Boost your workouts and build muscle with these dietitian-approved picks.
By Charles Thorp, NASM and Maria Masters Published: Jul 26, 2024 5:09 PM EDT Jump to Products Save Article
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CREATINE SUPPLEMENTS CAN be an effective way to tap into more power during explosive exercise and build strength. Aside from protein powder, the best creatine supplements are the only supplements that can actually help you improve your fitness.
When you consume creatine (by way of supplements or real food), it turns into creatine phosphate in your muscles. This process helps make a key energy source called adenosine triphosphate, which is what your body uses for quick bursts of energy during intense workouts. In short, consuming creatine helps your muscles produce energy faster, and that extra energy lets you do more intense exercises, helping your muscles to grow bigger and stronger.
Sure, you could eat meat daily, but who wants to devour massive portions of steak or salmon every day? (A 2-pound steak has 5 grams of creatine, for reference.) That's where creatine supplements come in. Creatine is one of the most extensively researched supplements on the market, and its benefits are well-documented, but only handful of creatine supplements are worth your money.
In collaboration with creatine expert Jose Antonio, PhD, C.S.C.S., a professor in the Department of of Exercise and Sport Science at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., Men's Health fitness editors evaluated more than two dozen creatine products. Here's what we've found: look for supplements certified by NSF or Informed Choice, and choose pure creatine monohydrate with 5 grams per serving—no fillers or extra ingredients.
To keep things simple, we did the hard work of calculating the price per standard 5 gram serving for each supplement we ranked. Our list starts with the most budget-friendly options, followed by the pricier ones, because that's the most important factor for you to know.
Ready to take your gains to the next level? Keep scrolling to explore our top picks of the best creatine supplements to shop this year.
Throughout years of testing, we've found several excellent options. Yet, our standout choice for the best creatine supplement is Onnit Creatine Monohydrate. Onnit creatine holds the Informed Sport Certification, is uncomplicated, and free of sugar. With Onnit Creatine, you get 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate per serving, without any additives.
Years of using this supplement have confirmed that it easily mixes into coffee, water, smoothies, or juice without clumping, and it truly has no taste. At 50 cents per serving, Onnit falls in the middle of the pack in terms of price compared to other brands we tested, but you're paying for the quality and reliability of the ingredients. We also love the relatively compact packaging, which is practical enough to throw in a gym or work bag when needed on-the-go.
