According to the legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger, “The best activities for your health are pumping and humping.”
While we don’t have any advice for the latter, we can say that optimizing your supplement game helps in the former.
And In fact, using the right post workout supplement can massively improve your recovery process after grueling exercise.
But do you really need to use a post workout supplement?
What’s the difference between post and pre workouts?
How do you find a post workout supplement that really works?
In this article, we answer these questions and more. By the end you’ll be armed with the knowledge needed to not only pick the best post workout, but to use it optimally.
The Post Workout Supplements We RAVE About
Key Takeaways
- Post Workout supplements work by improving your body’s ability to recover after workouts and build muscle.
- The best post workout supplements ensure that you’re rested and energetic after working out, so that you’re ready for your next one.
- While pre workout formulas focus on boosting endurance, energy levels, and performance during your workout, post workouts aid your body’s ability to benefit from each workout.
How Do Post Workout Supplements Work?
It is common knowledge that one of the most important aspects involved in high-intensity exercise is not the activity itself but rather the period after the activity.
This famed “anabolic window of opportunity” is suggested to be the ideal time for muscle tissue to soak up nutrients and kickstart the recovery process.
In other words, the immediate post workout period plays a major role in how well you recover from exercise.
Bottom Line: If you don’t recover efficiently, you won’t be able to perform in the days, weeks, months, and even years ahead.
Post Workout Supplement Formulation
Lucky for you, there are some excellent post workout supplements out there that are designed to optimize your recovery immediately following your workout so you can get after it the next day without skipping a beat.
This makes them nearly as important as taking good pre workout supplements.
Most post workout formulas feature at least the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are arguably the most important essential amino acids for building and repairing skeletal muscle tissue.
You will also commonly find the gold standard sports supplement, creatine monohydrate, which hydrates muscle tissue and also promotes athletic performance.
Glutamine and electrolytes are also typical ingredients in post workout supplements.
Key Point: While pre workout formulas are designed specifically to improve your performance in the gym, post workout formulas focus more on providing your body with the tools to recover quickly and build muscle.
Are There Different Kinds of Post Workouts?
There are also different post workout formulas for different needs.
For example, a good post workout formula for the male athlete trying to pack on muscle mass won’t serve the needs of a female athlete looking to cut body fat.
Likewise, vegan athletes will want to avoid post workout supplements that feature animal-based protein (e.g., whey protein and casein protein). Don’t worry, there are some great vegan post workout formulas to choose from.
One of the most important considerations though is the sugar content of your post workout supplement.
Insulin Spikes and Growth Hormones
When you ingest an overly sugary post workout supplement or meal, your insulin levels spike. This blocks the effects of the growth hormones released during your exercise.
And these growth hormones are what encourage lean muscle growth and fat-burning.
It’s sort of worst case scenario for a post-workout routine to counteract the effects of your workout isn’t it?
Check out this helpful video from Dr. Eric Berg for a great explanation of the relationship between what your nutrition and the effectiveness of your workouts:
Top Post Workout Supplements by Category
We have compiled a list of the best post workout formulas with several different needs in mind.
After scouring data from the leading manufacturers, we are proud to offer the best post workout supplements in the following categories:
- Best Post Workout Supplement Overall
- Best Post Workout Supplement for Men
- Best Post Workout Supplement for Women
- Best Post Workout for Cutting Calories
- Best All Natural Supplement Post Workout
- Best Post Workout Supplement for Bulking
- Best Nighttime Supplement Post Workout
In order to arrive at our final rankings, we ranked each product according to the following factors:
- Ingredient quality
- Taste
- Customer satisfaction
- Doses per serving
- Price per serving
Best Overall
Best Overall Post Workout
Jacked Factory Growth Surge
Growth Surge (made by Jacked Factory) is a post workout muscle builder containing a tried-and-true blend of four synergistic ingredients:
- Creatine monohydrate
- L-carnitine L-tartrate
- Betaine anhydrous (also known as Trimethylglycine)
- BioPerine (black pepper fruit extract)
While creatine monohydrate is undoubtedly effective on its own, the addition of the other ingredients helps your body maximize the absorption and uptake of creatine into muscle cells without the need for insulin-spiking sugars. This makes Growth Surge ideal for people looking to pack on lean muscle and those who want to cut body fat.
Each serving of Growth Surge contains evidence-based doses of each ingredient. And like all of Jacked Factory’s products, Growth Surge is made with none of the artificial junk or fillers many companies use.
The flavoring is also top-notch, so Growth Surge is a supplement that you’ll actually look forward to drinking.
Pros
- Simple, effective formula
- Great overall value
- Refreshing and tasty
Cons
- Limited flavor options
- Contains a small amount of sucralose
- Not as comprehensive as other formulas
Transparent Labs POST
Transparent Labs has made waves across the sports supplement industry in recent years. Contrary to many brands, Transparent Labs offers complete label transparency, meaning you can see the exact dose of every ingredient (even the inactive ones) in their formulas. Their new post workout formula, fittingly called POST, is a fantastic option for virtually any athlete or gym-goer.
POST features a hefty 5,000 milligrams of L-glutamine, 2,500 milligrams of BetaPure betaine anhydrous, 2,000 milligrams of L-carnitine L-tartrate, 2,000 milligrams of beta-alanine, 500 milligrams of innovative Vitacherry tart cherry powder, and 25 milligrams of AstraGin. These ingredients work synergistically to “recharge” muscle tissue and facilitate blood flow so your muscles get the nutrients and oxygen they need after training.
Even better, POST is refreshingly tasty, gluten free, non-GMO, and free from artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and food coloring.
Pros
- Comprehensive formula
- Full-label transparency
- No artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or food dyes
Cons
- Only two flavor options (orange and black cherry)
- Pricey
- No creatine
Re-Kaged
Kaged is an industry favorite brand, known for providing high-end ingredients and optimal dosing in their pre and post workout products. But among these, Re-Kaged is a standout product.
Its formula offers one of the most impressive combinations of amino acids: all 9 Essential Amino Acids, BCAAs, CAAs, and NAAs.
Additionally, the protein on offer is of the purest variety: Non-GMO, micro pure, whey protein isolate that mixes quickly and easily without the annoying clumps that occur with similar products.
Re-Kaged post workout delivers other key ingredients, too–provided in optimal doses needed to take advantage of the post workout anabolic window.
Highlights of this formula include:
- 28 grams Whey Protein
- 12,000 mg (Essential Amino Acids) EAAs
- 3,000 mg Fermented Vegan Glutamine
- 1,500 mg Patented BetaPower Betaine
- 1,500 mg Patented Creatine HCl
- 280 mg ProHydrolase (Digestive Enzyme)
One of the standout features of this ingredient profile is ProHydrolase. This digestive enzyme helps your body to break down and process both the whey protein and other ingredients. In other words, this enzyme helps you get the most out of each ingredient.
Pros
- Excellent flavor that’s often positively reviewed
- Innovative formula that’s fast-acting
- Quality ingredients (all natural flavors and colors)
Cons
- Pricey
- Only 20 doses per container
- May cause a side effect of gassyness
Legion Recharge
Legion is a cutting-edge supplement producer, and its post workout formula, Recharge, is no exception.
Legion was founded with a commitment to having all ingredients backed by peer-reviewed scientific literature, good value per serving, clinically effective dosages, and honest marketing.
Like its other supplements, Legion’s Recharge features great taste and high-quality ingredients with no artificial sweeteners, flavoring, food dyes, or fillers. Recharge’s ingredients appear in clinically effective dosages and the formula is sweetened only with natural Stevia—which has demonstrated health benefits—and erythritol. The key ingredients in Recharge are:
- Creatine monohydrate
- L-carnitine L-tartrate
- Corosolic acid
Fans of Recharge praise its good taste, whether mixed in water or juice, or in milk or dairy substitutes. Recharge will help you recover faster, push harder, train more frequently, and stave off soreness.
Pros
- Naturally flavored and sweetened
- 5,000 milligrams of creatine monohydrate per serving
- Supports insulin sensitivity
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited flavor options
Evlution Nutrition RecoverMode
Athletes familiar with Evlution nutrition will know its well-known pre-workout formula, ENGN, as well as its line of BCAAs. RecoverMode, its flagship post workout nutrition supplement, is an ultra-premium post workout formula designed to rebuild muscle, promote recovery, enhance strength, and increase endurance. RecoverMode features:
- BCAAs in a proven 2:1:1 ratio
- Glutamine
- Creatine monohydrate
- Creatine HCL
- Beta-alanine
- L-Carnitine L-Tartrate
- Vitamin C, D, and E complexes
- Electrolytes
As you can see, RecoverMode leaves no stone unturned in its formula.
The potent mixture of all these ingredients helps supply energy to muscles and support muscle protein synthesis, recovery, hydration, and lean body mass.
Pros
- 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs
- Multiple forms of creatine
- Contains several micronutrients
Cons
- Artificial sweeteners and flavors
- Some flavors are overly sweet
- Contains artificial food coloring
Best for Men
Best Post Workout for Men
Jacked Factory Powerbuild
Jacked Factory, also makers of Growth Surge, offer a second option for your post workout arsenal. Unlike Growth Surge, which features creatine monohydrate, L-carnitine L-tartrate, and betaine anhydrous, Powerbuild features a full range of post workout ingredients:
- L-Glutamine
- L-Leucine
- Creatine monohydrate
- Beta-alanine
- L-Carnitine
- L-Tartrate
- Betaine
- Bioperine
These added ingredients will not only help you recover but also help you grow in the hours after your session is over, and that is what makes it our first choice for the best post workout supplement for men in particular.
It also reduces muscle soreness and increases strength and power. Powerbuild is a powerhouse for post workout recovery, and it is naturally sweetened and flavored with no artificial dyes or fillers.
Pros
- Surprisingly refreshing
- Robust ingredient profile
- No artificial dyes or flavors
Cons
- Limited flavor options
- A little pricey
- Only 1 BCAA in the formula (Leucine)
Vintage Build
Old School Lab’s Vintage Build comes in as our second best post workout for men. It features three no-nonsense scientifically proven ingredients to achieve the one goal common to all male lifters: build lean mass! Its trifecta consists of:
- BCAAs
- Creatine monohydrate
- L-Glutamine
While it is true that these ingredients are common to many post workout supplements, Vintage Build’s formula contains them in doses that are proven to be effective for male athletes. BCAAs are provided in a proven 2:1:1 ratio, and creatine and L-glutamine at 3 grams and 2 grams, respectively.
Vintage Build also avoids using artificial ingredients and dyes. Furthermore, Old School Labs carefully monitors its supply chain for ingredient quality. Both of these factors are crucial for producing a formula that promotes muscle recovery, which all men need to achieve a chiseled, alpha physique.
Pros
- 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs
- Solid doses of creatine and glutamine
- Naturally sweetened and flavored
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited flavor options
- Taste is hit or miss
Best for Women
Best Post Workout for Women
Cellucor Alpha Amino
Cellucor’s Alpha Amino is ideal for female athletes. It contains the post workout ingredients your body needs without any added carbohydrates or sugars, which helps you focus on staying lean and toned long after you’ve left the gym.
Key ingredients in Cellucor’s formula include:
- BCAAs
- Amino acids
- Electrolytes
Added electrolytes in Cellucor’s formula help keep your body hydrated, which is a top priority for any active lifestyle. If you’re not hydrated, all other bodily functions are impaired. Hydration will improve your performance in the gym and also promote recovery by ensuring proper blood flow to muscle tissue.
BCAAs are provided in the proven 2:1:1 ratio, and your strength, power, and muscle endurance will be well supported in this low-calorie, sugar-free solution.
Pros
- Brand reputation
- Multiple flavor options
- 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs
Cons
- Contains proprietary blends
- Contain artificial sweeteners
- Some non-essential amino acids in the mix
MusclePharm BCAA + Recovery
BCAA Recovery, made by MusclePharm, which also makes the popular women’s pre-workout FitMiss Ignite, is a simple, effective branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) plus essential amino acid (EAA) recovery formula that provides just what women need after a workout—and nothing they don’t. It contains all the necessary EAAs to support muscle recovery without packing a ton of sugar and calories into the diet.
In addition, this formula provides a sizable 7,000 milligrams of BCAAs in every serving. The reason these are so important is that they account for nearly half of all the essential amino acids in muscle protein. The combination of these three amino acids in the right amounts helps promote muscle growth, reduce muscle damage, and enhance the use of glucose for energy.
As you become leaner and hit the gym regularly, supplementing with BCAAs/EAAs may also promote fat loss. BCAA Recovery is available in two popular flavors: Fruit Punch and Blue Raspberry.
Pros
- Tested for banned substances
- Great for active women
- Contains all nine essential amino acids (EAAs)
Cons
- Only sodium and potassium for electrolytes
- Contains artificial coloring
- Contains artificial sweetener
Best to Lose Weight
Best Post Workout for Cutting Calories
Optimum Nutrition Instantized BCAA 5000 Powder
Taking a post workout supplement with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) is the surest way to kickstart the muscle recovery and rebuilding process. Every serving of Optimum Nutrition’s Instantized BCAA 5000 Powder packs 5,000 milligrams of micronized BCAAs in the proven 2:1:1 ratio of leucine: isoleucine: valine. It’s also fantastic value at 40 servings per bottle, and the unflavored option is ideal for those who just want the good stuff and none of the unnecessary additives.
Optimum Nutrition has an impressive track record as a sports supplement brand that caters to gym-goers and athletes of all levels. While the company is renowned for its comprehensive protein powder offerings, it also has a range of pre-workout, post workout, and general health supplements with solid formulas. Due to its long-standing reputation, you can always count on the quality and consistency of Optimum Nutrition supplements.
Pros
- Brand reputation
- Unflavored and flavored options
- 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs
Cons
- Just BCAAs
- Flavored options contain artificial coloring
- Contains soy
Best for Bulking
Best Post Workout Supplement for Bulking
Myogenix AfterShock
Myogenix AfterShock is the go-to post workout solution for serious strength athletes and bodybuilders alike.
AfterShock is a comprehensive mass activator that is designed to target every conceivable need the body has during the crucial post workout anabolic window. Ingredients include:
- GlycogenX fast-acting carbs
- Hefty dose of hydrolyzed whey protein
- Advanced creatine forms
- Joint recovery matrix
Myogenix has created quite a comprehensive post workout supplement that covers all the basics and then some. By providing a solid 30-plus grams (each) of quality whey protein and easily digestible carbohydrates, plus plenty of creatine, AfterShock is sure to help you capitalize on your efforts in the gym.
Myogenix recommends consuming AfterShock immediately following each workout. With a no-nonsense formula like this, you can’t go wrong.
Pros
- Fast-acting hydrolyzed whey peptides
- Easily digestible
- Multiple forms of creatine
Cons
- Contains proprietary blends
- Pricey
- Might be overkill for some gym-goers
Best All Natural
Best All Natural Post Workout
Vega Sport Recovery Accelerator
The name Vega Sport will be familiar to athletes who are dedicated to all-natural, vegetarian, plant-based, and vegan supplements.
Vega Sport began with an entirely plant-based mission, and its post workout formula, Recovery Accelerator, follows this tradition with the following ingredients:
- Carbohydrates
- B vitamins
- Electrolytes
- Plant-based protein
- Various plant extracts
Recovery Accelerator is a comprehensive solution for nearly all post workout needs — whether you’re an endurance athlete, bodybuilder, or fitness lover. Plant-based proteins provide muscle-recovery support while carbohydrates from brown rice syrup solids support energy levels.
Various micronutrients from plant- and herb-based sources help reduce inflammation and provide vital antioxidants to your body after strenuous exercise. Not to mention, it tastes pretty darn good for being a vegan formula.
Pros
- Versatile formula
- Plant-based and vegan-friendly
- Decent flavor for being all-natural
Cons
- 15 g of added sugar per serving
- Only 20 servings per bottle
- Protein content is fairly low
Natural Force Organic Plant-Based Protein
Like Vega Sport’s post workout formula, Natural Force’s Organic Plant-Based Protein is (fittingly) plant-based and 100% organic.
Being a vegan-friendly source of protein, this organic post workout supplement is designed to promote muscle repair, and provide a hefty dose of iron, a micronutrient commonly lacking in plant-based diets.
In addition to post workout recovery, Natural Force’s Organic Plant-Based Protein is also useful for helping you meet your protein needs on a daily basis. After all, consuming plenty of protein is key for repairing muscle tissue, especially if you’re active and hit the gym frequently.
Pros
- Robust plant-based protein powder
- Great source of iron
- 100% organic and vegan friendly
Cons
- Only one flavor option
- Acquired taste
- Expensive
Best for Nighttime
Best Overnight Post Workout
Progenex Cocoon
One of the most frequently overlooked dimensions of a well-rounded physical training program is physical rest — and by physical rest, we don’t mean lack of activity but actual deep sleep.
You can’t supplement yourself out of bad sleeping habits, and Progenex Cocoon’s specially formulated nighttime formula kills two birds with one stone: It provides the nutrients your body needs to recover and also natural sleep aids to help you achieve deep sleep. Key ingredients in Cocoon are:
- Micellar casein
- BCAAs
- Metamorphagen
Metamorphagen is a proprietary tryptophan peptide that is suggested to reduce sleep interruptions while fostering deep, sound, restorative sleep so that you wake up feeling strong, rested, and fully recovered. The slow-digesting casein mixed with BCAAs provides your body with a slow but steady source of muscle-building nutrients while you sleep.
Through its strategic combination of ingredients, Cocoon stimulates protein synthesis, increases lean muscle mass, speeds recovery, supports immunity, and more.
Pros
- Great taste
- Ideal for nighttime recovery
- Includes casein protein
Cons
- Limited flavor options
- Not for daytime use
- Pricey
Animal PM
Like Progenex’s Cocoon, Universal Nutrition’s Animal PM contains sleep-promoting ingredients, but instead of a proprietary formula, it achieves this through a blend of natural herbs and L-theanine, which it has named as its “Sleep and Relaxation Complex.” This complex includes:
- Valerian root powder
- Chamomile root powder
- Mucuna pruriens seed
- Hops extract
Animal PM is also loaded with amino acids, natural growth hormone boosters, and a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, magnesium, zinc, and more. A serving of Animal PM turns your regular night’s rest into a multi-hour anabolic process.
Animal’s formula is non-habit-forming, so you can cycle on and off as needed without concern about long-term effects. Animal suggests using Animal PM in conjunction with its flagship product, Animal Pak multivitamin, for best results.
Pros
- Brand reputation
- Great for sleep
- Non-habit forming
Cons
- Contains proprietary blends
- Geared exclusively towards nighttime use
- A little pricey
FAQ and Related Articles
- Best Pre Workouts
- Best Protein Powders
- Best Pre Workouts for Women
- Best Paleo Friendly Protein Powders
- Best Organic Pre Workouts
Next, we aim to answer any remaining questions you might have about post workouts and how to use them properly.
Just click on the question in blue for a drop-down answer!
Is a post workout supplement better than a pre workout?
There’s no technically correct answer here.
Because a pre workout and post workout serve different purposes, it’s comparing apples to oranges.
That said, you can decide which one offers the most value to your as an individual. If you feel low energy during your workouts and feel as if you left something on the table afterwards, then it might be time to consider taking pre workout supplements.
These will aid in boosting your performance in the gym by raising your energy levels and your ability to complete long and strenuous workout routines.
However, a post workout may be the better choice if you feel like you already push yourself sufficiently in the gym, but you have trouble recovering or gaining muscle. Post workouts are better for those who might need to supplement a sub optimal diet in order to more efficiently build muscle mass.
When should you take your post workout supplement?
The most optimal timeframe for taking a post workout supplement is within an hour of completing your workout.
However, some suggest that ideal time is 30 minutes after your workout.
Ideally, you would finish your workout roughly 1-2 hours before a big meal. And take your post workout after workout but before your meal.
This ensures that you benefit both from your post workout formula and the whole foods ingested during your meal.
Should you take both a post workout AND a pre workout?
While more a matter of personal preference and individual goals, taking both may represent the optimal approach for athletes and serious gym-rats.
The main point here is that you need to be careful not to double dip on ingredients. Sometimes there’s overlap between pre and post workout formulas. And taking too much of certain ingredients can cause unwanted side effects.
Ideally, you would take the time to find a pre workout with the ingredients needed to improve your workouts. And then you would tailor your choice of post workout supplement based on what’s missing from the pre workout formula and your particular goals.
For instance, you might focus on an energy-based pre workout formula, while searching out a post-workout that’s designed specifically for muscle building and muscle recovery.