Supplements can be a game-changer in muscle building, helping you progress quicker than you might on your own.
But here’s the deal…
Supplements aren’t all created equal. It’s a maze trying to sort out the ineffective ones from those that actually deliver results.
Good news is, I have done the heavy lifting for you, pouring over 50 hours into researching every supplement stack imaginable.
Now, I’m ready to share with you the crème de la crème of muscle-building supplement stacks currently out there.
We Know Supplement Stacks
Our team at The Athletic Build is made up of certified personal trainers and nutrition coaches with years of experience in health, fitness, and wellness.
We’ve spent decades perfecting our own routines and supplement stacks, and we’re ready to share our expertise with you.
Here are the best supplement stacks on the market that can help you build muscle.
#1 The Bulk Muscle Building Essentials Stack
Topping off our list of the best muscle-building stacks I have the Bulk Muscle Building Essentials Stack by Transparent Labs.
This stack is loaded with high-quality muscle-building supplements that will surely have you packing on muscle and strength fast.
This stack comes with 4 different supplements, all of which work with each other to add muscle. It includes their pre-workout designed for bulking, creatine HMB, Growth and 100% grass-fed protein powder.
Let’s take a look at each one of these bad boys individually and see what they bring to the table:
PreSeries Bulk
This is their pre-workout supplement that is designed for people who are looking to add serious muscle and bulk up. This monster contains 20 active ingredients designed to give you increased energy, muscle growth, muscle pumps and laser focus in the gym.
This pre-workout is loaded with ample doses of citrulline malate for muscle and strength building, beta-alanine for delayed fatigue, and betaine anhydrous for increased strength and focus. It is also loaded with muscle-building BCAA‘s along with many other solid ingredients that deliver.
Creatine HMB
Next, in the stack, is Creatine HMB. Creatine is already our favorite muscle-building supplement and when you combine it with HMB it makes it even better.
They also use Creapure in this supplement which is a German-made form of creatine monohydrate that is the best you can get. 5 Grams of Creapure creatine combined with 2 grams of HMB will increase your muscle and strength gains fast. On top of that, they use 5mg of Bioperine for better absorption and bioavailability. This one is really top-notch.
In my experience, creatine is by far the best supplement for muscle and strength building and is a must-have if you want to gain serious muscle.
ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Next, is a seriously high-grade form of protein here with 100% grass-fed whey. As you may know, protein is the building block of muscle. This protein powder is from naturally fed, hormone-free cows, and it also has one of the industry’s highest protein-by-weight ratios at 88%, making this some of the purest muscle-building protein out there.
On top of all that, it has no artificial sweeteners, food dyes, gluten, or preservatives. This is some seriously high-quality stuff.
Growth
This is their advanced anabolic catalyst made to increase strength and amplify muscle growth, if you couldn’t tell that from the name.
The formula is simple, it’s only 1 ingredient, Mediator® Phosphatidic Acid. You are probably wondering what the Mediator Phosphatidic Acid is…
It’s a patented and studied ingredient that is proven to increase strength and muscle. Don’t just take my word for it though. In this study of sixteen resistance-trained men were randomly assigned to take Phosphatidic Acid or a placebo for 8-weeks. Men who took the Phosphatidic Acid had a greater increase in both strength and increase in lean body mass vs the placebo.
This study also found that “PA (Phosphatidic Acid) significantly activates mTOR and significantly improved responses in skeletal muscle hypertrophy, lean body mass, and maximal strength to resistance exercise”
Bottom line…
It’s another nice supplement in what is an already awesome muscle-building stack.
Pros
Coupon code TL10 saves you 10% on your order
Uses PreSeries Bulk – The premier muscle-building and bulking pre-workout on the market that is loaded with 20 active ingredients
Uses Creatine HMB – 5 grams of high-grade creatine monohydrate along with 2 grams of HMB
High-quality protein powder that comes from grass-fed, hormone-free cows and has one of the highest purity ratings on the market
Free shipping
Price saves $18 off of what you would pay buying the supplements separately
Cons
Only available on the manufacturer’s website
Above average in price
Conclusion
Overall this Bulk Muscle Building Essentials Stack is a serious heavy-hitter when it comes to muscle building. Their pre-workout is loaded with 20 ingredients designed to build muscle and give you a superior workout experience.
The superior quality creatine and HMB is a surefire combo to add strength and muscle. Growth uses Phosphatidic Acid which is another proven muscle builder. On top of that, the high-quality protein powder will give you the building blocks to pack on even more muscle.
What’s the bottom line?
In our opinion, the Muscle Building Essentials Stack is the best muscle-building supplement stack on the market, bar none.
Next on our list, I have the Ultimate Fitness Stack from Crazy Nutrition as the best supplement stack for muscle gain.
This bad boy has everything you need to build muscle and get into fantastic shape. This stack might only be 3 supplements, but it is everything you need to pack on muscle. Let’s see what’s in this stack.
CRN-5
This is their creatine supplement, we love creatine and it is our favorite proven muscle-building supplement. This creatine uses a blend of 5 types of creatine and electrolytes to keep you hydrated.
CRN-5 uses a generous 6-gram dose of creatine that is primarily of creatine monohydrate (3.75 grams) and creatine HCL, ethyl ester, malate, and pyruvate.
We felt that the taste of CRN-5 is above average, but they do use artificial sweeteners. It also comes in only one flavor, Orange Mango.
Tri Protein
This is their protein supplement; it is also a blend of 6 different protein powders. This gives you fast, medium, and slow-release proteins to quickly feed your muscles after a workout with the quick-release protein while the slow-release protein feeds them all night long.
I went with the vanilla flavor, which is always a safe bet, it was solid, but it does use artificial flavoring.
Intensive Pre-Train
Their pre-workout supplement is made to deliver energy, focus, and, of course, muscle growth. This bad boy is loaded with 19 ingredients that deliver. They use a massive 7-gram dose of citrulline malate, which builds muscles and provides serious muscle pumps. and blood flow On top of that, they use betaine anhydrous, beta-alanine,l-tyrosine, l-theanine, taurine, ashwagandha, and more.
You can get this pre-workout with or without caffeine. I used the version without caffeine, which is available in the Sour Apple flavor. It mixed up well and tasted great, but it used artificial flavors that some of you might not like.
Pros
Less expensive
Uses a generous dose of creatine
Protein is a mix of slow and fast release
Shipping is free
Buying the stack is $10 cheaper than buying the supplements individually
Cons
Only 3 supplements
Uses artificial flavoring and sweeteners
Conclusion
Overall this is a nice stack that delivers muscle-building ingredients like creatine, protein, and citrulline malate. It is only three supplements but they picked the three you would want in a muscle-building stack. I wouldn’t mind if they had thrown in some BCAAs, but I’m not complaining, it’s still a great stack.
It’s also the cheapest stack on this list. If you don’t mind artificial flavoring and sweeteners, you will love it.
The Build Stack by Swolverine is legit. This bad boy features 5 supplements stacked together that will have you building muscle faster than you have ever imagined.
This stack includes Kre-Alkalyn, Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, Protein Isolate, and L-Glutamine.
Here is the breakdown on each:
Kre-Alkalyn
This is their creatine supplement. It is pH stabilized, so it doesn’t go into solution and cause bloating like regular creatine monohydrate can. It also helps to increase strength and power output while building muscle.
While traditional creatine monohydrate has a 5-gram dose, you only need 3 grams with Kre-Alkalyn, which is exactly the dose on this supplement. I also really like that each tub has 100 servings.
Citrulline Malate
This non-essential amino acid helps increase energy production and delays muscle fatigue, helping you push harder in your workouts. It is commonly used in pre-workout supplements. They made it a stand-alone supplement for this stack. The 5000mg dosing is solid.
Beta Alanine
This non-essential amino acid helps increase muscular endurance, allowing you to push through your workouts and have more reps. This supplement has a generous 5000mg dose which is more than enough to do the job.
Whey Protein Isolate
This fast-absorbing protein is perfect for post-workout when your muscles need protein the most. It also helps with the recovery and repair of muscle tissue. Whey protein isolate is a better form of protein than the traditional concentrate. You are getting the good stuff with this stack.
Each scoop has 26 grams of protein which is above average.
L-Glutamine
This is a conditionally essential amino acid that helps with recovery and muscle growth. It also helps reduce stress levels and improve mental focus, which is always a good thing when working out.
The 5-gram dose is solid. This stuff is pretty cheap, so they could have put in a smaller amount, but they didn’t, which is always a good sign.
This stack has everything you could ever want or need in a muscle-building supplement stack. It’s complete and has generous dosages of everything. It’s also reasonably priced, especially considering all that you are getting.
You can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros
5 Supplements in 1 stack
High-quality whey protein isolate
All supplements use generous dosing
The stack is $20 less than the supplements would be if they were bought individually
One of the best stacks for muscle gain
Cons
Expensive (You do get 5 supplements, which is more than you get with the others on the list)
The Beast Stack from Beast Sports Nutrition is up next. This one is another nice stack that will build strength and muscle along with your testosterone levels and libido which is a bit unique from the other stacks on the list.
It is also made in the USA by a reputable company in a gCMP facility so you know it is high quality. Let’s take a look at what you get in this stack.
Creature Creatine
The stack starts off with one of the best creatine supplements on the market with Creature. This creatine supplement is a blend of 5 creatines made to increase muscle and strength and also speed recovery.
Creature offers some of the best flavors out there, but they do use artificial flavoring. They also offer unflavored for those who want to avoid anything artificial.
Super Test
Super Test is the testosterone-boosting supplement put out by Beast Sports. Super Test is made to increase your testosterone levels which makes it easier to build muscle, reduce body fat, and it also helps with the libido.
Beast Mode Black
Beast Mode Black is their pre-workout supplement. While the name is intimidating, it is missing a couple of key ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine anhydrous. Beast Mode Black also boasts a massive 400 mg dose of caffeine, which some people might really like, but it may be too much caffeine for others.
Pros
Less Expensive
Features high-quality creatine
Increases testosterone levels and boosts libido
Pre-workout provides a massive energy boost
Cons
Only uses 3 products
Uses artificial flavors
Pre-workout is missing key ingredients and may have too much caffeine for some people
Conclusion
Overall the Beast Stack is another nice muscle-building stack that is less expensive. It is not as high quality as our top selection, but if you are looking for something lighter on your wallet, this stack is one to consider. It features really nice creatine and a quality testosterone booster. The pre-workout is middle of the road but will give a nice energy boost with a 400 mg caffeine dose. I would like it if they included a BCAA as well, but overall, this is still a pretty solid selection.
Check Price
#5 Ultimate Muscle Buiding Stack by Jym
Next up I have another nice muscle-building stack by Jym Supplement Science.
This bad boy features 4 supplements as well as a nutritional ebook that will hook you up with all of the best muscle-building foods and recipes.
Let’s take a look at what supplements this stack has to offer…
Pre Jym
Pre Jym is their top-of-the-line pre-workout that comes with muscle-building ingredients like creatine, beta-alanine, betaine, and BCAAs. It also delivers the focus and alertness that you would expect from a pre-workout supplement.
This supplement comes in 8 delicious flavors for you to choose from. On the negative side, they do use artificial flavoring.
Pro Jym
As you may know, protein is the building block of muscle so more protein will help you build muscle. This is their protein supplement that delivers a blend of whey, casein, and egg proteins to provide slow, fast and medium digesting proteins.
On the negative side, this one also contains artificial flavoring.
Post JYM BCAA+ Recovery Matrix
This is their post-workout supplement, it is loaded with 6 grams of BCAAs, 2 grams of creatine HCL, 2 grams beta-alanine, 1.5 grams of betaine and 2 grams Carnipure® L-carnitine L-tartrate. When it comes to post-workout supplements, this is one of the best ones out there.
Omega JYM
This is their fish oil supplement. Fish oil is loaded with Omega 3 Fatty Acids which have been shown to be beneficial for your heart and brain and can also help you burn fat and build muscle.
Pros
Includes nutritional ebook
Pre-workout supplement is solid
Manufacturer has a solid reputation
Cons
Expensive
Uses artificial flavoring
Conclusion
Overall this is another nice selection for those that are looking to build muscle. I would avoid it if you do not like artificial flavoring but other than that, it is another one of those solid supplement stacks for lean muscle mass.
This stack is definitely for you if you are on a tight budget and want to boost muscle growth.
This stack isn’t as good as the stacks at the top of the list, but it’s only a fraction of the price.
This stack is made in the USA and is free of dyes and fillers, and is also vegan friendly.
Let’s take a look at what’s inside this bad boy:
Growth Surge
This is their post-workout supplement. As you can tell by the name, it is made to promote muscle growth.
They use a pretty simple formula, just four ingredients overall. The ingredients include creatine, betaine anhydrous, l-carnitine l-tartrate and Bioperine for absorption. This is a solid supplement, but it uses artificial sweeteners, which is a negative for some.
Build XT
The latest edition of Build XT is here to help you become a more advanced athlete. With cutting-edge ingredients like PeakO2, ElevATP, and Astragin to enhance muscle growth, strength, and endurance, this product will have your body ready in no time.
Build PM
Build PM is their nighttime muscle builder. This is important because sleep is essential for muscle gain.
Build PM uses melatonin to promote sleep and ashwagandha to reduce stress and boost testosterone levels. Then they also use l-theanine to promote restfulness and improve mood and tart cherry to promote strength and recovery.
Overall this is a pretty good stack for the money. It’s only 3 supplements, but they are all pretty decent. I like the Growth Surge the most of the 3.
Another nice thing is you save a bundle by buying these three supplements in a stack rather than individually. This stack is $37 less than it would be if you purchased each supplement individually; that is serious savings right there. It almost feels like they made a mistake and forgot to raise the price of the stack when they raised the supplement prices. I won’t tell.
Pros
Budget-friendly
Solid post-workout supplement
Promotes sleep
Cons
Uses artificial sweeteners
No essential amino acids
Only three supplements
Check Price
#7 The Build Muscle Stack
This stack is also pretty good so I thought we would as it as a bonus. It’s the Build Muscle Stack from Legion Athletics, this one is a good stack of 4 supplements that are designed to build muscle mass if you couldn’t already figure that out by the name of the stack.
Legion Athletics has become one of the top names in the supplement industry so it isn’t much of a surprise to see that their stack is on here; let’s take a look at what is included in this stack.
Pulse Pre-Workout
First up, they have their pre-workout supplement, this one is designed to give you a serious energy boost and improve focus. This one has a really nice dose of Citrulline DL-Malate as well as betaine anhydrous and beta-alanine for nice muscle growth and endurance.
It doesn’t have near the twenty ingredients that the pre-workout in our first stack has but it does have some nice doses of the listed ingredients.
Whey+
Next up they have a nice protein powder to help you get that quick protein shot after your workout to help your muscles grow. They use whey that comes from hormone and antibiotic-free cows from dairy farms in Ireland.
This whey protein also doesn’t have any artificial flavors or dyes, GMOs, gluten or any other junk in it, just nice, clean protein.
Recharge
This is their post-workout supplement to help you recover and grow those muscles. This supplement contains 5 grams of creatine monohydrate which I love along with L-carnitine L-tartrate and corosolic acid.
L-carnitine L-tartrate has been shown to aid in muscle recovery and may increase testosterone levels, both of which help with muscle growth.
Triumph
Lastly, they have Triumph which is their multi-vitamin.
This multi-vitamin contains 35 ingredients designed to promoted health and well being and also plug holes in your diet. It can also boost energy and keep you sharp physically and mentally.
For this stack, they recommend you take the multi-vitamin with breakfast and dinner, Pulse pre-workout and whey protein before your workout and take the Recharge post-workout supplement and 1-2 scoops of the protein powder.
Pros
Use high-quality protein powder with nothing artificial
Post-workout uses creatine monohydrate and L-carnitine L-tartrate
Pre-workout has ample dose of Citrulline DL-Malate
Less expensive
Cons
Only 6 active ingredients in the pre-workout
Multivitamin seems like a throw-in
Conclusion
This stack by Legion Athletics is another good choice for muscle gains. I really like the post-workout and whey protein they use. The pre-workout could use some more muscle-building ingredients, but I do like the 6 that they have in there. The multivitamin seems like a throw into us and likely won’t really do much in the way of building muscle mass. It’s good to take but not really going to do much for muscle building at all.
A supplement stack is simply a group of supplements that work together to build muscle. Sometimes it can be just two supplements stacked together, or some stacks also go up to 6 different supplements, it all depends.
While one supplement can help, grouping a few supplements together that work together for a common goal can be much more effective than just taking one supplement and hoping it can do it all.
Commonly a supplement company will offer supplement stacks of their products that are made to go together or work well together, and these stacks can be geared toward building muscle or burning fat. Today, I am covering the best supplement stack for muscle gain.
If you search around enough, you will likely come across a website or two recommending you get a stack of steroid alternatives. These should be avoided.
It’s not because they are dangerous or anything like that. It’s because they are entirely ineffective. These “supplements” are usually just very small amounts of branched-chain amino acids they are selling and marketing as “having the anabolic effects of steroids”.
In my experience, steroid alternative supplements are about as effective as a placebo. The only thing they are really good at is taking money out of your wallet. Anyone who recommends them is not credible and you should run the other direction unless you really enjoy being ripped off.
What to Look For in A Supplement Stack
Ingredients
When looking for a supplement stack for building lean muscle, you want to make sure that the products included have ingredients that actually help with building muscle. Some common muscle-building ingredients are creatine, beta-alanine, BCAAs, protein, and citrulline malate. Although in my experience creatine is by far the best muscle builder.
You also want to make sure that the doses of these ingredients are in line with what has been studied to be effective. If a product is under-dosed, it likely won’t work as well as it could, and if it’s over-dosed, you could even experience some side effects.
Timing
You also want to make sure that the products in the stack are designed to be taken at different times of the day. For example, a pre-workout supplement should be taken before your workout, and a post-workout supplement should be taken after your workout. If you take all the products in the stack at the same time, you likely won’t get the full benefit of each product.
Price
Money doesn’t grow on trees, so of course, money is a consideration. But you don’t want to cheap out on a supplement stack because you could end up with underdosed and ineffective products.
At the same time, you also don’t want to overpay for a supplement stack that has a lot of flash but not a lot of substance, like those fake steroid stacks that do nothing but take your money. There are many great options out there that are priced very reasonably. All of the stacks on this list are a pretty good value.
What Supplements are in the Stack
When stacking supplements for lean muscle growth, you need to look at what supplements are in the stack. Some companies put supplements in their stacks that aren’t going to help you build muscle, like multivitamins and fish oil. Even pre-workouts aren’t really going to help you build muscle unless they are designed to.
Muscle-building supplements to look for in a stack include creatine, protein powder, branched-chain amino acids, post-workout supplements, and pre-workouts made to build muscle.
Reviews
When trying to find the best supplement stack, reviews from other customers can be beneficial. You can learn a lot about a product from what other people have said about it, both good and bad.
Of course, you should take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt, but if you see a lot of people saying good things about a certain product, it’s likely that the product is effective. And if you see many people saying bad things about a particular product, it’s likely that the product is ineffective.
When looking for reviews, try to find ones that are from unbiased sources, like blogs or forums. You don’t want to just read the reviews on the company’s website because they are obviously going to only put the good reviews on there.
Benefits of a Supplement Stack
Alright, let’s talk about supplement stacks, but in a really down-to-earth way. So, you’ve got these big fitness dreams. Maybe you want to put on some serious muscle, shred body fat, or just become a better athlete overall. And now you’re staring at an army of individual supplements wondering, “Where do I even start?”
That’s where supplement stacks swoop in to save the day. They’re like a mixtape of supplements, each one specially curated for a specific goal. Dreaming of bulking up? There’s a stack for that. Need to torch some body fat? They’ve got you covered. Trying to take your athletic performance up a notch? Yup, there’s a stack for that too.
Maybe you’ve heard whispers about testosterone boosters. Rumor has it, they can help with muscle growth, boost your mood, and even up your libido. Well, guess what? There are stacks fine-tuned to help your body naturally increase its testosterone levels.
And let’s say you’re the type who likes to go hard in the gym. There are supplement stacks geared to speed up your muscle recovery, so you can get back in the game faster after those tough workouts. If you’re all about that endurance life, or just want to go a bit harder in your workouts, there are stacks built to amp up your stamina and lessen muscle fatigue.
For the beginners just starting to navigate the twisty world of sports nutrition, a supplement stack can be your roadmap. It cuts through the confusion of picking supplements, giving you a ready-made set that’s designed to work together and get you closer to your goal. It’s like having a wise friend steer you towards the supplements best suited for you.
One more thing to love about supplement stacks – they’re like a deal that saves you some hard-earned cash. Buying a stack usually turns out to be more budget-friendly compared to buying each supplement separately. It’s like a bundle deal – you get more for less, and who wouldn’t love that?
So, in a nutshell, supplement stacks are like a helping hand in your fitness journey. They’re designed with your goals in mind, can save you a few bucks, and they take the guesswork out of supplement selection. But remember, we’re all unique. It’s always wise to check in with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement stack. They can provide guidance based on your individual health and fitness goals.
Third Party Testing
Sure thing, let’s condense that. When you’re diving into the world of supplement stacks, third-party verification is your best buddy. With FDA rules around supplements being a bit relaxed, other organizations step in to keep things safe.
Here’s what to look for to ensure your supplement stack has been independently tested:
Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are like the stack’s report card.
National Sanitation Foundation certification is a safety seal.
NSF Safe for Sport is an extra tick for athletes.
Good Manufacturing Practices verification means the stack meets specific quality standards.
US Pharmacopeia Verified Mark is a nod for strict purity and potency.
And if your diet requires it, check for labels like certified organic, gluten-free, or non-GMO. These labels, along with the above verifications, are your guides to a safer supplement stack. And as always, do your research and check with a healthcare professional.
Dosing and Interactions
Let’s talk about interactions between supplements, food, and medication, just like how different ingredients in a recipe can interact with each other. Each supplement, even in a stack, has the potential to play off others in unique ways. Now, most of the time, these interactions are pretty tame. Take whey protein powder, for example. It can slow down your digestion of carbs, but it’s not something that’ll put you in harm’s way.
But then there are other types of interactions that you really need to keep an eye on. These are the ones involving any medication you might be taking or documented cases of negative reactions between certain supplements. It’s kind of like being aware of which foods can trigger an allergy for some folks.
If you’re on any medication, be it something your doctor prescribed or something you picked up over-the-counter, it’s really important to have a conversation with a healthcare professional about it. This could be your doctor, a pharmacist, or a registered dietitian. They’re the ones who can help you figure out which supplements are safe to take and won’t tango in a dangerous way with your medication. Think of them as the food critics who know what ingredients work well together and which ones don’t.
Overall Conclusion
If you’re looking to bulk up, the right supplement stack can make all the difference. I’ve highlighted some of our favorite stacks for building muscle, but it’s important to do your research and find the supplements that work best for you. With a little hard work and the right supplementation, you’ll be on your way to achieving the body you’ve always wanted. Have you tried any of these supplement stacks? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!
Justin Grinnell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as a Certified Personal Trainer,and a Crossfit Level 1 Trainer. He is also the Owner of State of Fitness in East Lansing, Michigan. State of Fitness opened up just four years ago and is already one of the leading training facilities in the Midwest. State of Fitness has over 450 members who train every day under his leadership. In addition to being a facility owner, Justin has his own blog at www.grinnelltraining.com (link below), and has been a featured writer for over 6 years in the magazine Healthy & Fit and is a writer for Muscle & Fitness.
I bought the muscle building stack at the top and love it. All quality supplements that taste great and are natural. Thanks!