12 Best Post Workout Shakes Tested in-depth
Taren Weidaw
Richard Wisniewski
A post workout shake can be beneficial to a runner, especially after a high endurance run. To find out more about the best options, check out our list below!
In a Hurry? The test winner after 40 hrs of research
Lactose free
Natural ingredients
Delicious flavors
Provides extra energy
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FitPro Go! -
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PlantFusion Complete Plant Protein -
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PacificHealth Endurox R4 -
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Met-Rx RTD 51 -
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Orgain Organic Nutritional-Shakes -
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CalNaturale Svelte -
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Progenex Recovery -
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Muscle Milk -
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CLICK Active -
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Iconic Grass Fed Protein Drink
- Criteria Used for Evaluation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
10 Best Post Workout Shakes
1. FitPro Go!
Lactose free
Natural ingredients
Delicious flavors
Provides extra energy
Expensive
Milk base may still be an issue for some users
FitPro Go! is a magical, milk-based drink that is lactose-free (yes… milk-based AND lactose-free) because of a specially developed ultra-filtration process. FitPro Go! comes in four dessert-like flavors.
Read moreNutritional Content
FitPro contains 35gs of protein and is gluten- and lactose-free, kosher, and contains 18 vitamins & minerals. These post-workout shakes are sweetened with organic stevia. The four flavors of FitPro Go! have an average of 3 grams of fat, 200 calories, and 10 grams of carbohydrates, providing all of the good stuff your body needs to refuel post-workout.
Taste
FitPro Go! is available is four dessert-themed flavors which are: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate chip cookie. Users rate their favorite flavors as either chocolate or vanilla. Users rave about the lack of manufactured protein taste because of the all natural ingredients that make up this post-workout shake.
Cost and Value
This post-workout shake, with all of its goodness, does come with a price. It is a bit more expensive than other RTD post workout shakes.
2. PlantFusion Complete Plant Protein
All natural protein
Great taste
Fairly priced
Great taste
Only two flavors
PlantFusion Complete Plant Protein is a high-quality and vegan post workout shake that gives you 18-19 grams of plant-based protein depending on the particular flavor you choose.
Read moreNutritional Content
This post-workout shake by PlantFusion gives you 18 grams of plant-based protein from quinoa, amaranth, peas, and artichoke! These shakes contain no aspartame or preservatives and are also lactose-free, gluten-free, and GMO-free.
Taste
PlantFusion ready to drink post workout shakes are available in vanilla and chocolate. Users report these shakes as having a great taste and do not miss the manufactured protein taste one bit.
Cost and Value
These post workout shakes are about the average price of other post workout shakes.
3. PacificHealth Endurox R4
Patented 4:1 protein to carb ratio
Increase protein synthesis by 400%
Several Flavors
Natural Ingredients
May not have enough protein for some diets
May have too many carbs for some diets
Has added sugar
The PacificHealth Endurox R4 is a great shake for post workout with the patented 4:1 Protein-carb ratio which speeds up recovery. This drink will help you recover faster, and help prevent muscle damage so you can get back to your work out the next day.
Read moreNutritional Content
This drink has 13 grams of protein and 52g of carbs. This 4:1 ratio helps you regain your strength faster. It includes both whey and soy protein to enhance the effectiveness.
Taste
Users reported loving the taste of these protein shakes. Especially for those who don't like the chalky taste that some other drinks may have. Consumers rave about the Tangy Orange, and the Fruit punch, but this shake is also available in chocolate and lemon-lime.
Cost and Value
The price is about average compared to other post workout shakes. But with the great taste and all natural ingredients it's worth the price.
4. Met-Rx RTD 51
Most protein in a ready-to-drink shake
Average price
Low in fat
Tasty chocolate flavor with a vanilla option
Can be so thick they are hard to drink
Leave a coating inside your mouth after drinking
This post-workout shake packs the most protein by far - a whopping 51 grams! This shake will definitely give your muscles what they crave to rebuild and repair.
Read moreNutritional Content
In addition to 51 grams of protein, this post-workout shake is low in fat, has less than 300 calories, and is full of good-for-you nutrients like amino acids and BCAAs. The proteins in RTD51 are a combination of whey protein and casein protein, which means that the proteins take longer to break down, offering extended muscle support.
Taste
Users report that the chocolate flavor is better than the vanilla flavor, and that overall these post-workout shakes are extremely thick and become hard to drink if you don’t drink them quickly. Users also reported feeling like there was a coating covering their mouths after drinking this shake.
Cost and Value
Even though they have an above-average amount of protein for a ready-to-drink post workout shake, they still have an average price.
5. Orgain Organic Nutritional-Shakes
Organic
Doctor-developed
Great taste reported by users
Available in different flavors
Expensive
Orgain Organic Nutritional-Shakes is the first shake, which is ready to drink and doctor-developed. Its purely certified organic, non-GMO, and is gluten-free. It comes in four flavors, so you are sure to find one that satisfies your cravings.
Read moreNutritional Content
In addition to being organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO, Orgain Organic Nutritional Shake is a great post workout choice, because it packs in 16gs of organic plant protein, 21 vitamins & minerals, is high in fiber and has added organic fruits and veggies. Plus, all four flavors have less than 260 calories, which will refuel you after a tough workout without attacking your waistline.
Taste
The four flavors available in the Orgain Organic Nutritional Shake line are Strawberries, Fudge which is Creamy Chocolate, Bean Sweet Vanilla, Cream, and IcedCafé Mocha. Users of these shakes brag about how delicious the flavors are, even saying that the Sweet Vanilla Bean tastes just like ice cream.
Cost and Value
These shakes are a little more expensive than other post workout shakes, mainly because organic ingredients are generally a little more expensive.
6. CalNaturale Svelte
High in fiber and calcium
Naturally sweetened
Fairly priced
Available in different flavors
Refrigeration required
Available in five flavors, the CalNaturale Svelte protein shake provides an organic, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher way for you to refuel after a long run.
Read moreNutrition Content
With 260 calories, 16 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber, the CalNaturale Svelte protein shake is off to a good start. Add to it a soy milk base, 8 vitamins and minerals, 35% of your RDV for calcium and 30% of your daily value for Vitamin D, this shake will definitely give you a healthy recharge post workout.
Taste
CalNaturale Svelte is available in chocolate, French vanilla, cappuccino, banana crème, and spiced chai varieties. They are lightly sweetened with Stevia to make them extra tasty. According to users, these shakes have a satisfying taste and texture, are best when refrigerated, and many find cappuccino to be their favorite.
Cost and Value
These are a little less expensive than your average post workout shake.
7. Progenex Recovery
Hydrolyzed whey protein to work faster
23 grams of protein
Only 10 grams of carbs and low sugar
Great taste
Fast absorbing means faster recovery
More expensive than some of the other drinks.
This hydrolyzed whey protein shake has great flavors. Progenex is the official sponsor for the Crossfit games so you are getting a high-quality recovery shake with 23 grams of protein, and low carbs. These shakes are fast absorbing to help you recover quicker, so your muscles will feel better faster.
Read moreNutrition Content
Progenex Recovery shakes come with 23 grams of protein and only 10 grams of carbs and 5 grams of sugar. They also use a hydrolyzed protein which makes it more effective.
Taste
Progenex uses a hydrolyzed protein so usually, that would make the drink taste kind of sour, but not these shakes. These shakes come in three different flavors Loco Mocha, Peanut Butter Smash, and Tropical Vanilla. Consumers loved the taste of these shakes.
Cost and Value
These effective shakes come at a price, but this drink does come with a guarantee of working or your money back.
8. Muscle Milk
Very tasty
Made from organic ingredients
Perfect tasting banana flavor
Vegan-friendly
For some users, 11 grams of proteins isn't enough
Everybody would like to recover fast after the workout. Well, it will be much easier if you provide yourself some good source of proteins. A good option is trying Muscle milk- the product that will make the recovery much easier.
Read moreNutritional Content
It has only 100 calories per serving but there's still a good amount of proteins- 20 grams. There are also vitamin C,A,D. There are also essential amino acids that prolong the delivery of the protein in your body.
Taste
Unfortunately, there are only two tastes to choose from. First one is chocolate, it definitely tastes like chocolate milk, the other one is vanilla cream.
Cost and Value
For 12 shakes you pay more than 17 dollars. the price is high but the ingredients and protein are high quality.
9. CLICK Active
You can use it with milk or water
Very tasty
Has espresso coffee without caffeine
Guaranteed fast recovery
Some users didn't like the texture
For some runners 20 grams of proteins is not enough. What about 25 grams? And in addition, you're big fun of coffe? This product is perfect for you.
Read moreNutritional Content
There are double shots of espresso coffee without any caffeine. There are 25 grams of proteins. BCAAs and Glutamine also boost the synthesis of protein and provide faster recovery.
Taste
You could think at first that there's only one tase but there are Mocca and Vanilla Late tastes. Doesn't it sound delicious?
Cost and Value
The product isn't super expensive however remember that you also need to buy water or milk to make a shake.
10. Iconic Grass Fed Protein Drink
Great for those who don't want a lot of calories
Low fats and cabs
Interesting flavors
Natural ingredients
Some users experienced unpleasant aftertaste
Would you like to taste shake with high-quality protein from Grass Fed New Zealand cows? We guess you do. This is a brand with natural ingredients and very good taste. Check out their tastes!
Read moreNutritional Content
Like in many other shakes, there are 20 grams of protein. there are only 3 grams of sugar and in this shake, there are 4 grams of fiber. It has only 130 calories for one bottler so it will be great for people who are on a diet.There are no gluten, lactose, soy, and GMOs
Taste
When you read about the available tastes, you're getting hungry. There are 4 to choose from- Chocolate Truffle, Café Au Lait, golden Milk and Vanilla Bean.
Cost and Value
This brand is a little expensive, for 12 bottles you pay around 44 dollars so it's above the average.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Product Purity Always give attention to the quality as this will determine how you achieve your workout goals. It is better to pay extra for a supplement which is natural and pure. Its highly recommended that you always read the label, before choosing a post workout shake, to be certain that it doesn’t contain too many ingredients. While looking at the ingredients it’s good to counter check and see if the ingredients are organic. Be cautious of adverts that will say that the supplement has extra ingredients, which will be useful in fast muscle development. This can be just a marketing strategy and its best to do a thorough research on the best post work out a supplement for you. Don’t go around spending so much on a supplement while you can still achieve muscle growth and recover at a much more affordable rate. Consider the quality, noting that expensive doesn’t always mean high quality and just because it works for someone else then that’s the best supplement for you.
Effectiveness The ingredients used are very important since they determine the quality of the supplement and whether it will work for you in terms of muscle recovery and growth. Some of the best ingredients are organic; furthermore, a supplement doesn’t need to have too many ingredients for it to work. Just the ingredients that are useful in muscle repair and growth should be present, which will determine its effectiveness more than a sheer abundance of minerals and substances.
Use When the muscles receive much energy they will need to function from the stored glycogen. The stores tend to get exhausted and depleted during training sessions and must be replenished very fast when the workout sessions end. An athlete should be able to track their calories intake and other nutrients (carbs) so that they can ensure that they are receiving the amount needed to stay fit and healthy without being overboard and experiencing unexpected weight gain. Important carbohydrates are like maltodextrin and dextrose. Be sure that the post workout energy supplement you plan to take has the above carbohydrates, as they are crucial especially when an athlete is involved in strenuous exercise sessions. Low carbs may cause muscle soreness and increased fatigue.
Potency Do a background check on the product and the company? This is very important when picking a post work out supplement, research on the duration of the supplement is in the market and its manufacturer. It’s best to stick to the supplements that have been on the market long enough also, you can check the customer reviews of the supplements before buying one. Usually, when a supplement sticks around after some years, it simply means its a good product.
Expert Interviews & Opinions
Use Effectiveness Potency Product Purity 
When it comes to taking any medicine or supplement, you want to start by taking very small doses to see what kind of effect it can have on your body. Start with the absolute minimum dose as recommended on the packaging and only work your way up to stronger servings if you know your body can handle them.
Although many of the products being sold as post-workout supplements and shakes are approved by the FDA and are cleared of any major health concerns, you should still consult a medical professional before ingesting any new substances. They can let you know if there are any health concerns you should be aware of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post workout drinks, also referred to as recovery drinks, are made to refuel your body.
They contain the protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients your body craves after extensive and taxing physical activity. Additionally, they are highly portable, so they are great for people on the go, that workout on location, or even as a quick meal replacement if you are in a rush.
However, not all post workout drinks are created equal, so reading the nutrition label will help you choose one that meets your dietary needs.
Below is a simple guideline on the perfect time to take the post work out shakes.
For highest protein synthesis, drink your post workout shake within an hour of working out. This includes high aerobic activities, including running.
Research shows that post-workout shakes that are high in protein still have an effect up to 24 hours after a workout
A simple guide below will be useful.
Research shows that about 20 grams of post-workout protein is most effective.
Doctors say the amount of protein intake post workout is more important than timing.
Overall diet matters, too. Protein intake should continue throughout the day.
It’s important to know the different types of protein also, this is because the type of protein you use matters with regards to achieving your fitness goals.
Casein protein: it takes longer when digesting than concentrate/ isolate proteins. Serious runners or athletes also bodybuilders often take the casein protein at night before bed. This protein has the ability to deliver a supply of proteins (amino acids) during the whole night, as they sleep.
Isolate whey: it’s a protein type that is absorbed quickly by the body, it is best taken after a training/ workout session. Its able to direct the amino acids & the proteins into the body’s depleted muscles. Generally, it is suitable to be taken between meal.
Below are some of the additional supplements, that athletes can consider taking:
Vitamin C Supplement
You should take the Vitamin C supplement in case you normally experience a wheezing chest or a cough after your workout sessions. You can add it to your recovery drink even though it, not a must take a supplement. Its meant for people with breathing difficulties. It’s also an antioxidant which can assist the body recover faster after a stressing activity/ strenuous workout.
Tart Cherry Supplement
You can add a tart cherry in case you always experience inflammation after working out. Consuming ginger or cherry tart will reduce chances of the muscles experiencing inflammation after undergoing very strenuous workouts.
Creatine as a supplement
Include creatine in your supplement intake, in case your fitness goal is gaining muscle mass. It is favored and preferred by many bodybuilders, since its able to add muscle mass, even by 10 pounds & also increase the body strength with a change of 10%. You will need to consult with your doctor, prior to adding creatine as a supplement as part of your recovery supplement. If you engage in strenuous sporting activities like cycling, marathon running creatine will not be able to provide the body with the needed amount of energy for an optimal recovery. Also if you use creatine, avoid using it together with caffeine, as caffeine might counteract most of the benefits that the supplement is supposed to give to the body.
Anti-Oxidants Supplement
You can use antioxidants in enhancing the recovery of the muscles after a workout, though they are not a necessary supplement for a recovery drink. Antioxidants are able to promote the overall health, increase the stamina and the energy. Turmeric, a yellow spice is similar to ginger. The root vegetable contains antioxidants which can reduce inflammation hence faster recovery. Maca a Peruvian plant which is a root also has antioxidants, which maintain the all round good health, at the same increase stamina and energy. The foods are mostly available in powder form hence easy to blend into a recovery shake.
Sources
- , Muscle and Fitness, Article,
- , Muscle and Fitness, Article,
- , Healthy Eating, Article,
- , Men's Health, Health Website,
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