Best Overall
FR Score 9.1 out of 10, Exceptional
Optimum NutritionProtein Powder
Gold Standard 100% Whey
The benchmark whey: 24 g protein, Informed Choice certified, 15+ flavors
5 videos
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Shop by goal
Build Muscle & Strength
Protein, creatine and the gear that lets you keep adding load, at the gym or at home.
45 products · 9 categories
Muscle and strength come from training hard and consistently, adding resistance over time and eating enough protein. Products can make that easier: a protein powder or bar helps you hit a daily protein target, creatine is among the most researched supplements for strength training, and adjustable dumbbells or a bench let you keep progressing at home.
Start with our creatine guide, whey vs. plant protein and the adjustable dumbbells buying guide.
Top pick in each category
- Protein PowderOptimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% WheyFR Score 9.1 out of 10, Exceptional
- CreatineOptimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine PowderFR Score 9.2 out of 10, Exceptional
- BCAAs & EAAsThorne Amino ComplexFR Score 8.4 out of 10, Great
- Protein Bars & SnacksBarebells Protein BarFR Score 9.0 out of 10, Exceptional
- Dumbbells & KettlebellsPowerBlock Elite EXP Adjustable DumbbellsFR Score 9.1 out of 10, Exceptional
- Resistance BandsWHATAFIT Resistance Bands with Handles (150 lb Set)FR Score 9.0 out of 10, Exceptional
- Benches & Home GymREP Fitness AB-3000 2.0 FID Adjustable BenchFR Score 9.2 out of 10, Exceptional
- Gym AccessoriesGymreapers Lifting Wrist StrapsFR Score 9.1 out of 10, Exceptional
- Training ShoesReebok Nano X5FR Score 8.9 out of 10, Excellent
Every product for this goal
Compare and filter
products
Best Overall
FR Score 8.4 out of 10, Great
ThorneBCAAs & EAAs
Amino Complex
All nine EAAs, a 2:1:1 BCAA core, and NSF Certified for Sport, sweetened with stevia.
4 videos
AmazonBrand store
Best Whey Isolate
FR Score 8.9 out of 10, Excellent
DymatizeProtein Powder
ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Hydrolyzed whey isolate: 25 g protein, 1 g sugar or less and cult-favorite flavors
5 videos
AmazonTikTok ShopBrand store
Best BCAA
FR Score 8.3 out of 10, Great
XtendBCAAs & EAAs
Original BCAA Powder
The classic BCAA drink: 7 g BCAAs, 2.5 g glutamine, and electrolytes with zero sugar.
4 videos
AmazonBrand store
Best Clean Label
FR Score 8.8 out of 10, Excellent
Transparent LabsProtein Powder
Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
28 g grass-fed isolate, stevia-sweetened, certified and batch-tested
4 videos
AmazonTikTok ShopBrand store
Best Clean-Label Pick
FR Score 8.2 out of 10, Great
Transparent LabsBCAAs & EAAs
BCAA Glutamine
8 g of fermented BCAAs and 5 g of glutamine, stevia-sweetened with no dyes or sucralose.
3 videos
AmazonBrand store
Best Budget
FR Score 8.2 out of 10, Great
NutricostProtein Powder
Whey Protein Concentrate
No-frills 25 g whey concentrate that reviewers name their budget pick
4 videos
AmazonTikTok ShopBrand store
Best Flavors
FR Score 7.9 out of 10, Good
GHOSTBCAAs & EAAs
BCAA
7 g of vegan BCAAs, a full-disclosure label, and candy-collab flavors like Sour Strips.
5 videos
AmazonTikTok ShopBrand store
Best Vegan
FR Score 7.9 out of 10, Good
OrgainProtein Powder
Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder
USDA Organic pea, rice and chia blend: 21 g vegan protein, 7 g fiber, no added sugar
4 videos
AmazonTikTok ShopBrand store
Best for Energy
FR Score 7.6 out of 10, Good
Optimum NutritionBCAAs & EAAs
Essential AMIN.O. Energy
100 mg of natural caffeine plus a 5 g amino blend: the budget anytime energy drink.
4 videos
AmazonTikTok ShopBrand store
From the blog
Read before you buy
Home GymHow to Build a Complete Home Gym for Under $500
Home Gym8 min read
How to Build a Complete Home Gym for Under $500
You don't need a garage full of iron. With five or six well-chosen pieces, you can train every major movement pattern at home for less than $500. Here's the blueprint.
Home GymAdjustable Dumbbells Buying Guide: Dial, Pin, or Plate-Loaded?
Home Gym9 min read
Adjustable Dumbbells Buying Guide: Dial, Pin, or Plate-Loaded?
Dial, pin, twist or spin-lock? How each adjustable dumbbell design trades speed, durability, feel and price, and how to pick the right set for your space and goals.
Supplement ScienceCreatine Monohydrate: The Complete, No-Hype Guide
Supplement Science9 min read
Creatine Monohydrate: The Complete, No-Hype Guide
Creatine is one of the most researched sports supplements on the shelf. Here's what it does, how to take it, what the side effects really are, and how to buy a good one.