You’ll also discover recommended products available on Lazada and Shopee, along with helpful tips for choosing the best supplement to match your training needs.
Quick List - Top Muscle Building Supplements
David is a law graduate (LL.B) who has a sharp eye for details and a strong passion for helping others make smarter decisions. Since he joined mybest in 2020, he’s been working on buying guides that make it easier to find the best products—whether they’re everyday essentials or unique finds. Apart from his work at mybest, David has also written for Grotto Network, a digital platform from the University of Notre Dame, and has experience as a special educational needs assistant. These roles have helped him hone his ability to connect with people and make complex topics more relatable and easy to understand. His love for nature and moments of reflection keep him grounded, and this thoughtful perspective shines through in every article he writes for mybest.
BCAAs—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—are essential amino acids that play a direct role in muscle protein synthesis. Supplementing with BCAAs may help reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, minimize muscle soreness, and prevent muscle breakdown, especially during intense or prolonged workouts.
These supplements are particularly useful for athletes or gym-goers who experience significant muscle soreness after training, those who train in a fasted state, or individuals who have difficulty meeting protein needs from whole foods. However, for those already consuming adequate protein from their diet, BCAA supplementation offers limited additional benefit for muscle growth compared to complete protein sources.
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most researched and effective supplements for muscle building. It works by increasing cellular energy availability, allowing you to train harder and longer. Regular supplementation can lead to improved strength, increased muscle mass, and enhanced performance in high-intensity training like weightlifting or sprinting.
Creatine is especially beneficial for individuals engaged in explosive, high-intensity activities or resistance training who want to maximize strength and muscle gains.
Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth, and whey protein is a fast-digesting option that’s ideal for post-workout consumption. It provides all nine essential amino acids, including a high concentration of leucine, which is key for initiating muscle protein synthesis.
Whey protein is most effective for those aiming to increase muscle mass, improve recovery, or simply meet their daily protein requirements, especially if they struggle to get enough protein from food alone, such as busy individuals, vegetarians, or those with higher protein needs due to intense training.
Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid that becomes depleted after intense physical activity. While not directly linked to muscle hypertrophy, it supports muscle recovery, reduces post-workout soreness, and may help with immune function during periods of heavy training.
Glutamine supplementation is particularly useful for bodybuilders, endurance athletes, or anyone undergoing intense or frequent training sessions that may lead to muscle breakdown and prolonged recovery times.
L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, a compound that helps improve blood flow. Increased circulation can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to muscles during training, potentially enhancing performance and promoting recovery.
This supplement may be most beneficial for intensive training participants looking to support muscle growth, improve exercise performance, or manage blood pressure. However, individuals with cardiovascular conditions or those taking blood pressure medications should consult a healthcare provider before use, as L-arginine can interact with certain medications.
In the Philippines, counterfeit and substandard supplements can be a concern, so it’s important to choose products from trusted brands with transparent labeling.
Avoid those with artificial sweeteners, synthetic colors, and unnecessary fillers, as these can cause digestive issues or reduce the effectiveness of the supplement. Instead, look for clean formulas made with natural flavors and backed by third-party testing to ensure safety and quality.
Supplements come in various forms, each with its pros and cons.
Powders are often more economical and easier to dose, making them ideal for protein or creatine. They can also be conveniently mixed into shakes or smoothies, making it easier to incorporate them into your daily routine.
Capsules and tablets offer convenience and precise dosing, but may take longer to digest and sometimes contain additional binding agents.
Choose the form that aligns with your routine and preferences to support consistency and effectiveness.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Key Ingredient | Best For | Free From Artificial Sweeteners | Free From Synthetic Colors | Free From Artificial Flavors | Free From Artificial Fillers | Form | Quantity | |||||
1 | Athlene Active Creatine Monohydrate | ![]() | Build Muscle and Strength With Pure Creatine | Creatine Monohydrate | Strength, Power, and High-Intensity Training | Powder | 300g | |||||
2 | Athlene Active BCAA | ![]() | Enhance Recovery and Muscle Growth With BCAAs | BCAAs | Fasted Training, Endurance, and Reducing Muscle Soreness | Powder | 180g | |||||
3 | Optimum Nutrition BCAA 1000 | ![]() | Easy-to-Take BCAAs in Capsule Form to Support Your Active Lifestyle | BCAAs | Fasted Training, Endurance, and Reducing Muscle Soreness | Capsule | 200 Capsules | |||||
4 | Muscletech Nitro-Tech Ripped Whey Protein | ![]() | Build Muscle and Burn Fat With This Dual-Action Formula | Whey Protein | Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Meeting Daily Protein Needs | Powder | 1814g | |||||
5 | Nestlé Beneprotein | ![]() | Concentrated Protein You Can Add to Meals or Drinks | Whey Protein | Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Meeting Daily Protein Needs | Powder | 227g | |||||
6 | Nature's Bounty L-Arginine | ![]() | Get the Building Blocks of Protein for Muscle Gains With These Tablets | Arginine | Blood Flow, Performance, and Muscle Pump | Tablet | 30 Tablets | |||||
7 | Muscletech Platinum 100% Glutamine | ![]() | 100% Glutamine Powder to Speed Up Recovery and Boost Stamina | Glutamine | Reducing Post-Workout Muscle Soreness | Powder | 300g | |||||
8 | Rule One R1 Creatine | ![]() | Micronized Creatine Powder That Blends Easily Into Shakes or Beverages | Creatine Monohydrate | Strength, Power, and High-Intensity Training | Powder | 156g | |||||
9 | Puritan's Pride L-Arginine | ![]() | Build Endurance and Support Your Heart With L-Arginine | Arginine | Blood Flow, Performance, and Muscle Pump | Capsule | 100 Capsules | |||||
10 | Insane Labz 100% Whey | ![]() | Clump-Free Whey Powder for a Smooth, Flavorful Protein Shake | Whey Protein | Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Meeting Daily Protein Needs | Powder | 1800g |
Key Ingredient | Creatine Monohydrate |
---|---|
Best For | Strength, Power, and High-Intensity Training |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 300g |
Key Ingredient | BCAAs |
---|---|
Best For | Fasted Training, Endurance, and Reducing Muscle Soreness |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 180g |
Key Ingredient | BCAAs |
---|---|
Best For | Fasted Training, Endurance, and Reducing Muscle Soreness |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Capsule |
Quantity | 200 Capsules |
Key Ingredient | Whey Protein |
---|---|
Best For | Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Meeting Daily Protein Needs |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 1814g |
Key Ingredient | Whey Protein |
---|---|
Best For | Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Meeting Daily Protein Needs |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 227g |
Key Ingredient | Arginine |
---|---|
Best For | Blood Flow, Performance, and Muscle Pump |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Tablet |
Quantity | 30 Tablets |
Key Ingredient | Glutamine |
---|---|
Best For | Reducing Post-Workout Muscle Soreness |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 300g |
Key Ingredient | Creatine Monohydrate |
---|---|
Best For | Strength, Power, and High-Intensity Training |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 156g |
Key Ingredient | Arginine |
---|---|
Best For | Blood Flow, Performance, and Muscle Pump |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Capsule |
Quantity | 100 Capsules |
Key Ingredient | Whey Protein |
---|---|
Best For | Muscle Growth, Recovery, and Meeting Daily Protein Needs |
Free From Artificial Sweeteners | |
Free From Synthetic Colors | |
Free From Artificial Flavors | |
Free From Artificial Fillers | |
Form | Powder |
Quantity | 1800g |
Bodybuilding supplements are generally safe for healthy adults when used as directed and sourced from reputable brands that follow quality standards and third-party testing. However, safety depends on the specific supplement, dosage, individual health conditions, and potential interactions with medications.
Some ingredients, like creatine and whey protein, are well-studied and widely considered safe, while others may contain hidden stimulants or contaminants. It's always best to consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you have underlying health concerns.
Looking to dive deeper into specific supplements or track your fitness progress more effectively? Check out our recommended guides on BCAA supplements, whey proteins, and fitness trackers to help you stay on top of your muscle-building journey.
No. 1: Athlene|Active Creatine Monohydrate
No. 2: Athlene |Active BCAA
No. 3: Optimum Nutrition|BCAA 1000
No. 4: Muscletech|Nitro-Tech Ripped Whey Protein
No. 5: Nestlé|Beneprotein
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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