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The Bodybuilding
Supplement Guide

Below, the bodybuilding supplement guide table gives you a listing of all the dietary and muscle building supplements reviewed and recommended on this site.

This IS NOT a complete listing of all supplements marketed to increase muscle and weight gain, but rather a listing of the proven effective supplements (the ones that actually work). Find out more about how this guide was compiled here.

I link to and recommend IllPumpYouUp.com for the majority of your supplement purchases simply because they have low prices and excellent service.

Special Site Discount:

Visitors to this site can get an extra 5% off their supplement purchases at IllPumpYouUp.com. Simply enter the following discount code when prompted:

GainWeightMuscleFast

Affordable Supplements is another solid choice for your supplement purchases.

Dietary Supplements
for Muscle and Weight Gain

5 star rating
Vitamins and Minerals
(Multivitamins)
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Vitamins and Minerals

AST's Multi-Pro 32x
AST's Multi Pro 32X

Good cost-effective multi-vitamin for the intense trainer. 2 tablets a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.

For 100 Tablets (50 days) pay less than $16.00

Multi Pro 32X available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Twinlab's Daily One Caps
Twinlab's Daily One Caps

With iron for men, w/o for women. A nice basic multivitamin product at a reasonable price.

For 60 Tablets (60 days) pay less than $12.00

Daily One (w/ iron) available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Daily One (w/o iron) available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Universal's Animal Pak
Universal's Animal Pak
Lots of swallowing - 11 tablets a day. Probably the most popular among bodybuilders. They recommend 2 paks a day for "intense training," but one should be fine.

For 44 Paks (44 days) pay less than $25.00

Animal Pak available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Eas's Myoplex
EAS's Myoplex
Stick to the original formula, deluxe formula doesn't justify price increase. Stay with base flavors -vanilla, chocalate, strawberry - exotic flavors leave something to be desired.

For 20 Packets pay less than $45.00
For 42 Packets pay less than $80.00

Myoplex available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Prolab's Lean Mass Matrix
Prolab's Lean Mass Matrix

Less thick alternative to Myoplex (depends on your preference). Cinnamon oatmeal flavor is very good.

For 20 Packets pay less than $47.00

Lean Mass Matrix available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Next Protein's Detour Bars
Next Protein's Detour Bars
Truly nutritious bars taste a lot like chalk, stick w/ MRPs when possible. Always get peanut butter based bars, that helps.

For 12 Bars pay less than $27.00

Detour Bars available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

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4 star rating
Whey Protein
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Whey Protein

Optimum Nutrition's 100% Whey Protein
Optimum Nutrition's 100% Whey
This is the top-selling concentrate for good reasons - good price and reasonable quality.

For a 5 lb. Container pay less than $45.00

100% Whey available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Nature's Best Isopure
Nature's Best's Isopure
Top quality isolate. Expensive but very good stuff. Is lactose-free for those who are lactose intolerant. Available in packets or a tub. Most can stick with a concentrate, save some money and do fine.

For a 20 packets pay less than $33.00
Fora 8.8 lb. container pay less than $90.00

Isopure Packets available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Isopure 8.8 lb. Tub available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Optimum Nutrition's Pro complex Protein
Optimum Nutrition's Pro Complex
A nice little reasonably priced protein blend.

For a 4.6 lb. Container pay less than $54.00

Pro Complex available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

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4 star rating
Weight Gainers
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Weight Gainers

Prolab's  N-Large 2
ProLab's N-Large 2
Probably the most popular weight gainer, good quality and value. High in protein.

For a 10 lb. Container pay less than $56.00

N-Large 2 available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass
Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass

In comparison to N-Large 2, a lower protein to carb ratio which makes it less expensive. Depends on your needs which is best for you. Low in sugar. Cutting recommended serving size in half will work best for most people.

For a 12 lb. Bag pay less than $40.00

Serious Mass available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

EAS's Mass Factor
EAS's Mass Factor
In comparison to N-Large 2, very similar but more expensive and better quality nutritional content.

For a 8 lb. Container pay less than $75.00

Mass Factor available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

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4 star rating
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Flora's Udo's choice Oil Blend
Flora's Udo's Choice Oil Blend
An excellent quality blend of oils.

For a 32 Oz. Bottle pay less than $40.00

(N/A at IllPumpYouUp)

Udo's Choice available here at Affordable Supplements

(Search for "Udos")

Nature Way's Mega Blend EFA Oil
Nature's Way's Mega EFA Blend
Another excellent blend of oils.

For a 16 Oz. Bottle pay less than $20.00

(N/A at IllPumpYouUp)
Mega EFA Blend available here at Affordable Supplements

Natures Way Mega EFA Gel Tabs
Nature's Way's Mega EFA Blend (Gel Tabs)
This is for the pill-poppers. Only take the pills if you absolutely can't take the cold-pressed oils.

For 90 Softgels pay less than $12.00

(N/A at IllPumpYouUp)
Mega Blend EFA Gel Tabs at Affordable Supplements

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3 star rating
Post-Workout Drinks
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Pre and Post-Workout Nutrition


Note: Getting a supplement specifically made for post-workout nutrition isn't necessary. MRPs and weight gainers make good post-workout drinks. A sports drink combined with some whey protein is also good.

But you do want to get good carbs and protein to your muscles as soon as possible which is best accomplished by a liquid source.

Optimum Nutrition's After Max
Optimum Nutrition's After Max
Great specific for post-workout product. Does contain 5G of quality creatine - so you would use this as your creatine serving on workout days (and use ONs Creatine Powder -see below - on non-workout days).

For a 3.7 lb. Container pay less than $34.00

After Max available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

TwinLab's Ultra Fuel
TwinLab's Ultra Fuel
I use this in combination with a protein powder drink for post-workout. More calorie-intense than most sport's drinks, this one is good for those who have trouble gaining/maintaining weight. Opt for the pre-mixed bottles for the great taste (try finding them locally).

For a 3.3 lb. Mix pay less than $17.00

(Not available at IllPumpYouUp)
Ultra Fuel Mix available here at Amazon

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3 star rating
Fiber
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Fiber

Twinlab's FiberSol Capsules
TwinLab's FiberSol Capsules
Pills to help keep you "soft" with all that extra protein.

For 200 Capsules pay less than $13.00

(N/A at IllPumpYouUp)
FiberSol available here at Affordable Supplements

 

Muscle Building
Supplements

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5 star rating
Creatine
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Creatine


Note: Buying "too cheap" is a bad idea with all supplements and particularly troublesome with creatine. Different manufacturing processes create different quality levels. You don't save money by buying cheap, you just end up with less effective and potentially dangerous product. See Will Brink's article on creatine quality.

Also, spend some time learning how to take creatine effectively. It matters how you take it. Don't depend on the container instructions.

Optimum Nutrition's Creatine Powder
Optimum Nutrition's Creatine Powder
Great economical creatine monohydrate choice. Nothing fancy but it is the best quality creatine out there and can be just as effective if not more effective as compared to its many more expensive competitors.

For 600 Grams pay less than $20.00

ON's Creatine available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

AST's Micronized Creatine
AST's Micronized Creatine
Micronized can be a good choice if you are getting an upset stomach with supplementation (usually caused by incomplete absorption). Micronized is a finer grade and can be absorbed easier.

For 525 Grams pay less than $20.00

AST's Creatine available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

Muscletech's Cell-Tech Hardcore
MuscleTech's Cell-Tech Hardcore
I hesitate to recommend this stuff because it is so expensive. It is a creatine-plus product, providing you with a drink that maximizes absorption. It is effective but if you take the time to learn a little about taking creatine you can get the same effect with a simple creatine monohydrate product and save some bucks.

For a 6.7 lb. Container pay less than $55.00

Cell-Tech available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

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4 star rating
Glutamine
Supplement Reviews,
Info on Glutamine

Prolab's Glutamine Powder
Prolab's Glutamine Powder
A good, basic powder.

For 1,000 Grams pay less than $47.00

Prolab's Glutamine available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

EAS's L-Glutamine
EAS's L-Glutamine
Another good choice, a quality powder.

For 400 Grams pay less than $24.00

EAS's L-Glutamine available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

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3 star rating
ZMA
Supplement Reviews,
More Info on ZMA

Optimum Nutrition's ZMA
Optimum Nutrition's ZMA
No need to look further for a quality ZMA product.

For 180 Capsules pay less than $25.00

ON's ZMA available here at IllPumpYouUp
Discount Code: GainWeightMuscleFast

 

Bodybuilding supplement Reviews
Looking for supplements you don't see listed here?
Check the Bodybuilding Supplement Reviews

Find out more about how this list was compiled
and more info on supplement buying here.

 

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Last Update:
December 29, 2008
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