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Best Protein Bars For Bodybuilding Growth & Performance (Updated 2021)
These protein bars are sure to keep you full and aid in your bodybuilding goals by pumping you with protein and other nutrients that are vital for maximum growth.
Protein bars are designed to serve as a convenient source of nutrition for athletes, gym-goers, and everyday people to keep nutrition at the top of the list for priority. If you’ve ever walked through the isle at a store, boxes upon boxes of protein bars line the shelves and the choices become so overwhelming, you just give up. And we don’t blame you. That’s why we provided this list of the best protein bars for your bodybuilding goals for 2021.
Don’t let an overly saturated market keep you from seeing great gains and while many companies claim their protein bars can serve as solid meal replacements, it is important to remember that many bars are loaded with sugar and other additives that you just don’t need from a bar. This list has some of the best bars on the market today to make your life a little easier when it comes to choosing the right protein bar.
Check out our list of the Best Protein Bars as you aim to continue your health hunt to aid in your overall growth, performance, and wellness for the best protein bar. We seek to make your life easier by providing you with a solid list to start to narrow down your search as you look for nothing but the best for your fitness, health, and wellness goals.
Best Protein Bar For 2021
Best Protein Bar Overall: Jacked Factory Authentic Bar
Calories
280
Protein
15g
Carbs
27g
Fat
14g
Sugar
20g
Flavors
Birthday Cake, Peanut Butter Candy, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Coconut Cashew, Kitchen Sink, Mint Chocolate Chip
Jacked Factory Authentic Bar is a great protein bar with authentic ingredients, taste, and results. This decadent high protein bar is made with real ingredients and whey protein isolate for that clean, filtered protein to help with muscle growth and recovery. With no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, this protein bar is exactly what you need to round out a great dietary routine. No gut wrenching fibers and awesome flavors are matched by honesty and transparency with this amazing protein bar.
Pros
High in protein and uses whey isolate
No artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
Made with real ingredients
Great flavors
Cons
Comparable to less expensive bars
Price: $24.99 for 12-pack
Click here for the best price
Best For Strength & Performance: Swiss Natural Foods T Bar
Calories
240
Protein
16g
Carbs
19g
Fat
12g
Sugar
15g
Flavors
Honey & Salt, Peanut Chocolate
Swiss Natural Foods T Bar is a fully natural protein bar with a twist. They have added a few extra ingredients to ensure your health takes priority. Powerful plant extracts mixed with the right vitamins and minerals for optimal hormonal balance, this bar is the best Mother Nature can offer with great potential for your power, performance, but more importantly, health. With 16g of protein, a good ratio with the other macronutrients, and only 250 calories, this protein bar does its job, and it does it well.
Pros
Packed with whey protein and other powerful ingredients
Natural and effective
Innovative approach to protein bars
Cons
Taste is hard to swallow
Usual chalky texture from protein bars
Price: $29.99
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for Swiss Natural Foods T Bar here!
Best For Energy & Metabolism Support: GNC Total Lean Layered Protein Bar
Calories
190
Protein
16g
Carbs
14g
Fat
8g
Sugar
5g
Flavors
Whipped Chocolate Mousse, Girl Scouts Coconut Caramel
GNC Total Lean Layered Protein Bar is a great protein bar to satisfy hunger and provide for lean, high quality protein support. Being gluten-free, and with great flavors, you can enjoy this bar and get all of the benefits without the guilt. At 190 calories per bar and with 16g protein, 8g fat, and 14g carbs, this provides a perfect ratio for all of these macronutrients for your diet. Made with a protein blend of whey concentrate and isolate, as well as other ingredients to fuel muscle growth, repair damaged muscle, and aid in other bodily functions, this meal replacement bar is perfect for a pre-workout boost or a post-workout recovery protein packed snack while also being great tasting to boost your protein intake and help lose weight.
Pros
Great ingredients
190 calories and 16 grams of protein
Delicious flavors
Cons
It does contain sucralose and maltodextrin
High amount of sugar adds to the taste but may not be compatible with certain diets
Price: $9.99/ 5 bars
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for GNC Total Lean Layered Protein Bar here!
Best For Recovery: Optimum Nutrition Opti-Bar
Calories
250
Protein
20g
Carbs
20g
Fat
9g
Sugar
1g
Flavors
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Brownie, Cookies ‘N Creme
Optimum Nutrition Opti-Bar is a high quality and very convenient protein bar designed for on-the-go muscle support to assist muscle recovery and muscle growth in efforts to get you primed for that next workout. As a leader in sports nutrition and a reputable brand you can trust, Optimum Nutrition seeks top-tier products with innovative technology to really get consumers to where they need to be with their diet, like with this meal replacement bar. With 20g of protein per bar, up to 10g of fiber per bar, and less than 5g of sugar, your recovery goals are surely on their way. Three great flavors in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Brownie, and Cookies ‘N Crème make this bar a delicious option for your on-the-go needs as one of the best bars on the market to build muscle.
Pros
High protein, low carb, and very little sugar
From a reputable company
Great flavors and taste
Cons
Little sugar is very healthy
Some may not enjoy the texture
Price: $29.95/ 12 bars
Click here for the best price
Best For Tackling Cravings: Quest Nutrition Protein Bar
Calories
210
Protein
20g
Carbs
22g
Fat
10g
Sugar
1g
Flavors
Birthday Cake, Blueberry Muffin, Caramel Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Hazelnut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Sprinkled Doughnut, Cinnamon Roll, Cookies & Cream, Double Chocolate Chunk, Lemon Cake, Maple Waffle Protein, Mint Chocolate Chunk, Mocha Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Brownie Smash, S’mores, White Chocolate Raspberry
Quest Nutrition protein bars are made with complete, dairy-based proteins to provide your body with 9 essential amino acids. With a lot of flavors to choose from, each bar is a sweet treat with less than 2g of sugar in each bar to satisfy cravings to keep you full longer. With up to 21g of protein and 16g of fiber per bar, net carbs round out to 4-6g giving you a really great ratio of all of those macronutrients you need for fuel, growth, and recovery along with your diet needs. With a solid protein blend and not a lot of ingredients, this bar comes out to be a great option for those looking to satisfy cravings while also seeing gains from a protein packed snack with clean ingredients to provide energy and build muscle.
Pros
There are a multitude of flavors to choose from
Ratio of macronutrients is perfect
High in protein and one of the best tasting bars
Little sugar
Cons
May be hard to digest for some
Does contain sucralose as well
Price: $22.22/ 12 bars
Click here for the best price
Importance Of Protein For Growth
Protein is a macronutrient vital for many functions in the human body. Since the body cannot produce protein, we must obtain this vital nutrient from foods. Once digested, amino acids are produced which are the building blocks of protein the body then uses to build and maintain muscle (1), produce blood and connective tissue, and work to keep your body primed for whatever comes its way.
While it is easy to obtain protein from a great whey powder, whether that be a concentrate or an isolate, sometimes we need to get protein from other sources, those sources preferably being whole foods. Yet even still it can be hard for us to make a home cooked meal with our busy schedules and this is where protein bars come into play to really advance our goals and give us all of that protein for serious growth (2). As a vital component for muscle growth and muscle maintenance, protein in whatever form should never be overlooked, especially for workout recovery and a protein bar is a great way to get that nutrition.
Benefits Of Protein Bars
Protein bars have great benefits to your growth and recovery while also aiming to keep you full (3). Benefits of protein bars include:
Packed with protein: Provide enough protein content to offer growth and keep you full while still allowing for proper digestion. This will also aid in muscle building and maintenance and workout recovery.
Full of fiber: Keep you full longer and moving regularly which is an important piece for your body to properly function and keep weight off.
Short on sugar (if any at all): Be careful of added sugar and other sweeteners that ruin the health benefits of a good bar and ruin all of your dietary work thus far.
Inexpensive and convenient: Don’t break the bank for a protein bar that will only provide some benefits and really look for one that will give you everything you need (and deserve) from a bar.
Why You Should Eat Protein Bars For Performance?
Protein bars are simple, tasty, and convenient snacks to enjoy while also adding protein and other nutrients quickly into the body for any lifestyle. It is important to not fall victim to the best looking box or advertisement because its all about ingredients. You need to find the right bar for you as many are flooded with sugar and other ingredients that can really hurt your gains (4).
While this may seem like a daunting task, trust us, we get it. We’ve all spent time wandering the isles in the supermarket or health store, or browsing endless pages online searching for the next best thing to elevate our health and fitness. Sometimes there is a diamond in the rough and once we find it, it is game over. But sometimes it takes more diligence than we want, or have time for, and that can really hurt our chances of finding a really great supplement or health food product.
What To Look For In A Good Protein Bar
A good protein will have:
Minimal calories: Be sure to look for a lower calorie bar that also has plenty of benefits. They do exist.
A quality fat content: Depending on your goals, knowing the fat content can be extremely important. Also, make sure it is conducive to whatever diet you may be on.
Clean ingredients: Be sure to look for any harmful additives or just extra junk that you do not want in your protein bar snack.
At the end of the day, choosing the best bar for you all comes down to preference. What you desire in taste, what you want in texture, and what you seek for your bodybuilding goals. The best part is, you can always mix and match bars and are not tied down to one in particular. Many companies offer a variety of bars for various occasions while you can work to create your own group of different bars to really diversify your palate and your goals (5). Don’t get hung up on trying to find the one perfect bar for you because the truth is there may be more than one that fits your desired goals. In fact, there are more than one and it just takes some work in finding it.
How We Choose
When choosing this list of the best protein bars, we wanted to focus on three things: reputability of the company, taste and effectiveness, and price. Each company should be working for you and the name of the brand matters. We look at those trusted companies who work tirelessly to product the best protein bars around. We also know your bar should taste good and be effective for keeping you full and working on producing more gains. These bars have both of those covered and you shouldn’t settle for anything less. Lastly, price matters. We know it can be expensive to find a good bar and these above are perfect for all your goals while still being affordable options.
FAQ Section
What is the best protein bar?
Jacked Factory Authentic Bars. This is a great protein bar with authentic ingredients, taste, and results. This decadent high protein bar is made with real ingredients and whey protein isolate for that clean, filtered protein to help with muscle growth and recovery. With no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, this protein bar is exactly what you need to round a great dietary routine.
What makes a protein bar great?
Protein bars should offer the right balance of macronutrients with the highest amount being protein. Often times, protein bars will have a lot of fat and carbs that don’t match the amount of protein. They should also taste good and be effective in their goal of providing you with the best nutrients and ingredients so you progress with your goals.
Can protein bars be used as meal replacements?
Protein bars can be used as meal replacements but sparingly. It is always best to eat a whole food meal so you don’t miss out on any nutrients, or even looking to products designed for meal replacements is a great place to start as well. Check out our list of the Best Meal Replacements for some awesome supplements!
When is it best to eat a protein bar?
Protein bars are great for many occasions. For your pre-workout or post-workout fuel, protein bars can really prove to be worth your while. On busy days, taking a protein bar on the go is a great option when looking to stay on your diet and eliminate the desire to snack.
On the whole, are protein bars healthy?
That is a tough question as it really depends on the bar. Protein bars can be healthy if they have the right balance of macronutrients and don’t contain artificial flavors, sweeteners, or sugar alcohols. Doing your research is the best way to determine if the bar of your choosing is a healthy option for you.
Wrap Up
Protein bars should work for your benefit and your benefit only. While they should taste good, they should also provide for overall quality health benefits and it is possible to have both. These protein bars listed above are really great sources of protein that taste good and will give you that boost to fuel a workout, recover from tough training, or offer a healthy snack during the day as you power through to the end.
With protein as an essential building block for muscle, having a protein packed bar is something to really look for to advance your goals. While it can be frustrating to search and search for the best option, it is out there. Your goals are priority number one and while it can be daunting to know there are a ton of products on the market, the benefit is that you don’t have to change your goals to find the right one. It will find you. Check out these protein bars for your bodybuilding goals and see your progress unfold today with a great meal replacement.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Pasiakos, Stefan M.; McLellan, Tom M.; Lieberman, Harris R. (2015). “The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review”. (source)
Tipton, K. D.; Wolfe, R. R. (2001). “Exercise, protein metabolism, and muscle growth”. (source)
Tanskanen, Minna M.; Westerterp, Klaas R.; Uusitalo, Arja L.; Atalay, Mustafa; et al. (2012). “Effects of Easy-to-Use Protein-Rich Energy Bar on Energy Balance, Physical Activity and Performance during 8 Days of Sustained Physical Exertion”. (source)
Hassan, Sami Kadhim (2020). “Quantitative and qualitative effects of proteins and natural sugars on hardening and color of high-protein nutrition bars during storage”. (source)
Shmerling, Robert H. MD (2015). “Are protein bars really just candy bars in disguise?”. (source)
Florian Munteanu Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Florian Munteanu
Florian Munteanu is a Romanian boxer, actor, and fitness celebrity who found his passion in boxing and has since worked on building and sculpting his shredded physique. His best known acting appearance is in 2018 when he played Viktor Drago in Creed II.
Below is a complete breakdown of his profile, stats, biography, training and diet regimens.
Full Name: Florian Munteanu
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
235-245 lbs.
6’4”
10/13/1990
Profession
Era
Nationality
Professional Boxer, Actor
2010
Romanian, German
BIOGRAPHY
Florian Munteanu was born and raised in Germany to two parents who were very active and into health and wellness. Encouraged to be involved with sports at an early age, Florian gravitated to boxing and would work out in the gym in efforts to better his boxing career and build his fitness. Through years of training, he began to sculpt his physique into something to be proud of and would become a force in boxing and a real contender for those acting roles requiring a massive physique.
Florian graduated from the University of Munich with a Bachelor of Arts in Sports, Media, and Event Management, proving that he is also not just brawn, but brains. Also being a fitness star and a social media presence allowed him to pursue a boxing career and he became an ambassador for a fighting organization called Super Kombat. With his strict attention to training and nutrition, he has become a force in the fitness and acting world.
In 2018, Florian landed a massive role in the movie Creed II, starring in the role of Viktor Drago, son of the legendary Russian boxer, Ivan Drago. For Florian, it was a huge honor to play a role in such a big movie and a successful sequel to the first one. With his work ethic and drive to be great, Florian sought everything he could to make this movie great.
He currently continues to train and pursue an acting career in California.
TRAINING
Florian trains a minimum of twice per day and works to fit in a boxing session and strength workout. He prefers compound exercises and loves to squat and deadlift, while engaging in regular cardio sessions.
Warm-Up
Lunges: 3 sets, 5 reps
High Kicks: 3 sets, 5 reps
Knee To Chest: 3 sets, 5 reps
Jump Squats: 3 sets, 10 reps
Bear Crawl: 3 sets, 5 reps
Workout
Squat: 3 sets, 6-8 reps
Deadlift: 3 sets, 4-6 reps
Chin-Up: 3 sets, 6-8 reps
Dumbbell Curl: 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Push-Up: 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Hamstring Curl: 3 sets, 8 reps
Dumbbell Calf Raise: 3 sets, 10 reps
Shadow Boxing: 4 rounds, 2 minutes
Sparring: 4 rounds, 3 minutes
NUTRITION
Florian has a real focus on eating well and making sure his body is properly fueled for whatever workout comes his way.
Meal #1
2 slices of whole wheat toast
1 tbsp. jam
½ grapefruit
½ cup of milk
Meal #2
Half cup of cottage cheese
Handful of dried peaches
Meal #3
1 large wheat pita
4 slices of lean meat
1 oz. cheese
1 tbsp. light miracle whip
½ tbsp. mustard
Assorted vegetables
4 celery sticks
1 cup of raw broccoli
Water or beverage of choice
Meal #4
Half cup of hummus
Celery sticks
Cucumber
Baby carrots
Meal #5
2 cups stir fry
¾ cup of brown rice
1 cup fresh fruit
1 cup low fat milk
Meal #6
One cup of brown or wild rice
Four to six ounces of chicken breast
Friend onions and peppers
One to two cups steamed broccoli
Desired sauce
SUPPLEMENTATION
For every one of us training and seeking to maximize all of our gains in the gym, having a good supplementation routine is an absolute must. A good pre-workout can boost our energy and provide for increased blood flow and muscle pumps so we get the most out of our workout. A solid protein powder can ensure we get the most out of our gains and recovery to bounce back faster. For those looking to burn stubborn belly fat, a good fat burner can do the trick while a multivitamin can ensure we get all of those nutrients into our body much faster.
How Joey Swoll Works Out For His Absolutely Giant Gains
See how Joey Swoll works out to get absolutely massive with a seriously impressive physique.
Joey Swoll is a bodybuilder and fitness model with an absolutely massive physique that all should envy. Since he began his transformation from a bullied kid to a shredded mass monster, he has since become a leader in the fitness industry and an inspiration for people everywhere.
For those of us seeking our own massive physique, it can definitely be challenging to find the right workouts. We often search through pages on the Internet to find the best exercises to perform as everyone with a keyboard and some sort of fitness brain claims to know the golden exercise to boost all your gains. But we need to be looking at bodybuilders and those in the fitness world with the bodies to prove it. They are living proof of what these workouts can do and it should be said they know what they’re talking about. Ignore the fake influencers and let the professionals take over from here.
Joey Swoll has since founded a supplement company and works as a social media persona and fitness model to better the lives of others around him. He’s on a mission to help people everywhere live healthier, more productive lives.
Full Name: Joseph Sergio (a.k.a. Joey Swoll)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
205-215 lbs.
5’6’’
01/11/1983
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilding, Fitness Model
2010
American
Even with his training style constantly changing, Joey Swoll seeks to evolve as new research and new ways of working out become available. His programs are more of short sessions with high volume and low rest periods to yield the best results. Training frequently is key for it will help with the growth you want most and allow for that confidence boost you also seek. By following Joey Swoll through the gym, we too can have a physique others will certainly envy.
About Joey Swoll
Growing up, Joey Swoll was always active, participating in different sports and honing in on his competitive nature. As a smaller kid, in both height and weight, Swoll knew his path in athletics would be more challenging and once college rolled around, his felt insecure and was often bullied by upper classmen. Instead of going home for fear of failure, he started living in a cafeteria next to a local gym and would eventually find his passion.
Joey Swoll began lifting as a way to get his frustrations out but would eventually find he quite enjoyed it and found himself constantly trying to improve. He would spend all of his days training, preparing meals, and doing other fitness related activities and decided to pursue bodybuilding full time. As his social media popularity grew, he began to spread more messages of hope to others in need of fitness love and has since grown to be a leader in the fitness community.
Joey Swoll Training Routine
Joey Swoll works out around six times per week and usually spends around an hour and half in the gym. The shorter sessions combine more high volume with lower rest periods to allow for the best results. With his great training plan and work ethic, Joey Swoll’s absolutely shredded physique is well-earned. While he doesn’t do too much cardio, it is always best to put some in for it can really help with all of your goals as well.
Chest Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Standing Chest Fly
3
10
Chest Press Machine
3
10
Seated Chest Fly
3
12
Pec Deck Machine
3
12
Incline Dumbbell Fly
3
8
Shoulder Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Dumbbell Shoulder Press
3
8
Lateral Dumbbell Raise
3
10
Reverse Dumbbell Fly
3
10
Behind-The-Neck Barbell Shoulder Press
3
12
Front Delt Raise with Chains
3
8
Leg Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Seated Leg Curl
3
10
Seated Leg Extension
3
12
Leg Press
3
8
Smith Machine Squat
3
12
Dumbbell Stiff Leg Deadlift
3
10
Seated Calf Raise
3
10
Back Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Lat Pulldown
3
10
Rope Pulldown
3
10
Low Machine Row
3
12
Single Arm Machine Row
3
12
Close Grip Cable Row
3
8
Arm Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
EZ Bar Preacher Curls
3
10
Dumbbell Overhead Triceps Press
3
10
Triceps Rope Pushdowns
3
10
Standing Barbell Curl
3
12
Bodyweight Dips
3
15
Single Arm Triceps Extension
3
12
Cable Curl with Rope
3
10
Featured Supplement
While Joey Swoll uses his own choice of supplements, it is more than important to have your own supplementation included into your routine. Having a good supplement is vital for it can enhance all areas of your training and performance, as well as your overall health and wellness. During your workout, a great intra-workout BCAA can really help you push past fatigue and work to recover and rebuild those muscles. A solid protein powder after your workout is exactly what you need in order to boost recovery and muscle growth to allow for those serious gains to flow. On top of those, something like a fat burner or testosterone booster can help with your masculine health and performance as you seek that shredded aesthetic.
For workouts like Joey Swoll’s, a great pre-workout is exactly what you want and need to really capitalize on all your goals. This will offer great energy and provide for muscle pumps as you gear up for whatever workout comes your way. Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN is the perfect supplement to help get you there.
Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Check out our list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements for more awesome products!
Wrap Up
These workouts from Joey Swoll will seriously give you a pump and allow you to see some serious size. Joey Swoll has a massive physique for all to envy and you can to. Give these workouts a try and really see what they can do for you as you seek to build that absolutely massive and shredded aesthetic. You won’t be disappointed by the results.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Joey Swoll Instagram
Ben Pakulski Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Ben Pakulski
Ben Pakulski is an IFBB pro bodybuilder from Canada with a great nickname in the “Pak-Man”. He is the winner of the 2008 Mr. Canada contest and has competed in events like the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia.
Below is a complete breakdown of his profile, stats, biography, training and diet regimens.
Full Name: Ben Pakulski (IFBB Pro Bodybuilder)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
295-310 lbs.
5’10”
03/18/1981
Division
Era
Nationality
Open
2000, 2010
Canadian
BIOGRAPHY
Ben grew up as an exceptionally athletic child. He played as many sports as he could with his friends in the Toronto rural areas. His first memory of being into fitness was when he read some data on vegetarianism at 12 years old. He tried different things with vegetarian meals for a couple of years and enjoyed the opportunity to taste new vegetables.
Around the age of 15, Ben says that he turned out to be more serious as the testosterone began to stream. He was a high level competitor in his school at that point, so he started to search for an approach to beat his peers. He started weight training to find his comfort level. He became really strong, but lacked the ideal bodybuilding genetics. Because of this, he started to research bodybuilding techniques as much as possible. He read books about nutrition and posing, hoping to build the body of his dreams and one day compete against the best.
Mack’s in Toronto was the gym he trained at. It’s a well known, established gym that was big in the industry throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s. His father set him up with IFBB pro Tom Hall, who showed him the correct biomechanical way to complete a lift. All of this helped him secure his first sponsorship contract at only 18 years old. He also landed a contract to appear on adverts for a popular supplement company, knowing that it could push to help his career due to the publicity.
He began watching professional events at 17 when his father took him to ‘Night of Champions’ between Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. Experiencing this convinced him that the professional bodybuilding world was for him as well as watching men working out in the gym.
Ben trained for two years and when he finally let his father come with him to the gym, he squatted very well, impressing his dad. His dad was so stunned at Ben’s workout ethic and his dedication, that he surprised Ben by taking him to sign up with Scott Abel (a leading bodybuilder in Toronto.)
In 2008, Ben prepped for the 2008 Canadian Championships with Scott by his side as a trainer. He ended up winning the entire show and took home the 1st place trophy and making his name known. This also meant that he has officially gained his pro card.
After he won, he knew he had to relocate if he wanted to be the best in his career path. So Ben moved to California, the home of international bodybuilding and a place that he knew he would be respected.
Ben was also into academics. He secured his degree in Kinesiology (the mechanics of body movement) at the University of Western Ontario. Following his graduation, he began to teach seminars and coach bodybuilding. In 2012, he began writing a book surrounding bodybuilding and nutrition.
“Stay full, stay strong, keep training hard, and hopefully everything just pulls together during that last week.”
TRAINING
Ben usually avoids lifting heavy. He says that when a human moves around, it distributes the necessary weight, so the amount of weight you lift, does not matter. “Weights don’t build muscle. Intensity doesn’t build muscle. Volume doesn’t build muscle. Those are all just tools. How you use them is the key.”
Before a competition, he typically avoids cardio until he is six weeks out. This is mainly because after lifting, he would be too tired to do cardio. Ben lifts with full intensity to stimulate his metabolism and burn fat.
He says “My body responds extremely well. I still feel mentally good. During other preps I was like a zombie 3-4 weeks out. I have a big structure so I need to come in big.”
He starts all of his shoulder workouts with two lateral raise choices. Ben believes that the medial head of the delt gives the shoulder its roundness and width, so because of this, he loves to start an exercise that isolates those areas.
His first choice is usually the dumbbell lateral raise. He then follows up with cables and completes more sets. He does this because it gives him a range of motion at the bottom of the rep that the dumbbells miss.
Ben also uses the smith machine for the overhead press exercise.
Seated Dumbbell Laterals, 5 sets x 10-12 reps
Cable Lateral Raises, 5 sets x 10-12 reps
Seated Dumbbell Press, 5 sets x 10-12 reps
Bent Dumbbell Laterals, 5 sets x 10-12 reps
Bent Cable Lateral Raises, 5 sets x 10-15 reps
NUTRITION
Ben is healthy eater and focuses on consuming lean meats and organic vegetables. Some of his favorite lean meats include chicken, beef, turkey and fresh water tilapia.
5:30 a.m.
12 ounces lean beef
6 ounces broccoli
2 tbsps. coconut oil
8:30 a.m.
12 ounces tilapia
6 ounces broccoli
2 cups fennel, spinach or kale salad
9:30 a.m.: Pre-Workout Drink
2 scoops whey protein
2 scoops BCAA
10 a.m.: Training Starts
11:30 a.m. Post-Workout Drink
3 scoops BCAA
5 grams creatine
10 grams EAA
2 grams Vitamin C
2 grams CLA
50 grams carbs (Dextrose powder)
12 p.m.
1 scoop Chocolate Peanut Butter
12:30 p.m.
12 ounces tilapia
75 grams carbs (rice or quinoa flakes)
3 p.m.
12 ounces chicken
75 grams carbs (rice or quinoa flakes)
5:30 p.m.
12 ounces beef
6 ounces broccoli
4 ounces avocado
8 p.m.
10 ounces tilapia
75 grams carbs (sweet potato)
9 p.m. – 40-minute Cardio
10:30 p.m.
6 ounces beef
16 egg whites
1 bag spinach
2 ounces macadamia nuts
SUPPLEMENTATION
When training like Pakulski, having a good supplementation routine is imperative, especially when looking to maintain that lean muscle and continue to bulk. A protein powder and pre-workout can ensure all your gains are fulfilled, while BCAAs can work to maintain muscle, reduce fatigue, and enhance recovery. For that shredded aesthetic, look to a fat burner to help shed that unwanted fat as you seek that desired look you want most.
COMPETITION HISTORY
2008 Canadian Championships, 1st (pro card)
2009 Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Tampa, 3rd
2010 NY Pro, 7th
2011 FLEX Pro, 5th
2011 Arnold Classic, 10th
2011 Australia Pro, 4th
2012 Flex Pro, 2nd
2012 Arnold Classic, 4th
2012 Mr. Olympia, 11th
2013 Arnold Classic, 2nd
2014 Arnold Classic, 7th
2015 Arnold Classic, 8th
2016 Toronto Pro Show, 4th
2016 Vancouver Pro Show, 1st
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate Review
This ultra-pure and micro-filtered whey protein is great for providing the building blocks for athletic performance and strength.
Product Overview
A good protein powder is essential when it comes to building muscle and working on recovery and finding a good whey isolate is a must for those looking to pack on that lean muscle while also working on trimming down. Since protein plays a vital role in growing, repairing, and maintaining muscle, a protein supplement is that must have post-workout product to really boost all areas of your gains. Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate is a great isolate with clean and effective ingredients to really get your gains to where you want them to be.
Choosing between a whey isolate and whey concentrate can sometimes be a difficult one. What it comes down to are your end all goals for what you want most out of your training routine. For those looking to bulk up and really put on some strength and size, a whey concentrate may be a wise choice for you. However, for those who want to keep on that lean muscle and start to cut, a whey isolate can be a solid choice for it filters out excess carbs and fat to leave you with a pure protein supplement. With Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate, that is exactly what you get.
Shop at Swolverine
Swolverine is a lifestyle brand designed for endurance athletes and those always staying active. With products designed to fuel athletic performance, elite athletes and those seeking a goal flock to Swolverine for their top of line products and supplements. They live by the belief that everyone can optimize their athletic performance and human potential through transparency and honest products including those with proven ingredients and effective doses. As an honest and hard working company, Swolverine is there is to improve your human potential, and your athletic performance is just one piece of that larger mission.
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate Highlights
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate is an ultra-pure, cold-pressed, and micro-filtered protein powder designed to be rich and creamy so it not only helps your gains, but is enjoyable in the process. With whey being the building blocks for athletic performance and strength, this is sourced from grass-fed American cows and is free of recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). With awesome benefits like increasing strength, optimizing recovery, building more muscle, and boosting athletic performance, this protein supplement will give you the most when it comes to providing the best for all your gains.
This whey isolate consists of 26g of protein with a great ratio of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to assist with all your muscle growth and recovery needs. A great addition to this formula are digestive enzymes which are great for maximizing the rate of absorption to help optimize muscle growth and repairing that needs to take place. With four great flavors, this protein is perfect for boosting your post-workout routine.
Ingredients
Whey Protein Isolate: A more filtered form of whey, the filtration process has eliminated the excess carbs and fat found in this protein. This is great for muscle growth, recovery, and working to help with weight loss goals as you seek to cut (1).
Papain: A powerful digestive aid used to improve digestion while also working to reduce inflammation.
Protease: Enzymes to help digestive proteins and allow your digestive tract to function properly and effectively (2).
Other Ingredients
Dutch Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Xantham Gum, Sucralose
Calories
110
Protein
26g
Carbs
2g
Sugars
1g
Servings Per Container
30
Serving Size
1 Scoop
Flavors
Vanilla, Chocolate, Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate Chip
Best Way To Take
Mix one scoop with 8 oz. of water or beverage or choice before, during, or after your workouts.
Price, Flavors, Effectiveness For Swolverine Whey Isolate
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate is that protein supplement you need to help you build, rebuild, and recover to get the most out of your gains. With 30 servings per container, one scoop will pump you with this ultra-pure, rich, and creamy protein to really boost your workouts.
This protein comes in four great tasting flavors of Vanilla, Chocolate, Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter, and Mint Chocolate Chip so you never have to worry about the taste getting old.
Pros
Ultra-pure, cold-pressed, and micro-filtered
Source from grass-fed American cows
Digestive enzymes to maximize absorption
Great flavors
Cons
High in price
Does contain sucralose, albeit a small amount
Price: $52.99
Featured Swolverine Athlete
Richard Essig
Richard Essig is a CrossFit coach and athlete who uses Swolverine products to boost all areas of his performance so he can be the best. As someone who has been into fitness for quite some time, his passion became clear and, while finishing school and working, he still decided to try his hand at coaching. Swolverine products are exactly what Essig needs to power him through the day and allow him to continue to thrive as he seeks all of his goals. By promoting their products, he seeks to help others achieve their own respective goals as well.
Check out our list of the Best Protein Powders for more great protein supplements here!
Overall Value
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate is a great protein supplement to tackle all your growth, recovery, and weight loss needs. With clean and effective whey, mixed with BCAAs and digestive enzymes, this supplement is everything you want as you try to build, rebuild, and recover fully. Swolverine seeks to make products that all consumers will love and that will work for all of their health and fitness goals. What you are really getting is a great whey isolate with effective ingredients and flavors from a company who cares about their consumers. Try Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate today and see what this protein supplement can do for you.
Try Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate Here
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Swolverine, Richard Essig Instagram and Envato
References
Devries, Michaela C.; Phillips, Stuart M. (2015). “Supplemental protein in support of muscle mass and health: advantage whey”. (source)
Goodman, Barbara E. (2010). “Insights into digestion and absorption of major nutrients in humans”. (source)
Best Pre-Workout For Men To Boost Muscle & Strength Training 2021
When looking for a great pre-workout for men, it should increase muscle, promote energy, and boost strength training.
We all know that a good supplement can boost our gains and a top tier pre-workout can provide for all the needs to enhance muscle growth, energy, focus, and strength training as we seek the most out of our masculine performance. While a good protein powder or intra-workout BCAA are also vital for promoting all of our gains, a pre-workout, especially one for active men, can boost our gains to new heights. When it comes to both masculine health and performance, look no further than this list of the best pre-workout products for men.
Able to provide muscle pumps, increase energy, aid in weight loss, and get our blood pumping, we as active men know just what it takes to succeed in order to boost our masculine performance. For your overall masculine health, you deserve to have a high-quality supplement able to tackle any and all of your goals. Our bodies deserve the best when it comes to supplements and our muscle growth, energy levels, and overall masculine performance rely on great products to help us get there.
Check out our list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Muscle Building for more great pre-workout products!
We’ve put together a list of the Best Pre-Workouts For Men so you can start to see those desired gains to muscle growth, energy, and strength training. With clean and effective products, you can’t go wrong when looking to promote masculine performance.
Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Men 2021
Best Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Orange, Green Apple, Sour Grape, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 16-24 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
Transparent Lab PreSeries BULK is an effective per-workout for those looking to increase muscle, promote better strength training results, and aid in overall masculine performance. BULK contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 4,000 mg of beta-alanine, 4,000 mg of BCAAs, and 2,500 mg of betaine to boost your workouts, blood flow, weight loss, and muscle growth, all in attempts to improve performance. BULK will reduce fatigue and increase your energy to give you a more impactful and longer lasting workout. Transparent Labs prides themselves on a 100% label and there are artificial additives, colorings, or preservatives to ruin this clean product.
Pros
High amount of citrulline malate for awesome pumps
Very clean ingredients for an honest product
From a reputable company in Transparent Labs
Cons
High in beta alanine
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK here! Also, use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best For Strength & Performance: Performance Lab SPORT Pre
Stim Or No Stim
No Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
N/A
Best Way To Take
Take up to 6 capsules 30-45 minutes before your workout. Take on an empty stomach with 16-32 oz. of water
Performance Lab Sport Pre is another high-quality pre-workout supplement available to the public at a great price point. Performance Lab Sport is one of the most rigorously scientifically vetted brands and all of their pre-workout products are free of synthetic additives (which might dehydrate the muscles), non-GMO, and vegan friendly. Sport “Pre” increases nitric oxide in the blood to support the oxygenation of muscles during workouts, improves endurance by hydrating the muscles, and enhances both anaerobic and aerobic exercise by increasing ATP reductase for the best benefits out of strength training, weight loss, and masculine performance.
Pros
Vegan friendly
Capsules are easy to take
Will help with strength and endurance
Caffeine free for those looking for no caffeine
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their site
Price: $39.00
Click here for the best price
Best Pre-Workout For Weight Loss: Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Sour Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue for better energy, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Pros
Well-dosed and third party tested
All-natural ingredients
Good for cutting and increasing strength and power
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Does not have the greatest ingredients for fat loss
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Best Pre-Workout For Muscle Pumps: National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Fruit Punch
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop and mix with 8-12 fl. oz. of water.
National Bodybuilding Co. has a great pre-workout supplement called Stage Ready Pre-Workout which delivers quality muscle pumps, enhanced stamina, weight loss, and a solid boost of energy to really elevate your performance. With an advanced and effective blend, this pre-workout can hydrate and buffer muscle tissue, raise nitric oxide levels and blood flow, optimize ATP production, and boost neurotransmitter synthesis. With great ingredients and a clean formula, it is no wonder why National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready Pre-Workout won for Best Pre-Workout in GI Supplement Awards.
Pros
An effective blend with solid benefits for muscle pumps, energy, and stamina
Patented ingredients and great taste
From a reputable company
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Could use more beta alanine as a key ingredient
Price: $48.00
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready here!
Best For Clean Ingredients: Performance Lab SPORT Pre
Stim Or No Stim
No Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
N/A
Best Way To Take
Take up to 6 capsules 30-45 minutes before your workout. Take on an empty stomach with 16-32 oz. of water
Performance Lab Sport Pre is another high-quality pre-workout supplement available to the public at a great price point, especially for men looking to improve their overall masculine health. Performance Lab Sport is one of the most rigorously scientifically vetted brands and all of their pre-workout products are free of synthetic additives (which might dehydrate the muscles), non-GMO, and vegan friendly. Sport “Pre” increases nitric oxide in the blood to support the oxygenation of muscles during workouts, improves endurance by hydrating the muscles, and enhances both anaerobic and aerobic exercise by increasing ATP reductase for the best benefits out of strength training, weight loss, and performance.
Pros
Vegan friendly
Capsules are easy to take
Will help with strength and endurance
Caffeine free for those looking for no caffeine
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their site
Price: $39.00
Click here for the best price
Best For Cutting: Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Sour Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Pros
Well-dosed and third party tested
All-natural ingredients
Good for cutting and increasing strength and power
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Does not have the greatest ingredients for fat loss
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Best Pre-Workout Without Creatine: Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
15
Carbs
2g
Sugar
1g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, Grape, Krisp Apple, Orange Kush, Pink Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Take one scoop with water before your workout.
Increase the performance and intensity of your workout with this high-quality pre-workout powder available from Kaged Muscle. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is unmatched in terms of ingredient quality and synthesis of the blend of proteins. Kaged Muscle lab tests every batch to make sure each is fully loaded as advertised — 274 mg pure caffeine, 2 g taurine, 6.5 g fermented BCAAs, 6.5 g pure l-citrulline, and 2 g of their patented betapower blend. It’s an unbeatable combination that is guaranteed to supercharge any workout with great pre-workout ingredients from supplements to increase muscle and promote weight loss while working towards better masculine performance.
Pros
Contains BCAAs and has well-dosed ingredients
No artificial colors or flavors
Great taste
Cons
A bit expensive
Does contains sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener
Caffeine content may be high for those sensitive
Price: $39.99
Click here for the best price
Use code GENIRON10 to save 10%! Check out our individual review for Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged here!
Benefits Of Pre-Workout For Muscle, Energy, Focus & Strength Training
For those looking into the benefits of what a pre-workout can do, the affects towards muscle growth and increased energy, as well as a host of others, have seriously dynamite results on our masculine performance and training goals. Benefits of a good pre-workout include:
Muscle growth and pumps: All of your strength training and muscle goals will be achieved by allowing more blood flow and increased pressure on those muscles to grow (1).
Increased energy and focus: More intense workouts as a result of better energy and focus to really stay locked in (2).
Reduction in fatigue: Provide for longer training sessions by burning calories to fuel your body with what it needs while reducing muscle soreness and promoting better masculine health.
Boost recovery: Allow you to bounce back faster and promote better growth for better and faster turn around time.
Better masculine performance: Overall this will aid in your performance goals and help you see the results you want most.
Pre-Workout Safety & Effectiveness On Masculine Performance
Although pre-workout supplements are not monitored by the FDA, they are safe on the whole for the general public. One of the main ingredients in most pre-workouts, being caffeine, can have negative affects on those sensitive or who are trying to avoid it, so always reading the label can ensure your masculine health is being taken care of.
A few side effects do exist for pre-workouts including dizziness, nausea, dehydration, and high blood pressure so it is important to monitor how much and when you take it so as to not disrupt any of your daily life goals. On the whole, pre-workouts can be beneficial towards muscle growth, energy, focus, and strength training but reading and knowing what you are taking can be more than beneficial.
Key Ingredients Of Pre-Workout
While each company has their own unique formula, there are some key ingredients that should be included in your pre-workout supplement to help boost all of your gains towards strength training and masculine performance.
Caffeine: Works to elevate energy and focus to be more alert and have a better workout without any sluggish feelings (3).
BCAAs: The building blocks of muscle protein synthesis, these will help with muscle growth, muscle maintenance, and a reduction in fatigue (4).
Beta-Alanine: Acts as a buffer for pH levels to push past fatigue and increase energy.
Creatine: Makes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to help fuel your muscles and boost overall performance (5).
L-Citrulline: Boosts nitric oxide and helps maintain good blood flow for increased pumps by changing to L-arginine.
Betaine: Is great for muscle growth and power by producing carnitine to elevate strength training and masculine performance (6).
How Does Pre-Workout Affect Muscle Growth & Masculine Performance
Pre-workout and it’s affect on muscle growth and masculine performance depend on the ingredients included in each respective formula. Creatine is perfect for increased strength by increasing the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which will provide for energy and better strength training. Something like citrulline malate can deliver oxygen and nutrients to your muscles to provide fuel and will work as a great way to boost muscle pumps, something that will pay off in the long run when it comes to masculine performance (7).
What About Energy & Focus
For energy and focus, certain ingredients like caffeine and L-theanine can provide for energy and allow you to be alert for whatever comes your way. By targeting the right receptors, you will be dialed in and ready to take on any workout that comes your way. This will also add to your motivation to really enhance strength training and muscle growth.
How We Choose
When it comes to choosing the best pre-workouts for men, we wanted to create a list to reflect what you want, need, and deserve out of your supplements. The reputation of the brand is very important for a top tier company will use only the best ingredients to boost all areas of your gains. Having an effective product is very important and should not be overlooked when it comes to boosting masculine performance and strength training. Price is very important because we know how expensive supplements can be when it comes to boosting your muscle and strength training goals. We sought the best supplements that are still affordable enough to not break the bank but still give you everything you want and need out of your pre-workout for men.
FAQ Section
What is the best pre-workout for men?
Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK. This is an effective pre-workout with clinically dosed ingredients for those looking to increase strength and muscle size while also looking to bulk and boost masculine performance. From an honest and transparent company, you can’t go wrong with this clean pre-workout void of all artificial colorings, additives, and preservatives.
Do stimulant-free pre-workouts exist?
Stim-free per-workouts do exist and can work well when it comes to your strength training goals without any unwanted stimulants. With an increase demand for stim-free products, many companies have shifted their focus including these in their pre-workout repertoire.
Check out some amazing stim-free pre-workout supplements here!
Are pre-workout supplements safe?
Although pre-workouts are not monitored by the FDA, they are safe for public use. With potential side effects like dizziness, nausea, dehydration, and high blood pressure, it is important to always read the label for proper directions on how to take each respective pre-workout.
When should I take my pre-workout?
This depends on the product, but it is ideal to take pre-workout somewhere around 30 minutes before your workout. This will allow time for all of those nutrients to hit your body properly so you can work as effectively as possible.
What are the differences in pre-workouts for masculine health and performance over those for women?
The main differences are ingredients and dosing. Men and women have different respective needs and your supplements should also reflect that. Caffeine for example tends to be slightly higher in masculine pre-workouts since men tend to weigh more. It really depends on your goals and how the company has properly dosed each pre-workout.
Check out our list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Muscle Building for more great pre-workout products!
Wrap Up
A great pre-workout supplement for men can work to provide benefits towards muscle, energy, focus, strength training, and masculine performance and should not be overlooked in your supplementation routine. While it is best to have a well-rounded supplementation routine, a high-quality pre-workout can work to provide for all those muscle gains and strength training goals that you need most. Finding the right supplement to boost masculine performance and health can really boost all the needs of active men. Check out this list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Men and see what these can do for your strength training and masculine performance goals today.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Kedia, A.; Hofheins, J.; Habowski, S.; Ferrando, Arny; et al. (2014). “Effects of a Pre workout Supplement on Lean Mass, Muscular Performance, Subjective Workout Experience and Biomarkers of Safety”. (source)
Ellerbroek, Anya C.; Antonio, Jose (2019). “Effects of Pre-Workout Supplements on Strength, Endurance, and Mood”. (source)
McLellan, Tom M.; Caldwell, John A.; Lieberman, Harris R. (2016). “A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance”. (source)
Negro, M.; Giardina, S.; Marzani, B.; Marzatico, F. (2008). “Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system”. (source)
Kreider, Richard B. (2003). “Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations”. (source)
Yu, Zhu-Lin; Zhang, Ling-Yu; Jiang, Xiao-Ming; Xue, Chang-Hu; Chi, Naiqui; Zhang, Tian-Tian; Wang, Yu-Ming (2020). “Effects of dietary choline, betaine, and L-carnitine on the generation of trimethylamine-N-oxide in healthy mice”. (source)
Outlaw, Jordan J.; Wilborn, Colin D.; Smith-Ryan, Abbie E.; Hayward, Sara E.; et al. (2014). “Acute effects of a commercially-available pre-workout supplement on markers of training: a double-blind study”. (source)
Best Pre-Workout For Men To Boost Muscle & Strength Training 2021
When looking for a great pre-workout for men, it should increase muscle, promote energy, and boost strength training.
We all know that a good supplement can boost our gains and a top tier pre-workout can provide for all the needs to enhance muscle growth, energy, focus, and strength training as we seek the most out of our masculine performance. While a good protein powder or intra-workout BCAA are also vital for promoting all of our gains, a pre-workout, especially one for active men, can boost our gains to new heights. When it comes to both masculine health and performance, look no further than this list of the best pre-workout products for men.
Able to provide muscle pumps, increase energy, aid in weight loss, and get our blood pumping, we as active men know just what it takes to succeed in order to boost our masculine performance. For your overall masculine health, you deserve to have a high-quality supplement able to tackle any and all of your goals. Our bodies deserve the best when it comes to supplements and our muscle growth, energy levels, and overall masculine performance rely on great products to help us get there.
Check out our list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Muscle Building for more great pre-workout products!
We’ve put together a list of the Best Pre-Workouts For Men so you can start to see those desired gains to muscle growth, energy, and strength training. With clean and effective products, you can’t go wrong when looking to promote masculine performance.
Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Men 2021
Best Pre-Workout Overall: Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Orange, Green Apple, Sour Grape, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 16-24 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
Transparent Lab PreSeries BULK is an effective per-workout for those looking to increase muscle, promote better strength training results, and aid in overall masculine performance. BULK contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 4,000 mg of beta-alanine, 4,000 mg of BCAAs, and 2,500 mg of betaine to boost your workouts, blood flow, weight loss, and muscle growth, all in attempts to improve performance. BULK will reduce fatigue and increase your energy to give you a more impactful and longer lasting workout. Transparent Labs prides themselves on a 100% label and there are artificial additives, colorings, or preservatives to ruin this clean product.
Pros
High amount of citrulline malate for awesome pumps
Very clean ingredients for an honest product
From a reputable company in Transparent Labs
Cons
High in beta alanine
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK here! Also, use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best For Strength & Performance: Performance Lab SPORT Pre
Stim Or No Stim
No Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
N/A
Best Way To Take
Take up to 6 capsules 30-45 minutes before your workout. Take on an empty stomach with 16-32 oz. of water
Performance Lab Sport Pre is another high-quality pre-workout supplement available to the public at a great price point. Performance Lab Sport is one of the most rigorously scientifically vetted brands and all of their pre-workout products are free of synthetic additives (which might dehydrate the muscles), non-GMO, and vegan friendly. Sport “Pre” increases nitric oxide in the blood to support the oxygenation of muscles during workouts, improves endurance by hydrating the muscles, and enhances both anaerobic and aerobic exercise by increasing ATP reductase for the best benefits out of strength training, weight loss, and masculine performance.
Pros
Vegan friendly
Capsules are easy to take
Will help with strength and endurance
Caffeine free for those looking for no caffeine
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their site
Price: $39.00
Click here for the best price
Best Pre-Workout For Weight Loss: Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Sour Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue for better energy, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Pros
Well-dosed and third party tested
All-natural ingredients
Good for cutting and increasing strength and power
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Does not have the greatest ingredients for fat loss
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Best Pre-Workout For Muscle Pumps: National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Fruit Punch
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop and mix with 8-12 fl. oz. of water.
National Bodybuilding Co. has a great pre-workout supplement called Stage Ready Pre-Workout which delivers quality muscle pumps, enhanced stamina, weight loss, and a solid boost of energy to really elevate your performance. With an advanced and effective blend, this pre-workout can hydrate and buffer muscle tissue, raise nitric oxide levels and blood flow, optimize ATP production, and boost neurotransmitter synthesis. With great ingredients and a clean formula, it is no wonder why National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready Pre-Workout won for Best Pre-Workout in GI Supplement Awards.
Pros
An effective blend with solid benefits for muscle pumps, energy, and stamina
Patented ingredients and great taste
From a reputable company
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Could use more beta alanine as a key ingredient
Price: $48.00
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready here!
Best For Clean Ingredients: Performance Lab SPORT Pre
Stim Or No Stim
No Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
N/A
Best Way To Take
Take up to 6 capsules 30-45 minutes before your workout. Take on an empty stomach with 16-32 oz. of water
Performance Lab Sport Pre is another high-quality pre-workout supplement available to the public at a great price point, especially for men looking to improve their overall masculine health. Performance Lab Sport is one of the most rigorously scientifically vetted brands and all of their pre-workout products are free of synthetic additives (which might dehydrate the muscles), non-GMO, and vegan friendly. Sport “Pre” increases nitric oxide in the blood to support the oxygenation of muscles during workouts, improves endurance by hydrating the muscles, and enhances both anaerobic and aerobic exercise by increasing ATP reductase for the best benefits out of strength training, weight loss, and performance.
Pros
Vegan friendly
Capsules are easy to take
Will help with strength and endurance
Caffeine free for those looking for no caffeine
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their site
Price: $39.00
Click here for the best price
Best For Cutting: Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Sour Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Pros
Well-dosed and third party tested
All-natural ingredients
Good for cutting and increasing strength and power
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Does not have the greatest ingredients for fat loss
Price: $49.00
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Best Pre-Workout Without Creatine: Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
15
Carbs
2g
Sugar
1g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, Grape, Krisp Apple, Orange Kush, Pink Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Take one scoop with water before your workout.
Increase the performance and intensity of your workout with this high-quality pre-workout powder available from Kaged Muscle. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is unmatched in terms of ingredient quality and synthesis of the blend of proteins. Kaged Muscle lab tests every batch to make sure each is fully loaded as advertised — 274 mg pure caffeine, 2 g taurine, 6.5 g fermented BCAAs, 6.5 g pure l-citrulline, and 2 g of their patented betapower blend. It’s an unbeatable combination that is guaranteed to supercharge any workout with great pre-workout ingredients from supplements to increase muscle and promote weight loss while working towards better masculine performance.
Pros
Contains BCAAs and has well-dosed ingredients
No artificial colors or flavors
Great taste
Cons
A bit expensive
Does contains sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener
Caffeine content may be high for those sensitive
Price: $39.99
Click here for the best price
Use code GENIRON10 to save 10%! Check out our individual review for Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged here!
Benefits Of Pre-Workout For Muscle, Energy, Focus & Strength Training
For those looking into the benefits of what a pre-workout can do, the affects towards muscle growth and increased energy, as well as a host of others, have seriously dynamite results on our masculine performance and training goals. Benefits of a good pre-workout include:
Muscle growth and pumps: All of your strength training and muscle goals will be achieved by allowing more blood flow and increased pressure on those muscles to grow (1).
Increased energy and focus: More intense workouts as a result of better energy and focus to really stay locked in (2).
Reduction in fatigue: Provide for longer training sessions by burning calories to fuel your body with what it needs while reducing muscle soreness and promoting better masculine health.
Boost recovery: Allow you to bounce back faster and promote better growth for better and faster turn around time.
Better masculine performance: Overall this will aid in your performance goals and help you see the results you want most.
Pre-Workout Safety & Effectiveness On Masculine Performance
Although pre-workout supplements are not monitored by the FDA, they are safe on the whole for the general public. One of the main ingredients in most pre-workouts, being caffeine, can have negative affects on those sensitive or who are trying to avoid it, so always reading the label can ensure your masculine health is being taken care of.
A few side effects do exist for pre-workouts including dizziness, nausea, dehydration, and high blood pressure so it is important to monitor how much and when you take it so as to not disrupt any of your daily life goals. On the whole, pre-workouts can be beneficial towards muscle growth, energy, focus, and strength training but reading and knowing what you are taking can be more than beneficial.
Key Ingredients Of Pre-Workout
While each company has their own unique formula, there are some key ingredients that should be included in your pre-workout supplement to help boost all of your gains towards strength training and masculine performance.
Caffeine: Works to elevate energy and focus to be more alert and have a better workout without any sluggish feelings (3).
BCAAs: The building blocks of muscle protein synthesis, these will help with muscle growth, muscle maintenance, and a reduction in fatigue (4).
Beta-Alanine: Acts as a buffer for pH levels to push past fatigue and increase energy.
Creatine: Makes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to help fuel your muscles and boost overall performance (5).
L-Citrulline: Boosts nitric oxide and helps maintain good blood flow for increased pumps by changing to L-arginine.
Betaine: Is great for muscle growth and power by producing carnitine to elevate strength training and masculine performance (6).
How Does Pre-Workout Affect Muscle Growth & Masculine Performance
Pre-workout and it’s affect on muscle growth and masculine performance depend on the ingredients included in each respective formula. Creatine is perfect for increased strength by increasing the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which will provide for energy and better strength training. Something like citrulline malate can deliver oxygen and nutrients to your muscles to provide fuel and will work as a great way to boost muscle pumps, something that will pay off in the long run when it comes to masculine performance (7).
What About Energy & Focus
For energy and focus, certain ingredients like caffeine and L-theanine can provide for energy and allow you to be alert for whatever comes your way. By targeting the right receptors, you will be dialed in and ready to take on any workout that comes your way. This will also add to your motivation to really enhance strength training and muscle growth.
How We Choose
When it comes to choosing the best pre-workouts for men, we wanted to create a list to reflect what you want, need, and deserve out of your supplements. The reputation of the brand is very important for a top tier company will use only the best ingredients to boost all areas of your gains. Having an effective product is very important and should not be overlooked when it comes to boosting masculine performance and strength training. Price is very important because we know how expensive supplements can be when it comes to boosting your muscle and strength training goals. We sought the best supplements that are still affordable enough to not break the bank but still give you everything you want and need out of your pre-workout for men.
FAQ Section
What is the best pre-workout for men?
Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK. This is an effective pre-workout with clinically dosed ingredients for those looking to increase strength and muscle size while also looking to bulk and boost masculine performance. From an honest and transparent company, you can’t go wrong with this clean pre-workout void of all artificial colorings, additives, and preservatives.
Do stimulant-free pre-workouts exist?
Stim-free per-workouts do exist and can work well when it comes to your strength training goals without any unwanted stimulants. With an increase demand for stim-free products, many companies have shifted their focus including these in their pre-workout repertoire.
Check out some amazing stim-free pre-workout supplements here!
Are pre-workout supplements safe?
Although pre-workouts are not monitored by the FDA, they are safe for public use. With potential side effects like dizziness, nausea, dehydration, and high blood pressure, it is important to always read the label for proper directions on how to take each respective pre-workout.
When should I take my pre-workout?
This depends on the product, but it is ideal to take pre-workout somewhere around 30 minutes before your workout. This will allow time for all of those nutrients to hit your body properly so you can work as effectively as possible.
What are the differences in pre-workouts for masculine health and performance over those for women?
The main differences are ingredients and dosing. Men and women have different respective needs and your supplements should also reflect that. Caffeine for example tends to be slightly higher in masculine pre-workouts since men tend to weigh more. It really depends on your goals and how the company has properly dosed each pre-workout.
Check out our list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Muscle Building for more great pre-workout products!
Wrap Up
A great pre-workout supplement for men can work to provide benefits towards muscle, energy, focus, strength training, and masculine performance and should not be overlooked in your supplementation routine. While it is best to have a well-rounded supplementation routine, a high-quality pre-workout can work to provide for all those muscle gains and strength training goals that you need most. Finding the right supplement to boost masculine performance and health can really boost all the needs of active men. Check out this list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Men and see what these can do for your strength training and masculine performance goals today.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Kedia, A.; Hofheins, J.; Habowski, S.; Ferrando, Arny; et al. (2014). “Effects of a Pre workout Supplement on Lean Mass, Muscular Performance, Subjective Workout Experience and Biomarkers of Safety”. (source)
Ellerbroek, Anya C.; Antonio, Jose (2019). “Effects of Pre-Workout Supplements on Strength, Endurance, and Mood”. (source)
McLellan, Tom M.; Caldwell, John A.; Lieberman, Harris R. (2016). “A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance”. (source)
Negro, M.; Giardina, S.; Marzani, B.; Marzatico, F. (2008). “Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system”. (source)
Kreider, Richard B. (2003). “Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations”. (source)
Yu, Zhu-Lin; Zhang, Ling-Yu; Jiang, Xiao-Ming; Xue, Chang-Hu; Chi, Naiqui; Zhang, Tian-Tian; Wang, Yu-Ming (2020). “Effects of dietary choline, betaine, and L-carnitine on the generation of trimethylamine-N-oxide in healthy mice”. (source)
Outlaw, Jordan J.; Wilborn, Colin D.; Smith-Ryan, Abbie E.; Hayward, Sara E.; et al. (2014). “Acute effects of a commercially-available pre-workout supplement on markers of training: a double-blind study”. (source)
Kiki Vhyce Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Kiki Vhyce
Kiki Vhyce is an Australian fitness model and bodybuilder whose hard work and dedication to sculpting her body as established her as one of the leading Australian fitness icons and personalities. Her strict attention to nutrition and training has earned her a great physique and well-earned success.
Below is a complete breakdown of her profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Kiki Vhyce (IFBB Figure Competitor)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
155-165 lbs.
5’10”
09/16/1992
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilder, Fitness Model
2010
Australian
Biography
Kiki Vhyce began her bodybuilding transformation in 2011 when she felt she was underweight and not satisfied with her appearance. Her slender frame was not enough for her and she sought to tone and put on size to match her taller physique. With the goal of always competing, some debilitating health issues caused a setback for Vhyce and she sough the road to recovery, putting in every ounce that she could in order to improve and be the best version of herself that she could be. With both physical and mental health being very important for her, the experience of bettering herself proved to be the best choice she could have made.
Working in the gym for five years, her hard work, discipline, and attention to detail allowed her to build a strong physique, one worthy of hitting the stage and competing with the best of them. After success at amateur shows, she began to see great results and established herself as an accomplished bodybuilder and leading fitness personality in Australia.
Her first competitive shows were in 2017 after these years of training and building her physique. With major wins and a continued will to be the best, the aesthetic and superficial side is just part of the journey. For Vhyce, she loves the philosophy behind hard work and the real effort it takes to get there, proving that anything is possible.
Training
Kiki Vhyce focuses a lot on resistance exercises and seeks to build that strength and size through a series of exercises to target her whole body. Her website has options to buy some great training plans but here are some exercises she enjoys performing as she seeks to perfect her physique.
Upper Body
Dumbbell Incline Chest Press, 3 sets, 10 reps
Preacher Curls, 3 set, 10 reps
Banded Arm Curls, 3 set, 10-12 reps
Deadlift, 3 sets, 8 reps
Lat Pulldowns, 3 sets, 10-12 reps
Lateral Raises, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Front Raises with EZ Bar, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Bent Over Bar Row, 3 sets, 8 reps
Push-Ups, 3 sets, 15 reps
Lower Body
Barbell Squats, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Banded Squats, 3 sets, 10-12 reps
Sissy Squats with Plate, 3 sets, 8 reps
Jumpies into Skater Squats, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Banded Kettlebell Deadlift, 3 sets, 10 reps
Hamstring Curls, 3 sets, 10 reps
Hack Squat, 3 sets, 8-10 reps
Glute Extensions, 3 sets, 8-12 reps
Leg Extensions, 3 sets, 10 reps
Abs
Sit-Ups, 3 sets, 15-20 reps
Plank Twists, 3 sets, 15-20 reps
Nutrition
For Kiki, knowing exactly what to eat, when to eat, and how much to eat is incredibly important as she seeks to continue to tone and sculpt her physique. Since nutrition is the key to success in the gym and in life, figuring out these essentials is what it’s all about for her. Taking the foods she loves and strategically pairing them allows her to hit her goals and cuts down on figuring out exactly what, when, and how much to eat.
Supplementation
While Kiki uses her own supplements of choice, having a solid supplementation routine is key in making sure you maintain muscle and aid in your overall health. Looking into something like a pre-workout or protein powder can give you those pre- and post-workout necessities so you never have to worry. For those struggling to shed that unwanted body fat, a fat burner can do the trick. Of course, having a multivitamin that contains all the essential vitamins and minerals can really boost all areas of your gains, health, and wellness.
Competition History
2017 WBFF Gold Coast Australia- 3rd
2017 WBFF Sydney Australia- 5th
2018 Melbourne Championships/ Arnold Classic Qualifier- 1st (Women’s Figure First Timer, Women’s Figure Novice, Women’s Figure Open)
2018 IFBB Melbourne Championships/Arnold Classic Qualifier Season A- 1st (Women’s Victorian State Overall Figure Champion)
2018 Arnold Classic Australia- 1st (International Figure Novice Champion)
2018 Victorian Championships/Australian National Qualifier- 1st (IFBB Women’s Figure Open)
2018 IFBB Pro Victorian State Championships Australia- 1st (Figure Open & Overall Figure Champion)
Eleiko Kettlebells Review To Maximize Strength & Hard Training
These kettlebells are durable and effective to help maximize all of your strength and hard training goals.
Product Overview
Kettlebells are great fitness tools to help enhance your growth as you seek the most out of strength training while also boosting aerobic capacity. As simple and convenient tools, kettlebells can be used at home or in the gym and provide for an effective way to power through training and into performance. Putting a priority on strength and hard training, Eleiko Kettlebells are sure fire products to help you achieve any and all of your goals.
Kettlebells work to provide benefits in a multitude of areas and can be used with a variety of exercises. As equipment for a full body workout, you can increase strength, endurance, and flexibility during any hard training (1). Promoting things like power, balance, and stability, you can work to nail down form to enhance mind-muscle connection while also allowing your body to fall into better muscle memory for bigger lifts (2). Eleiko Kettlebells can do all this and more as they seek to be simple, convenient, and effective ways to train.
Shop at Eleiko
Eleiko is on a mission is help make people stronger so they perform better in sports and in life. Their journey to making workout equipment is fascinating and started with their main metal product; waffle irons. Focusing on innovation and being committed to quality and performance, they sought to improve the lives of others and shift their focus to kettlebells, barbells, and more so those who want to can improve their strength training and performance to be the best they can be.
Check out our list of the Best Kettlebells for more great equipment!
Eleiko Kettlebells Highlights
Eleiko Kettlebells capitalize on the many benefits that a kettlebell can do from strength training, to endurance work, to promoting better form. Eleiko knows that athletes prioritize both training and performance, and while they are essentially one in the same, those at the top of their game know how to separate them and Eleiko has created a set of training kettlebells and competition kettlebells so all can improve their strength and hard training goals.
Training Kettlebells
These well-constructed kettlebells are classic and effective for dynamic strength movements and functional fitness. Designed for dynamic training, these will help you gain strength, mobility, and the cardiovascular benefit of real endurance. The varied grip allows for a double hand hold and the rugged and durable finish is resistant to high impact and holds chalk for a good grip. A durable high-grade cast iron kettlebell, this is perfect for those strength goals and the demands of hard training on the body.
Check Out Eleiko Training Kettlebells Here
Competition Kettlebells
These competition kettlebells are designed for performance and calibrated for competition and come in popular weight ranges. Using high-grade iron and a molded construction for exceptional durability, these kettlebells are carefully calibrated for competitive use with a wide flat base and non-corrosive steel handle. Regardless of the weight, each kettlebell is identical in size so you can continue to strength train with consistent equipment.
Check Out Eleiko Competition Kettlebells Here
Price & Effectiveness
Both of these Eleiko kettlebells, whether for training or for competition, are perfect for improving your strength and hard training goals. Built to last and highly durable, you absolutely can’t go wrong by using these in your home or at the gym.
The training kettlebells range in weight from 4kg all the way up to 56kg. Prices range from $25.00 to $163.00.
The competition kettlebells range in weight from 8kg to 32kg. Prices range from $65.00 to $153.00.
Pros
Durable and consistent
Great weight options for variety
Perfect for strength work and hard training
Great grips on both for stability and added strength
Cons
Premium priced
Eleiko Ambassador
Harrison Maurus – Weightlifter
Harrison Maurus is an American weightlifter on Team USA and an Eleiko ambassador, seeking to promote their great workout products to further his goals, but also those of others. He currently holds 10 American records and the Youth World Record in the clean and jerk. His past three World Championships finishes have been a bronze medal in 2017, 6th in 2018, and 9th in 2019, but that hasn’t stopped Maurus from continuing to compete at a high level to achieve his goal of a world title. Relying on Eleiko to help power his strength and hard training goals, Maurus knows just what it takes to be the best in the world.
Overall Value
Eleiko Kettlebells are great workout tools to really power you through any strength goals or hard training. Made from high-quality material and designed for optimal effectiveness, you can’t go wrong with a great kettlebell to add to your home or gym routine. What you are really getting is a top tier kettlebell that is built to last and designed for all your strength training goals. Check out Eleiko today and watch your strength, endurance, and stability grow to new heights.
Try Eleiko Kettlebells Today
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Eleiko, Harrison Maurus Instagram and Envato
References
Kravitz, Len. “Kettlebell Research Update”. (source)
Beardsley, Chris; Contreras, Bret (2014). “The Role of Kettlebells in Strength and Conditioning: A Review of the Literature”. (source)
How Kumail Nanjiani Got His Absolutely Shredded Physique
Kumail Nanjiani was done playing around and here is the workout that got him jacked.
Kumail Nanjiani is a Pakistani-American actor, stand-up comedian, and writer best known for his comedic roles in both television and film. His training routine in preparation for a role got him jacked and the world went crazy.
Often times we look at professional athletes to draw inspiration for our workouts. For those of us bodybuilders, we typically look to professional bodybuilders because they are living proof of what those workouts can do for us and our gains. But many of us neglect to look at actors for potential sources of workout inspiration. You can’t blame us, for they wouldn’t be our first choice, but actors preparing for a role work tirelessly to perfect their bodies and their workouts are exactly what we need to see an absolutely shredded aesthetic start to unfold.
Kumail Nanjiani has only continued his rise to fame as a comedic writer, actor, and podcaster and when he posted photos of his absolutely shredded aesthetic, the world went crazy. His workouts are perfect for those us looking to do the exact same and Nanjiani is a prime example of what it means to buckle down and get the work done.
Full Name: Kumail Nanjiani (Celebrity)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
159 lbs.
5’8’’
02/21/1978
Profession
Years Active
Nationality
Actor, Comedian, Writer, Podcaster
2008-Present
Pakistani-American
This 5-day plan from Nanjiani is intense but allows for proper rest and maximum growth to take place. Each session will focus on one or two body parts, working multiple muscles to save time but also allow for huge growth to take place. On top of proper dieting and supplementation, he can capitalize on all his workouts to ensure no gains go to waste and that he is primed and ready to go for whatever workout comes next.
About Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail Nanjiani is a Pakistani-American actor, writer, comedian, and podcaster best known for roles in the television series Silicon Valley and the romantic comedy The Big Sick. He has voiced characters in animated series and appeared in a number of television and film roles, only adding to his impressive entertainment resume. The world went crazy over his physique after he posted photos of a new and shredded Nanjiani, which was the result for a movie role. Despite his comedic personality on and off screen, Nanjiani was all business in the gym and it certainly shows.
Kumail Nanjiani Training Routine
Monday- Back & Traps
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Hex Bar Deadlift
4
12-15
Farmer’s Walks with Hex Bar
5
50-100 meters
Barbell Shrugs
4
12-15
Straight Arm Cable Pulldowns
4
12-15
Shrugs With Dumbbells
4
15
T-Bar Rows
4
12
Tuesday- Chest & Abs
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Bench Press
5
10
Incline Dumbbell Press
4
10-12
Cable Chest Flyes
4
10-12
Dips
4
15
Hanging Knee Raises with Twist
4
20
Sit-Ups with Twist
4
20
Side Planks
4
30 seconds
Wednesday- Legs
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Walking Lunges with Weight
4
50-100 meters
Hamstring Curls
4
12-15
Squats
4
10
Leg Press
4
10
Seated Calf Raise
3
15
Leg Press Machine Calf Raise
3
15
Thursday- Shoulders & Abs
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Seated Dumbbell Press
4
12-15
Lawnmower Row
4
12-15
Behind-The-Back Cable Lateral Raise
4
10
W Press
4
10
Hanging Leg Raises
4
20
Sit-Ups
4
20
Planks
4
30 secs-1 minute
Friday- Biceps & Triceps
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Preacher Curls
3
10
Reverse Grip Cable Pushdowns
3
12
Standing Alternating Dumbbell Curls
3
15
Skullcrushers
3
12
Concentration Curls
3
12
Chin-Ups
3
15
Saturday- Cardio
For Saturday, this tends to be a mix of cardio machines or weighted exercise circuits consisting of weight with higher sets and reps. The goal is to get the heart rate going so you can really work to build endurance and shed those calories and unwanted fat.
Sunday- Rest
Take the day to do other things you love!
Supplementation For Gains & A Shredded Physique
While Nanjiani uses his own supplements of choice before, during, and after working out, it is important to have a solid supplementation routine in place so you can capitalize on all of your goals. For many of us, having a great pre-workout and intra-workout supplement can offer our muscles the chance to get some real work done, which is exactly what we want. For those looking to cut down and shed unwanted fat, a high-quality fat burner can do the trick to really show off that desired aesthetic. But for everyone of all fitness levels, a protein supplement is imperative and we wanted to share a great protein powder to enhance all those gains and recovery needs.
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey boasts an impressive array of eco-friendly accomplishments. It’s organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. There are no artificial sweeteners — a rarity in a world full of whey protein powder, which are almost always filled with chemical flavorings to disguise the chalkiness of protein. There are also no artificial colorings or preservatives added. If you have a sensitive stomach, allergies, or just care about the environment, this is an excellent choice for you and your body weight goals and is easy to digest compared to a whey concentrate.
Price: $59.00
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate here!
Check out our list of the Best Protein Powders for more great protein supplements!
Wrap Up
This training routine from actor and comedian Kumail Nanjiani will seriously challenge you as you seek to get a very similar shredded physique. With a great 5-day training plan and seriously effective exercises, your muscles will have no choice but to grow, leading to that shredded aesthetic. Looking to professional athletes, but also actors, can be a great source of information when it comes to working out and pairing that with a solid supplementation and dietary routine will only enhance those goals. Give this workout a try and see what it can do for all your gains today.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Kumail Nanjiani Instagram