What's in your bottle? There's no shame in asking. With so many protein powders on the market, and so many people becoming aware of the performance, recovery, and health benefits of adding a bit more protein to their diet, we're all on the hunt for the best flavors, the best ingredients, and of course, the best price.
Here's what you told us you love!
Winner: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
As long as athletes are slamming protein shakes, they'll be choosing Gold Standard 100% Whey. It's been the most popular protein on Bodybuilding.com—and pretty much on the planet—for as long as some of us have been alive, and definitely as long as we've been chasing gains. Much of what is state-of-the-art today was started by Optimum, and their flavors and manufacturing remain top notch. It's the go-to for all manner of smoothies and whey protein recipes, and remains a perfect meal replacement in a pinch.
Runners-Up
Optimum Nutrition: Dymatize ISO100
Why do we—and you—love ISO100? Let us count the wheys. For one, it is the preeminent "gimme the protein, and nothin' but the protein" supplement for any time of day. A single scoop has 25 grams of protein, coming from isolate, concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey. Those 25 grams include both 5.5 grams of BCAAs and 2.7 grams of leucine, so there's no doubt that you're getting serious muscle fuel in each serving.
JYM Supplement Science: Pro JYM
All hail the king of blended proteins! With 40 percent whey, 50 percent casein, and 10 percent egg-white protein in every scoop, Jim Stoppani's protein powerhouse sets you up for hours of amino acid delivery no matter when you take it. It blends perfectly on its own, but also plays nicely with fruit, beets—yes, beets—and can even beef up savory dinner recipes. No matter if you're doing one of Jim Stoppani's flagship programs, Shortcut to Size, Shred, or Strength, or just following the incredible workouts he puts on Bodybuilding.com regularly, save room for Pro-JYM.
Bodybuilding.com Signature: Signature 100% Whey Protein
The newcomer did us proud! Our users have told us they love Signature 100% Whey's flavor, both blended with classic ingredients like almond milk and bananas, or on its own with water in a pinch. They also like the simplicity of the formula: a third whey concentrate, a third hydrolysate, and a third isolate, which combine to keep carbs and fats crazy low. Add in some digestive enzymes (we did), and you've got a solid protein for any price point—which is exactly the point.
