The Best Post-Workout Supplements For Muscle Recovery, Mass Gain, And More

When it comes to your nutrient intake throughout the day, what you ingest right after your workout ranks among the most important nutritional choices you can make. Although overall caloric intake is king when it comes to gaining or losing weight, optimizing your post-workout nutrition could be the key to maximizing your recovery and building much-desired muscle mass.

That said, with so many products available — each promising to help you run faster, grow more, or recover quicker — discerning which one to spend your money on can be daunting. If you’re really trying to put on weight, the right mass gainer or whey protein could be a game changer. If you know you won’t be able to catch a meal right after you leave the gym, a BCAA powder might be perfect for you. We’ve unpacked some of the best post-workout supplements to help you find the missing piece in your nutritional puzzle. 

Best Post-Workout Supplement Picks

• Best Post-Workout Supplement Overall: Transparent Labs POST
• Best Post-Workout Protein Powder: Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Post-Workout for Muscle Recovery: Jacked Factory Build XT
• Best Supplement for During and Post-Workout: Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout
• Best Post-Workout for Carbs: Xwerks Motion
• Best Post-Workout Creatine: Swolverine Kre-Alkalyn
• Best Post-Workout Greens Powder: Athletic Greens AG1 Greens Powder
• Best Post-Workout for Sleep: Swolverine ZMT
• Best Post-Workout EAA: Swolverine INTRA
• Best Post-Workout BCAA: Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder
• Best Post-Workout Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Best Post-Workout Supplements Video Review

Tag along with Nick English as he breaks down everything you need to know about our top supplements for post-workout nutrition. 

Best Post-Workout Supplement Overall

In the world of fitness, much ink has been spilled on the subject of post-workout nutrition and supplementation. Even if you’ve already got the nutrition aspect down, there’s always some room for improvement and optimization. That’s where Transparent Labs comes in with its POST formula. It’s packed with helpful ingredients that may aid in reducing soreness and kick-starting your recovery for the next session.

Transparent Labs POST

This product from Transparent Labs combines six potent, high-quality ingredients in doses that might help your recovery. Coming in at 15g per scoop, this product features a full five-gram serving of l-glutamine, 2500mg of betaine, and 2000mg of beta-alanine. There’s also 2000mg of l-carnitine, which may help reduce recovery time after hard workouts.

The name of the game is quickness with this formula as it’s designed to get you on the road to recovery fast. POST also includes 25mg of AstraGin, which is a patented combination of panax notoginseng and astragalus membranaceus, both of which may help speed up nutrient absorption. You can choose from three flavors — Black Cherry, Orange, and Strawberry Lemonade. 

It will cost you about $1.66 per serving, which is right in the middle of the price spectrum, so if you’re looking for a solid post-workout supplement at a reasonable price, this might be your best bet. 

Who Should Buy Transparent Labs POST

• Athletes who want to replenish tired muscles as fast as possible will like the AstraGin, which may help them absorb nutrients faster and aid digestion.
• Those who want to retain as much muscle as possible after workouts will appreciate the dose of l-glutamine, which can aid in protein synthesis. 
• People on a budget will like the mid-range pricing here. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs POST

• Buyers who are looking for a post-workout supplement that includes carbohydrates. This has other recovery ingredients but no carbs.
• Anyone looking for a post-workout supplement that can provide more of a meal should opt for a protein powder or meal replacement. 
• Athletes who don’t want post-workout tingles may want to look elsewhere since this has 2,000mg of beta-alanine. 

POST comes with a strong dose of l-glutamine, betaine, and beta-alanine, which may help you recover faster after longer workouts. The included 25mg of AstraGin can be a helpful way to get the muscle recovery process going, as it may help you absorb post-workout nutrients faster.

Best Post-Workout Protein Powder

When considering post-workout nutrition, many think of protein powders first and foremost. A good whey or casein supplement might help you bounce back from a heavy day of lifting at the gym. This protein powder from Swolverine has solid protein content without a lot of extras to get in the way of your recovery. 

Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate

Having a high-quality protein powder after crushing a hard workout can potentially help to replenish the nutrients you used up during the workout and kickstart muscle repair. Swolverine’s whey isolate has 26g of protein as well as electrolytes, which can help replenish what you burned during the workout. What’s not included is also important — this protein powder is lean, and only has half a gram of fat and one gram of carbs per serving. This means the 110 calories it provides are nearly all from protein.

Aside from a recovery-friendly macronutrient profile, Swolverine added in 10mg of digestive enzymes, which may help to get the protein to your muscles faster. Digestive enzymes may also help to reduce gastric distress and bloating, which is a welcome benefit after a hard workout. Choose your favorite flavor from Vanilla, Chocolate, Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter, and Mint Chocolate Chip to get your recovery started. This protein is a bit on the pricey side at $2.09 per serving, but we think the high-quality whey isolate and ingredient list makes it worth the money if you can afford it.

Who Should Buy Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate 

• Buyers looking for a protein supplement that isn’t filled with extra carbs or fat — this product only has one gram of carbs and half a gram of fat.
• Anyone who has trouble digesting protein will appreciate the added digestive enzymes. 
• Those who are looking to lose weight or don’t like to drink a lot of their calories. This protein powder is lean and has only 110 calories, most of which come from the whey protein isolate.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate

• Consumers who prefer a calorically dense protein powder — there are only 110 calories per serving here.
• Folks who are looking for a product that’s higher in carbs to supplement what was lost during their workout.
• Anyone on a tight budget may want to look at other, more cost-effective options.

With this protein powder, you’re getting 26g of high-quality whey protein isolate along with 10mg of digestive enzymes to potentially help break that protein down more efficiently. On top of that, this protein powder is quite lean and diet-friendly for those looking for some recovery help without blowing up their caloric intake.

Read our full review of Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate.

Best Post-Workout Supplement for Muscle Recovery

For the majority of gymgoers, bouncing back from grueling workouts is the number one priority when considering a post-workout supplement. Jacked Factory delivers on that front with plant-based ingredients designed to get your muscles back in the game after a tough day at the gym.

Jacked Factory Build XT

Jacked Factory Build XT contains three proprietary blends of plant-based nutrients, all of which can help with muscle growth during recovery, as well as overall health. The first proprietary blend, one gram of PEAK02, is a mushroom extract made of six mushroom strains that contain antioxidants including beta glucans, which may help alleviate exercise-induced fatigue, and l-ergothioneine, which may help manage muscle damage from exercise and boost hypertrophy. 

Ancient peat and apple extract polyphenols in the 150mg of ElevatATP may help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness post-workout, and the 25mg of AstraGin is designed to help aid the absorption of nutrients, potentially helping you rebuild faster after a tough workout. Stimulant-free and a bargain at about $1 per serving, these veggie capsules are worth a second look for athletes who want an all-natural way to recover from their workouts.

Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Build XT

• Lifters or cross-trainers that include a lot of resistance training in their exercise regimen may like this supplement with ingredients that can help reduce inflammation. 
• Anyone who wants an all-natural post-workout supplement will like the plant-based ingredients in Build XT.
• Folks on a budget will appreciate the $1 per serving price here. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Jacked Factory Build XT 

• Athletes looking for stimulants like beta-alanine will want to look elsewhere, since there’s none in this supplement.
• Anyone who wants a recovery supplement with macros, like protein or carbohydrates, will want a different product as there aren’t any to be found in Build XT.
• Those who don’t like taking capsules should avoid this in favor of a powdered post-workout.

Jacked Factory Build XT can help fight both muscle soreness and inflammation. Plus, at $1 per serving, this could be one of the best deals you’ll find for a post-workout supplement.

Best Supplement for During and Post-Workout

If you’re looking for a supplement you can sip both during and after your workout to replenish lost nutrients — like carbs — Huge Supplements has you covered. 

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

For those who would rather keep the nutrients flowing both during and after their gym session, this Intra & Post Workout supplement can help — it has 10,000mg of Cluster Dextrin, which is a carb supplement, a key nutrient we lose when we exercise.

It also has 5,000mg of Organic ModCarb, 3,200mg of beta-alanine, 3,000mg of betaine anhydrous, 150mg of potassium citrate, and 5mg of Bioperine, which can help you absorb all these nutrients. This supplement is a bit pricey at $2.10 per serving due to its high dosages, but it does come in two unique flavors — Candy Apple and Tropical Blast. 

Who Should Buy Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

• Folks who are looking for a high dose of carbs to replenish what is lost during and/or after their workout will like the Cluster Dextrin in this supplement. 
• If you’re worried about absorption, Huge Supplements included 5mg of Bioperine, which can help. 
• Anyone looking to try a unique flavor will like the Candy Apple and Tropical Blast options here. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

• Buyers on a budget will want to opt for a less expensive option on this list. 
• If you’re not looking for a post-workout supplement with a lot of carbs, you can find better options out there. 
• Those who prefer unflavored supplements to add to a stack.

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout is made for the athlete who wants to carb up during and after their workout — plus, the unique flavors stand out from your average “berry” mixes you consistently see across the market. 

Best Post-Workout for Carbs

If you’re hitting the gym hard and putting in the work, but neglecting your post-workout nutrition, you’re likely leaving gains to be had. Carbohydrates are important for post-workout recovery — almost as important as protein. Help replenish the carbs you burn during a tough workout with our pick for the best post-workout for carbs.

Xwerks Motion

Most people will tell you about protein’s importance after a workout, but fewer will mention the crucial role that carbs play in helping you perform during a workout and recover after. That’s where Xwerks Motion comes in. This product also boasts 25g of Cluster Dextrin, which is a patented carbohydrate supplement that digests and breaks down quicker than other versions of carbs. (1) 

The formula includes a solid dose of 3g of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio, which may help kickstart the recovery and muscle-building process. It’s important to note what this doesn’t include, and that’s fat. Xwerks Motion has zero grams of fat to get in the way of digesting the all-important BCAAs and carbs that may help get you on your way to recovering quicker and stronger. Xwerks Motion comes in two flavors — Raspberry Lemonade and Watermelon. Unlike some other supplements on our list, this is lower in price at about $1.50 per serving. 

Who Should Buy Xwerks Motion

• Anyone who wants a large number of carbs for their post-workout shake. This packs 25g of carbs per scoop. 
• Those who are busy and need a convenient way to get post-workout nutrition. If you don’t have the time to cook or eat something, a scoop of this may help get the ball rolling on recovery.
• Athletes who want a solid dose of BCAAs with their post-workout supplement. Motion has 3g of 2:1:1 BCAAs per serving.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Xwerks Motion

• Anyone with financial constraints who only wants to pay for a carbohydrate powder itself. This is about $1.50 per serving, and a carbohydrate powder can be as low as $0.63 per serving, but it won’t have the BCAAs.
• People looking for a lot of flavors to choose from may want to look for another product since this is only available in Raspberry Lemonade and Watermelon.
• Those who are looking for a supplement outside of a BCAA forward ingredient list. 

This post-workout supplement from Xwerks has the ingredients you need to help you recover thanks to the inclusion of high-quality and patented ingredients like Cluster Dextrin, electrolytes, and a 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs. Some people even combine this with a protein powder for a potentially better effect.

Read our full review of Xwerks Motion.

Best Post-Workout Creatine

Creatine is one of the most widely-used supplements on the market due to its long list of scientifically-backed benefits. After protein, creatine may be the most utilized supplement to help promote muscle growth. We love this product for its simple yet effective formula.

Swolverine Kre-Alkalyn

Swolverine delivers a simple, straightforward, and effective creatine product. It’s 3,000mg of creatine phosphate. Creatine phosphate is a pH-corrected form of creatine that may help buffer the side effects of creatine monohydrate (like bloating and cramping) by preventing the degradation of creatine into creatinine in the stomach. This unflavored powder contains no other ingredients and can be taken alone or stacked with your other favorite post-workout supplements to potentially aid in recovery and growth.

It’s easy to scoop into your favorite shaker bottle and take it at any point during the day. At around $1.16 per serving, this creatine is relatively inexpensive while still maintaining a proper dosage that may increase recovery and strength. 

Who Should Buy Swolverine Kre-Alkalyn

• Buyers interested in a creatine supplement that they can take alone or with a stack of their other favorite supplements as this is just straightforward creatine.
• Anyone who likes unflavored supplements will like that this is unflavored and easy to mix with your beverage.
• Folks on a budget will love that they don’t have to compromise integrity for a reasonable price point here.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine Kre-Alkalyn

• Anyone looking for a wider range of ingredients to complement their creatine (such as a protein powder or BCAAs) will have to look elsewhere as this is straight 3,000mg of creatine phosphate. 
• Those who prefer creatine in pill form or a powdered flavor — this formula is unflavored powder.
• Folks who prefer creatine monohydrate will want to look elsewhere. 

This creatine is a straightforward formula with 3g of creatine phosphate and nothing else to get between you and your best potential post-workout recovery and gains.

Best Post-Workout Greens Powder

Most of us were probably forced to eat vegetables at dinner growing up, and at the time, we probably didn’t enjoy it. If you still don’t — but understand that the benefits of including veggies in your diet are functionally endless — picking up a greens powder like Athletic Greens AG1 is an ideal solution. 

Athletic Greens AG1 Greens Powder

Athletic Greens AG1 contains a massive amount of vitamins and minerals sourced from whole foods — 75 to be exact. Just toss one 12g scoop into some water, mix, and you’re ready to go. This product is formulated for both general health and athletic performance. AG1 has everything from probiotics and digestive enzyme/super mushroom complexes to antioxidants and superfoods.

Athletic Greens AG1 is a great post-workout choice since it may help to regulate oxidative stress that can result from intense exercise with its superfood blend, which includes spirulina and broccoli. It’s diet-friendly since it’s vegan, paleo, keto, and contains no lactose, egg, corn, or artificial ingredients. This greens powder from Athletic Greens is naturally sweetened with pineapple and vanilla to give it a light and fresh flavor.

Athletic Greens AG1 is quite expensive, but it’s a top-tier supplement that can replace nine separate products, like a multivitamin, probiotic, and mineral product. One thing to note is that there are a few proprietary blends within this ingredient list, which means not every single ingredient has its exact dose listed which may be unappealing to some. AG1 is designed to help promote gut health, support immunity, boost energy, and improve recovery.

Who Should Buy Athletic Greens AG1 Greens Powder

• Athletes who may be picky eaters or have dietary restrictions, but want to ensure all aspects of their health are bolstered will like this robust greens powder. 
• Anyone following a restrictive or specialized diet that may not include many whole vegetables regularly. This contains 75 whole-food ingredients.
• Those who want to regulate oxidative stress after intense exercise may benefit from this product’s superfoods, like spirulina and broccoli powders. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Athletic Greens AG1 Greens Powder

• Those strictly adhering to a vegetarian or vegan diet who already include a high volume of whole-food greens daily may not need something quite as robust as this greens powder.
• The price is quite hefty for this product at $99 for 30 servings, so if you’re on a tight budget, this may not be the right product for you.
• Those who don’t have an interest in proprietary blends may want to opt for a greens powder that lists each individual ingredient and its exact dose. 

You can easily add this supplement to your morning, noon, or nightly routine. It may be best to ingest this directly after your workout to support the regulation of oxidative stress that can result from intense exercise. 

Read our full review of Athletic Greens AG1.

Best Post-Workout for Sleep

Getting a good night of sleep is an extremely important part of the post-workout recovery process. This product contains six ingredients that may benefit sleep, boost testosterone, and relax your mind.

Swolverine ZMT

If you’re training hard and trying to make changes to your body, sleep is a necessity for recovery — and it is often underutilized. One study that was conducted on sleep and athletic performance suggested that athletes who suffer from sleep deficiency have a higher likelihood of injury (including traumatic sports injury) and chronic illness. (4)

ZMT’s night pills have 14 ingredients that are intended to help you sleep and boost your testosterone. Some of the sleep ingredients include 422mg of magnesium glycinate, 3mg of melatonin, and 500mg of tryptophan (of post-Thanksgiving nap fame). The added 50mg of zinc and 300mg of ashwagandha are just some ingredients included that may help boost testosterone levels. At about $2.16 per serving, this sleep aid is one of the higher-end supplements on this list. We think it’s well worth it for the possibility of a better night of sleep. 

Who Should Buy Swolverine ZMT

• Athletes who want to potentially optimize their sleep with soothing botanicals, tryptophan, and valerian root. 
• Those who like to take their supplements in pill form will like not having to mix this product with water before going to bed. 
• Folks who want a potential testosterone boost will like the zinc and ashwagandha in these pills. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine ZMT

• Those on a budget may want to look for a sleep aid with fewer ingredients, which may make the price less expensive. 
• Folks who don’t like taking pills and would prefer a powder or gummy will have to look elsewhere. 
• Anyone looking for CBD supplements since ZMT has no CBD in it.

This sleep aid has a roster of ingredients, like melatonin, tryptophan, and ashwagandha root extract, that may lead to better sleep, help with insomnia, and boost testosterone.

Best Post-Workout EAA 

Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) are aptly named since they are crucial for tissue repair. Since it can be difficult to ensure you’re checking every box with your regular diet, Swolverine can help fill your EAA gaps.

Swolverine INTRA

Swolverine brings a buffet to the table with its INTRA powder, a vegan product that combines all nine essential amino acids with antioxidant-rich superfood ingredients, including 500mg of pomegranate, 200mg of tart cherry, and 100mg of spirulina. This amino acids and superfood combination can help with tissue repair, nutrient delivery, and post-workout soreness. 

This product is also sugar-free and vegan-friendly, making it an attractive option for just about anyone — plus, the 400mg of pink Himalayan salt and 500mg of coconut water can help with hydration. Each tub contains 30 servings, and you can choose from the Tropical Blast and Cherry Frost flavors. This is right in the middle of the price range at about $1.49 per serving.

Who Should Buy Swolverine INTRA

• Anyone concerned that they may not be getting enough EAAs from their standard diet will like that this product contains all nine. 
• Athletes who want to prevent cramping after workouts will appreciate the addition of pink Himalayan salt and coconut water here. 
• People who don’t want to overspend on a post-workout will like the $1.49 price per serving.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine INTRA

• Consumers who already have a protein supplement that contains all essential amino acids in sufficient quantities.
• Those looking for a post-workout supplement with stimulants like beta-alanine will want to look elsewhere since this one has none.
• Folks looking for an unflavored option will want to check in with another brand that offers one. 

For heavy lifters who are extra concerned with tissue repair, Swolverine INTRA is a great option for ensuring you receive a solid dose of the nine essential amino acids that can assist with the recovery process and decrease soreness.

Best Post-Workout BCAA

While a solid whey powder all but ensures you get most of what you need in terms of post-workout macronutrients, there is definitely a good case to be made for including a BCAA supplement, as well. Not every whey powder available will contain all the amino acids your body requires, but dedicated supplementation from something like Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder can help make sure all your bases are covered. 

Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) can help facilitate muscle protein synthesis both during and after strenuous activity, but aren’t necessarily present in sufficient quantities in certain whole food sources or protein supplements.

Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder packs in ample amounts of leucine, isoleucine, and valine which, collectively, have been shown to increase glucose uptake in muscle tissue (5), as well as promote fat oxidation during fasted exercise. (6) This only comes in a Lemon Lime flavor, so you’ll have to enjoy citrus flavors in order to enjoy this supplement. It’s also affordable at $1.20 per serving.

Who Should Buy Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder

• Anyone concerned with making sure their post-workout protein intake is as comprehensive as possible can benefit from adding this BCAA powder. 
• Vegetarian or vegan practitioners whose protein sources may not contain sufficient amounts of BCAAs.
• Athletes who want to get more out of their fasted training sessions.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder

• Anyone who already takes a supplement with sufficient BCAA content on a daily basis.
• People who regularly eat high-quality fish, poultry, or red meat may not need additional BCAA supplementation.
• Those who don’t like Lemon Lime flavors will have to find a different BCAA supplement. 

While many protein powders do offer a dose of amino acids, Swolverine’s dedicated amino acid supplement hones in on BCAAs to make sure you have all the nourishment you need for post-workout muscle protein synthesis. 

Best Post-Workout Mass Gainer 

Mass gainers are second to none when it comes to convenient calorie consumption. If you’re trying to gain weight fast but find it difficult to eat enough complete meals in a day, a good mass gainer can get you where you need to be nutritionally. While many common mass gainers can try to pack too much into their tubs, this pick does not fall into that category.

Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Transparent Labs Mass Gainer delivers 730 calories, 53 grams of protein, and 109 grams of carbohydrates per serving without excessive sweeteners, dyes, or dairy products. On top of that, its oat and sweet potato powders pack in 6g of fiber for satiety. Overall, this mass gainer is a simple, clean, and effective way to secure some extra calories. 

As a mass gainer, you can expect to pay more per serving than any other supplement on this list. You’ll end up paying around $5.00 per serving, but this can also double as a meal replacement shake based on its intense macronutrient profile. It comes in Sweet Vanilla and Chocolate Glaze Donut flavors, both of which are delicious on their own or in a more complex post-workout protein shake. 

Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

• Trainees looking to pack on pounds of lean muscle or move up a weight class in their sport.
• Anyone who values purity and wants their protein sources to be 100 percent grass-fed.
• Those who want a post-workout supplement that can double as a meal replacement. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

• Those who need a truly mountainous amount of calories in their mass gainer — there are more calorically-dense options out there. 
• Buyers looking for a specific flavor — options for this mass gainer are limited to Sweet Vanilla and Chocolate Glaze Donut.
• Anyone looking to save money will want to stay away from this product as it is more expensive than other choices on this list. 

If you aren’t getting enough calories or nutrients in your diet throughout the day, this mass gainer can help fill the gaps, and boost weight gain more efficiently.

Read our full review of Transparent Labs Mass Gainer.

The Benefits of Post-Workout Supplements 

There are plenty of potential benefits to be reaped from utilizing post-workout supplements. Post-workout supplements are versatile in their makeup, and therefore, they are versatile in their potential benefits. Depending on which supplement you choose to use as a post-workout supplement, you may experience benefits for recovery, muscle growth, strength gains, and performance. 

Recovery

Some of these supplements will be better suited for recovery goals if that is your main reason for wanting to add a post-workout supplement to your lineup. BCAAs can be helpful for synthesizing muscle protein after intense workouts and may even be helpful for fat oxidation if you work out in a fasted state. (6) Sleep is another important part of recovery, so a night supplement may be helpful for experiencing better rest, and in turn, better recovery. Studies have shown that athletes who are sleep deprived are more likely than their counterparts to suffer from injury and illness. (4) 

Muscle Growth and Strength Gains

Protein and creatine are two supplements that may also be helpful for muscle growth. When we engage in resistance training or other athletic endeavors, our muscle fibers break down, and ingesting protein can help build muscle back and add strength and lean tissue mass. (7)

Performance

As carbohydrates are our body’s main source of energy, it makes sense that carbohydrate supplements could be beneficial for increased exercise performance. One study suggested that supplementing with carbohydrates and electrolytes during exercise and with carbs post-exercise can be beneficial for increasing glycogen stores, which may improve performance and reduce fatigue. (8)

How We Chose the Best Post-Workout Supplements

With a seemingly infinite number of products on the market today, how exactly did we arrive at this list of the best post-workout supplements? Here are the three main things we considered before pulling together our favorite buys.

Lifestyle Factors

We’ve taken into account the variety of ways athletes like to approach their nutritional needs. If you’re meticulous about your calorie and macronutrient intake, a zero-calorie option may be ideal.

If you’re always on the go and don’t have the time for a home-cooked meal, grabbing a mass gainer could provide the extra calories your body needs to pack on a few pounds. The selections here are versatile enough that you’re almost guaranteed to find something that suits your particular training goals.

Research

The supplement industry is rife with bad-faith advertising and loose interpretations of data. Since we have no interest in making recommendations that can’t stand on their own merit, we’ve vetted and cross-referenced these products with the literature itself to ensure that none of the companies featured on this list are dishing out hollow promises.

Additives

We made sure to mention when supplements had artificial sweeteners and when they didn’t. Some products also contain extra ingredients like digestive enzymes, fatty acids, and more that can boost post-workout recovery. 

It is a common practice in the supplement industry, however, to load up a product with these extra ingredients as a means of justifying a higher price tag. Since post-workout supplements can be especially prone to this, we’ve gone out of our way to avoid making recommendations that come with too many frilly extras.

What to Consider Before Buying Post-Workout Supplements

When it comes to post-workout fuel, you can pack in a lot of nutrients with just a few products. But before you swipe the card on a bunch of new supplements, take a moment to consider all the factors involved. 

Manage Your Expectations

Perhaps the most important thing to bear in mind while shopping for supplements is that all companies are making a targeted effort to pitch their products to you, the consumer. This sometimes means advertising lofty promises and exaggerated benefits. 

While the claims made by the selections in this article are widely backed by scientific literature, nothing is a cure-all or a magic bullet. Make sure you’re reading the ingredients and doing your own research as well before making a final decision.

Don’t Major in the Minors

It can be easy to get caught up in the flashy spectacle of supplements and lose track of the meat and potatoes of a proper diet. Ensuring your caloric needs are laced up and your rest patterns are properly managed are the major keys to reaping the benefits of your workouts long term. Supplements can help shore up weaknesses or account for limitations, but try to avoid leaning on them too much. 

The Right Tool for the Job

It’s important to be conscious of your individual needs when it comes to nutritional supplementation. If you’re steadily gaining weight from your primary diet, you probably don’t need to add a mass gainer supplement. If you’ve been a devoted practitioner of veganism and still crush it in the gym, you may not need a greens powder. 

It is always wise to take stock of where you stand in terms of managing your wellness and performance before grabbing a new supplement, so you don’t end up spending money where you don’t need to.

How Much Do Post-Workout Supplements Cost?

Post-workout supplements are more versatile than other types of supplements because they can differ not only in their makeup, but also in their purpose. Post-workout supplements can come in the form of creatine, protein powder, carb supplements, and even BCAAs. There are so many options and so much variety among them, it can be hard to nail down an exact price you can expect to pay. This list is pretty dynamic and eclectic, and ranges in price from around $0.83 per serving for creatine to around $5.13 per serving for a mass gainer. 

Best Post-Workout Supplement Overall	Transparent Labs POST	$49.99 $1.66 per serving
Best Post-Workout Protein Powder	Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate	$62.99 $2.09 per serving
Best Post-Workout for Muscle Recovery	Jacked Factory Build XT	$29.99 $1.00 per serving
Best Supplement for During and Post-Workout	Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout	$64.95 $2.10 per serving
Best Post-Workout for Carbs	Xwerks Motion	$49.99 $1.66 per serving
Best Post-Workout Creatine	Swolverine Kre-Alkalyn	$69.99 $2.16 per serving
Best Post-Workout Greens	Athletic Greens AG1 Greens Powder	$99.00 $3.30
Best Post-Workout for Sleep	Swolverine ZMT	$64.99 $1.16 per serving
Best Post-Workout EAA	Swolverine INTRA	$44.99 $1.49 per serving
Best Post-Workout BCAA	Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder	$49.99 $0.83 per serving
Best Post-Workout Mass Gainer	Transparent Labs Mass Gainer	$76.99 $5.13 per serving

This list has an average price of about $2.12 per serving, and of course, these costs vary depending on the quality, ingredient list, options for bulk buying, and whether or not the company discloses each ingredient’s dosage or uses a proprietary blend. Whether you’re looking to optimize protein intake, set yourself up for better recovery, or even get a good night’s rest, this list has a supplement for everyone that’s within almost any budget. We picked a robust list of post-workout supplements to ensure there was plenty of variety to accommodate different goals.

Final Word

While all of these options superbly satisfy their respective niches, it is important to remember that no individual supplement can make up for things like sloppy training, a careless diet, or poor sleep. More isn’t always more when it comes to supplementation, and overstuffing your cabinet can definitely have diminishing returns.

That said, if you know where your interests lie and are in the market for something that properly augments your existing diet while also speeding up the recovery process, you can certainly find the right tool for the job, and may even start bouncing back from your workouts faster than you were before.

FAQs

References

1. Wilburn, D., Machek, S., & Ismaeel, A. (2021). Highly Branched Cyclic Dextrin and its Ergogenic Effects in Athletes: A Brief Review. Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 4(3).
2. Rawson ES, Volek JS. Effects of creatine supplementation and resistance training on muscle strength and weightlifting performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2003 Nov;17(4):822-31. doi: 10.1519/1533-4287(2003)017<0822:eocsar>2.0.co;2. PMID: 14636102.
3. Examine.com. (2022, July 7). Creatine – health benefits, dosage, side effects. Examine.com. Retrieved July 28, 2022, from https://examine.com/supplements/creatine/ 
4. Copenhaver EA, Diamond AB. The Value of Sleep on Athletic Performance, Injury, and Recovery in the Young Athlete. Pediatr Ann. 2017 Mar 1;46(3):e106-e111. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20170221-01. PMID: 28287684.
5. Doi, M., Yamaoka, I., Fukunaga, T., & Nakayama, M. (2003). Isoleucine, a potent plasma glucose-lowering amino acid, stimulates glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 312(4), 1111–1117. 
6. Achten, J., & Jeukendrup, A. E. (2004). Optimizing fat oxidation through exercise and diet. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.), 20(7-8), 716–727.
7. Candow DG, Burke NC, Smith-Palmer T, Burke DG. Effect of whey and soy protein supplementation combined with resistance training in young adults. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006 Jun;16(3):233-44. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.16.3.233. PMID: 16948480.
8. Williams C, Rollo I. Carbohydrate Nutrition and Team Sport Performance. Sports Med. 2015 Nov;45 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S13-22. doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0399-3. PMID: 26553494; PMCID: PMC4672015.