Having a great muscle builder on hand is very important if you’re a dedicated gym rat looking to maximize your gains before, during, and after your workouts. However, with all of the different muscle building products out there, you may blow through a lot of time and money trying to find the best product for you.
Thankfully, there is a company that serves as your one-stop-shop for all things bodybuilding and fitness. General Nutrition Center, or GNC, has hundreds of brick and mortar locations, as well as an online store and products available through retailers like Amazon. GNC can offer you just about everything out there in the worlds of vitamins, dietary supplements, minerals and herbs, and—you guessed it—muscle building products.
Use this guide to pick which GNC muscle builder is right for you, based on things like ingredients, nutritional information, user reviews, and price.
🏆 Our Top Pick 🏆
GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein Powder
GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein Powder - Natural Chocolate, 25 Servings, Supports Healthy Metabolism and Lean Muscle Recovery
GNC has tons of great muscle builders out there, so it’s tough to pick a favorite. However, when it comes down to it, the brand’s Pro Performance 100% whey powder is simply hard to beat. Traditional whey protein is a great supporter of lean muscle building and workout recovery, and this product comes in some delicious flavors, too. This pick is an all-around perfect powder for moderately intensive bodybuilders and average active people.
Product Pros
- Traditional whey protein is generally the best for building lean muscle
- One serving offers 24 grams of protein and only three grams of sugar
- Contains nine amino acids for a complete amino acid profile
- Gluten free and sweetened naturally
- Offered in unflavored, natural vanilla, natural chocolate, or creamy strawberry flavors
Product Cons
- Whey proteins are milk based and not ideal for those with lactose sensitivities
- Can cause digestive issues like bloating, diarrhea, and gas
- Users who prefer heavily sweetened or are accustomed to artificially flavored muscle builders complain of a more bland taste in this naturally sweetened product
Our Second Choice:
back to menu ↑GNC AMP Wheybolic Ripped Protein Powder
GNC AMP Wheybolic Ripped Whey Protein Powder - Classic Vanilla, 22 Servings, Contains 40g Protein and 15g BCAA Per Serving
We like GNC’s AMP Wheybolic Ripped Protein Powder option because it’s basically a more highly specialized version of our number one pick, the Pro Performance 100% whey powder. Where most people would be plenty suited with the 24 grams of protein per serving in our top choice, this variety throws in an additional 16 grams of protein per serving. If you’re into bulking up muscle more than anything, this option is for you! You can find it in classic vanilla, chocolate fudge, or strawberries and cream flavors.
Product Pros
- All the benefits of traditional whey, plus:
- 40 grams of protein per serving for maximum muscle building
- Contains caffeine for extra energy
- Contains leucine and velositol to encourage increased calorie burning
- Advertised as usual pre-, mid-, and post-workout, as well as on resting days
Product Cons
- All the downfalls of traditional whey, plus:
- Artificially sweetened with sucralose
- High protein levels may be difficult to process for people with low daily protein intake
- Added ingredients may pose extra risk of intestinal discomfort and allergic reaction
- Users commonly complain about chalky taste
Third Place:
back to menu ↑GNC AMP Amplified Mass XXX Protein Powder
GNC AMP Amplified Mass XXX, Strawberry, 6.2 lb(s), Supports Muscle Protein Synthesis
This product is, again, another step up in protein content from our first and second round picks at a whopping 50 grams of protein per serving. While this option probably surpasses the daily protein needs of most average individuals, the most dedicated of bodybuilders and full-time exercisers, like career athletes and personal trainers, would benefit from this maxed-out protein supplement. You can find a new favorite flavor with the AMP Amplified Mass XXX, from vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, or cookies and cream.
Product Pros
- All the benefits of traditional whey, plus:
- 50 grams of protein per serving, ideal for career exercisers
- Contains a macronutrient blend designed to deliver results with fewer sets
- 750 calories per serving makes the product great for meal replacement
Product Cons
- All the downfalls of traditional whey, plus:
- 50 grams of protein may be excessive for average exercisers
- Calorie count per serving makes this not an ideal weight loss product
- Artificially sweetened with sucralose
- Contains Red 40 Lake, an ingredient derived from the artificial dye Red 40, which has been reported to cause allergic reaction and other adverse symptom
Alternatives to Whey Protein Powder
Vegans, the lactose intolerant, plant-based diet eaters, and people who want as few sweeteners and added ingredients in their muscle builders as possible may get frustrated finding a comparable product to traditional whey protein powders.
There are plenty of plant-derived protein powders to make bulking up muscle a more comfortable process for these sorts of people, including products made from: peas, hemp hearts, spinach, or soy. Most manufacturers of these alternatives know that customers are looking for a more natural powder, so they tend to steer clear of artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose.
You can browse through GNC’s plant-based muscle building products to find one right for you.
Finding Your Perfect Muscle Builder
Whey protein powders are one of the most popular and widely used muscle building products available. The amino acids in the protein promote muscle tissue healing and growth before, during, and after workouts, leading to a leaner and healthier body.
When you’re shopping for the right muscle builder to incorporate into your daily diet, make sure to keep these important factors in mind: affordability, grams of protein per serving, added artificial or natural sugars, available flavors, and other add-ins like caffeine and food dyes.
Once you’ve picked the GNC muscle builder that suits your needs, you are one step closer to achieving your fitness goals! Be sure to always follow the product’s directions, stop use if discomfort ensues, and consult your physician if you have concerns about how a muscle building supplement may impact your body and health.
Image Credit: “GNC World Headquarters, Pittsburgh” by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY 2.0
