Transparent Labs burst onto the supplement scene in 2015 with a bold promise – to offer science-backed fitness products free of artificial additives like sweeteners, fillers and preservatives.
This transparency (hence the name) appealed to scores of ingredient-conscious athletes and bodybuilders. But does Transparent Labs fully deliver on its clean label claims? Do its products justify the higher price tags?
I decided to take a fine-toothed comb through Transparent Labs‘ most popular offerings. Here‘s an in-depth and unbiased review of what I found…
Overview of Transparent Labs
Founded by entrepreneur Trevor Hiltbrand, Transparent Labs markets an extensive catalog spanning over 50 workout supplements.
These include pre-workouts, protein powders, amino acids, creatines, calorie-dense mass gainers and even apparel. Most products come in multiple mouthwatering flavors.
Transparent Labs‘ formulations feature premium ingredients proven to enhance strength, endurance and recovery. The brand attracts high profile athletes like Hafthor "The Mountain" Bjornsson and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson.
Transparent Labs Highlights:
- No artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives
- Vegetarian-friendly. Some vegan options available
- Third-party lab testing for quality and purity
- Wide variety of pre, intra and post-workout products
However, there are some definite drawbacks to be aware of:
- Products can be much pricier than average
- International shipping is limited
- Occasional reports of bad tastes/textures
Next, let‘s analyze some of Transparent Labs‘ best selling formulas in greater detail:
Transparent Labs Pre-Workout Review
PreSeries Stim-Free Pre-Workout packs a solid 4,000mg dosage of performance boosters like citrulline malate and CarnoSyn® beta-alanine. It even adds nootropics like L-tyrosine to sharpen focus.
Caffeine-sensitive individuals can reap significant strength and endurance gains without the jitters or energy crashes.
However, some users found the fruit punch flavor far too sour for their liking. The premium ingredients also don‘t come cheap at $2 per serving.
PreSeries BULK Pre-Workout, on the other hand, contains a sizeable 180mg caffeine kick alongside its well-dosed performance blend.
I appreciated that Transparent Labs bundled proven testosterone supporters like boron citrate and zinc here too. It directly helps muscle growth rather than just boosting workouts.
Flavors like green apple and blue raz scored well for taste. But be warned – the full caffeine and stim load can overwhelm novice supplement users. Consider starting with half a scoop first.
PreSeries LEAN takes a more thermogenic angle, aiming to shed fat while increasing energy expenditure. To that end, it supplies thyroid and metabolism supporters like iodine.
Though not the strongest fat burner I‘ve used, LEAN nicely balances proven fat-shredding compounds with physical performance enhancers. I felt great taking it before HIIT workouts.
Value-conscious buyers may argue the $50 tag is expensive for just 16 servings however.
Transparent Labs Protein Review
Moving on to recovery, Transparent Labs 100% Whey Protein Isolate stands out as my gold standard for post-workout nutrition.
It packs an impressive 28 grams of ultra pure milk proteins in every scoop. The chocolate peanut butter and cinnamon pastry flavors taste divine even mixed just with water.
I highly recommend using Whey Isolate immediately after lifting sessions – the fast-absorbing macros help recharge muscles. At $1.07 per serving, it‘s premium quality at an affordable rate.
For high-calorie lean mass gains rather than cutting, Mass Gainer fits the bill. Every 197 gram serving boasts 109 grams of clean carbs alongside ample proteins and good fats.
The cookies and cream variant improves substantially if blended with milk or non-dairy alternatives. But expect some grainy, doughy textures which can be off-putting.
Priced at almost $5 per serving, Mass Gainer sits at the higher end of weight gain supplements. Still, no other lean gainer I‘ve tested rivals it for clean, nutrient-dense calories.
Transparent Labs Pre-Workout Ingredients
Now let‘s examine the key active compounds powering Transparent Labs‘ market-leading pre-workout blends:
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Citrulline Malate – This amino acid compound widens blood vessels, delivering more oxygen and nutrients critical for power and endurance. Most pre-workouts are underdosed but Transparent Labs packs a solid 6,000mg. [1]
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BCAAs 2:1:1 – Branched chain amino acids like leucine directly stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Adding BCAAs pre and post-training amplifies growth. Transparent Labs contains the clinically recommended 2:1:1 ratio. [2]
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Beta Alanine – Supports muscular strength and power output while delaying fatigue and the burn during intense sessions. Research indicates doses over 2,000mg offer optimal sporting performance benefits so Transparent Labs hits the mark here. [3]
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L-Tyrosine – This nootropic amino acid elevates focus, motivation and clarity. If you often feel distracted or demotivated when training, tyrosine can help you zone in. [4]
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Caffeine Anhydrous – Included in BULK and LEAN pre-workouts at 180mg per scoop – roughly equivalent to two cups of coffee. Caffeine is clinically verified to boost strength and anaerobic power at this dosage level. [5]
So in summary, Transparent Labs expertly combines gold-standard ingredients for energy, performance, muscle growth, mood and more.
The synergistic formulations match and even improve upon many leading pre-workout supplements I‘ve tested.
Who is Transparent Labs Best For?
Based on my extensive testing and analysis for this review, here is my verdict on the ideal target audience for Transparent Labs supplements:
Transparent Labs Best Suited For:
- Anyone prioritizing cleanly formulated, science-backed workout products
- Athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts chasing gains
- Individuals sensitive to artificial additives like sweeteners
- Vegetarians/vegans seeking high quality animal-free proteins
- Women looking for premium gender-neutral formulas
- Those willing to pay more for quality ingredients/transparency
May Not Be Ideal For:
- Extreme budget/value shoppers
- Customers living outside the main shipping countries
- Individuals who strongly dislike stevia sweeteners
- Those wanting extensive flavor options
- Anyone easily stimulated – some products may be too strong
On the whole, Transparent Labs deserves its reputation as an industry leader crafting clean, premium supplements to meet any training goal.
Transparent Labs vs. Competitors
Let‘s see how Transparent Labs stacks up to two of its biggest rivals – Legion Athletics and ProSupps.
| Transparent Labs | Legion Athletics | ProSupps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Medical-grade ingredients. Impressive quality control and testing. | Premium tier but some minor processing complaints recently. | Middle of the road. Spotty quality control, many proprietary blends. |
| Formula Transparency | Extremely transparent label with doses clearly listed, no shady proprietary blends. | Also highly transparent but lacks Transparent Labs’ strict testing standards. | Weaker – several key products use proprietary formulae, hindering analysis. |
| Taste/Mixability | Usually delicious flavors but some supplements had bad aftertastes for certain users. | Consistently tasty flavors, smooth texture. | Hit or miss – some flavors like cotton candy pre-workout are delightful but others disappoint. |
| Price | At the higher end but competitive value considering top-notch quality. | Similarly positioned as a premium brand so pricing is comparable. | Usually 20-30% cheaper than the other two brands. |
| Goal Support | Sprawling product range tailored to nearly any fitness goal. | Targeted stack bundles that neatly complement specific objectives like bulking or cutting. | Lacks the advanced goal-based product breadth of the other two brands. |
In summary, while all three brands formulate high performance supplements, Transparent Labs inches ahead as the gold standard.
It marries clinical ingredient quality with transparent, goal-focused formulas to support anyone – from pro athletes to weekend warriors.
Transparent Labs Reviews: The Verdict?
Scouring fitness forums and review sites, Transparent Labs earns overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. Here‘s a brief summary:
- Hundreds of 5 star reviews praise the noticeable strength and endurance gains
- Many highlight the motivational mental boost from clean stimulants like tyrosine without side effects
- Transparent Labs is applauded as a trustworthy brand that clearly explains what‘s in their products
- Multiple reviewers report better endurance, vein-popping pumps and increased lean muscle
- Some negatives cite higher prices vs budget brands and occasional mildly unpleasant flavors
Overall, objective buyers widely back up the performance and quality I experienced personally testing Transparent Labs for this review.
Is Transparent Labs Worth Paying More For?
Transparent Labs transparency and top-tier production standards don‘t come cheap. But in my opinion, the impressive boosts in energy, recovery and thermogenesis justify the above-average cost for serious athletes.
Unlike budget companies stuffing their formulas with pixie dust concentrates and proprietary blends, every ingredient serves a purpose at clinical levels.
As my review demonstrated, Transparent Labs also outpaces virtually all rivals when supporting specific goals like building mass or torching fat.
Many cheaper brands spread themselves thin trying to appeal to everyone. Instead, Transparent Labs offers tailored solutions.
For those working hard chasing gains, I wholeheartedly believe you get what you pay for here. Of course, more casual gym-goers may find cheaper brands sufficient for their needs.
Deals and Discounts
As a premium brand, Transparent Labs rarely offer storewide sitewide sales beyond occasional seasonal promotions. However, here are some tips to save money:
- Check for an Email Signup Popup – 10% off your first order
- Buy More, Save More – bundling multiple items unlocks tiered bulk discounts
- Payment Plans – break up big purchases over 4 installments via Sezzle
- Refer a Friend – score a $15 site credit plus friends enjoy $20 off
Follow Transparent Labs on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on future deals, giveaways and clearance item launches.
Where to Buy
Transparent Labs supplements are available directly through their official website with worldwide shipping options.
You may also find select best selling Transparent Labs products in some supplement/sports nutrition stores and marketplaces:
- GNC
- Vitamin Shoppe
- Bodybuilding.com
- Amazon
I recommend purchasing directly from transparentlabs.com though – it‘s the only way to redeem discounts, earn rewards perks and utilize their money-back guarantee.
The Final Verdict
I hope this extensively researched Transparent Labs review helped showcase both the impressive strengths and potential limitations of this leading supplement brand.
There‘s no question Transparent Labs premium formulas deliver tremendous energy, focus and muscle-building support matched by few competitors.
However, athletes on tight budgets or living overseas may argue cheaper, more localized brands meet their needs.
Ultimately, if you prioritize high performance clean supplements with research-backed doses, I highly recommend giving Transparent Labs a shot.
Based on my thorough testing and analysis of consumer reviews, they offer unmatched quality to match their premium pricing. Just be ready to pay more than typical mass-market supplement lines.
To Lock In An Exclusive Discount, Visit TransparentLabs.com Today
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3374095/
- https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijsnem/28/2/article-p165.xml
- https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2017/08000/Beta_Alanine__Supplementation_to_Improve_Exercise.40.aspx
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395611000431
- https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Fulltext/2010/08000/Caffeine_Supplementation_Enhances_Wingate.30.aspx
