Optimal Supplements for Men: Muscle Building, Fat Loss & Enhanced Performance
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Welcome to the 2026 AskMen Fitness Awards! After extensive testing and evaluating various home gym equipment, fitness tech, supplements, and gear, we have identified the crème de la crème of this year’s products. Our diverse panel of judges, consisting of seasoned athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and personal trainers, poured over their experiences to determine the standout products.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated judges and all brand representatives who braved the elements to ensure thorough testing of the recommended items.
Now, let’s dive into our top picks for the best supplements of 2026:
Best Supplements for Men
Best Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Widely regarded for its outstanding taste and easy mixability, Optimum Nutrition’s whey protein powder is a fantastic choice for anyone serious about their fitness. With a balanced blend of whey protein isolate, concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey, it’s gentle on the stomach too. Each 31-gram serving packs 24 grams of protein for just 120 calories and 3 grams of carbs, making it versatile for both bulking and cutting phases.
Best Casein Protein Powder
MyProtein Slow-Release Casein
Opt for casein protein in your late-night shake to provide your body with a sustained release of protein overnight. MyProtein’s Slow-Release Casein offers 23 grams of protein with a full amino acid profile, available in delicious Vanilla or Chocolate Smooth flavors. It’s also very versatile for baking, bringing more bulk to your protein intake.
Best Plant-Based Protein Powder
Huel Black Edition
Huel is a vegan protein powerhouse featuring peas, flaxseed, coconut, and brown rice, delivering over 27 essential vitamins and minerals in addition to 40 grams of protein per serving. Available in six delectable flavors, Huel serves as a nutritious meal replacement while providing 9-11 grams of fiber that aids digestion and keeps you feeling full.
Best Clear Protein
Believe Protein Refresher
Believe’s Protein Refresher is a game changer. This clear protein drink tastes like juice while still providing 20 grams of protein per serving. Available in Pineapple Punch and Strawberry Lemonade, it’s refreshing and enjoyable, especially when served over ice.
Best Protein Soda
Bucked Up Lightly Carbonated Protein Soda
Bucked Up offers a unique take on soda with their Lightly Carbonated Protein Soda, featuring 25 grams of protein in just 100 calories. This refreshing drink is delicious and can easily replace sugary beverages in your diet.
Best Protein Shake
Vital Proteins Collagen & Protein Shake
These ready-made shakes from Vital Proteins blend the taste of chocolate milkshake with a whopping 30 grams of protein and 10 grams of collagen peptides, promoting not just muscle recovery but overall wellbeing too.
Best Plant-Based Protein Shake
Koia Plant-Based Protein Shake
Koia’s Plant-Based Protein Shake is an excellent dairy-free, gluten-free, and GMO-free option, delivering 20 grams of plant protein along with essential vitamins and minerals for a nutritious alternative after workouts or as a snack.
Best Mass Gainer
NAKED MASS
If your goal is to bulk up, NAKED MASS is an exceptional all-natural weight gainer, providing 1,360 calories per serving. With 50 grams of protein and 11.6 grams of BCAAs, it’s designed for those seriously looking to increase their mass sustainably.
Best Creatine Supplement
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine
Creatine has emerged as a favored supplement for anyone looking to enhance performance, and Optimum Nutrition’s Micronized Creatine stands out for its high purity and mixability. Its unflavored form allows easy incorporation into shakes or smoothies, delivering 5 grams of micronized creatine to your regimen.
Best Pre-Workout
Cellucor C4 Sport
Cellucor is a well-known name in pre-workouts, and their C4 Sport variant impressed our judges this year. It provides 135mg of caffeine along with essential electrolytes and creatine to help elevate your workout capacity.
Best Stim-Free Pre-Workout
Transparent Labs Stim-Free Pre-Workout
For those who train later in the day, Transparent Labs’ Stim-Free Pre-Workout delivers effective focus and endurance without caffeine. Key ingredients like citrulline malate and beta alanine improve blood flow and performance without impacting sleep.
Best Intra-Workout
Tailwind Nutrition High Carb Fuel
For workouts lasting longer than an hour, Tailwind Nutrition’s High Carb Fuel helps maintain energy levels, providing fast-digesting calories and electrolytes when you need them most. The convenient packaging makes it easy to carry along for on-the-go refueling.
$25.50 at TailwindNutrition.com
Best Post-Workout
Transparent Labs Post
Post-workout nutrition is critical for recovery, and Transparent Labs’ Post supplement is designed to assist muscle repair. Each serving offers 5 grams of creatine and glutamine alongside gut health-supporting ingredients to promote overall wellness.
Best Electrolyte Mix
Thread Performance Daily Hydration
Thread’s Daily Hydration mix offers 1,500mg of electrolytes with a focus on potassium to aid in rehydration post-exercise. Free from artificial additives and sugars, its clean formula is essential for active individuals.
$29.95 at ThreadPerformance.com
Best Greens Supplement
Huel Daily Greens
While a balanced diet is crucial, Huel’s Daily Greens offers an excellent boost of vitamins and minerals sourced from whole foods. This supplement supports overall health while also providing variety in flavors.
Best Collagen Supplement
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Vital Proteins offers high-quality collagen sourced from grass-fed cattle, aiding joint and skin health. It seamlessly integrates into various recipes like smoothies or oatmeal.
Best BCAA
BSN Amino X
For muscle recovery and performance, BSN’s Amino X provides 10 grams of branched-chain amino acids in a sugar-free formula. Available in multiple flavors, it mixes well in water.
Best Recovery Supplement
Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Mix
Tailwind Nutrition combines electrolytes, protein, and carbs for a well-rounded recovery solution that’s delicious and easy to consume post-workout.
$55.99 at TailwindNutrition.com
Best Protein Bar
GHOST Protein Bars
GHOST Protein Bars combine a satisfying crunch with 20 grams of protein and only 2 grams of sugar, making them a fantastic snack option for fitness enthusiasts.
Best Vegan Protein Bar
No Cow Vegan Protein Bars
No Cow Vegan Protein Bars deliver 20 grams of protein and 14 grams of fiber per bar, providing a nutritious, plant-based snack in a variety of delicious flavors.
Best Energy Gel
GU Energy Sports Nutrition Gel
GU Energy Gel provides quick energy by combining carbohydrates, electrolytes, and BCAAs for endurance athletes. It’s available in numerous flavors, allowing for a personal touch during longer workouts or races.
Best Energy Drink
RYSE Fuel Energy Drink
RYSE Fuel is a delicious low-calorie energy drink packed with natural caffeine, taurine, and choline, perfect for an energy boost without excessive calories or unwanted flavors.
Best Multivitamin
Garden of Life Organics Multi Berry
For those struggling to meet their daily nutrient needs, Garden of Life’s Multi Berry offers a potent, chewable multivitamin packed with organic fruits, making daily supplementation both effective and enjoyable.
Best Low-Calorie Condiment
G Hughes Sugar-Free Asian Sauces
Adding flavor to meals without excessive calories is essential for a healthy diet. G Hughes offers a variety of sugar-free sauces that can elevate any dish, making healthy eating more enjoyable.
Best Focus Supplement
For Wellness Focus Gummies
For Wellness has created delicious gummies loaded with focus-enhancing ingredients, popular among professionals needing enhanced cognitive performance in their demanding careers.
Best Sleep Supplement
THORNE Melaton-5
A good night’s sleep is essential for recovery and performance. THORNE’s Melaton-5 provides effective sleep support through melatonin supplementation for a restful night.
Best Gut Health Supplement
Alkamind Gut Punch
For anyone facing digestive issues, Alkamind’s Gut Punch combines colostrum and collagen peptides for gut health support, promoting a healthy digestive system.
Best Hydration Supplement
Optimum Nutrition Pro Quench
Optimum Nutrition Pro Quench combines electrolytes and collagen peptides to aid recovery, making it ideal for hydration during and after workouts without sacrificing flavor.
Best Supplement for Hair
Nutrafol
Nutrafol is a comprehensive hair health supplement with a blend of vitamins and minerals known to support hair growth and density.
Best Supplement for Skin
TRU NIAGEN
TRU NIAGEN works to boost a key coenzyme linked to cellular health. Many users have noted improvements in skin appearance and energy levels with regular use.
Best Immune Boosting Supplement
Airborne Immune Support
Airborne offers a vitamin-rich solution to support immune health, especially important during cold and flu seasons, available in a convenient gummy form.
Best Probiotic Supplement
Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Once Daily Probiotics
For better gut health and digestion, Garden of Life’s daily probiotics deliver multiple strains, aiding in overall digestive wellness and nutrient absorption.
Best Omega-3 Supplement
Alkamind Acid-Kicking Omega-3
Alkamind’s Omega-3 offers a clean, potent source of omega-3s that support cardiovascular and cognitive health while combating inflammation.
### Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced world, choosing the right supplements can significantly impact your fitness journey. Our selections highlight high-quality options to help in muscle building, recovery, energy, and overall wellness. Always ensure you are making informed choices that align with your fitness goals, and remember: supplements should complement a well-rounded diet and exercise routine for optimal results. Happy training!
