The Best Post-Workout Supplements For Muscle Recovery, Mass Gain, And More

When it comes to your nutrient intake throughout the day, what you ingest right after your workout ranks among the most important nutritional choices you can make. Although overall caloric intake is king when it comes to gaining or losing weight, optimizing your post-workout nutrition could be the key to maximizing your recovery.

That said, with so many products available — each promising to help you run faster, grow more, or recover quicker — discerning which one to spend your money on can be daunting. If you’re really trying to put on weight, the right mass gainer could be a game changer. If you know you won’t be able to catch a meal right after you leave the gym, a BCAA powder might be perfect for you. We’ve unpacked some of the best post-workout supplements to help you find the missing piece in your nutritional puzzle. 

Best Post-Workout Supplement Picks

• Best Post-Workout Supplement Overall: Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout
• Best Post-Workout for Muscle Recovery: Kaged Muscle Re-Kaged Recovery
• Best Supplement for During and Post-Workout: Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout
• Best Post-Workout for Carbs: Xwerks Motion
• Best Post-Workout Creatine: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
• Best Post-Workout Protein Powder: Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder
• Best Post-Workout Greens Powder: Athletic Greens AG1 Greens Powder
• Best Post-Workout EAA: Transparent Labs Intra Workout EAA
• Best Post-Workout BCAA: Swolverine BCAA 2:1:1 Powder
• Best Post-Workout Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Best Post-Workout Supplement Overall

In the world of fitness, much ink has been spilled on the subject of post-workout nutrition and supplementation. Even if you’ve already got the nutrition aspect down, there’s always some room for improvement and optimization. That’s where Huge Supplements comes in with their Formula XII Intra & Post Workout formula. It’s packed with helpful ingredients that may aid in reducing soreness and kick-starting your recovery for the next session.

Huge Supplements Formula XII Intra & Post Workout

This product from Huge Supplements combines 12 potent, high-quality ingredients in clinical doses, which might help your recovery begin immediately. Coming in at 31g per scoop, this product features a full five-gram serving of creatine monohydrate, 10g of Cluster Dextrin, and 3.2g of beta-alanine. Cluster Dextrin is a patented form of carbohydrates that can potentially replenish depleted glycogen stores that are lost during intense exercise faster than other carbohydrates. (1)

The name of the game is quickness with this formula as it’s designed to get you on the road to recovery fast. Formula XII also includes betaine and l-ornithine, which may help improve athletic performance and endurance. You can choose from two flavors — Tropical Blast and Candy Apple. 

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

This supp contains 10,000mg of Cluster Dextrin, 5,000mg of Organic ModCarb, 3,200mg of Beta-Alanine, 3,000mg of Betaine Anhydrous, 150mg of Potassium Citrate, and 5mg of Bioperine, which can help you absorb all these nutrients. It comes in Candy Apple and Tropical Blast. 

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Who Should Buy Huge Supplements Formula XII Intra & Post Workout

• Athletes who have their nutrition on lock, but still want something to help them finish their longer workouts strong will like the big dose of beta-alanine in this product.
• Those who train hard enough to experience regular soreness or noticeable muscular fatigue will like that l-ornithine is included in this product. 
• If you’re looking to stay consistent with creatine and want to take it intra or post-workout, this may be a good choice. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Huge Supplements Formula XII Intra & Post Workout

• Buyers that are looking for a post-workout supplement that includes protein. This has carbs and other recovery ingredients, but no protein.
• Anyone who is looking for a post-workout supplement that can provide more of a meal should opt for a protein powder or meal replacement. 

Formula XII comes with a strong dose of creatine, betaine, and beta-alanine, which may help you push through longer workouts. The included 10g of fast-digesting carbs from Cluster Dextrin can be a helpful way to get the muscle recovery process going, and may help reduce soreness, as well.

Best Post-Workout Supplement for Muscle Recovery

For the majority of gym goers, bouncing back from grueling workouts is the number one priority when considering a post-workout supplement. Kaged Muscle delivers on that front with ingredients that are tailor-made for getting your muscles back in the game after a tough day at the gym.

Kaged Muscle Re-Kaged Recovery

Kaged Muscle Re-Kaged Recovery provides a solid 28g dose of whey protein isolate, and six grams of BCAAs, both of which can help with muscle growth during recovery. The creatine can help with your strength and power throughout your workouts, so long as you remain consistent with your supplementation. And glutamine has been linked to expedited recovery rates and reduced inflammation in athletes, making it an ideal remedy for muscular fatigue. Plus, this pick contains ProHydrolase®, which can help break down this supplement for better absorption, and it comes in three flavors — Strawberry Lemonade, Iced Lemon Cake, and Orange Kream. 

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Kaged Re-Kaged Protein Fuel

Kaged Re-Kaged Protein Fuel

This formula packs 28 grams of protein into each scoop. It also contains ingredients that can help with strength and recovery, like three grams of glutamine, 1.5g of betaine anhydrous, six grams of BCAAs, and 1.5g of creatine.

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Who Should Buy Kaged Muscle Re-Kaged Recovery

• Lifters or cross-trainers that include a lot of resistance training in their exercise regimes may like this supplement with multiple ingredients that can help reduce inflammation. 
• Anyone who feels particularly susceptible to muscular soreness following a workout.
• Folks who prioritize digestion will like the additional ProHydrolase here to potentially help with absorption. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Kaged Muscle Re-Kaged Recovery 

• Recreational fitness enthusiasts taking it easy in the gym may not need a supplement targeted at muscle recovery.
• Anyone who wants a recovery supplement that is lower in calories can find ones that aren’t protein-based.

Re-Kaged Recovery can help fight both muscle soreness and inflammation. Plus, its three tasty flavors make it easy to stick to a consistent post-workout regimen. 

Best Supplement for During and Post-Workout

If you’re looking for a supplement you can sip both during and after your workout to replenish lost nutrients — like carbs — Huge Supplements has you covered. 

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

For those who would rather keep the nutrients flowing both during and after their gym session, this Intra & Post Workout supplement can help — it’s got 10,000mg of Cluster Dextrin, which is a carb supplement, a key nutrient we lose when we exercise. It also has 5,000mg of Organic ModCarb, 3,200mg of Beta-Alanine, 3,000mg of Betaine Anhydrous, 150mg of Potassium Citrate, and 5mg of Bioperine, which can help you absorb all these nutrients. This supplement is a bit pricey due to its high dosages, but it does come in two unique flavors — Candy Apple and Tropical Blast. 

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

This supp contains 10,000mg of Cluster Dextrin, 5,000mg of Organic ModCarb, 3,200mg of Beta-Alanine, 3,000mg of Betaine Anhydrous, 150mg of Potassium Citrate, and 5mg of Bioperine, which can help you absorb all these nutrients. It comes in Candy Apple and Tropical Blast. 

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Who Should Buy Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

• Folks who are looking for a high dose of carbs to replenish what is lost during and/or after their workout will like the Cluster Dextrin in this supplement. 
• If you’re worried about absorption, Huge Supplements included 5mg of Bioperine, which can help. 
• Anyone looking to try a unique flavor will like the Candy Apple and Tropical Blast options here. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout

• Buyers on a budget will want to opt for a less expensive option on this list. 
• If you’re not looking for a post-workout supplement with a lot of carbs, you can find better options out there. 

Huge Supplements XII Intra & Post Workout is made for the athlete who wants to carb up during and after their workout — plus, the unique flavors stand out from your average "berry" mixes you consistently see across the market. 

Best Post-Workout for Carbs

If you’re hitting the gym hard and putting in the work, but neglecting your post-workout nutrition, you’re likely leaving gains to be had. Carbohydrates are important for post-workout recovery — almost as important as protein. Help replenish the carbs you burn during a tough workout with our pick for best post-workout for carbs.

Xwerks Motion

Most people will tell you about protein’s importance after a workout, but fewer will mention the crucial role that carbs play in helping you perform during a workout and recover after. That’s where Xwerks Motion comes in. This product also boasts 25g of Cluster Dextrin, which is a patented carbohydrate supplement that digests and breaks down quicker than other versions of carbs (1). 

The formula also includes a solid dose of 3g of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio, which may help kickstart the recovery and muscle building process. It’s important to note what this doesn’t include, and that’s fat. Xwerks Motion has zero grams of fat to get in the way of digesting the all-important BCAAs and carbs that may help get you on your way to recovering quicker and stronger. Xwerks Motion comes in two flavors — Raspberry Lemonade and Watermelon.

Xwerks Motion Carb Supplement

Xwerks Motion Carb Supplement

Xwerks contains three grams of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio. Plus, there’s an added dose of calcium, magnesium, and sodium for hydration to make sure you’re hitting all your marks during and after your workout.

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Who Should Buy Xwerks Motion

• Anyone who wants a large amount of carbs for their post-workout shake. This packs 25g of carbs per scoop. 
• Those who are busy and need a convenient way to get post-workout nutrition. If you don’t have the time to cook or eat something, a scoop of this may help get the ball rolling on recovery.
• Athletes who want a solid dose of BCAAs with their post-workout supplement. Motion has 3g of 2:1:1 BCAAs per serving.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Xwerks Motion

• Anyone with financial constraints who only wants to pay for a carbohydrate powder itself. This is $1.53 per serving, and a carbohydrate powder can be as low as $0.63 per serving, but it won’t have the BCAAs.
• People looking for a lot of flavors to choose from may want to look for another product since this is only available in Raspberry Lemonade and Watermelon.

This post-workout supplement from Xwerks has the ingredients you need to help you recover thanks to the inclusion of high-quality and patented ingredients like Cluster Dextrin, electrolytes, and a 2:1:1 ratio BCAAs. Some people even combine this with a protein powder for a potentially better effect.

Best Post-Workout Creatine

Creatine is one of the most widely-used supplements on the market due to its long list of scientifically-backed benefits, including increased strength, better blood flow to muscle tissue, and even improved cognition. Though timing your creatine intake isn’t particularly important in the grand scheme, the inclusion of HMB makes Transparent Labs a solid pick for those who prefer to do so after their session. 

Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

Though creatine is offered in some form by almost every nutritional company out there, Transparent Labs goes the extra mile by including β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) into the mix. HMB shows promising indicators when it comes to recovery rates and future performance, particularly with aerobic exercise (2).

Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

We like that this product includes hydroxymethyl butyrate, the main metabolite in leucine that prevents muscle protein breakdown. Plus, the blue raspberry flavor is tasty, and the blend contains no artificial sweeteners.

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Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

• Buyers interested in a creatine supplement that isn’t full of additives or spare calories.
• Those who mix resistance training and cardio and want to cover both their bases with one recovery product.

Who Shouldn’t Buy Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

• Anyone with financial constraints who only wants to pay for creatine monohydrate itself.
• People trying to gain weight that want a post-workout supplement with more nutritional value.

This creatine is sure to boost blood flow and improve cognition — and though you don’t have to take it after your workout to reap the benefits, with Transparent Labs’ inclusion of HMB, it is a great time to do so. 

Best Post-Workout Protein Powder

When considering post-workout nutrition, many think of protein powders first and foremost. A good whey or casein supplement might help you bounce back from a heavy day of lifting at the gym. This protein powder from Legion has solid protein content, and some extras which may help get your recovery underway. 

Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder

Ingesting a well-made whey protein powder after a difficult workout can potentially help to replenish the nutrients your body lost and refuel tired muscles. Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder has 22g of protein and 100 calories, but contains some extras, which may help with recovery. Each scoop has 5.6g of BCAAs and a gram of maltodextrin, a fast-digesting carbohydrate — this may help to get those tired muscles repairing and growing. One great thing about this product is that it comes in a ton of different flavors, like Fruity Cereal, Dutch Chocolate, and Honey Cereal, so you can mix things up. There are no added sugars and only one gram of fat, which means you won’t be drinking a ton of unnecessary calories you’d rather be eating.

Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder

Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder

An all natural, non-GMO, fat-free whey that$0027s cheaper than many competitors, Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder is made from 100 percent grass-fed whey protein isolate from sustainable dairy farms in Ireland. It$0027s also higher in calcium compared to other powders on the market.

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Shop Legion

Who Should Buy Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder 

• Buyers looking for a protein supplement that isn’t bogged down by spare carbs or fat — this product only has 3g of carbs and 1g of fat.
• Anyone who prioritizes non-GMO ingredients will appreciate the grass-fed cows, and non-GMO whey and maltodextrin here. 
• Those in the market for a whey that comes in a variety of unique flavors — aside from french vanilla and dutch chocolate, this powder comes in Salted Caramel, Mocha Cappuccino, Strawberry Banana, and others including Unflavored. 

Who Shouldn’t Buy Legion Whey Isolate Protein Powder

• Consumers who prefer a calorically dense protein powder — there are only 110 calories per serving here. 
• Folks who are looking for a product that’s higher in carbs to supplement what was lost during their workout.

You’re getting 22g of high-quality protein along with no added sugars and 5.6g of BCAAs per scoop from Legion’s protein powder. There are 13 flavors available, and you can