Bodybuilding is a sport that requires an intense diet and workout routine. Unfortunately, the amount we sweat in our workouts forces a lot of critical vitamins and minerals to leave our bodies.
- In this article:
- Over 30 experts were consulted.
- 250 hours of research was done.
- No sponsorships nor money influenced the choices.
- 100% unbiased truth.
- A quick and easy ‘in a rush’ section that will help you find the perfect multivitamin for you in seconds.
Furthermore, due to our intense training, our vitamins and minerals are used much faster than the average person, and we find ourselves being deficient in many of these.
Did you know over 77% of athletes are Vitamin D deficient? (This can lead to your bones breaking when you’re trying to lift weights, shin splints, mood problems, and more!)
With these deficiencies, you can experience many symptoms including:
- health problems
- mood problems
- reduction of muscle growth
- weak bones
So, it seems like it’s a pretty good idea to have a multivitamin. I wanted expert advice, so I reached out to hundreds (literally!) of experts in the healthcare, fitness, and bodybuilding industries to answer this question, what is the best multivitamin for bodybuilders?
(Full disclosure- this entire list is based on research. I was not paid, not endorsed, not anything for any of these products. This is a completely unbiased list. I was sick of trying to find a good multivitamin online and getting spammed and bombarded with sponsored content. This is all legit- and I think once you start reading you’ll know it’s genuine.)
Here are the 20 Best Multivitamins for Bodybuilders.
- (I have a table of contents with all the multivitamins below! Just scroll down for it!)
Don’t Have Time To Read? Here’s What You Need to Know
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If you’re looking for the hands-down best multivitamin for serious bodybuilders look no further than the Animal Pak Multivitamin.
- This is because it by far has the best supplementation for hardcore bodybuilders and is designed to replenish nearly every nutrient in your body after a hard day of training relentlessly.
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Looking for the best multivitamin for the ‘average’ bodybuilder?
- MyProtein Alpha Man will work just great. It comes from a company you’ve likely already ordered from in the past (it’s a super reputable company too!) and has the basics you need.
- Looking for the ‘cleanest’ multivitamin?
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Looking for the most ‘scientifically-proven multivitamin?
- Check out the Life Extension multivitamin, they publish all the science and constantly update their multivitamin based on the latest science.
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Looking for a simple multivitamin that just works?
- I recommend the Kirkland Daily Multivitamin, if you’re just looking for something simple that works.
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Looking for the best men’s multivitamin for bodybuilding?
- Met-Rx Active Man is a great men-based multivitamin that helps boost testosterone.
- Looking for the best woman’s multivitamin for bodybuilding?
#1 – Animal Pak Bodybuilding Multivitamin
- Who is this multivitamin for: The most intense and serious bodybuilders.
- Price Range: $$ Mildly Expensive
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Animal Pak has been voted the #1 best multivitamin for bodybuilders by our experts and for good reason. Everybody says that Animal Pak is the best, and truth be told, they’re still unmatched.
They advertise their product as “more than a multi”- and again, for good reason. This multi-vitamin supports bodybuilders so well because it also contains antioxidants, amino acids, multiple enzymes, a performance blend, an energy blend, and support for your immune system.
That’s right. This isn’t just a simple multivitamin, but it’s a multivitamin that supports specifically supports bodybuilding in every way possible.
Need more protein and amino acids to rebuild muscle? It’s in there.
Need more nutrients to build your immune system? It’s in there. (Remember, you touch weights that people sweat on all day long and don’t clean, you’re at a higher risk of getting sick!)
Need just a good multivitamin for your general well-being? It’s in there.
Many people online have voiced their opinion online saying that Animal Pak is one of the only multivitamins they have ever felt the difference with.
As Shabbir Noor, fitness instructor of Recycle studio said, “Animal Pak’s multivitamin was designed specifically with the bodybuilder and athlete in mind. This supplement is the go-to product for most bodybuilders and athletes. Animal Pak contains herbal ingredients that will protect the body from free radicals when the body is undergoing intense physical training”.
Furthermore, John Frigo, owner of Best Price Nutrition said: “Universal Nutrition and their Animal Pak have been around for over 37 years and it’s pretty much the go to multivitamin for bodybuilders.
It’s nice in that you get “packs” and your daily vitamins are already portioned out for you. And besides just getting vitamins and minerals-you get all the amino acids you need to build muscle, a performance complex, an antioxidant complex and a digestive enzyme complex.
Some people find the number of pills to be a bit too much but it’s a solid multivitamin for athletes.”
Animal Pak is ONLY For SERIOUS Lifters
I’m not saying this to be rude but ONLY BUY ANIMAL PAK IF YOU’RE A SERIOUS BODYBUILDER.
If you just ‘kind of’ lift weights here and there, this is not for you. Again, I’m not trying to be rude but I’m trying to not waste your time or money. This product only works if you are burning through basically all your nutrients every day.
If you’re someone who goes to the gym but doesn’t absolutely go 100% for 2 hours, or do things like 8 Hour Arm Workouts, this product will be more of a waste of money for you and a less intense supplement will work better.
This is because this entire supplement is LOADED with way more supplements than normal people can handle. It’s designed to replenish EVERYTHING in your body after you just destroyed every strand of your muscles.
This is also why it is the best multivitamin for bodybuilders. When you’re on a serious program, this will let your muscles grow immensely fast, boost recovery, and keep your mood stable during those whole workouts.
#2 – Life Extension’s Two Per Day
- Who this multivitamin is for: Bodybuilders, the average person, and those that love science-backed nutrition.
- Price Range: $ Very Cost Effective (Roughly $.30/serving)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Life Extension is known to be one of the best if not the best general multivitamin companies out there, and for one big reason:
All of their research is publicly available, and every multivitamin is based on true science you can test yourself.
They don’t just put a bunch of random nutrients ‘they think will work’ into a bottle and sell it to you. They do legitimate research, testing, and more that is all publicly available here.
Life Extension has built a great reputation by providing some of the highest quality supplements that legitimately work due to their research.
They constantly update their formulas and bottles based on new research monthly. You can also call their medical professionals and ask questions about their supplements, and which supplement is best for you.
Even the product most people do, the Life Extension 2 Per Day, has been recently updated because new research highlighted some vitamins had more effects than previously thought.
And people love these supplements because you can feel a real difference when you take them.
Plus, they are pretty cost-effective. You’ll be paying around $.30/day per serving, which is incredible.
Lindsay, a registered Dietician from BackinBalanceNutrition said, “
First, Life Extension makes very high-quality supplements.
Most multivitamins on the market only meet the minimum requirements to avoid a nutrient deficiency.
This formula, in particular, contains higher doses of vitamins and minerals that are very important for bodybuilders and athletes including:
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Higher doses of biologically active B vitamins, including 400 mcg of 5-MHTF, a form of folate that is much more bio-available compared to regular folic acid.
- Plus, a large number of people are deficient in certain enzymes which means we cannot metabolize certain B vitamins. This formula takes care of that.
- This formula contains 200mcg of selenium and 25mg of zinc, which is imperative for optimal thyroid and immune support.
- The stress of exercising and dieting can reduce thyroid function, and extra selenium and zinc can keep it optimal.
- The formula includes 200 mcg of chromium, which is needed for blood sugar support and insulin sensitivity, especially useful for someone who wants to reduce fat.
- 2000 IU of vitamin D. Most formulas only contain about 400-1000IU of vitamin D, which is not enough to raise vitamin D to optimal levels (this of course depends on the starting point, but research shows most people are deficient).
- Athletes and bodybuilders need to ensure vitamin D is optimal for healthy metabolism, immune support, and injury prevention.”
The bottom line? If you want a science-backed multivitamin that’s cost-effective while still giving you most if not all of your nutrients, Life Extension is for you.
While it may not be specifically engineered for bodybuilding, this is probably the best ‘general’ multivitamin out there and you’ll still see a noticeable improvement taking this.
#3 – iDrink (Best for those who don’t want pills/powder)
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person that wants a ton of nutrients and vitamins in bottled water form without any awful taste.
- Price Range: $ Very Cost Effective (Roughly $1.40/bottle of water)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
How many of us are sick of mixing a billion powders into our protein shakes and then taking 40 pills with it just to get our supplements in? I sure am.
iDrink is a company that is basically an ‘IV by water bottle’.
Now, I know the brand ‘Vitamin Water’ has been in the news for actually having basically 3 vitamins for you and having a ton of sugar.
But iDrink is actually legit. iDrink actually contains hundreds of actual vitamins, minerals, and nutrients at a nano-sized molecular level so your cells have an easier time absorbing them.
The best part of all? You can’t even taste it. It tastes just like normal water. Do you know how many bodybuilding supplements taste awful? It was a nice change for me when I would chug iDrink after my workout and it tasted just like normal water- even if it was giving me hundreds of trace vitamins and minerals.
iDrink Helped Me Bike Hundreds of Miles
iDrink has a special place in my heart. Here’s why:
I went on a surprise trip to California randomly a few months ago. I had barely any money and couldn’t afford much food or water. I was lacking energy and I had to bike everywhere to go to parties and hang out with people to really live that ‘California Life’.
But, when I was absolutely drained of energy- I ran into the founder, Neil Fineman. He’s actually an awesome and super down-to-earth guy (we were staying at the same Airbnb and just were helping him move into the place) and he gave me and my friends some of his product iDrink as a thank you for helping him.
At first, we thought it was just another scam ‘MLM’ company, but we noticed a difference within minutes of taking it.
We were biking on average 20-25 miles a day with barely any food, and we felt invincible after taking iDrink.
I had no idea I would be biking the California mountains and beaches on nothing more than this almost ‘magic water’. It literally works and I still drink it today.
Plus, this isn’t any MLM or any other scam like that. It’s a legit company that’s super popular in Las Vegas and California.
I personally recommend it, as Chaz and I biked nearly 12 miles in about 2.5 hours and didn’t even feel exhausted at all. We felt like Superman and we looked at each other and said, “I think there’s something illegal in that water Neil gave us. There’s no way it works this good”.
I’ve been tired of getting ripped off by useless supplements, and I can personally vouch for iDrink myself. It’s incredible.
You don’t know how awesome it was to bike 12 miles in the California heat, then chug something that tastes like normal water and get recharged within minutes.
Jay Cutler Recommends iDrink
Jay Cutler, 4x Mr.Olympia even recommends iDrink, and he’s a big fan of it. Here’s a video from his Instagram about it:
So, if you’re sick of mixing tons of powders, pills, and then tasting an awful product, try iDrink. Plus, it has a ton of great bodybuilding nutrients for you.
#4 – MET-Rx Active Man
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone that wants a serious multivitamin designed for working out, but is cost-effective and doesn’t overwhelm the body.
- Price Range: $ Very Cost Effective (One of the cheapest on this list)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Met-Rx Active Man is actually a loaded multivitamin, it really has just about everything you need. And for this reason, it is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders.
This entire product was designed with bodybuilding/athletes in mind, and you can tell by the nutrition label.
Firstly, aside from the basic nutrients- you’ll find yourself with a plethora of different bodybuilding specific nutrients.
Right away, you’ll see a massive BCAA mix- which all aids in building muscle. There’s also a big ‘sports blend’ that has many nutrients such as L-Glutamine and Taurine, which will help reduce muscle pain and spasms.
Plus, there’s a ton of antioxidants and bioactive nutrients that will help build your immune system and body.
And best of all? It’s really competitively priced. In fact, I found it cheaper than most multivitamins on the list.
According to Asmat Khan, fitness expert of FitnessVolt.com,
“The MET-Rx Active Man has high amounts of your daily vitamins. it is especially high in your B vitamins so it will be great for your energy levels. It also includes a herbal blend with spirulina, ginkgo, Biloba, and green tea.
Active man also has BCAAs and other amino acids to help with muscle growth and repair.
This vitamin also delivers extra antioxidants from citrus fruits, grape seed extract, CoEnzyme Q10, Astaxanthin, and Lutein.
Last but not least, this vitamin has what they call a bioactive blend which has palmetto extract, flaxseed, maca, and oyster extract. Most of these ingredients are good for your sexual and reproductive health.”
The only drawbacks are slightly lower quality ingredients, but overall, it’s a pretty great multivitamin- especially for the price.”
If you’re looking for something that is bodybuilding oriented, has a great mix of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients but doesn’t break the bank and isn’t overly complex, Met-Rx Active Man is for you!
#5 – Kirkland Daily Vitamins from Costco (Most Cost-Effective!)
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone that just wants a super cheap multivitamin that get the job done.
- Price Range: $ Very Cost Effective (One of the cheapest on this list)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
How many of you just want a simple multivitamin that works, but also won’t break the bank?
Look no further than the Kirkland Daily Vitamins from Costco. While they aren’t the “best” multivitamin out there, they do a pretty darn good job of getting you the most nutrients at record prices.
Doug Liantonio, former certified trainer said, “The best multivitamin I have used was the Kirkland Daily Vitamins from Costco. They are very affordable and you will get more than years worth”.
This is the most affordable multivitamin on this list. You can get 500 tablets for $15. That’s no joke. That is literally, as Doug said, more than a years worth for $15.
Now, if you don’t have the membership, it will be around $20-30 more. But, still- 500 tablets for $40 is an INCREDIBLE price.
Again, while it doesn’t have every nutrient you’ve ever wanted, it does a pretty good job. If you’re just looking for something simple and cost-effective, the Kirkland Daily Vitamins are perfect for you.
(Plus, if you want some cheap dirty bulking food, Costco’s food market is incredible!)
And for some people, the cheapest thing isn’t nessecarily bad. When I first started bodybuilding I barely had any money (in fact, I biked to the gym and back every day!). For me, the Kirkland Multivitamin was a lifesaver because I knew it would help my training and recovery, but I would be able to afford it.
(Fun fact, I was paying for a $5/month gym because I could not afford anything else- so these really helped!)
#6 – MyProtein Alpha Men
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone that wants a multivitamin designed for bodybuilding by a trusted company.
- Price Range: $ Very Cost Effective (One of the cheaper options)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
MyProtein Alpha Men is actually one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders out there.
Obviously, MyProtein is a company that takes bodybuilding very seriously, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee they make a good bodybuilding multivitamin. However, I will say that they make one of the best bodybuilding multivitamins out there on the market currently.
While many ‘general’ multivitamins on this list will have a good arrange of nutrients, the MyProtein Alpha Men specifically contains tons of nutrients that specifically aid in muscle recovery.
For instance, the MyProtein Alpha Men includes a superfood blend, amino acid blend, and bioactive blend. This is actually incredible, and I was impressed MyProtein made such a good multivitamin for bodybuilders. (A lot of companies mess this up!)
While they still have the great basic nutrients, you get a ton of extra supplements that directly impact your muscle growth and repair- which is a win in my book.
James Delacey, from the Sweet Science of Fighting, said: “It goes beyond a typical multivitamin. It even adds things like Ginseng for mental benefits”.
#7 – Controlled Labs Orange Triad
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone looking for a multivitamin that targets more of their digestive health and muscle recovery- rather than energy throughout the day.
- Price Range: $$ (It’s fairly priced)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
The Controlled Labs Orange Triad Multivitamin is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders, mainly because it is more focused on the ‘rest and digest’ part of bodybuilding.
Let me explain. Bodybuilding and dieting can be incredibly taxing on your body. Here’s a small list of what gets seriously impacted:
- Digestive System
- Immune System
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Joints
Now, the Controlled Labs Orange Triad is notorious for having a mix that specifically targets immune system and digestive system health- with a ton of nutrients to support repairing your joints.
According to John Frigo, “My pick for the best multivitamin for bodybuilders is going to be Controlled Labs Orange Triad.
It’s got a good mix of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients at good dosages. It’s also great for immune support which is ideal right now that Covid is still going on, and it’s got a joint health blend that helps with joint comfort for hardcore athletes and bodybuilders who put a lot of stress on their joints.
It also has a digestion complex which is great for bodybuilders who eat a lot of protein and likely drink a lot of whey protein shakes.”
I’ve covered this in many of my posts, but your digestive health is a massive underrated part of bodybuilding. The amount and variety of food bodybuilders put into their system can cause many problems with their digestive system, which can cause severe mood deficiencies, loss of energy, and more.
#8 – Thorne Multivitamin (AM/PM)
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone looking for a multivitamin that targets more of their digestive health and muscle recovery- rather than energy throughout the day.
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Higher up there, but that’s also given it is an AM/PM supplement that you take multiple times a day)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
The Thorne Multivitamin is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders because it simply just has so many different nutrients in it that it does a fantastic job of replenishing everything you put your body through that day.
This multivitamin is seperated into two portions. The AM serving, and the PM serving.
- The AM Serving you take in the morning, and it’s designed to give you energy for the day and promote energy production.
- The PM Serving you take at night, and it’s designed to shift to a ‘rest and recover’ phase.
This whole multivitamin is designed for athletes and serious athletes throughout the whole day. In the morning you get that energy production to support your sports activity throughout the day, then at night, you get the powerful nutrients to power your recovery.
What I personally find interesting is the nighttime multivitamin has a special blend of different bark extract that has been shown to reduce anxiety and hunger cravings. This can be important for keeping your weight down and keeping you asleep before a big game or competition the next day.
(Let’s be honest, the night before a big powerlifting meet can be the worse night’s sleep you ever get- and it really messes with your performance the next day).
Jake Harcoff, head coach of AIM Athletic said, “My recommendation for a multivitamin specifically directed to bodybuilders would be Thorne’s AM/PM complex.
I like this brand because firstly they come in capsule form, allowing it to break down faster in the stomach for increased absorption.
Thorne’s formula is also free of GMO’s and fillers such as magnesium stearate which can actually decrease absorption rates.
Finally, as a coach of natural athletes, this product is third-party tested to ensure that no banned substances are used in its ingredients.”
#9 – Vita JYM Multivitamin
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone looking for a multivitamin that is specifically designed for bodybuilding and is created by a famous bodybuilder who went to school for this stuff!
- Price Range: $$ (Moderate price range)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
There are many multivitamins on this list that- while they’re great- they often put way too much of certain vitamins in their mix, and this means your body just expels them. And that’s not to mention the possible risks of nutrient overdose.
The Vita JYM Multivitamin is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders because it literally was specifically made for bodybuilding and has a much better vitamin profile that doesn’t overwhelm your body.
(Plus, this multivitamin was created by one of the most famous bodybuilders in the industry!)
Chad, a personal trainer from MobileTrainers said this, “
Approved by Dr. Jim Stoppani, a dedicated fitness expert with a doctorate in Exercise physiology, we trust in the science and quality of the product.
More importantly, we have witnessed first-hand the improvements in physique and sports performance when clients begin using Vita JYM. In fact, some of our trainers also use the product themselves!
This multivitamin is specifically geared toward fitness and physique in a way that other multi-vitamins are not. For individuals performing taxing workouts, most multivitamins have too little: vitamin C, chromium, B vitamins, selenium, copper, and iron. Simultaneously, they have too much calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, which can inhibit the absorption of amino acids and other vital minerals. This is critical, as amino acids are essential to muscle growth and strength gains.
While it is slightly more expensive than other multivitamins, it is still pretty affordable. Sold in bottles of 60 tablets, this amounts to less than $1 per serving. We believe this is more than fair, considering the quality of the product.”
If you’re looking for a multivitamin that isn’t overwhelming, has science behind it, and is created by an actual bodybuilder, the Vita JYM multivitamin is perfect for you.
#10 – Evlution Nutrition VitaMode
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone looking for a multivitamin that targets more or less everything in their body, including muscle growth- even if the focus isn’t bodybuilding. (Plus, they have an awesome vegetable nutrient blend!)
- Price Range: $$ (Moderate price range)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Evlution Nutrition VitaMode is a relatively lightweight and simple multivitamin, but it is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders due to its special PhytoNutrient blend and BCAA/enzyme mix.
Phytonutrients are incredibly important for your body. They are basically the nutrients you find in fruits and vegetables, and a deficiency in these can cause large-scale problems in your body.
My favorite part of their blend is how diverse their vegetable blend is, it includes different fruits like cranberries, pineapple, cauliflower, kale, brussels, elderberry, etcetera. It’s very diverse, tasty, and gives you a very wide range of powerful nutrients.
Here’s what Alex, owner of The Body Training said:
“My most recommended multivitamin for bodybuilders is Evlution Nutrition’s VitaMode. It’s got an affordable price and you can buy it at Amazon, which makes things easy.
What makes this such a great choice for bodybuilders is that the ingredients and makeup of this multivitamin are designed to maximize muscle gains. And it boosts your immune system health, which is just a nice bonus.
I’ve been using this for a few years now and I can really tell a difference with the before and after.”
This multivitamin does a great job at providing a wide arrange of nutrients to support your body, muscle growth, and immune system.
Plus, the Evlution VitaMode has quite a few BCAAs and nutrients that aid in muscle growth and repair. One of my favorites is the Papain enzyme that helps break proteins down into smaller fragments called peptides and amino acids- which build your muscle! This helps protein digestion and muscle growth, all in one.
Overall, the Evlution Nutrition Vitamode lacks a wide arrange of vitamins and minerals. It has a relatively limited group of vitamins, and some may seem scared at the high dosages in many of these vitamins. My advice? Just take one serving a day instead of two servings.
This way, you will still take advantage of their incredible phytonutrient blend, great muscle growth blend, and decent vitamin/mineral blend and not have to worry about taking too much of those nutrients.
It’s a pretty simple and solid multivitamin, I recommend you give it a try!
#11 – Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women (Men’s too)
- Who this multivitamin is for: Someone looking for a multivitamin that’s at their local grocery store and just simply works.
- Price Range: $ (Relatively inexpensive)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
One of the best Nutrition experts in the whole industry, Mila from MilaOnSupplements.com, reached out and said the Optimum Nutrition Opti-Women was the best multivitamin for women bodybuilders.
Here’s what Mila said:
“Opti-Women by Optimum Nutrition is an efficient and complete multivitamin specifically for women.
Manufactured and designed by Optimum Nutrition, Opti-Women is regarded as the 1-stop-shop for all your multivitamin requirements.
This supplement offers a balanced combination of herbal extracts, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and more.
Opti-Women is the ideal supplement to add to the daily diets of active women.
Features:
- Designed for active women
- 40 active ingredients
- 150 mg calcium in each serving
- 600 mg folic acid in each serving
- Made with the use of vegetarian v-caps
- 23 minerals and vitamins
- 17 herbal extracts and specialty ingredients
- Affordable
Opti-Women is also rated as a top choice for women.
It offers essential minerals and vitamins that are required to maintain good health, along with additional soy isoflavones and herbal extracts.
This product is affordable and easy to incorporate into your daily diet to make sure you are getting more than enough nutrients to support a happy and healthy life.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. Optimum Nutrition isn’t the single handed best multivitamin out there, but it certainly is a solid pick if you’re looking for something that is well designed and works.
Plus, Optimum Nutrition is pretty affordable. So it won’t break the bank, certainly a win in my books. Plus, most grocery stores carry it, so you don’t HAVE to order it online. This was one of the first multivitamins I ever picked up- and I highly recommend it.
#12 -MuscleTech Platinum Multivitamin
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person looking for a ‘straightforward and simple’ multivitamin. It has the basic essentials for amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and a small phytonutrients blend- but doesn’t have any of the ‘extra fluff’.
- Price Range: $ Reasonably Priced
- Click here to read more and check the price!
The MuscleTech Platinum Multivitamin is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders and for good reason. It has an absolutely loaded profile specifically just for athletes and bodybuilders.
Trista Best, registered Dietician at Balance One Supplements said, “
When working with clients who are focused on building muscle at a rapid pace I recommend a few different supplements and a multivitamin. A multivitamin may not seem like much to someone wanting to build muscle as they do not have muscle-focused nutrients, but they help in the process more than most realize.
When the body is deficient or lacking in an area it will divert nutrients and energy to make up what is missing, when you’re building muscle you want all systems working efficiently and effectively, this is where a multivitamin comes in.
The multivitamin I recommend most to bodybuilders is MuscleTech Platinum Multivitamin. This particular multivitamin places a high priority on quality, formulation, and bioavailability. MuscleTech has formulated a vitamin that includes a variety of vitamins, 18 to be exact, while also integrating muscle specific nutrients like amino acids and antioxidants.
With 865mg of amino acids, I know my clients are taking in adequate amounts of muscle-building nutrients. The antioxidants ranging from green tea to ginkgo biloba work to rid the body of free radicals and prevent cellular damage from toxins that can slow down the muscle-building process.”
The only downside is that it doesn’t have a large amount of vitamins/minerals- but it has most of the ones you need, so it works out.
The best way to describe this multivitamin is ‘straightforward’. It doesn’t have too much of anything crazy in it, but it has those amino acids, it has those vitamins/minerals, and a little bit of phytonutrients. It isn’t doing anything ‘crazy’- but it’s giving you basically the essentials.
I highly recommend this multivitamin, especially since it is so cheap!
#13 – Performance Labs Nutrition Nutrigenesis
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person that wants a super absorbable multivitamin.
- Price Range: $$ – $$$ (Costs more than usual)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Kieran Knight, the writer behind fitnesshomehq.com said, “If I had to choose the best multivitamins for bodybuilding, performance Lab NutriGenesis would be my first pick.
These multivitamins allow you to supplement your diet with a wide variety of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in the right amounts to help you achieve your nutrition goals and improve your overall health.”
Performance Labs Nutrition is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders, and for a very interesting reason.
With Performance Lab nutrition, you have so many different options of supplements that will replenish nutrients depending on your needs. Need a good pre-workout nutrient supplement? They have it. A good post-workout supplement? They have it. And even if you’re just looking for a baseline multivitamin, they have it.
But the coolest thing about Performance Labs Nutrition is their ‘NutriGenesis’ technology.
This NutriGenesis technology mimics nutrient genesis in nature, which creates nutrients that are far easier for your body to absorb.
This is actually why the label shows a much lower amount of vitamins/minerals than other multivitamins. Because the nutrients absorb way better than other multivitamins, you’re actually getting the same amount of nutrients- even if there is a lower number on the label.
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Most people just stick with the standard Performance Labs multivitamin.
- I actually like their post workout supplement a lot. (But, I don’t think you need to take the 6 pills everyday, you can definitely get away with 1-2). It has some pretty good recovery nutrients that I personally supplement with. (Pomegranate, potassium, etc).
Furthermore, Performance Labs is a really clean supplement. There are no additives, no GMOs, no other random things tossed in, etcetera. Many people actually comment on how this is a supplement they can use if they are having allergic reactions to other pills.
(Even the pills are made out of a different material, tapioca!)
For bodybuilding, I would pickup the multivitamin and the post workout.
So, if you’re looking for a multivitamin that has better absorption, is very clean, and has a lot of customizability for your needs, the Performance Labs Multivitamin is for you.
#14 – Vintage Base (Best for Probiotics)
- Who this multivitamin is for: A bodybuilder who is having gut problems, or has been told to take probiotics.
- Price Range: $$ – $$$ (Costs slightly more than usual)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
The Vintage Base multivitamin is actually a multivitamin designed for bodybuilding- even if it is heavily marketed as a probiotic/digestive multivitamin. This is actually something super interesting- as many bodybuilders suffer from some forms of IBS/other digestive issues that can see results from eating probiotics.
Probiotics have been the new craze lately, and for good reason- they’ve shown to massively boost gut health and immune system health.
Even my physician recommends that I eat lots of probiotics to help with my hay fever problems- so no matter who you are, probiotics can seriously benefit you.
But, a big thing that holds back many bodybuilders is that their guts cannot simply handle the amount of food, or the variety of food.
These probiotics can go a long way in keeping your gut health good, which in turn affects your mood- and muscle gains.
While this multivitamin doesn’t have all the vitamins/minerals other items on this list do, if you’re a bodybuilder that has been told to take probiotics or has current gut problems, this should be the next multivitamin you try.
#15 – Garden of Life Vitamin Code
- Who this multivitamin is for: This multivitamin is best described as “the jack of all trades, master of none”. It’s also one of the most popular multivitamins in the world.
- Price Range: $ – $$ (Fairly inexpensive)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Honestly, this just had to be included. The Garden of Life Vitamin Code is one of the most purchased multivitamins in the whole world.
And simply put, it ends up being one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilding too.
While their nutrient blend isn’t anything to gawk at, their organic fruit/vegetable blend, probiotic blend, enzyme blend, and antioxidant blend are what makes this multivitamin special.
It’s not just me, but thousands of people have written incredibly positive reviews.
The only drawback of this multivitamin is that it doesn’t have as much nutrients or as much concentration of these other blends as other multivitamins on this list.
Simply put, this is a great standard multivitamin that is fairly inexpensive. It’s kind of the “jack of all trades, master of none” multivitamin. If you’re looking for something that just covers all of the multivitamins your body needs, but doesn’t ‘specialize’ in anything, this is your multivitamin.
#16 – Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Multivitamins (Tastiest Option)
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person that wants a multivitamin that tastes good and has a good reputation behind it. (It’s one of the most popular multivitamins in the world)
- Price Range: $$ – $$$ (Costs slightly more than usual)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Multivitamins is not only one of the best-selling multivitamins in the world, but one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders.
First of all, the general ingredients of the multivitamin are pretty solid. It has all the essential ingredients you need, and more above that.
But, generally, Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid Multivitamins is picked because it is one of the cleanest and tastiest options.
Many of us are sick of tasting disgusting protein powders and mixtures. The liquid multivitamin tastes good. Furthermore, it is Non-GMO, Vegan, Soy/Dairy/Gluten free, etc.
Plus, again, as I said, the nutrients inside are actually pretty good. Shari, a certified personal trainer, and writer for Radiance Wellness said,
“I personally use and recommend Mary Ruth’s Organic Liquid morning and nighttime vitamins.
The nighttime has calcium and magnesium which is so important for restful sleep, which is when the body is recovering from exercise.
All of the products are plant-based, Non-GMO and organic, which are the only things we should be putting in our body.”
I highly recommend it. It’s one of the best selling multivitamins in the world for a good reason.
#17 – Rainbow Light
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person that just wants something that works and isn’t complicated.
- Price Range: $ Very Cost Effective (Roughly $.30/serving)
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Rainbow Light Multivitamins have been well known in the industry to provide a wide variety of supplements that are solid all around.
Typically, they are chosen for their superfood blend they include in their multivitamin. Plus, they have a very solid basic vitamin/mineral blend.
Here’s what Adam Kemp, professional basketball player, M.S Nutrition said:
“The main difference I notice when taking Rainbow Light daily is that I have increased energy and better digestion.
I also notice some more specific differences like feeling more hydrated and having better water retention.
I definitely notice that I have more energy and feel fresher when taking Rainbow Light, which is a difference I notice from the time I get out of bed each morning.
Multivitamins are not a miracle cure but they are great for providing subtle yet significant differences in health”.
This is a great pick if you’re just sick of reading about multivitamins all day and you just want one that works, is cost-effective, and can be found in most local stores. Sometimes, you just want something that works.
Checkout Rainbow Light’s price here!
#18 – Ancient Nutrition
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person with digestion or absorption issues that wants something that even our ancestors would love!
- Price Range: $$ Moderately Priced
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Ancient Nutrition is a brand that’s actually really interesting. It tries to almost replicate ‘ancient nutrition’- basically what we used to eat in the ancient days.
Honestly, it makes sense. That’s what humans evolved to eat and digest. This is why Ancient Nutrition is actually known for having some of the most digestible multivitamins on the market.
Ancient Nutrition in fact says that they are giving us “the vitality and energy of our ancient ancestors”.
According to Heather Hanks nutritionist of InstaPotLife, “I like the Fermented Multi from Ancient Nutrition because it contains fermented herbs, which makes it easier to digest and absorb the vitamins and minerals in the formula.
Fermented herbs also serve as a natural source of healthy bacteria to boost gut and immune health.
This can be especially beneficial for promoting recovery after hard training sessions. I also like this product because it contains no junk fillers or ingredients that you don’t need.”
If you’re looking for something that is very organic, asborbs well, and is likterally what our ancestors used- Ancient Nutrition may be for you.
It is actually one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders and here’s why:
We didn’t just discover bodybuilding in the 1960s, our ancestors have been bodybuilding and growing muscles for millions of years. Our ancestors used the food they were given and still managed to grow muscle. Our bodies literally evolved to turn all that food that they were eating into the muscle we needed to survive.
When you tap into some of this ancient nutrition, it pays off as it is literally what your body has evolved to use. (And a lot of science is showing that processed foods aren’t digested well or handled well by our bodies due to our bodies not knowing how to handle them).
I recommend this multivitamin especially if you’ve noticed absorption or digestive issues before. Many people have seen incredible results by tapping into our history, maybe it’s time you try too!
#19 – Metagenics Phytomulti (Folate Acid)
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person looking for a serious phytonutrients blend, and those that may have a rare genetic mutation called the MTHFR gene.
- Price Range: $$$ Higher Than Average
- Click here to read more and check the price!
The Metagenics Phytomulti is one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilding because of its incredibly unique and diverse phytonutrient blend.
While it has a great vitamin/mineral blend, it has a really awesome phytonutrient blend including things all the way from Chinese cinnamon to grape seed extract. Many of these phytonutrients are notorious for providing tiny nutrients that can seriously impact your mood
Personally, for me, Pomegranate has always been something that drastically changes my mood. I’m not really sure why- but it’s one of those phytonutrients that seriously changes everything for me.
Additionally, this multivitamin is mainly taken by those that have the ‘MTHFR’ gene mutation, where their body cannot change folic acid into folate. This multivitamin provides folate in well, folate form. This helps those affected by the mutation to successfully regulate their hormones.
(My mom actually has the ‘MTHFR’ gene mutation, so this multivitamin actually hits close to home.)
Kylene, a sports Dietician for the Cleaveland Cavaliers from FWDFuel.com said, “This well-balanced vitamin is professional-grade and only requires two capsules a day.
Not only does this multi contain an awesome balance of vitamins and minerals, but it includes a comprehensive antioxidant profile.
Not only is this combination critical for recovery for all athletes, but bodybuilders in particular because of the severe restriction associated with certain time frames of the training/pre-competition cycle!
Best of all for bodybuilders is the fact that this vitamin contains a very small amount of green coffee extract which is incredibly helpful for energy and focus during times of restriction.”
One of my friends, Dan, is a super big believer in just getting phytonutrients, so he always makes sure to eat any fruits/vegetables he can. And surprisingly enough, he’s very healthy despite his very ‘crazy’ lifestyle.
I’ve also been a big believer in phytonutrients as aforementioned, sometimes the smallest things can make the big differences.
#20 – Athletic Greens
- Who this multivitamin is for: The person looking for a serious phytonutrients blend, and those that may have a rare genetic mutation called the MTHFR gene.
- Price Range: $$$$ Very High Prices
- Click here to read more and check the price!
Athletic Greens is almost what the name implies, it’s basically an awesome blend of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from plants. And because of this, it’s one of the best multivitamins for bodybuilders.
Earlier I mentioned how many foods out there can actually be superfoods and contain incredible nutrients you’ve never heard of. Personally, for me, it’s pomegranate, it like super charges me.
With the increase of processed foods in a modern age, Americans are getting less and less nutrients.
Athletic Greens really has just about everything covered. Plus, it’s super digestible.
Brady from Two Trailbirds (who frequently hikes hundreds of miles and needs nutrients to replenish) said, “My number one go-to supplement is Athletic Greens. It’s a drink mix, not a vitamin pill, but it functions as a multivitamin and is specifically designed to cover all the bases that athletes need.
It contains sodium, potassium, and magnesium to keep balanced electrolyte levels. It has essential B vitamins like vitamin B2 and B6, both of which are essential for maintaining proper metabolism and muscle repair.
It also contains vitamin A and calcium, which are essential for bone health. And to top it off, it has zinc and vitamin C to promote a healthy immune system. All of the essential vitamins and minerals in Athletic Greens come from whole-food, plant sources too, so you’re getting the optimal chemical composition for digestion and absorption.
I think it’s hands-down, the single best vitamin supplement mix on the market, and I recommend it to everyone.”
Bonus: IV
When you go to the hospital, they generally give you an IV full of fluids- and in some cases: vitamins and minerals.
A new way athletes are recovering faster is by using IVs to get direct vitamins and minerals into their bloodstream. Read more about it here on ASAPIVs.
How I Chose This List
None of this list is sponsored at all in any way. To me, I could NEVER recommend a product to my readers that I would not be confident in putting in my own body.
I know this industry has a weird rap for selling supplements that have weird things in them. I wanted to avoid this and give all of the people reading this an HONEST list that they can feel confident and safe reading.
So, this is all expert advice and my own advice as well. There isn’t any weird brands that have sold 1 thing ever or have a sketchy past, everything here is genuine and safe.
Personally, no matter how big my blog gets, I put my readers first. That’s my promise.
So, I tried to pick the most cost-effective (I’m broke!), highest quality, and best overall ingredients that would benefit bodybuilders.
Additionally, I highlighted that many multivitamins are made for different types of people. So, if you’re someone who takes bodybuilding incredibly seriously- there’s a specific multivitamin for that. But, if you’re someone who lifts frequently, but you’re also looking for a multivitamin just for your general health day-to-day, I also have one for that.
- How You Take The Multivitamin (Pill/Powder)
- I know many people don’t like taking pills, or even multiple pills at once. So, I included some alternative options such as one multivitamin you can even just drink!
What Nutrients Did You Choose?
Bodybuilding requires a ton of vitamins and minerals, but generally not the typical ones that a normal multivitamin will give you.
For instance, a normal multivitamin may give you some magnesium, zinc, calcium, B12, and other minerals. But, in bodybuilding those are some of the MOST important minerals!
Furthermore, most multivitamins don’t generally include many amino acids- which are the building blocks of your muscles. Picking a multivitamin that includes both is critical to your muscle growth.
Plus, our friend Vincent, owner of LifeForLifts said this is a great baseline for the nutrients that should be in the multivitamin!
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B, (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Magnesium
- Biotin
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Omega-3s
- Selenium
- Zinc
Hopefully this list helps!
Conclusion of The Best Multivitamins for Bodybuilders
Well, well, well- this was a massive article. I thank all of the expert contributors that assisted in the research and development of this article.
I always personally had a difficult time finding a good multivitamin for bodybuilders. Whenever you search anything up, it’s always sponsored, biased content that doesn’t even work or even hurts you.
Everything in this article was non-biased and non-sponsored. I did not receive any money or free samples, I wanted to make a change in bodybuilding and help out my fellow bodybuilders.
Hopefully this list helps you.
This article can grow. Honestly, it was very tough finding good multivitamins for bodybuilders.
If you have a good multivitamin that helps your bodybuilding, please tell me in the comments below and I will add it to the post! Let’s grow together!
Thank you, and never give up- bodybuilding takes time. Hopefully, these multivitamins help!
