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Dialing in your meal plans can make all the difference when it comes to fitness. This is where supplement “stacks” — several products purchased as a group, often with complementary properties or purposes — come in. For example, a basic stack may include a pre-workout, a protein, and a post-workout, while a more comprehensive stack may throw fish oil, vitamins, and fat burners into the mix, as well.
Stacks are valuable because, just as training properly is a multi-faceted ordeal, crossing every “T” and dotting every “I” when it comes to mastering nutrition takes more than any single product can provide. From stacks for building muscle to stacks for vegans, we’ve broken down the market’s most popular offerings and what they can do for you — here are some of our favorites.
Best Supplement Stacks
Best Supplement Stack for Weight Loss
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. A one-stop purchase that can help your goals run smoothly is especially convenient.
Jacked Factory Fat Loss / Weight Loss Stack
What’s Included: Burn XT Thermogenic Fat Burner, Lean PM Night Time Fat Burner & Sleep Aid, Lean XT Caffeine-Free Weight Loss Supplement, Dry XT Water Weight Loss, Yohimbine Thermogenic Stimulant
If you really want a supplement stack that will cover all your bases for weight loss, the Jacked Factory Fat Loss/Weight Loss Stack is a force to be reckoned with. It comes complete with two different fat burners, a caffeine-free weight loss supplement, a water weight loss supp, and a thermogenic stimulant. The idea of thermogenic stimulants and fat burners is that they can help boost your metabolism. Studies on thermogenic fat burners suggest that green tea can, indeed, increase fat metabolism. (1) The Burn XT Thermogenic Fat Burner, Lean XT Caffeine-Free Weight Loss Supplement, and the Dry XT Water Weight Loss supplements included in this stack all contain green tea extract.
And while studies also associate caffeine with fat loss, it’s significant that the night time fat burner in this stack is also a sleep aid, and that one of the weight loss supplements is caffeine-free. Why? Research suggests that not getting enough quality sleep can sabotage otherwise solid efforts to change your body composition. (2) So a supplement stack that can also help you sleep can be a solid way to push you toward your goals.
None of the supplements here include artificial fillers or dyes, and they all are cGMP-certified — so you can rest assured that you’re getting quality goods. Since the Burn XT Thermogenic Fat Burner comes with a recommended 60-day cycle, you can use that supp to guide how long you use this stack.
Jacked Factory Fat Loss / Weight Loss Stack
Complete with five different supplements all focused on boosting metabolism and burning fat, the Jacked Factory Fat Loss/Weight Loss Stack contains helpful ingredients like green tea extract with no artificial fillers.
Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Fat Loss / Weight Loss Stack
Best Supplement Stack for Building Muscle
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. Many popular stacks do the bare minimum by including a post-workout shake, but we’re interested in products that go the distance.
Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack
What’s Included: Annihilate Natural Plant Anabolic, Enhance Test Booster, Epitech Natural Anabolic, Arachidone Enhanced Muscle Pumps
If you’re laser-focused on building muscle, Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack might just be the muscle-building stack for you. It comes with four different supplements, all focused on supporting muscle growth in different ways. Annihilate contains 100mg of laxogenin per serving — laxogenin is a brassinosteroid, or plant hormone, which research suggests can stimulate anabolic growth in rats. (3)
The Enhance Test Booster contains — among other non-filler, largely plant-based ingredients — 100mcg of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to increase the amount of testosterone in the bloodstreams of cisgender men — which might be something you’re looking for when you want to build muscle. (4) Epitech Natural Anabolic contains 250mg of Epicatechin, which research shows can increase indicators of muscle growth on a molecular level. (5)
Arachidone Enhanced Muscle Pumps rounds out this supplement stack for muscle building with 1,500mg per serving of arachidonic acid. Studies suggest that this acid — when combined with your strength training workouts — can help not only increase muscle growth, but potentially upper body strength and peak power, as well. (6) Each of the supplements included in this stack can be used on an eight-week cycle, with at least a full four week’s break in between.
Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack
Focused on helping you build muscle, Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack includes a wide variety of supplements that are all focused on helping you get bigger — without all the fillers and artificial ingredients.
Who Should Buy Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack
If getting big was as easy as chugging a shake or swallowing a pill, you wouldn’t have to work so hard in the gym. But that doesn’t mean that the right hypertrophy stack can’t potentially speed up your journey a little.
Best Supplement Stack for Bodybuilders
If you’re a dedicated bodybuilder — 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. It should follow that your nutritional needs are equally distinct.
Swolverine Build Stack
What’s Included: Beta-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, Kre-Alkalyn, L-Glutamine, Whey Protein Isolate
A supplement stack for bodybuilders has to be intelligently designed and include the necessary ingredients for both building muscle and keeping you lean, especially with a show around the corner. Luckily, Swolverine Build Stack intends to do just that.
Research suggests that beta-alanine — which is delivered here as the patented, FDA-acknowledged powder CarnoSyn — may help slow the accumulation of lactic acid in your muscles during exercise. (7) The 5,000mg of citrulline malate in that supplement may be able to help your body metabolize nitric oxide, which can possibly help improve your performance in intense activities like cycling. (8)(9)
Instead of creatine monohydrate — a common supplement aimed at boosting the energy you need during intense exercise (10) — the Swolverine Build Stack features kre-alkalyn. This version of creatine is buffered, meaning it contains less acid, which athletes looking to keep down their acid levels may appreciate. The L-glutamine supplement can help keep you active in the gym, as glutamine supplements may be able to support your immune system and gut health. (11)(12)
For good measure, you’ll also get a whey protein isolate supp with this stack to make sure you’re hitting your dietary protein needs while you’re building. With the exception of the Whey Protein Isolate (which has 30 servings per container), each of the four other supplements in this stack contains 100 servings.
Swolverine Build Stack
Complete with whey protein isolate powder and various supplements geared toward potentially enhancing your endurance in the gym, the Swolverine Build Stack is a great choice for both bodybuilders and beginners.
Who Should Buy Swolverine Build Stack
Best Supplement Stack for Vegans
Anyone who still believes that veganism is incompatible with getting big or strong is lying to themselves. You only need to look at some of the truly mind-bending feats of vegan athletes to realize that these stereotypes aren’t true. That said, any restrictive diet does require a little extra attention — this is where a vegan-friendly supplement stack can make a big play.
Transparent Labs Vegan Strength Stack
What’s Included: Bulk Pre-Workout, BCAA Glutamine, Creatine HMB, Organic Vegan Protein Powder
Transparent Labs ensures that their products meet vegan dietary restrictions while still delivering high-quality performance augmentation. Their protein powder is sourced from peas and brown rice, while BCAA Glutamine can potentially help improve strength and recovery rates without relying on any animal products. (13)
The creatine supplement included in this stack not only includes creatine monohydrate, but also beta-hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB). Research has shown that HMB supplementation can help improve muscle mass and function, as well as potentially aid in muscle recovery. (14)
The BULK pre-workout can also deliver more than enough energy without forcing you to make any dietary concessions. It contains 180mg of anhydrous caffeine to boost your energy before your lifting session, while also delivering 6,000mg of citrulline malate, 4,000mg of beta-alanine, 4,000mg of BCAAs, and more. Each container included in this stack contains 30 servings.
Transparent Labs Vegan Strength
Transparent Labs ensures that their Bulk Pre-Workout, BCAA Glutamine, Creatine HMB, and Organic Vegan Protein Powder meet vegan dietary restrictions while still delivering high-quality performance augmentation.
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Vegan Strength Stack
Best Supplement Stack for Beginners
One of the perks of being a neophyte to the iron game — alongside incredibly rapid gains in strength and size — is that, much like the training itself, nutrition and supplement needs are fairly basic. Many novices don’t need more than a good protein powder to progress in the gym. That being said, there’s no harm in going the extra mile with your supplementation.
Swolverine Build Stack
What’s Included: Beta-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, Kre-Alkalyn, L-Glutamine, Whey Protein Isolate
Beginners may not immediately jump to investing in a supplement stack when they start out in the gym. That’s why the Swolverine Build Stack is more about making sure your body can adapt to increased pressure on your muscles rather than just pumping you up. And if you’re nervous about muscle soreness, this stack offers beta-alanine and citrulline malate to help combat overwhelming muscle fatigue and stiffness.
The kre-alkalyn in this stack provides beginners with the creatine you’ve likely heard so much about, and it might be able to help your muscles stay energized during your session. Since strength training takes a toll on your entire body, this stack also helps support your body holistically with L-glutamine to assist with your immune function and gut health.
This stack also includes whey protein isolate powder. Although the protein container only includes 30 servings, each of the other four supplements have 100 servings per container. That way, you won’t have to think about re-upping your entire supply any time soon.
Swolverine Build Stack
Complete with whey protein isolate powder and various supplements geared toward potentially enhancing your endurance in the gym, the Swolverine Build Stack is a great choice for both bodybuilders and beginners.
Who Should Buy Swolverine Build Stack
Best Supplement Stack for Digestion
Supplement stacks aren’t exclusively the province of those who train hard five or six days per week. For anyone who may not be out to win a powerlifting competition, but still wants to augment their standard diet and polish digestion processes, a wellness stack is a prime choice.
Swolverine Digestive Health
What’s Included: Turmeric, Probiotix, L-Glutamine
The selections here won’t create skin-tearing pumps or help you set new PRs directly, but they can keep your engine running smoothly and your body in good overall condition. The Swolverine Digestive Health stack places an emphasis on keeping your gut regulated, which can help keep your gym-going habits more sustainable and consistent.
The turmeric supplement included here contains 750mg of turmeric extract and 5mg of BioPerine, a black pepper extract. Research suggests that turmeric can help improve your recovery via its anti-inflammatory properties, while black pepper can increase the bioavailability of turmeric in your body. (15)(16)
The Probiotix included in this stack contains seven different probiotics, all of which are aimed at improving your gut health. Some of them work to combat “bad” bacteria, while others, like Lactobacillus Casei, work to reduce inflammation. (17) The L-glutamine supplement also aims to support your gut health, while assisting your immune system. (12)(11) The first two supplements in this stack contain 60 servings per container, while the L-glutamine supp container has 100 servings.
Swolverine Digestive Health
Aimed at supporting your overall wellness — particularly your gut health and digestive system — the Swolverine Digestive Health stack takes a comprehensive approach to fitness to keep your whole body healthy for more gym sessions.
Who Should Buy Swolverine Digestive Health
Best Supplement Stack for Women
People of all genders should have access to effective supplements that work for them. That being said, many companies market themselves toward men, promising bulging muscles and mountains of calories to pack on pounds. On the other side of things, there are specific stacks — like this pick — that may be more ideal for some women or people of any gender who aren’t looking to bulk up.
Ideal Fit Workout Bundle
What’s Included: Ideal Lean Protein, Ideal Lean BCAAs, Ideal Lean pre-workout.
Ideal Fit’s Workout Bundle is a convenient selection of products that can work for anybody, but are exceptional for women and people of other genders who may not want to get bigger during their training. Everyone can use a good dose of protein and amino acids to recover from muscle damage accrued during exercise, but not all people want a whey powder that contains well over two hundred calories per serving.
The Ideal Lean Protein packs in the macronutrients required to refuel without loading up on spare sugar. Each protein powder you can get with this stack contains 20 grams of whey protein isolate in a range of 90 to 100 calories per serving, with less than two grams of sugar. But if you’re still hungry for flavor, these come in a range from Fruity Cereal to White Chocolate. You can also get a vegan protein powder (which features 20 grams of pea, watermelon, and pumpkin seed protein) or an unflavored powder in this customizable stack.
With Ideal Lean BCCAs, you’ll get 5 grams of 2:1:1 leucine, isoleucine, and valine per serving, which is generally considered the ideal BCAA ratio to help prevent muscle breakdown. Their IdealLean pre-workout can also provide stable energy for getting a good sweat on in the gym. But with a relatively low caffeine content (150mg per serving), you’ll likely be able to skip the accompanying jitters or crashes commonly associated with more caffeine-intensive supplements.
IdealFit Workout Bundle
IdealFit’s Workout Bundle's uncomplicated selection of products that are exceptional for women include IdealLean Protein, IdealLean BCAAs, and IdealLean pre-workout.
Who Should Buy Ideal Fit Workout Bundle
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 gain muscle, promote healthy digestion, or lose body fat, there’s a stack out there for you.
Convenience
Stacks are largely more time-efficient and convenient than buying each supplement individually. You don’t have to go searching for which stacks you want and need — and you don’t have to do all the leg work of figuring out which brands or specific supps are safe to stack together. When all your supplements are coming together in the same pack, you can be more confident that you can run the same cycle with the supplements included. Plus, you won’t have to ship and organize all of your supps independently of each other — the company you’re buying from will do all that groundwork for you.
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 towards working hard, eating well, and recovering intelligently.
Cost Effective
Buying one product at a time might be alright 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 buy your supplements in bundles like stacks, you’ll be getting the same product for likely a lot less money. Not to mention, you’ll avoid multiple shipping costs, as everything will ship together since you’re buying one overall product.
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 — for example building muscle or losing body 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, 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 won’t bother suggesting it.
Research
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 science. While even science doesn’t guarantee that each product will work exactly the same for every individual, the data does show it has the potential to help with performance if taken properly and incorporated into an already healthy diet. Therefore, we have triple-checked that all the products and companies on this list provide the data to back up their claims and aren’t dishing out promises they can’t keep.
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...
Click here to view the article.
Stacks are valuable because, just as training properly is a multi-faceted ordeal, crossing every “T” and dotting every “I” when it comes to mastering nutrition takes more than any single product can provide. From stacks for building muscle to stacks for vegans, we’ve broken down the market’s most popular offerings and what they can do for you — here are some of our favorites.
Best Supplement Stacks
Best Supplement Stack for Weight Loss
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. A one-stop purchase that can help your goals run smoothly is especially convenient.
Jacked Factory Fat Loss / Weight Loss Stack
What’s Included: Burn XT Thermogenic Fat Burner, Lean PM Night Time Fat Burner & Sleep Aid, Lean XT Caffeine-Free Weight Loss Supplement, Dry XT Water Weight Loss, Yohimbine Thermogenic Stimulant
If you really want a supplement stack that will cover all your bases for weight loss, the Jacked Factory Fat Loss/Weight Loss Stack is a force to be reckoned with. It comes complete with two different fat burners, a caffeine-free weight loss supplement, a water weight loss supp, and a thermogenic stimulant. The idea of thermogenic stimulants and fat burners is that they can help boost your metabolism. Studies on thermogenic fat burners suggest that green tea can, indeed, increase fat metabolism. (1) The Burn XT Thermogenic Fat Burner, Lean XT Caffeine-Free Weight Loss Supplement, and the Dry XT Water Weight Loss supplements included in this stack all contain green tea extract.
And while studies also associate caffeine with fat loss, it’s significant that the night time fat burner in this stack is also a sleep aid, and that one of the weight loss supplements is caffeine-free. Why? Research suggests that not getting enough quality sleep can sabotage otherwise solid efforts to change your body composition. (2) So a supplement stack that can also help you sleep can be a solid way to push you toward your goals.
None of the supplements here include artificial fillers or dyes, and they all are cGMP-certified — so you can rest assured that you’re getting quality goods. Since the Burn XT Thermogenic Fat Burner comes with a recommended 60-day cycle, you can use that supp to guide how long you use this stack.
Jacked Factory Fat Loss / Weight Loss Stack
Complete with five different supplements all focused on boosting metabolism and burning fat, the Jacked Factory Fat Loss/Weight Loss Stack contains helpful ingredients like green tea extract with no artificial fillers.
Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Fat Loss / Weight Loss Stack
- People who want a supplement stack directly focused on helping you burn fat will like the amount of fat burners included in this stack.
- Lifters who want to ensure high quality products will appreciate that all the supps in this stack are cGMP-certified.
- If you want to make sure you’re sleeping well during your weight loss journey, these supps are designed to help promote rest.
- Athletes who are looking for a supplement stack that includes protein or pre- and post-workouts may want to look elsewhere.
- Anyone who wants a supplement stack to do more of the nutritional legwork overall may want to choose a more diverse stack.
Best Supplement Stack for Building Muscle
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. Many popular stacks do the bare minimum by including a post-workout shake, but we’re interested in products that go the distance.
Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack
What’s Included: Annihilate Natural Plant Anabolic, Enhance Test Booster, Epitech Natural Anabolic, Arachidone Enhanced Muscle Pumps
If you’re laser-focused on building muscle, Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack might just be the muscle-building stack for you. It comes with four different supplements, all focused on supporting muscle growth in different ways. Annihilate contains 100mg of laxogenin per serving — laxogenin is a brassinosteroid, or plant hormone, which research suggests can stimulate anabolic growth in rats. (3)
The Enhance Test Booster contains — among other non-filler, largely plant-based ingredients — 100mcg of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to increase the amount of testosterone in the bloodstreams of cisgender men — which might be something you’re looking for when you want to build muscle. (4) Epitech Natural Anabolic contains 250mg of Epicatechin, which research shows can increase indicators of muscle growth on a molecular level. (5)
Arachidone Enhanced Muscle Pumps rounds out this supplement stack for muscle building with 1,500mg per serving of arachidonic acid. Studies suggest that this acid — when combined with your strength training workouts — can help not only increase muscle growth, but potentially upper body strength and peak power, as well. (6) Each of the supplements included in this stack can be used on an eight-week cycle, with at least a full four week’s break in between.
Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack
Focused on helping you build muscle, Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack includes a wide variety of supplements that are all focused on helping you get bigger — without all the fillers and artificial ingredients.
Who Should Buy Huge Supplements Huge Mass Stack
- Lifters in a “bulking” phase who want to make the most of their work in the gym will appreciate this stack’s focus on growth.
- If you’re looking to diversify the ways that you’re targeting your supplements toward muscle growth, these supps aren’t just adding more protein to your day.
- The supplements found in this stack are GMP-certified and manufactured in a facility that’s registered with the FDA.
If getting big was as easy as chugging a shake or swallowing a pill, you wouldn’t have to work so hard in the gym. But that doesn’t mean that the right hypertrophy stack can’t potentially speed up your journey a little.
Best Supplement Stack for Bodybuilders
If you’re a dedicated bodybuilder — 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. It should follow that your nutritional needs are equally distinct.
Swolverine Build Stack
What’s Included: Beta-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, Kre-Alkalyn, L-Glutamine, Whey Protein Isolate
A supplement stack for bodybuilders has to be intelligently designed and include the necessary ingredients for both building muscle and keeping you lean, especially with a show around the corner. Luckily, Swolverine Build Stack intends to do just that.
Research suggests that beta-alanine — which is delivered here as the patented, FDA-acknowledged powder CarnoSyn — may help slow the accumulation of lactic acid in your muscles during exercise. (7) The 5,000mg of citrulline malate in that supplement may be able to help your body metabolize nitric oxide, which can possibly help improve your performance in intense activities like cycling. (8)(9)
Instead of creatine monohydrate — a common supplement aimed at boosting the energy you need during intense exercise (10) — the Swolverine Build Stack features kre-alkalyn. This version of creatine is buffered, meaning it contains less acid, which athletes looking to keep down their acid levels may appreciate. The L-glutamine supplement can help keep you active in the gym, as glutamine supplements may be able to support your immune system and gut health. (11)(12)
For good measure, you’ll also get a whey protein isolate supp with this stack to make sure you’re hitting your dietary protein needs while you’re building. With the exception of the Whey Protein Isolate (which has 30 servings per container), each of the four other supplements in this stack contains 100 servings.
Swolverine Build Stack
Complete with whey protein isolate powder and various supplements geared toward potentially enhancing your endurance in the gym, the Swolverine Build Stack is a great choice for both bodybuilders and beginners.
Who Should Buy Swolverine Build Stack
- Athletes working towards their first show or stage appearance who want to look their best on the day will appreciate the emphasis on improving performance in this stack.
- If you’re looking for supps that can potentially help enhance your daily performance without pre-workout jitters, this stack might be a good choice.
- Anyone in the market for a stack that targets a lot of nutritional optimization at once will be happy that this stack also includes a protein powder.
- Athletes who are looking for specific pre- and post-workout supplements will need to look elsewhere.
- If you’re on a tighter budget, you might want to consider a cheaper stack, as this one runs well north of $200.
Best Supplement Stack for Vegans
Anyone who still believes that veganism is incompatible with getting big or strong is lying to themselves. You only need to look at some of the truly mind-bending feats of vegan athletes to realize that these stereotypes aren’t true. That said, any restrictive diet does require a little extra attention — this is where a vegan-friendly supplement stack can make a big play.
Transparent Labs Vegan Strength Stack
What’s Included: Bulk Pre-Workout, BCAA Glutamine, Creatine HMB, Organic Vegan Protein Powder
Transparent Labs ensures that their products meet vegan dietary restrictions while still delivering high-quality performance augmentation. Their protein powder is sourced from peas and brown rice, while BCAA Glutamine can potentially help improve strength and recovery rates without relying on any animal products. (13)
The creatine supplement included in this stack not only includes creatine monohydrate, but also beta-hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB). Research has shown that HMB supplementation can help improve muscle mass and function, as well as potentially aid in muscle recovery. (14)
The BULK pre-workout can also deliver more than enough energy without forcing you to make any dietary concessions. It contains 180mg of anhydrous caffeine to boost your energy before your lifting session, while also delivering 6,000mg of citrulline malate, 4,000mg of beta-alanine, 4,000mg of BCAAs, and more. Each container included in this stack contains 30 servings.
Transparent Labs Vegan Strength
Transparent Labs ensures that their Bulk Pre-Workout, BCAA Glutamine, Creatine HMB, and Organic Vegan Protein Powder meet vegan dietary restrictions while still delivering high-quality performance augmentation.
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Vegan Strength Stack
- Athletes who want both a pre-workout and a protein powder in their supplement stack will love that this stack includes them both.
- If you’re looking for flavor in your stack, each supplement here allows you to choose from a wide variety of flavors — everything from Sour Green Apple and Watermelon to French Vanilla and Chocolate.
- Anyone who wants to get solid supplements that are made without animal products will appreciate this stack.
- Athletes interested in getting their nutritional value from animal products for the same price might choose to look elsewhere.
- If you want more servings per container, you might want to seek out a different stack, as each supplement here only includes 30 servings.
Best Supplement Stack for Beginners
One of the perks of being a neophyte to the iron game — alongside incredibly rapid gains in strength and size — is that, much like the training itself, nutrition and supplement needs are fairly basic. Many novices don’t need more than a good protein powder to progress in the gym. That being said, there’s no harm in going the extra mile with your supplementation.
Swolverine Build Stack
What’s Included: Beta-Alanine, Citrulline Malate, Kre-Alkalyn, L-Glutamine, Whey Protein Isolate
Beginners may not immediately jump to investing in a supplement stack when they start out in the gym. That’s why the Swolverine Build Stack is more about making sure your body can adapt to increased pressure on your muscles rather than just pumping you up. And if you’re nervous about muscle soreness, this stack offers beta-alanine and citrulline malate to help combat overwhelming muscle fatigue and stiffness.
The kre-alkalyn in this stack provides beginners with the creatine you’ve likely heard so much about, and it might be able to help your muscles stay energized during your session. Since strength training takes a toll on your entire body, this stack also helps support your body holistically with L-glutamine to assist with your immune function and gut health.
This stack also includes whey protein isolate powder. Although the protein container only includes 30 servings, each of the other four supplements have 100 servings per container. That way, you won’t have to think about re-upping your entire supply any time soon.
Swolverine Build Stack
Complete with whey protein isolate powder and various supplements geared toward potentially enhancing your endurance in the gym, the Swolverine Build Stack is a great choice for both bodybuilders and beginners.
Who Should Buy Swolverine Build Stack
- New strength athletes who might be intimidated by the idea of a stimulating pre-workout will appreciate the lack of caffeine in this stack.
- If you’re looking for a beginner supplement stack that includes protein powder, you’re in luck with this stack, which comes with whey protein isolate.
- With 100 servings per container for four of the five products included, you won’t have to remember to keep re-stocking quite as often as you might with other stacks.
- Newbies who were looking forward to trying pre-workout with their stack might want to look elsewhere.
- Athletes who are on a tighter budget might want to consider a cheaper stack, since this one is well over $200.
Best Supplement Stack for Digestion
Supplement stacks aren’t exclusively the province of those who train hard five or six days per week. For anyone who may not be out to win a powerlifting competition, but still wants to augment their standard diet and polish digestion processes, a wellness stack is a prime choice.
Swolverine Digestive Health
What’s Included: Turmeric, Probiotix, L-Glutamine
The selections here won’t create skin-tearing pumps or help you set new PRs directly, but they can keep your engine running smoothly and your body in good overall condition. The Swolverine Digestive Health stack places an emphasis on keeping your gut regulated, which can help keep your gym-going habits more sustainable and consistent.
The turmeric supplement included here contains 750mg of turmeric extract and 5mg of BioPerine, a black pepper extract. Research suggests that turmeric can help improve your recovery via its anti-inflammatory properties, while black pepper can increase the bioavailability of turmeric in your body. (15)(16)
The Probiotix included in this stack contains seven different probiotics, all of which are aimed at improving your gut health. Some of them work to combat “bad” bacteria, while others, like Lactobacillus Casei, work to reduce inflammation. (17) The L-glutamine supplement also aims to support your gut health, while assisting your immune system. (12)(11) The first two supplements in this stack contain 60 servings per container, while the L-glutamine supp container has 100 servings.
Swolverine Digestive Health
Aimed at supporting your overall wellness — particularly your gut health and digestive system — the Swolverine Digestive Health stack takes a comprehensive approach to fitness to keep your whole body healthy for more gym sessions.
Who Should Buy Swolverine Digestive Health
- Anyone in the market for supplements that help the body function well outside of a gym will like that this stack isn’t strictly about gym performance.
- If you’re someone with stomach or digestive issues that make it difficult for you to train, this stack might be well-suited for supporting you.
- Athletes who want to support their digestive health to match a new eating routine will like this stack’s emphasis on gut health.
- Anyone interested in a supplement stack tailored towards acute performance will want to look elsewhere.
- If you’re looking for a supplement stack that includes pre-workout and protein supplements, you’ll want to check out other options.
Best Supplement Stack for Women
People of all genders should have access to effective supplements that work for them. That being said, many companies market themselves toward men, promising bulging muscles and mountains of calories to pack on pounds. On the other side of things, there are specific stacks — like this pick — that may be more ideal for some women or people of any gender who aren’t looking to bulk up.
Ideal Fit Workout Bundle
What’s Included: Ideal Lean Protein, Ideal Lean BCAAs, Ideal Lean pre-workout.
Ideal Fit’s Workout Bundle is a convenient selection of products that can work for anybody, but are exceptional for women and people of other genders who may not want to get bigger during their training. Everyone can use a good dose of protein and amino acids to recover from muscle damage accrued during exercise, but not all people want a whey powder that contains well over two hundred calories per serving.
The Ideal Lean Protein packs in the macronutrients required to refuel without loading up on spare sugar. Each protein powder you can get with this stack contains 20 grams of whey protein isolate in a range of 90 to 100 calories per serving, with less than two grams of sugar. But if you’re still hungry for flavor, these come in a range from Fruity Cereal to White Chocolate. You can also get a vegan protein powder (which features 20 grams of pea, watermelon, and pumpkin seed protein) or an unflavored powder in this customizable stack.
With Ideal Lean BCCAs, you’ll get 5 grams of 2:1:1 leucine, isoleucine, and valine per serving, which is generally considered the ideal BCAA ratio to help prevent muscle breakdown. Their IdealLean pre-workout can also provide stable energy for getting a good sweat on in the gym. But with a relatively low caffeine content (150mg per serving), you’ll likely be able to skip the accompanying jitters or crashes commonly associated with more caffeine-intensive supplements.
IdealFit Workout Bundle
IdealFit’s Workout Bundle's uncomplicated selection of products that are exceptional for women include IdealLean Protein, IdealLean BCAAs, and IdealLean pre-workout.
Who Should Buy Ideal Fit Workout Bundle
- Athletes on a budget who want to get the nutrition they need without breaking the bank.
- Anyone who wants a supplement stack that includes both a protein powder and a pre-workout will appreciate this stack, which contains both.
- Some women and athletes of any gender who don’t want to consume a large amount of caffeine or calories in their stack will appreciate the relatively low levels found here (between 90 and 100 calories in a protein powder serving and 150mg of caffeine in a pre-workout serving).
- Anyone who wants a higher caffeine content in their pre-workout might want to look elsewhere.
- Some women and athletes of any gender searching for supplements that satisfy higher caloric requirements may want to opt for a different supplement stack.
- If you’re looking for a supplement stack that includes more than three products, you can find stacks that are more comprehensive.
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 gain muscle, promote healthy digestion, or lose body fat, there’s a stack out there for you.
Convenience
Stacks are largely more time-efficient and convenient than buying each supplement individually. You don’t have to go searching for which stacks you want and need — and you don’t have to do all the leg work of figuring out which brands or specific supps are safe to stack together. When all your supplements are coming together in the same pack, you can be more confident that you can run the same cycle with the supplements included. Plus, you won’t have to ship and organize all of your supps independently of each other — the company you’re buying from will do all that groundwork for you.
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 towards working hard, eating well, and recovering intelligently.
Cost Effective
Buying one product at a time might be alright 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 buy your supplements in bundles like stacks, you’ll be getting the same product for likely a lot less money. Not to mention, you’ll avoid multiple shipping costs, as everything will ship together since you’re buying one overall product.
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 — for example building muscle or losing body 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, 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 won’t bother suggesting it.
Research
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 science. While even science doesn’t guarantee that each product will work exactly the same for every individual, the data does show it has the potential to help with performance if taken properly and incorporated into an already healthy diet. Therefore, we have triple-checked that all the products and companies on this list provide the data to back up their claims and aren’t dishing out promises they can’t keep.
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...
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