10 Great Muscle-Building Supplements You Can Find on Amazon
Building muscle usually requires a little help, and the best way to support your body in building muscle is to make sure it has enough of two things: protein & amino acids, and creatine.
When it comes to finding supplements, Amazon is flooded with options. The only thing is, which ones do you trust? In the United States, the supplement industry is unregulated. This means literally anything could be in the bottle.
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. By clicking the affiliate links in this post, you not only get to find great products at no extra cost but also support my blog, as I may receive a small commission on purchases made through these links.
Creatine: What to Look For
Not all creatine is created equal. Most generic creatine is manufactured in China or India, where oversight is a little harder to guarantee. Cheaper forms are poorly absorbed and/or often cause GI distress. My recommendation is to use brands that use the patented Creapure formula, which means better sourcing of raw materials and a high-quality manufacturing process, and that meet EU purity standards.
As a coach and nutrition educator, I use these myself and recommend them to clients because they’re clean, reliable, and research‑backed—exactly what you want in a supplement you take daily.
Protein & Aminos: What to Look For
It all boils down to two main things: 1) you need to like it, and 2) it needs to be good for you. Ideally, it should also be a good value for the price. Look for zero artificial sweeteners whenever possible (many people react poorly to them), screened for heavy metals, low-temp processed, and certified GMP.
Protein Bars: What to Look For
Much like the protein powder, taste is a huge factor. If you don’t like it, you won’t eat it, right? Whenever possible, steer clear of soy protein, filler ingredients, texture agents, and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). Artificial sweeteners have been linked to headaches and GI problems in some individuals, while others seem to have no problems. Soy protein is often made with GMO soy—just some things to keep on your radar.
My Product Picks
I’ve curated a list of supplements from brands I trust. I looked for clean ingredients—no artificial sweeteners or colors, soy-free, grass-fed whenever possible, plus simple ingredient lists that aren’t too flashy or confusing. I tried to find both top-of-the-line and budget-friendly versions of the same things, or as close as I could get.
Use the links attached to the pictures in the grid or tap on the links in the descriptions below.
Thorne Creatine Monohydrate - This is a great no-frills creatine Monohydrate, but you can also find flavored versions from Thorne here.
Muscle Feast Creatine Monohydrate - This brand offers bodybuilding staples at budget-friendly prices. I have bought from them for years and love their minimal packaging and, of course, the lower prices.
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate - Whey protein isolate breaks down and absorbs faster than any other form of protein and has the highest bioavailability as well. If a whey protein powder doesn’t say “isolate” on it, it’s usually just whey protein concentrate, which is fine, but not the fastest and best.
Levels Whey Protein - This is a great grass-fed whey protein concentrate. Tastes great and blends well.
Thorne Amino Complex - Contains all nine essential amino acids (EAAs), including BCAAs, making it more comprehensive than BCAAs alone. EAAs support muscle repair, strength, energy production, and metabolic function, making them beneficial for athletes, aging individuals, and those recovering from injuries. Amino complexes are also good for anyone who doesn’t like the thicker texture of traditional protein supplements.
Naked EAAs Amino Complex - This is a simple version of a helpful product for a reasonable price. If budget won’t let you do Thorne supplements, this is a good option.
Thorne Plant Protein - A combo of pea, rice, and chia protein, naturally sweetened with stevia, this is a great option.
Vega Plant Protein - Vega protein powders were the gold standard of plant protein, and they used to be everywhere in the late ‘00s and early ‘10s but got overshadowed by the competition. But guess what? They’re still awesome, and they cost way less than they used to. I rediscovered them while doing research for this blog post, and I’m honestly so happy about it!
Jacob bars - These bars are a different take on the traditional protein bar, blending protein from whey and collagen with ingredients like beef tallow to make a truly unique protein bar.
Tru Bar - These are a great plat-based protein bar that is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and delicious (especially for a plant-based bar).
Are You a Thorne Person?
If you already know and use Thorne supplements, feel free to get a discount anywhere from 10-20% off on their website by ordering through my storefront.
Related Posts:
Creatine Monohydrate: The Most Underrated Supplement for Strength, Brain Power, and Healthy Aging
How to Spot a Junk Supplement (Before You Waste Your Money): 14 Red Flags to Look For
Fix Weak Shoulders Fast: The Best Exercises for Stabilizer Strength
Stronger, Rounder, Bigger Glutes: The Best Intermediate Butt-Building Exercises