Top 3 Beta-Alanine Supplements For Optimal Muscle Growth

Beta-Alanine is one of the most widely used and effective ergogenic supplements used today.  

Being so, there are hundreds of brands to choose from as well as information on what beta-alanine actually does.  

However, not every supplement is equal and the vast amount of information on beta-alanine is unfortunately completely wrong.  

Like most things in exercise science, don’t let marketing gimmicks make beta-alanine be more confusing than it needs to be.

This article is going to help clarify this issue and go over:

• What beta-alanine actually does
• How it helps improve your performance
• The top 3 beta-alanine supplements on the market
• The correct dosing

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If You’re In A Rush…Here Is The Information In A Nutshell

If you’re in a hurry, here are the top 3 beta-alanine supplements and why I love them.  However, be sure to come back when you can to read a more detailed explanation of what beta-alanine is and why you should take it.  That is, if you want to seriously increase the effectiveness of your training.

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Why You Should Trust Me

I’ve been working in this industry professionally for the past 10 years.  This includes time working in the USA, as well as throughout Asia. Over this time I have worked as a:

• Personal Trainer
• Strength & Conditioning Coach
• Sports Performance Coach
• Gym Owner
• Sports Science/Fitness/Gym Consultant
• Educator and Lecturer

Concerning my credentials, I currently hold:

• Masters in Exercise Science (Fitness & Performance)
• NSCA CSCS
• CISSN
• Sit as an Executive Council Member of the NSCA Strongman SIG

One thing you realize as you get more embedded in the industry is how simple this stuff really is and how complicated marketing tries to make it.  I have close relationships with leaders in the supplement industry as well as within human performance and my goal is to spread real information with simplicity and honesty.

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Top 3 Beta-Alanine Supplements

As seen above, beta-alanine is one of the most studied supplements that has been proven to be effective.  However, this is only true if you use a good supplement.  When choosing a company to buy beta-alanine from, you should look for a brand that uses 3rd party testing to assure quality as well as prices and reputation.  Here are the top 3 beta-alanine supplements.

Our #1.  Best All-Around Choice: Bulk Supplements Beta-Alanine

Bulk Supplements is becoming a favorite brand amongst serious lifters who are tired of flashy marketing and gimmicks.  Their branding, packaging, and marketing is very simple which allows them to be able to offer some of the best prices on a wide range of supplements, including beta-alanine.  Plus they have a subscription service that gives you even lower prices.

However, don’t let their simplicity and low-prices fool you.  All of their products have multiple 3rd party testing certifications to ensure you are using a high-quality product. 

The quality of a product and price are the only two factors you need to consider when looking at a supplement and Bulk Supplements delivers on both.  

Pros

• cGMP certified (Good Manufacturing Practices)
• Multiple 3rd party and outsider lab testing
• Two forms: capsule and powder
• Wide selection of quantities to choose from
• Capsules or powders
• Favorite brand used by thousands of lifters
• Subscription service

Cons

• Powder version does not come with a scoop

Verdict: Bulk Supplements Beta-Alanine is a simple, no-frills source of beta-alanine. It’s high-quality, 3rd party tested, and cost-effective.  This makes it my best overall pick as I’m all about simplicity, quality, and saving money.

Our #2. Best Choice For Beginner Users: NutraBio Beta-Alanine

NutraBio has been around since 1996 but has never reached the status many mainstream supplement companies do.  However, Nutra-Bio offers one benefit that is very rare.  

That is they actually have a sister website that allows users to look up the lab results for any of their supplements including the chemist who tested it.  This is a testament to the trustworthiness of their product and it debunks any claim that “you don’t know what’s really inside”.  

Their products are made in a FDA inspected facility and receive potency testing from HPLC.

Pros

– Third party tested

– Ability to look up test results of your specific purchase

– Cost-effective

Cons

– Only one size

– Only offers unflavored

– Not as well known

Verdict: To be honest, I am relatively new to Nutra-Bio but being able to see the high-quality results of their product is enough for me. Combine that with the economical price and high ratings, this is a perfect choice for beginners who are understandably suspicious of taking supplements because of the lack of regulation.

Our #3. Best Choice For An Elite Product: Optimum Nutrition Beta-Alanine

Optimum Nutrition is one of the top supplement companies in the market.  This comes from their consistently high reviews from users as well as multiple product testing.  Their beta-alanine comes in servings that use 3.2g of beta-alanine which seems to be the optimal dose according to research.  

It also comes with added histidine which is the other amino responsible for the synthesis of carnosine which may be of assistance if you take a higher dose during the loading phase (see below).  

What makes Optimum Nutrition stand out is they use a brand of beta-alanine called CarnoSyn.  CarnoSyn is the gold standard in terms of quality beta-alanine and is the only beta-alanine brand to have the new FDA New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) label.

Pros

–  Optimal dosing of beta-alanine at 3.2g per serving

–  Uses CarnoSyn beta-alanine

–  Added histidine 

–  Arguably the most widely trusted brand in sports nutrition

Cons

–  A little more expensive than other brands

Verdict

You really can’t go wrong with anything from Optimum Nutrition as their products are among the best in the business.  While this notoriety causes their supplements to be a bit more expensive, you’re only talking about a few cents per serving.  Therefore, if using what a large portion of trainees and coaches use makes you feel confident, Optimum Nutrition is for you.

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Still Unsure Which Option Is Best For You? Here’s The Recap, Based On Our Testing & Research

• Bulk Supplements Beta-Alanine: This supplement is considered the best overall option. It is simple, high-quality, cost-effective, and delivers exactly what you need for less.
• NutraBio Beta-Alanine: This supplement is considered the best for beginners. It allows you to check the quality of your specific batch and is perfect for beginners or those who are skeptical.
• Optimum Nutrition Beta-Alanine: This supplement is considered the best elite option. It is from the most-trusted brand in sports nutrition, has FDA New Dietary Ingredient Certification, is dosed with optimal serving levels, and has added histidine.

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Wrapping It Up – Why Beta Alanine Is Great For Muscle Growth

Beta-Alanine stands is one of the few supplements I suggest it to nearly all of my clients due to its effectiveness, affordability, and range of use. Just don’t get caught up in the nonsense that surrounds it; it’s an awesome supplement, and if you know how to use it correctly (which you should after reading this article), you will have great results.

And if you’re looking for the best one, you won’t go wrong with Bulk Supplements Alanine. It’s the one I use and I recommend my clients use as well.

If you’re looking for another muscle building supplement that I love, check out the review I wrote on HMB supplements here.