10 Best Amino Acid Supplements 2024 in the US

Whether you want to build up large muscle mass or make the most of your time at the gym, amino acids are an excellent supplement to your workout. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are proven to stimulate muscle growth. Amino acid supplements contain various benefits, like energizing you while you workout, reducing soreness during your recovery and ensuring your body receives enough protein. There are many different amino acid supplements on the market and choosing the right brand for your specific workout regimen can be difficult. We created this guide to help break down the differences among popular amino acid supplements, so you can feel confident in choosing the right product.

Some supplement lines sell single amino acid products, but the popular supplements we discuss in this buying guide contain mixtures of amino acids that work together to build muscle.

BCAAs: Short for branched chain amino acids, BCAAs are mixtures of essential amino acids, containing leucine, isoleucine and valine. BCAAs stimulate muscle protein synthesis, provide energy boosts during workouts and help reduce soreness after your workout. BCAAs are popular among those who focus on high intensity training, or vegetarians who don’t receive enough protein in their diet.

Tablet: These are pills swallowed either before or before and after your workout.

Liquid: Can be mixed with food or drink, an easy way to include your amino acids in your normal diet.

Powder: Mix this in water or a protein shake for sipping while you work out, or in a post-workout drink.

How you want to consume your amino acid supplements is important to consider. Pills are generally large, so if you do not like swallowing pills, a powder or liquid form may be preferable.

Taste is also an important factor. Users recommend finding a tasty flavored mix and mixing it with water or a protein shake. Users warn that unflavored powder supplements actually do still have a taste. If you prefer not to taste the supplement at all, maybe tablet supplements would be the best option. 

If you are about to work out, don’t mix your supplements with food. This will avoid interference from the amino acids in your food and allow your supplements to do their job.

The most important time to take your supplement is before, during and after your workout. You should primarily base dosages depending on your body size.

Before you purchase and begin your amino acid supplement regimen, make sure that you are not allergic to any of its ingredients. If you take any medications, are pregnant or have any medical conditions, check with your physician or pharmacist to make sure that the amino acid supplement will not interfere with your health. 

Dynamic Nutrition: Created in 2010 by fitness guru, Mike Kesthely, this brand focuses on building a strong nutritional foundation. It is known for amino acid, general health and weight loss products.

Muscletech: Muscletech is a Canadian sports nutrition company. Since 1996, it has sold products for bodybuilding, weight loss and endurance training.

Optimum Nutrition: A sport nutrition company established in 1986, ON is the only company in its field to manufacture every kind of sports nutrition product, ranging from protein powder to vitamins and minerals.

Bragg: Bragg is an all-natural, organic brand of life food products and health science books. It is a family-run company that celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2012.