Best Workout Supplements Guide: Protein, Creatine, Weight Gainers & More
Training consistently matters more than any supplement. But when nutrition, recovery, and training are already in place, supplements can be a convenient way to fill nutritional gaps or support a training routine.
The supplement aisle is packed with protein powders, creatine products, mass gainers, pre-workouts, electrolytes and recovery products. This HaterAide Energy guide gives you a starting point for comparing some recognizable brands without pretending there is one product that is right for everyone.
Disclosure: HaterAide Energy Apparel does not manufacture, sell, sponsor, or endorse the supplement brands listed in this guide. Brand links below lead to the manufacturers' official websites. Formulas, certifications, serving sizes and availability can change, so verify the current label before purchasing. This article is general educational information, not individualized medical or nutrition advice.
Protein Powder Brands
Protein powder is primarily a convenient way to increase dietary protein intake. Compare the protein source, protein per serving, calories, ingredients, allergens, serving count and cost per serving.
Optimum Nutrition — Gold Standard 100% Whey
Type: Whey protein. Compare it for: an established, widely available everyday whey option. Optimum Nutrition currently lists Gold Standard 100% Whey alongside isolate, casein and plant-protein options.
Dymatize — ISO100
Type: Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate. Compare it for: shoppers specifically looking at isolate-focused protein products. Dymatize currently describes ISO100 as using hydrolyzed protein with its protein coming from whey protein isolate.
Transparent Labs
Type: Whey isolate options. Compare it for: ingredient-conscious shoppers comparing isolate-based formulas and label transparency.
Legion Athletics — Whey+
Type: Whey isolate. Compare it for: shoppers comparing premium isolate-focused products.
Isopure
Type: Whey protein isolate products. Compare it for: people specifically comparing isolate-oriented protein options.
Orgain
Type: Plant-based protein options. Compare it for: people looking for an alternative to dairy-based whey.
Creatine Brands
Creatine products can look complicated, but plain creatine monohydrate provides a useful baseline for comparison. Look at the form of creatine, amount per serving, additional ingredients, serving count, third-party certification where relevant and cost per serving.
- Optimum Nutrition — Micronized Creatine Powder and other creatine products.
- Thorne — Creatine products with an emphasis on supplement quality/testing.
- Transparent Labs — Creatine and performance-supplement options.
- Nutricost — Creatine monohydrate options often compared on serving count and value.
- MuscleTech — Creatine and performance products.
- Kaged — Creatine and performance-supplement products.
- Legion Athletics — Creatine-containing performance products.
Weight Gainers / Mass Gainers
A mass gainer is different from ordinary protein powder. Protein powder primarily offers a concentrated protein source, while mass gainers generally combine much higher calories with protein and carbohydrates to make increasing calorie intake easier.
Optimum Nutrition — Serious Mass
Serious Mass is Optimum Nutrition's high-calorie weight-gainer line. Compare its calories, protein, carbohydrates, serving size and cost per serving with other gainers rather than comparing only the grams of protein.
Dymatize — Super Mass Gainer
Dymatize currently lists Super Mass Gainer as a high-calorie protein-and-carbohydrate product. Compare the current label against other gainers because nutrition values can vary by product and flavor.
BSN — TRUE-MASS
Another recognizable mass-gainer line worth comparing on calories, macronutrients, serving size and cost per serving.
MuscleTech — Mass-Tech
A mass-gainer option for shoppers comparing calorie-dense performance nutrition products.
Protein Powder vs. Weight Gainer
| What to compare | Protein Powder | Weight / Mass Gainer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary role | Convenient protein | Convenient calories plus protein |
| Calories | Generally more moderate | Generally much higher |
| Carbohydrates | Often lower | Usually substantially higher |
| Serving size | Usually smaller | Often much larger |
| Useful comparison | Protein, ingredients and cost/serving | Calories, macros, ingredients and cost/serving |
A mass gainer is not automatically better for building muscle. It is primarily a convenient way to increase calorie and macronutrient intake. Overall diet and training still matter.
Pre-Workout Brands
Pre-workout formulas can vary substantially. Compare caffeine per serving, active ingredient amounts, serving size, proprietary blends versus disclosed quantities, sweeteners, third-party certification where relevant and cost per serving.
More stimulants do not automatically make a product better. People vary in caffeine tolerance, and stimulant products deserve particular attention to serving size and label directions.
Other Common Supplements
Electrolytes
Electrolyte products are commonly used around exercise and heavy sweating. Recognizable companies include Liquid I.V., LMNT. Compare sodium and other electrolyte amounts, carbohydrates/sugar where applicable, serving size and your actual training conditions.
Amino Acid Products
BCAA and EAA products are widely marketed in fitness. Before purchasing one, consider your total dietary protein intake and compare the actual amino-acid amounts rather than relying on front-label marketing.
Multivitamins
A multivitamin can supplement a diet but should not be treated as a replacement for a varied diet. Compare nutrients and amounts against your individual needs rather than assuming more ingredients or higher percentages are automatically better.
How to Compare Any Supplement
- Define what you're trying to accomplish. A supplement should have a reason for being in your routine.
- Read the active ingredients. Turn the container around and inspect the actual label.
- Check the serving size. A large number on the front can be misleading if the serving itself is unusually large.
- Calculate cost per serving. Container price alone doesn't tell you which option offers better value.
- Look for appropriate independent testing. This can be especially important for athletes subject to banned-substance testing.
- Ask whether it fills a real need. Popularity in the gym isn't a substitute for understanding why you're using something.
Supplements Don't Replace the Work
Protein powder doesn't lift the weight. Creatine doesn't do the reps. Pre-workout doesn't create consistency. A mass gainer doesn't replace a well-structured diet.
Supplements are tools. Training, nutrition, recovery and consistency are still the foundation.
BE THE STANDARD.
Continue Training
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