Fitness Awards 2025: Best Supplements
The Year's Best Proteins, Pre-Workouts, Multivitamins & More
Our annual AskMen Fitness Awards are back, and we’re proud to announce that this year’s competition was larger and fiercer than ever before, with a record number of brands participating.
In our most competitive categories, more than a dozen products vied for the top spot, while our panel of judges, encompassing current and former college athletes, weekend warriors and personal trainers, worked overtime to generate feedback and vote on winners.
This year, our largest and most competitive category by far was supplements, with upwards of a dozen different brands competing for the most coveted awards, so our panel of judges had their work cut out for them in picking winners.
From staples like protein powders and multivitamins to more niche supplements like energy gels and gut health healers, we gradually narrowed the list to bring you the most delicious, most effective options in 2025.
Whether you’re trying to build muscle, cut excess fat, achieve a deeper sleep or help your body recover faster from workouts, we’ve got something for you.
Best Protein Powder
Thread Performance Daily Fuel
This great-tasting, easy-mixing protein powder from Thread Performance impressed us with its delicious flavors (Chocolate Brownie and Vanilla Birthday Cake), portable serving packets, and comprehensive blend of superfoods, vitamins and minerals, including everything from Ashwagandha to egg shells. If you’re looking for a daily protein option and want to maximize your nutrient uptake in the process, Daily Fuel lives up to its name.
$129.95 at ThreadPerformance.com
Best Protein Powder Flavor
Cellucor C4 Whey - Reese's
Granted, you have to like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to like this offering from Cellucor, but if you don’t like Reese’s, we think your taste buds are suspect (apologies to those who are allergic).Cellucor managed to pack 25 grams of protein and 0 grams of added sugar into each serving, for a total of just 140 calories, which is pretty outrageous when you consider just how good this powder tastes. We especially recommend this if you’re on a cut and need something chocolatey and delicious to help curb your cravings without sabotaging your diet.
Best Casein Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein
The slow-digesting casein should be your protein of choice before sleep, but it’s also the preferred baking protein because it’s more absorptive. Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Casein, available in two sizes and four delicious flavor options, is good no matter how you take it, packing in 24 grams of protein and 9 grams of essential amino acids in every serving. We especially love that it mixes so easily, whether you’re using water or milk, resulting in smooth, easy-drinking shake every time.
Best Plant-Based Protein Powder
Wellious Almond Protein Powder
If you’re particularly health-conscious and want a delicious, plant-based protein that’s easy to digest, check out Wellious. It’s available in three flavor options (Chocolate, Vanilla and Unflavored), made from just four ingredients (or just one, in the case of the unflavored option), including almond, chickpeas and monk fruit for sweetening. Each serving delivers 17 grams of protein powder in just 120 calories, but this is so much more than just a protein powder, as those all-natural ingredients also pack a superfood punch of biotin, magnesium, calcium, collagen and fiber that will dramatically improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
Best Protein Shake
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Protein Shake
If you can’t be bothered to mix up a shake or just like the convenience of having a ready-made protein shake at hand or in your fridge, you’ll love Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Protein Shake. It’s available in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla flavors, all of which taste like milkshakes with a fraction of the calories and 24 grams of protein, but it’s the added minerals and vitamins (everything from iron and potassium to iodine and selenium) that sold us.
Best Plant-Based Protein Shake
Koia Elite Shake
Whether you’re vegan or just want an easy-to-digest protein shake that also tastes great, you’ll love the Koia Nutrition Elite Shake. Each bottle packs a whopping 32 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, with just 4 grams of sugar, and a list of ingredients that’s refreshingly natural and non-GMO, including chicory root fiber, organic cane sugar and good ol’ sea salt. Of course, all of these nutritional benefits would be for naught if the shake wasn’t also delicious, but we’re happy to report they nailed the flavor too, whether you opt for vanilla or chocolate.
Find out more at DrinkKoia.com
Best Mass Gainer
Naked Mass
If you’re a skinny guy trying to pack on pounds, the sheer volume of food you have to eat to gain your surplus calories can be daunting. That’s where a good mass gainer comes in, and Naked Nutrition has nailed the formula with their Naked Mass option. Each serving contains 50 grams of protein and a whopping 1,260 calories, including 261 grams of complex carbs and 12.9 grams of branched-chain amino acids, so you can rest assured that you’re hitting your nutritional goals with every sip.
Best Creatine Supplement
Cellucor Flavored COR-Performance Creatine
Inexpensive, delicious, easy to mix and digest — Cellucor’s COR-Performance creatine monohydrate should be in your daily regime. It’s available in the classic unflavored option, ideal for those of you who like to take it in a protein shake or sports drink, but we highly recommend their flavored varieties (Watermelon, Blue Raspberry and Fruit Punch) as well. And if you have a sensitive stomach or a history of trouble digesting creatine, good news: Cellucor’s micronized creatine is highly water-soluble, allowing it to mix well and absorb easily.
Best Pre-Workout Supplement
Shaklee Performance Pre-Workout Drink
There’s an endless variety of pre-workouts on the market now, most of which are more hype than substance, but we fell in love with Shaklee’s Performance Pre-Workout Drink. Combining beta-alanine, L-theanine, and caffeine, it delivers a fast-acting surge of energy without the shakes, stomach issues or post-workout crash that plagues other pre-workouts, and its natural lemon flavoring manages to be delicious without tasting artificial, which is another hurdle many pre-workouts crash out on.
Best Stim-Free Pre-Workout
110% Nutrition Non-Stim Preworkout
Not everyone has the luxury of training in the morning or in the early afternoon. If you have to hit the gym after work or even after the sun goes down, you’ll want a pre-workout that moves through your system quickly, giving you the energy you need without disrupting your sleep schedule. The best of these “stim-free” pre-workouts we tested this year was the 110% Nutrition Non-Stim Preworkout, which delivered incredible pumps without caffeine. Key ingredients include L-citrulline malate and betaine anhydrous, as well as a host of minerals to help promote better blood flow, from sodium and potassium to magnesium and chloride. And with delicious flavors like Sour Apple Bubblegum and Sweet Tea Lemonade, even your taste buds will look forward to your workouts.
Best Intra-Workout Supplement
Transparent Labs Intra
If you’re in and out of the gym in under an hour, you can skip an intra-workout supplement, but for those of you who combine cardio and strength training in a single session, or are training for an endurance event, an intra-workout can help you stave off fatigue and keep your training intensity high. Our favorite intra of 2025 belongs to Transparent Labs, which combines essential amino acids with nitric oxide enhancers like l-citrulline and hydrators like coconut water to deliver a mid-workout kick, helping you train both harder and longer.
Best Post-Workout Supplement
Thread Performance Daily Strength
If there’s one recent fitness trend we’re majorly in favor of, it’s the focus on post-workout recovery. Too many people narrowly focus on the gym and neglect sleep, nutrition and recovery, setting themselves up for failure in the long term. Thread Performance’s Daily Strength capsules contain a blend of organic ingredients proven to increase stamina, enhance muscle protein synthesis and reduce muscle fatigue, helping you recover from the last workout and crush the next. The harder you work, the greater the benefit you’ll get from a daily dose of Daily Strength.
$39.95 at ThreadPerformance.com
Best Probiotic Supplement
FitBiomics Nella
The health of your gut microbiome impacts basically every area of your overall health, from your energy levels to your mood to your immune system, so you neglect it at your peril. That’s why we love Nella, a probiotic supplement developed by FitBiomics to help support your workouts and quicken your muscle recovery using three distinct strains of Lactobacillus bacteria that work holistically to improve nutrient absorption and improve your sleep. We found this probiotic supplement especially helpful during periods of caloric restriction, when we’re most vulnerable to bad sleep and a weakened immune system.
Best Greens Supplement
Groove Greens
Even if you have a generally healthy diet, there's a very good chance you're missing some key nutritional bases, and the growing awareness of that fact has fueled an explosion of interest in "greens" supplements, designed to offer a concentrated dose of superfoods in an easy-to-consume package. Our favorite greens supplement this year was Groove Greens, first because it's delicious in all three flavor options (Ginger Peach, Wild Strawberry Kiwi and Meyer Lemon Blueberry) and second and most importantly because their proprietary Groove Compound, designed to address the most common vitamin deficiencies, does an amazing job supporting our immune systems, promoting better digestion, and giving us an energizing boost. Each scoop of Groove Greens contains just 20 calories but serves up a hefty dose of vitamins C, D and B12, as well as iron, fiber, healthy bacteria. If you want to supercharge your wellbeing, give Groove Greens a try.
Best Collagen Supplement
LTH Rewind Collagen Elixir
Collagen is something of a super-supplement, helping improve your skin elasticity, hair density, joint mobility and bone health, so it’s definitely worth adding to your supplement stack, especially if you’re getting on in years. Our favorite collagen supplement of 2025 is the Rewind Collagen Elixir from LTH. Combining a hefty dose of collagen peptides with hyaluronic acid, lutein and a potent antioxidant mix, while leaving out added sugars and artificial colors and sweeteners, this elixir not only made our testers feel younger after a few short weeks of regular usage; it also made them look younger, with visibly diminished fine lines and tighter facial skin.
Best Omega-3 Supplement
Alkamind's Acid-Kicking Omega-3
By now, most people know about the benefits of omega-3 supplementation (improved cardiovascular health, reduced inflammation, and even better mood and enhanced cognition, to name just a few), but too many guys are buying poorly sourced, poorly dosed omega-3 pills. Alkamind’s Acid-Kicking Omega-3 offers pharmaceutical-grade potency, with ingredients sourced exclusively from deep-water, cold-ocean and wild-caught fish that are then rigorously tested against over 400 potential contaminants. This stuff is pure, effective and a total no-brainer for enhancing your overall well-being.
Best BCAA Supplement
110% Nutrition Complete Aminos
True to their goal of delivering zero fillers, no sneaky proprietary blends, and no artificial preservatives, while still offering the essential ingredients in the appropriate, clinically-proven dosages, 110% Nutrition absolutely knocked it out of the park with their Complete Aminos formula. Each serving delivers a hefty dose of EAAs, BCAAs and even key hydration and recovery nutrients like glutamine, magnesium citrate, potassium chloride and pink Himalayan sea salt, making it equally useful as a mid-workout hydrator or post-workout recovery drink.
Best Recovery Supplement
Harlo 3-in-1 Performance Mix
If you’re constantly tired, sore or lethargic in the aftermath of your workouts, you’re doing something wrong, and it’s probably not taking your recovery seriously enough. If you’ve already taken care of the basics like ensuring you’re eating enough food and getting enough sleep, give Harlo’s 3-in-1 Performance Mix a try. Combining clean, potent ingredients like creatine, collagen and electrolytes (in effective dosages, of course) into multiple delicious flavor options (watermelon, raspberry, citrus, and pineapple), Harlo helps replenish lost nutrients, promote stronger and healthier joints, and improve muscle recovery. You can take it immediately after a workout or even as a morning boost to help break your fast and rehydrate your body after a long night’s sleep.
Best Shaker Cup
HELIMIX 2.0 Vortex Blender
We hate clumpy, chalky protein shakes every bit as much as you do, which is why we were so glad to discover the Vortex Blender from HELIMIX. Thanks to its clever design (and some basic physics), the Vortex manages to deliver a perfectly mixed protein shake every single time, without the need for whisks, blender balls, or a mini forearm workout. It’s also available in two size options (20 and 28 ounces) and 22 color options, so it’s incredibly easy to personalize one to your preferences.
Best Protein Bar
Barebells Protein Bars
Barebells Protein Bars have developed a bit of a cult following online, and for good reason: they’re tasty, made with simple ingredients, packed with protein, and available in a massive variety of delicious flavors. If you need a high-protein, guilt-free snack to take to the office or to substitute for a small meal before a workout, these are the protein bars for you.
Best Vegan Protein Bar
SimplyProtein Crispy Vegan Protein Bars
Delicious, easy on the stomach, low in calories, and made from all-natural ingredients and flavors, these vegan protein bars from SimplyProtein deliver 13 grams of protein in as little as 160 calories per bar, making them a phenomenal pre-workout boost or snack to tide you over between meals. And because of the high fiber content, they’re surprisingly filling. Choose from any of three flavors or opt for a variety box to experiment with all of them.
Best Energy Gel
Chargel
Feeling drained before a big workout and looking for energy in a hurry? You need an energy gel, and specifically Chargel. These fast-digesting blends of vitamins and carbs come in single-serving pouches, offering you a portable dose of energy to fuel your workout, temporarily satisfy your hunger cravings, or give you the boost you need to get through your day. They’re currently available in three delicious flavors (strawberry, apple and white grape), or in a handy trial kit containing all three, to help you pick a favorite.
Best Energy Drink
KEY Energy Drink, Variety Pack
We love energy drinks as much as the next guy, but we’re wary of miles-long ingredient lists filled with chemicals we can’t even pronounce. KEY Energy Drinks take an all-natural approach, using ketones (acids created by your body when it’s using fat instead of glucose as an energy source) instead of sugar to give your body a boost. Because of this approach, they can also get away with using far less caffeine than their rivals, delivering the energy boost you crave without the inevitable crash that comes from a caffeine binge. KEY Energy Drinks are currently available in Pineapple Passionfruit, Grapefruit Peach and Ginger Lime, but we recommend starting with the variety pack to experience every flavor before you commit.
Best Energy Chew
Honey Stinger Energy Chews
Halfway between an energy drink and an energy gel is an energy chew, and while we admit the concept was foreign to us at first, Honey Stinger Energy Chews sold us, big time. These bite-sized gummies come in seven delicious flavors, all of which are dairy-, gluten- and GMO-free. They’re a portable snack that delivers a hefty dose of simple carbs to fuel your upcoming workout, as well as a welcome dose of vitamin C, and because they come in individual packets, they’re perfect to take to the office or leave in your car for future energy emergencies. (Energencies?)
Best Multivitamin
KAL Vitamins Multivitamins AM/PM Tablets
Because we humans work on a day-night cycle, our bodies have different nutrient requirements depending on the time of day. KAL Vitamins honor that need with their AM/PM multivitamin, which delivers most of its energy-, immunity- and metabolism-supporting vitamins in the morning dose, helping set you up for a day of work and training, while its evening dose contains ingredients that support recovery and relaxation, including iron, turmeric and magnesium glycinate.
Best Low-Calorie Condiment
Yo Mama's BBQ Sauce
When it comes time to start a diet and you already have to sacrifice calories, the last thing you want to give up is flavor. That’s why we love Yo Mama’s BBQ Sauce. Vegan, low in sodium and carbs, gluten-free and paleo-friendly, these delicious sauces are available in five flavors and multiple size and quantity combinations, making it very easy to coordinate your meal planning and stick to your diet, so if you’ve been looking for a way to jazz up your basic chicken breast or lean ground beef, give these a try.
Best Gut Health Supplement
Alkamind's Kick Acid Reflux Bundle
Gut issues are no joke. In fact, they can completely sabotage your training or set your fitness goals back days or even weeks. Whether you suffer from indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, or just basic bloat and stomach cramps, Alkamind’s Kick Acid Reflux Bundle offers a comprehensive approach to healing your gut. It works by taking a multi-pronged approach, using minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and nutrient-rich greens to help loosen up your bowels, eliminate bloating and attack acid reflux at the root, resulting in better digestion, improved nutrient absorption, and even better sleep.
Best Focus Supplement
Alkamind's Acid-Kicking Minerals
An unbelievable number of men are walking around with significant mineral deficiencies, causing everything from constant food cravings to bad sleep and a persistent inability to focus. Don’t be one of them! Alkamind’s Acid-Kicking Minerals stack uses four distinct alkaline minerals and an organic lemon juice powder to deliver essential nutrients to your body, including chelated magnesium in the ideal 1:1 ratio with calcium, to help you achieve a deeper sleep and boost your mental clarity throughout the day.
Best Sleep Supplement
Protekt REST Liquid Formula
Nothing will sabotage your progress in the gym or in life quite like inadequate sleep, which is why we fell in love with Protekt’s REST Liquid Formula. Combining well-established sleep aids like valerian root, theanine and GABA, and excluding sugars, artificial colors and flavors, and other unwanted fillers, each packet delivers a dose-appropriate liquid sleep aid that mixes perfectly in water, without a spoon, and acts fast to help you fall asleep quickly.
Best Hydration Supplement
DripDrop Zero Sugar
Although they also offer a sugar-based hydration supplement, we fell in love with DripDrop’s Zero Sugar hydration packets. Each easy-to-open pouch contains a potent dose of electrolytes, b vitamins, magnesium, zinc and vitamin c, and they’re engineered with low osmolarity (a fancy way of saying the solute concentration isn’t very dense), which means they mix very easily in water, leaving you with a delicious, fast-acting drink to help you replenish your body after long runs or grueling workouts.
Best Supplement for Hair
Nutrafol Hair Growth Nutraceutical
Whether you’re fighting male pattern baldness, trying to revive thinning hairs, or just want the peace of mind that comes from giving your follicles and scalp the nutrient support they need, Nutrafol’s Hair Growth Nutraceutical is a comprehensive hair supplement that combines every scientifically-backed nutrient for hair growth, from biotin and ashwagandha to saw palmetto and hyaluronic acid, in a single, convenient capsule.
Best Supplement for Skin
Pure Synergy Radiant Skin Bundle
Your skin is the single largest organ in the human body, but it’s also the most neglected from a health perspective. Yes, washing your face is great, as is using a moisturizer, but there are a lot of skin issues, from acne to wrinkles, that are best attacked from inside. Pure Synergy’s Radiant Skin Bundle offers a comprehensive stack of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including vitamin c, zinc and astaxanthin, to help improve your skin tone, texture and suppleness. It works by naturally increasing your skin’s collagen production, improving skin elasticity and boosting your skin’s moisture levels. You can tell how seriously the good folks at Pure Synergy take their formula by the attention they put into storage: the amber glass bottle and aluminum lid help prevent plastic contamination while protecting the integrity and potency of their formula.
Best Immune Boosting Supplement
Protekt Immunity Liquid Formula
Sickness is a setback, in life and in the gym, which is why we love having Protekt’s liquid Immunity formula on hand. Combining fast-acting antioxidants with zinc, vitamin c, vitamin d, and soothing echinacea, this all-natural, zero-sugar formula helps support your immune system when it most needs the help, staving off colds and flus and helping you push your training intensity up, even during flu season.
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