and personal taste.
Pros
- Low in sugar and carbs
- Sucralose free in the Double Rich Chocolate flavour
- High protein content per serving (24g)
- BCAAs and Glutamine also included in each serving
- 100% whey blend and Banned substance tested
Cons
- Some people may dislike the taste (especially the shakes with Sucralose in the formula).
- Possibly a watery taste and texture according to some 1-star reviews
This product is certainly of a high quality and it offers the user a way to take a good serving of quality Whey Protein whenever required. There is a large selection of flavours to choose from too.
Due to there being some mixed reviews with regards to the taste of the various flavors, I recommend you purchase the smallest package first to give it a try, then if you like the flavor you can buy the larger tubs in order to make a saving.
Read also: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Gainer Protein Powder Review
Genius Muscle by The Genius Brand
Review
The next product in our top 4 picks is from the Genius brand and is appropriately named Genius Muscle. This supplement is quite different from the usual muscle building products on the market and many of the ingredients you may not have heard of before.
However, the company claims that the active components in the supplement are scientifically proven to help increase workout performance, protein synthesis and muscle gain.
“GENIUS MUSCLE builds muscle by scientifically engineering the optimization of every aspect required for muscle growth with measurable results. Our 100% transparent formula contains superior ingredients with 10+ clinical studies. These ingredients have been shown to work synergistically to promote muscle health, improve lean muscle mass gains and increase muscle function. Through effort in the gym and Genius Muscle, real results can be earned!”
– The Genius Brand –
Following are the main 4 main ingredients and their benefits according to the company;
- PeakO2™ – a proprietary blend of 6 organic Ayurvedic mushrooms harvested in the USA which have been proven in clinical trials to increase duration of workout, strength, muscle performance and time until failure.
- Mediator® – (Phosphatidic Acid – 50%) This ingredient has been shown to double the muscle mass gain, increase the muscular strength and double the fat mass loss in individuals engaged with weight bearing exercise and who are also taking in enough protein.
- MyoeDge™ – A powerful blend of Calcium β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) and vitamin D which has been shown to increase protein synthesis, decrease muscle loss and improve aerobic performance and bone density.
- Vitamin D – Vitamin D is also essential for optimal functioning of muscles and increased bone strength.
A trial conducted at the University of North Carolina recorded a noticeable increase strength and performance after only 7 days of participants taking Peak02™; the main ingredient in the supplement. This adds credibility to the product and helps to verify the claims made by the manufacturers. Also, the high number of 5-star reviews instil confidence in anyone new looking to try the product for the first time.
At the time of writing, the Genius Muscle product has had around 428 reviews, 83% of which are 5-star reviews.
Many customers say they notice a big increase in strength and endurance within the first week. However, it must be noted that most users stack this supplement with protein and creatine for maximum results. For many who use the product in this way, Genius Muscle has surpassed expectations and over-delivered on results.
The common theme amongst the very few customers who didn’t like the supplement was that it simply didn’t work for them. Maybe this was due to what I mentioned earlier with regards to diet, protein and creatine. Muscle Genius most likely requires a solid nutritional foundation to build upon in order for optimal results to be achieved. Not only this, but everyone is genetically different and so some people may just not respond as well a others to this supplement. Some users also experienced upset stomachs after taking Muscle Genius. Side effects are something to be wary of when starting any new supplementation program.
For the majority though, this product can really help increase strength and muscular endurance whilst accelerating the fat burning process.
Pros
- Produced based on clinical trials
- No banned substances
- Many happy customers reporting positive results
- 100% transparent formula. No propitiatory blends!
- Promotes bone health
Cons
- Not the cheapest supplement on the market
- A small number of users report no results and mild side effects after using the product
In summary Genius Muscle is a great product to enhance your muscle-building program. However, this particular supplement does not contain your standard mainstream muscle-building ingredients such as protein or creatine, which really are the foundation of nutritional supplementation for muscle mass and strength. Therefore, I would very much class this as an add-on product. It is advisable that you get your basic nutrition covered first. Get your protein, creatine, and diet on track, then you may decide to consider Genius Muscle as an extra. You’re Secret Weapon if you will!
EVLTEST by Evolution Nutrition
Review
Testosterone is a vital hormone when it comes to building and maintaining muscle mass in both men and women. The hormone is also responsible for several other important functions within the body and so any supplement that claims to be able to help optimise testosterone levels is something worth considering.
We have done the work for you and sorted through the good and the bad in the marketplace. We would like to introduce you to our top pick when it comes to a testosterone enhancing supplements.
Our favourite testosterone product is called EVLTEST by Evolution Nutrition. If used regularly, the company claims EVLTEST can deliver the following benefits;
- Healthy Testosterone Levels
- Lower Estrogen Levels
- Proper Hormone Balance
- Higher Energy Levels
- Increased Stamina Levels
- Improved Libido
- Exercise Recovery
- Better Sleep
In order to achieve this, EVLTEST contains 8 active ingredients including vitamins all designed to increase testosterone levels. The ingredients contained within are;
- D Aspartic Acid
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
- Fenugreek
- DIM (Diindolylmethane)
- Magnesium Aspartate
- Tribulus
- Vitamin B6
All of the ingredients included are very well known to most people and they do have a solid track record when it comes to increasing testosterone. You could in fact buy all of these ingredients separately at any quality health store, however taking them together in one convenient product such as this means you make large savings and you are also assured a certain level of quality as well.
At the time of writing, EVLTEST has 1,299 reviews of which 62% are 5-star reviews. The majority of users agree that the product makes a noticeable difference in a fairly short period of time. Also, many people like the fact that the supplement comes in pill form and they are not too large to swallow either. This makes taking the required dose at any time easy and convent.
After closely surveying the reviews, it would appear that not only fitness enthusiasts have found EVLTEST effective, but also people with medical conditions resulting in low testosterone levels. I must make it clear here that this product is not intended to prevent or cure any medical ailment, nor does the product claim to. You must see your doctor with regards to any medical ailment.
However, it is safe to say that a broad range of consumers with low testosterone have seen positive results after a period taking the supplement. This most likely has something to do with the fact that as mentioned earlier, all the ingredients in EVLTEST are scientifically proven to be essential, or at least largely beneficial to the body when it comes to producing testosterone.
Some of the more negative experiences mentioned by past consumers stated that they got bad head aches. However, it has been noted that taking EVLTEST can actually dehydrate the body and so it may be the case that these negative side effects could be reduced or even avoided all together if you drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol whilst using the supplement.
Pros
- Easy to swallow pills for convenience
- Active ingredients proven to optimise testosterone levels
- Good for general health, not just fitness enthusiasts
Cons
- Some people may suffer from headaches
- Can cause dehydration if you do not drink enough water
Summary
EVLTEST is a quality product containing vital ingredients required for testosterone production in both men and women. When it comes to building muscle mass, testosterone is essential and so some form of supplementation to aid the process can be a good idea.
Final Verdict
All the supplements that made it into this review are of a high quality and have a loyal following of customers. This is why each of these products made out list of top 4 supplements for getting ripped and building muscle whilst burning as much fat as possible.
Each supplement has its own advantages and disadvantages and serves its own purpose when it comes to building muscle mass. Therefore, it will most likely depend on each individuals own goals as to which product(s) they decide to go for.
For example, one person may find that their diet is on point with regards to protein, and they don’t feel that they need to supplement with a protein-based product. However, the same person may feel that they still struggle to push themselves to the max in the gym, or they may feel like they are lacking in energy in general. Therefore, it may be that the Bulk Supplements creatine or EVLTEST testosterone booster that is a better option.
Finally, The Genius Muscle supplement is something rather different from what we are used to seeing here at TheMuscleExpert.com. The ingredients are rather unique, and most people will not be aware of them when it comes to muscle building and fat loss enhancing products. We would say that this supplement is more of a bonus if you can afford it, but not essential. Yes, it is a very highly rated product on Amazon, however, we get the impression that this product would only really be worth taking if stacked with protein and creatine and maybe even a testosterone booster like the one reviewed earlier. As you can see, the cost soon begins to add up.
For most people, a quality Whey Protein, or Testosterone booster will probably be the best option. Especially considering that as we age, our testosterone naturally begins to decline, and muscle mass can begin to decrease as well.
So there you have it. Our top 4 picks of the best supplements to build muscle, lose fat, get ripped, and generally get in the best shape of your life!