For many athletes, one supplement isn’t enough to help them meet their fitness goals. If this is true for you, finding the best supplement stack for your needs can help save you time and money. What’s a stack? Several products purchased as a group, often with complementary properties or purposes. For example, a basic stack may include some of the best supplements for muscle growth, a pre-workout, and a post-workout, while a more comprehensive stack may throw fish oil, vitamins, and fat burners into the mix.
We appreciate convenience, so many on the BarBend team have been stacking for years. But since assembling the right stack for you can be a workout in itself, our team of certified personal trainers and nutrition coaches have curated a list of some of our favorite stacks sold pre-assembled. From stacks for bodybuilders to stacks for beginners, here are our picks for the best supplement stacks on the market.
The 6 Best Supplement Stacks of 2024
- Best Supplement Stack for Cutting: Transparent Labs Fat Burning Essentials
- Best Supplement Stack for Muscle Gain: Kaged Elite Training Stack
- Best Supplement Stack for Beginners: Transparent Labs Muscle Building Essentials
- Best Supplement Stack for Bodybuilders: Legion Muscle Growth Stack
- Best Budget Supplement Stack: Kaged Performance Stack
- Best Supplement Stack for Athletes: JYM Muscle Building Stack
Editor’s Note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. They are not substitutes for consulting a qualified medical professional.
How We Tested the Best Supplement Stacks
For years, our team here at BarBend has tried and tested supplements for personal and professional gains. There’s an overwhelming amount of options out there, but building the stack that’s best for you is as simple as figuring out exactly what you need or want.
Our team consists of competitive lifters, certified personal trainers, and athletic academics who understand what most bodies need to perform at their best. We tried, tested, and researched over 400 of the most sought-after supplements on the market to bring you our top six supplement stacks.
Our testers scored the supplements within these stacks on a scale of 1 (not great) to 5 (wow, very nice) in categories such as formulation, taste, solubility, side effects, and third-party testing.
Our team tried and tested each stack, noting how well powders mixed and how tasty (or strange) some flavors proved to be. They then monitored how they felt during and after workouts. Did the products give them energy? A pump? Tingling or other side effects?
Since everybody can react differently to supplements, it’s important to read the labels and do your research on what supplements are suitable for you and your goals. Are you looking for something to put a little pep in your step before you life? Are you looking for some support while you cut? Or maybe you’re looking for the best creatine supplements to give those muscles a boost. Whatever it is, we’re here to give you a headstart on finding the perfect stack.
Best Supplement Stacks Video Review
While we think this article is full of information that is too important to pass up, we also think you should check out our video review from Nick English as a resource to learn more about how stacking works and some top choices we’ve come across.
Best Supplement Stack for Cutting: Transparent Labs Fat Burning Essentials
This stack provides all the essentials you could want from a fat burner stack with a whey protein isolate, a fat burner pre-workout hybrid, a dedicated fat burner, and a creatine with HMB. Transparent Labs made this a one stop shop for all your fat burning essentials.
Specs
- Price: $157 for a month supply
- Stack Includes: Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate, Lean Pre-Workout, Physique Series Recomp, and Creatine HMB
- Key Ingredients: 300mg green tea leaf extract, 250mg ForsLean, 6g citrulline malate, 5g creatine, and 1.5g HMB
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free
Pros
- In addition to protein, creatine, and a pre-workout, this stack comes with Recomp, a fat burner with thermogenic ingredients to help boost metabolism and burn fat.
- Lean Pre-Workout includes its own Fat Burning Complex.
- The 28-gram serving of protein will help you maintain muscle as you cut weight.
Cons
- Those looking for a supplement stack that includes a dedicated BCAA supplement may want to look elsewhere.
- With 300mg of caffeine, this might be the wrong stack for those more sensitive to stimulants.
While the basic principle behind losing weight is simple (consume fewer calories than you burn), nailing down every aspect of your nutrition while cutting weight can easily become complicated and confusing. If you’re looking for the best supplements for weight loss, the Transparent Labs’ Fat Burning Essentials is a one-stop purchase that can help your cut. You get your basic protein, creatine, and pre-workout with this bundle.
You’ll also get the inclusion of Recomp’s green tea leaf extract for energy and forskohlii, which one 2005 study showed may aid with weight loss. (1) It’s worth noting, however, that a different study from the same year found it to have no impact on weight loss, but that it could help mitigate weight gain. (2) At the time of writing, Transparent Lab’s website still has Fat Burner listed as part of this stack. However, the company informed us that Recomp has the same formulation as Fat Burner, just with a different name.
Transparent Labs is known for their transparency of ingredients and testing, and all of these products scored between a 3 and a 5 in our third party testing category. A certificate of analysis for each product can be found on their website using the lot number printed on the bottom of each product. We also doled out 4s and 5s for the taste of each of these products and rated Transparent Labs’ customer service a perfect 5.
There’s a lot to go through within a stack, so let’s break it down starting with Recomp. The idea of thermogenic stimulants in fat burners is that they can help boost your metabolism, and these pills include such stimulants in the form of 300 milligrams of green tea extract, 125 milligrams of caffeine, 50 milligrams of cayenne pepper, and 250 milligrams of ForsLean, which contains 10% forskohlii. Studies on thermogenic fat burners suggest that green tea, cayenne pepper, and forskohlii may aid in weight loss with an increase in fat metabolism. (3)
Lean is a hybrid fat burner and pre-workout with ingredients like citrulline, beta-alanine, and betaine, which can help promote recovery, improved athletic performance, and improved muscular strength and endurance. (4)(5)(6) Its “Fat Burning Complex” includes acetyl-L-carnitine, which has been shown to have an effect on reducing body weight, BMI, and fat mass. (7) Our tester, a certified personal trainer and PN level 1 nutrition coach, rated its flavor a 5 out of 5. “It’s not too sweet, but there is a little bitterness to it.” they said. “But, after mixing it, there were some small floating powder clusters.” Solubility scored a 4 out of 5.
The whey protein isolate balances its 28-gram dose of protein with 1 gram of fat, 3 grams of carbs, and 120 calories per serving — an ideal balance for weight loss. Creatine HMB provides 5 grams of creatine monohydrate and 1.5 grams of HMB. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietician, had this to say when assessing the product for BarBend. “I like that this formula contains 5 milligrams of black pepper extract to help increase bioavailability. I’m all about maximizing the bang for your buck!” (8)
But you’ll want the most bang for your buck when you’re shelling out $157 for this stack. Transparent Labs stacks are around $30 to $70 more than our most budget-friendly options.
Best Supplement Stack for Muscle Gain: Kaged Elite Training Stack
The Kaged Elite Training Stack comes with Kaged Pre-Workout Elite, Hydration Elite, Protein Isolate Elite, and Creatine Monohydrate Elite — all the supplements you need to start building muscle in the gym.
Specs
- Price: $147
- Stack Includes: Kaged Creatine Monohydrate Elite, Kaged Hydration Elite, Kaged Pre-Workout Elite, Kaged Protein Isolate Elite
- Key Ingredients: 10g citrulline, 3.2g beta-alanine, 170mg potassium, 5g creatine
- Dietary Notes: 388mg of caffeine in the pre-workout
Pros
- This stack has a focus on muscle growth with its included protein and creatine.
- You can pick and choose different flavor options for each of the products in this stack.
- People who like to add some cardio to their workout will enjoy the hydration mix here.
Cons
- Since a cup of coffee packs around 90 milligrams of caffeine, the 388 milligrams in the pre-workout might be too much for some athletes.
- The protein powder in this stack doesn’t mix as well as others we tried.
Since muscle is actually built outside of the gym, having a supplement stack that facilitates hypertrophy long after you finish your final set is crucial. In addition to pre-workout and protein powders, the Kaged Elite Training stack includes electrolytes for hydration and creatine for improved strength and muscle mass. What’s all included? Kaged Creatine Monohydrate Elite, Kaged Hydration Elite, Kaged Pre-Workout Elite, and Kaged Protein Isolate Elite.
This stack supports you before, during, and after workouts. When you need a dose of energy to push through your lifts, Kaged Pre-Workout delivers 388 milligrams of caffeine. The first pre-workout I ever took had an unimpressive 92 milligrams of caffeine in a serving, about a quarter the amount of caffeine in Kaged Pre-Workout Elite, and I nearly had a panic attack in the middle of the gym. As such, users sensitive to caffeine may want to avoid this stack. Our tester, a certified USA Weightlifting Level 1 coach noted, “I felt over-caffeinated, so I’m just going to stick to a half scoop in the future.” Taste and solubility scored a 5 out of 5.
The inclusion of 10,000 milligrams of citrulline works to increase blood flow, benefiting your endurance capabilities and post-workout soreness. (9) Beta-alanine comes at a dosage of 3,200 milligrams and has been proven to aid in anaerobic high intensity training. (10) One tester said, “This stuff made my lips itchy!” That’s a common occurrence with beta-alanine at this dosage, but it’s worth noting for those trying to avoid any side effects. “This formula is nuts and definitely not made for most individuals,” they said.
Studies have shown that being dehydrated decreases strength, power, and endurance in athletes, which is the last thing you want when trying to gain muscle. (11) Hydration Elite has you covered with electrolytes that help maintain the levels of fluid in our cells, sodium to replace what’s lost in sweat, and taurine to aid in blood pressure regulation and improve cardiac fitness. (12) And Creatine Monohydrate Elite provides 5 grams of creatine, helping to increase muscle performance during short bursts of high-intensity work. (13)
[Related: How Much Water Do You Actually Need While Training?]
Once your workout is done, you can refuel with Kaged Whey Protein Isolate, which packs 25 grams of protein that can aid with muscle growth and recovery. You get 25 grams of protein per serving with minimal additional macros and only 130 calories. Our tester gave flavor a 5 out of 5, saying, “It’s one of the best protein flavors I’ve tried.” However, they didn’t love how it mixed, scoring solubility a 3.5 out of 5.
Best Supplement Stack for Beginners: Transparent Labs Muscle Building Essentials
This stack contains Transparent Labs Preseries Bulk, Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate, Transparent Labs Strengthseries Creapure HMB, and Transparent Labs Coreseries Krill Oil.
Specs
- Price: $157
- Stack Includes: Bulk Pre-Workout, Whey Protein Isolate, Creatine HMB, Growth
- Key Ingredients: 28g whey protein, 5g creatine, 8g citrulline malate, 750mg phosphatidic acid
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free
Pros
- This is a helpful stack for beginners in need of a strength-focused supplement routine.
- The Whey Protein Isolate has an above-average dose of 28 grams of protein, which can help you reach your goal intake faster.
- This stack is fully customizable with a ton of delicious flavor options to suit many flavor preferences.
Cons
- We wish this stack included a multivitamin instead of a phosphatidic acid supplement.
- There are 3 pills to swallow, which might be annoying for some athletes.
One of the perks of being new to the iron game — besides incredibly rapid gains in strength and size — is that, much like the training itself, nutrition and supplement needs are fairly basic. Many beginners don’t need more than a good protein powder to progress in the gym. That being said, there’s no harm in having the best protein powder or going the extra mile with your supplementation. Transparent Labs’ Muscle Building Essentials is a great place to start with Pre-Workout, Whey Protein Isolate, Creatine HMB, and Growth.
Our testers gave taste and solubility nearly a perfect score for all products included, except for Creatine HMB which scored a 4 out of 5 for taste and 3.5 out of 5 for solubility. Transparent Labs is known for their transparency of ingredients and testing, and this stack scored between a 3 and a 5 in our third-party testing category, with a certificate of analysis available for each product.
However, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietician, noted Bulk’s proprietary blends when assessing the product for BarBend, “Bulk contains a list of rockstar ingredients, but some are proprietary blends so you don’t know how much of each ingredient you’re getting.” Regardless, this stack scored an overall 4.5 out of 5, higher than any other stack we tried.
If you’re nervous about muscle soreness, this stack offers a pre-workout with citrulline malate that can help combat muscle fatigue and stiffness. (4) Bourgeois had a note about value, “8 grams of citrulline malate per serving is on the upper end of what research has shown beneficial to exercise performance. Same with the 4 grams of beta alanine. Talk about bang for your buck.” There’s only 200 milligrams of caffeine in this pre-workout, which is about 100 milligrams less than the average pre-workout we’ve tried. Flavor scored a 5 out of 5.
Creatine is touted for its ability to increase performance for short durations of maximal-intensity resistance work. (19) For beginners new to creatine, there are various options for how to start with what’s called a creatine loading phase: either 20 grams a day in your first week or around 3 to 5 milligrams everyday over the course of two to four weeks. (20) With both options, you would continue your maintenance dosage after that. This creatine supplement has a 4.5 rating overall, the third-highest score we’ve given among the 40 other creatine products we’ve tested.
This stack also includes whey protein isolate powder to help your muscles rebuild and recover after workouts. It contains a high 28 grams per scoop, higher than the average 20 to 25 grams you’re likely to see in many other protein powders.
This stack is not only designed to give you the best head start in your fitness journey, but it also comes with a multitude of flavor options to choose from for the pre-workout, protein, and creatine, making it customizable to your preferences.
“With this one you get the basics you’ll see in other stacks,” our tester, a certified nutrition coach, noted. “It’s also got the Growth supplement, a phosphatidic acid, which has some studies focused on its ability to aid in increasing strength and lean muscle mass. However, it really hasn’t been studied enough.” At $157, Transparent Labs offers the most expensive stacks when compared to the average cost of around $140.
Read our full reviews of Transparent Labs Bulk, Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate, and Transparent Labs Creatine HMB.
Best Supplement Stack for Bodybuilders: Legion Muscle Growth Stack
This stack with Legion brings together the Pulse Pre-Workout to get you ready, protein powder to build muscle, and Recharge Post-Workout to help you recover
Specs
- Price: $129.99
- Stack Includes: Pulse Pre-Workout, Whey+ Protein Powder, Recharge Post-Workout
- Key Ingredients: 22-25g protein, 0-350mg caffeine, 5g creatine, 3.6g beta-alanine, 2.1g l-carnitine
- Dietary Notes: No added sugars
Pros
- This stack comes with 10 science-backed ingredients, like 5.6g BCAAs and 2.6g betaine, to help you gain size and muscle.
- You can customize your stack’s protein type and caffeine content.
- The Post-Recharge contains 10.5 milligrams of corosolic acid, which can aid with recovery. (24)
Cons
- It has lots of flavors, but some leave a bitter aftertaste.
- There are fewer flavor options if you opt for a protein powder that isn’t whey or a pre-workout without caffeine.
If you’re focused on bodybuilding — whether recreationally, or in pursuit of your first Pro Card or sponsorship — you may have different goals in mind than the average gym rat trying to add a few inches to their arms. Legion Muscle Growth Stack supports your physique aspirations with Pulse Pre-Workout, Whey+ Protein Powder, and Recharge Post-Workout. Together, these products can help you work out harder and recover faster for big results.
Legion’s supplements are tested by Labdoor for potency and purity, resulting in a 5 out of 5 score across the board for third-party testing. Legion also highlights 83 peer-reviewed studies that support their ingredients and doses, so that you can take some of the best supplements for bodybuilding without any fluff or filler. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietician, was impressed when assessing the product for BarBend. “It’s rare to come across all-natural ingredients backed by stacks of clinical research. What’s advertised is what you get… There’s total transparency in the formulas.”
Our favorite aspect of this stack is the ability to customize your order. You can choose between whey, casein, and plant-based protein powders, and either a caffeinated pre-workout or a stim-free option. “The Blue Raspberry Pre-Workout had a weird aftertaste,” our tester, a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer, noted. “But at least it mixed well.” For solubility they gave a 5 out of 5.
We’re big fans of Legion’s Whey+ Protein Powder, which pairs 5.2 grams of BCAAs with 22 to 25 grams of protein, depending on the type of protein you choose. We rated its overall formulation a 5 out of 5. We do, however, wish it had a stronger taste. “I had the Cinnamon Cereal and there was only a hint of flavor,” said our tester, a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer.
Perfect for strenuous days in the gym, the 3.6 grams of beta-alanine and 2.5 grams of betaine in the pre-workout can help boost performance and increase muscle endurance. (21) And with competition dates looming, preparation is key — Recharge Post-Workout packs a healthy dose of l-carnitine that works to provide fast muscle recovery. (22)
Recharge also comes with 10.5 milligrams of corosolic acid, which studies have shown can help decrease blood sugar levels and promote absorption of carbs and protein post-workout. (23)(24) It’s also got 5 grams of micronized creatine to boost strength gains while reducing soreness. (13)
Best Budget Supplement Stack: Kaged Performance Stack
The Kaged Performance Stack brings together Pre-Kaged Sport to kick things off, protein powder to build muscle, and Hydra-Charge to keep you hydrated.
Specs
- Price: $91.98
- Stack Includes: Pre-Kaged Sport, Hydra-Charge, Whey Protein Isolate
- Key Ingredients: 2g magnesium, 5g sodium, 3.5g citrulline, 1.6g beta-alanine
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-free
Pros
- This budget-friendly stack costs $91.98, making it up to $70 cheaper than many other stacks.
- The Hydra-Blend includes an antioxidant blend with whole food concentrates.
- Kaged uses third-party quality assurance testing.
Cons
- As with most pre-workouts, there’s a high amount of caffeine (274 milligrams) which is good for some, but not good for anyone sensitive to stimulants.
- Artificial sweeteners are listed as one of the protein powder’s ingredients.
- There’s no creatine in this stack.
You don’t need to rack up the bill to have an efficient and effective supplement stack. Kaged Performance Stack brings you the best budget-friendly energy, hydration, and protein to help you ace your workout and recover. At $91.98, this stack is around $40 to $70 cheaper than the average for stacks we’ve come across. We’re big fans of the products in this stack — across the board, the pre-workout, hydration, and protein powder scored a 5 out of 5 for flavor and third-party testing.
Pre-Kaged Sport kicks things off with 274 milligrams of caffeine, so you can skip your visit to Starbucks and pocket the cost of that latte, but lower than the 300 to 388 milligrams we’ve seen in other pre-workouts. It’s also got 1.6 grams of beta-alanine and 3.5 grams of citrulline that may help improve exercise capacity and recovery. Solubility scored a 4 out of 5 with our tester because it didn’t totally dissolve, but taste scored a 5. “It’s sweet but not too sweet. But it did leave this odd feeling in my mouth each time I took a sip,” our tester said.
We are disappointed, however, that this stack doesn’t include any creatine. Since it supports increased performance for short durations of high-intensity resistance training, you may want to think about folding in one of the best creatine supplements we’ve tried if you choose this stack.
For hydration, Hydra-Blend brings you your money’s worth. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietician, noted her appreciation of the formula when assessing this product for BarBend. “Powerful electrolytes – Sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphorus – all in moderate amounts,” she said. “I also love that it contains an antioxidant blend, made with various whole food concentrates, and minimal sugar.”
Lastly, the Whey Protein Isolate delivers a macro-friendly balance of 25 grams of protein with 120 calories, 2-4 grams of carbs, and 0-0.5 grams of fat per serving to help you build and maintain muscle. “After testing the chocolate flavor, I reordered, which I never do,” our tester said. “I’ve never tried a better tasting protein powder!”
Best Supplement Stack for Athletes: JYM Muscle Building Stack
JYM brings together a High-Performance Pre-Workout, protein powder, BCAAs+ Recovery Matrix, and Fish Oil to round out this stack.
Specs
- Price: $153
- Stack Includes: Pre JYM High-Performance Pre-Workout, Omega JYM Fish Oil, Pro JYM Protein Powder, and Post JYM BCAAs+ Recovery Matrix Post-workout
- Key Ingredients: 6g citrulline malate, 12g BCAAs in the 3:1:1 and 2:1:1 ratio, 4g creatine HCI, 3g glutamine, 4g beta-alanine, 5g beet root extract
- Dietary Notes: 300mg of caffeine
Pros
- With pre- and post-workout focus, this stack is great for athletes who need to compete and then recover quickly.
- The pre-workout includes beet root extract, which we love for its cardiorespiratory benefits.
- You’ll get 6 grams of BCAAs in both the pre-workout and post-workout.
Cons
- There’s no option to subscribe for easy monthly delivery.
- The serving sizes aren’t uniform across the stack, so you may run out of one supplement before the others.
With the assortment of options out there, there are many things to consider when building supplement stacks. If you’re an athlete, having products that prepare your body for competition, then aid your body in recovery, should be your focus.The JYM Muscle Building Stack puts competitors center stage, with a High Performance Pre-Workout to start your engines, omega-3s for muscle building, 24 grams of protein for muscle maintenance and repair, and a recovery cocktail to help you get back to work faster.
Taste, solubility and profile all scored high for each product across this stack, with a score of 4.2 out of 5 for the entire bundle. “These supplements are all really good quality,” another tester, a USA Weightlifting Level 1 certified coach, said.
The pre-workout is packed with 14 active ingredients. 6 grams of citrulline malate, and 5 grams of beet root extract work as nitric oxide enhancers, improving high-intensity athletic performance. (14)(15) I struggle with thyroid disease, (the same diagnosis as USA Weightlifter Alyssa Ritchey’s Hashimotos Disease) and my heart rate often becomes too elevated for me to lift heavy or play beach volleyball. But when I supplement with beet root extract, I find that my heart rate lowers enough so I can compete. However, the research on how beetroot affects thyroid function is mixed, so be sure to check with your doctor if you’re in a similar position.
With 6 grams of 2:1:1 BCAAs for muscle soreness, 2 grams of creatine HCI to supercharge your muscles, and 300 milligrams of caffeine, one of our testers was sold. “It kept me energized and the pump I felt really boosted my ego,” they said.
Overall, our testing team is obsessed with this pre-workout. “We’ve tried countless pre-workouts over the last decade, and this is the one everyone always goes back to,” our tester said. Our team rated this pre-workout a 4.5 out of 5 for taste.
Pro JYM Protein Powder delivers 24 grams of protein in the form of whey protein isolate, micellar casein, and milk protein isolate, which your body absorbs at varying speeds. Fast-digesting protein is perfect for athletes looking to build lean tissue immediately following a workout, and slow-digesting protein remains in your bloodstream longer, allowing you to continue rebuilding your muscles long after you’ve downed your drink. (16)(17) “It’s probably not the best tasting protein powder you’ll ever try,” said our tester. “But it wasn’t bad.”
With the addition of JYM Omega Fish Oil and BCAAs + Recovery Matrix Post-Workout to this stack, you’re giving your muscles tools to recover and rebuild so you can return to training ASAP. Fish oil can help with inflammation and the eight ingredients in the Recovery Matrix work to repair muscle and ease soreness. (18) The 6 grams of 3:1:1 BCAAs benefit muscle protein synthesis, while 3 grams of glutamine and 2 grams of creatine HCI will have you ready to bounce back after your workout.
It’s worth noting that serving sizes aren’t uniform across the stack, so you may run out of one supp before the others. We also wish there was an option to subscribe for monthly delivery. Still, it’s hard to overlook the quality of the ingredients here. “It’s a good combination of fish oil, creatine, beta-alanine, and glutamine. So if you’re an active person, these pre- and post-workout benefits might be what you want,” our tester said.
Benefits of Supplement Stacks
A supplement stack is a convenient, cost-effective, and goal-oriented way to help achieve your gains in the gym. Whether you’re looking to build size, promote healthy digestion, or curious how to lose fat and gain muscle, there’s a stack out there for you.
Cost Effective
Buying one product at a time is fine if you’re only using one or two supps overall. But once you start using three, four, or even more supplements during the same cycle, it can get very expensive very quickly. When you stack supplements, you’ll not only save yourself time and stress, but also cash, as products are typically sold at a discount when included in a bundle. Furthermore, you’ll avoid multiple shipping costs, as everything will ship together.
Confidence
Navigating the perils of the supplement industry on your own can be intimidating, especially if you’re looking to pick up multiple products at once. Supplement stacks are packaged specifically to quell uncertainty and allow you to get straight to what matters — maximizing your health and performance.
By compiling the right products for you, a well-made stack should provide some peace of mind and allow you to direct your energy toward working hard, eating well, and recovering intelligently.
Goal-Oriented
If you’re not quite sure which supplements are geared specifically toward your gym goals, supplement stacks can help. Since they’re generally marketed toward a specific goal — like building muscle or burning fat — you might find that buying your supps in stacks gives you a wider range of ideas for what your supplement routine might include. And once you have that idea in mind, you don’t have to do the extra work of seeking it out — you can just select the stack that provides the potential benefits you may want to take advantage of.
How We Chose the Best Supplement Stacks
Assessing the merit of a supplement bundle is more difficult than just looking at a single nutrition label. Not only do these products have to deliver on their individual promises, but they also have to be vetted as a collective to ensure they aren’t redundant — or even harmful — when taken together.
Product Synergy
We’ve paid special attention to how the individual components of a stack work, not only on their own, but as part of a bigger nutritional picture. You could be leaving potential gains on the table if you aren’t diligent about every aspect of your diet. So if a company bundles five products together, promising that it is a complete package, but one or more items don’t align with the overall purpose, we didn’t bother suggesting it.
Research-Backed Ingredients
While many companies advertise their products appropriately and back their claims up with data, there are also many who don’t. We want to ensure the products you are buying — including the supplement stacks on this list — are backed by research.
Not every product will work the same for each individual, but studies have shown that supplements have the potential to help with performance if taken properly and incorporated into a healthy diet. Therefore, we have triple-checked that all the products and companies on this list provide the data to back up their claims.
Individual Needs
It can be a drag to purchase a single supplement, only to find out later that it doesn’t do what you wanted it to. That feeling magnifies if you end up purchasing a pricey bundle that falls flat. We sought to ensure that the stacks recommended here are properly tailored to deliver on the promises they make. A stack targeting bodybuilders that doesn’t work overtime to stimulate muscle growth isn’t worth our time — or yours.
The only thing for you to do is make sure our recommendations align with your needs before buying an expensive bundle of supplements. Are you looking for the best supplements for weight loss, supplements to help you support muscle growth, or maybe just a simple no-frills place to start? Remember that achieving your fitness goals requires action and dedication. A stack alone is not a magic pill, but a package of supplements aimed to help you hit your goals.
How Much Do Supplement Stacks Cost?
As supplement stacks contain several supplements in one package, they’re bound to be on the more expensive side. The truth is, though, they cost a lot less when sold together than they would if you bought them as individual products. These stacks range in price from roughly $90 to $160 for a month’s supply.
Best Supplement Stack for Fat Loss | Transparent Labs Fat Burning Essentials | $157.00 |
Best Supplement Stack for Muscle Gain | Kaged Elite Training Stack | $146.37 |
Best Supplement Stack for Beginners | Transparent Labs Muscle Building Essentials | $157.00 |
Best Supplement Stack for Bodybuilders | Legion Muscle Growth Stack | $129.99 |
Best Supplement Budget Supplement Stack | Kaged Performance Stack | $91.98 |
Best Supplement Stack for Athletes | JYM Muscle Building Stack | $152.96 |
On average, you can expect to pay around $140 for a supplement stack, but keep in mind that these prices can vary depending on the number and type of supplements included — whey protein isolate, for example, tends to cost more than creatine or fish oil supplements — and the quality of each supplement. Depending on your needs, a stack may be an optimal choice for saving money and getting a solid supply of supplements in your arsenal to help you crush your goals.
What to Consider Before Buying Supplement Stacks
Supplement stacks are tailored to help you find all the right products you need for your fitness journey in one fell swoop. But before you swipe right on a stack, there are a few factors that deserve some consideration. Below are some examples of what to consider when building supplement stacks.
Manage Your Expectations
When shopping for supplements of any kind, keep in mind that brands are making a targeted effort to pitch you their products first and foremost. For consumers, this can mean having to sift through dubious claims about efficacy or ingredients.
While all the products on this list are scientifically backed, make sure to do your own research and read the ingredients list thoroughly before making a final decision or purchase. And know that not every claim a product makes is going to hold true for every individual — all of our bodies process supplements differently, which means our reactions to certain supplements may vary, regardless of data. The best way to achieve fitness goals is through consistent exercise and healthy food habits.
Assess Your Actual Needs
A supplement stack is a fantastic idea if you’ve got several holes to plug in your nutrition. Rather than buying all five or six of the products in a stack separately, you can snag them all at once. But if you don’t actually need all the products in the group, don’t get suckered into buying a whole stack when you will only end up using one or two from the bundle.
A supplement stack of four products isn’t necessarily four times more effective than a single item. In fact, the opposite can be true. If you’ve figured out how to count macros and are hitting your macros from whole food sources on a regular basis, don’t feel beat up from your training, but wish you had more energy in the gym, you may just need a solid pre-workout rather than a whole new stack of products. The gist: Buy what you need.
Final Word
Picking up a bundle of supplements that work well together can be one of the best ways to streamline and support your nutritional needs. There are supplement stacks catered for many different goals you might have in the gym — bulking up, cutting weight, or training for your sport. You can also find stacks designed to help you improve your overall performance in the gym through a range of energy-boosting supps.
Whatever you’re looking for, a huge advantage of supplement stacks is that all of the products in each bundle are catered to a specific need. You won’t have to bounce between brands and supplement types to find products that will boost each other’s effectiveness in a cycle rather than negatively interfere with each other. Since all of the products are from the same brand, this may also bring peace of mind about consistency and quality — there are no (objectively) bad apples in these bunches.
FAQs
What is the best supplement stack?
One of the best stacks we’ve found is Transparent Labs Fat Burning Essentials. It includes a whey protein isolate, creatine, a pre-workout, and a fat-burning supplement. If getting shredded isn’t your goal, there are plenty of other picks on our list geared towards strength gains, budget buyers, and beginners in the gym.
Do supplements ever cancel each other out?
Not really. It can seem odd at a glance that a stack includes a high-calorie protein powder and a fat burner, but these products target different aspects of function and performance without interfering with one another.
Do I need to take multiple different supplements at once?
If you’re completely certain that your dietary and health needs are laced up save for one area, no. That’s a tall order, though, and most of us could benefit from at least one well-crafted supplement.
Is it safe to consume multiple supplements per day?
Yes. As long as you aren’t chugging back three different pre-workouts at once, the various components of a supplement stack are intentionally chosen to be safely consumed together. In fact, many of them work even better when added to your diet at the same time.
How much do supplement stacks cost?
Supplement stacks may seem more expensive, but when you buy in a stack, you end up saving more money than you would if you bought each supplement individually. This list varies between stacks that cost closer to $90 to those that are closer to $160 in price. On average, you can expect to pay around $140 for a supplement stack. If you’re just starting out, looking to cut or make gains, or just prefer a stack for convenience, this list most likely has a pick to meet your needs.
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