Top Pick
- No proprietary blends.
- Potent.
- Stimulant.
The word thermogenic is defined as “relating to, caused by, or inducing the production of heat.”In fitness, this means that there might be a way to literally burn fat and weight away.
Here’s everything you need to know about the best thermogenic fat burners, and which ones I think are the best products available.
Here are the top picks of thermogenic fat burners. Below, I’ll expand on the pros and cons of each one in detail.
The Best Thermogenic Fat Burners
1. BURN EVOLVED
BURN EVOLVED is a potent natural thermogenic fat burner blend from Sculpt Nation, a fast-growing supplement company that threatens to dethrone well-established brands.
BURN EVOLVED is designed to burn fat quickly, increase energy levels, and suppress your appetite. BURN EVOLVED’s Thermogenic Agent Matrix helps to send your metabolism into hyperdrive, burn extra calories, and torch body fat.
- Noticeable Ingredients
- Green Tea Extract 300 mg.
- Apple cider vinegar 300 mg.
- Cayenne fruit extract 100 mg.
- Caffeine 100 mg.
- Yohimbine 3mg.
- Pros
- A stimulant so can be used as a pre-workout.
- Very potent.
- Effective.
- No proprietary blends.
- Few side effects reported.
- Cons
- Potent. Start with only 1 capsule and do not exceed 2.
2. Trans4orm
Word on the street is that Trans4orm is an effective thermogenic fat burner that has no side effects when taken correctly.
Evlution describes this product as “more than just a fat burner,” with a formula that improves mental clarity, appetite, and energy. It’s also formulated to target fat, so that you lose fat while maintaining muscle mass, which is great for weight trainers.
This is a good quality product, and Evlution takes pride in its clean supplement and FDA-approved production. But, it’s a powerful stimulant. So much so that Evlution warns against taking it with other sources of caffeine.
- Pros
- A stimulant, so can be used to improve workouts (almost like a pre workout).
- Good dosage of vitamins, including B3, B6, B12, and folic acid.
- Effective.
- No proprietary blends.
- Few side effects reported.
- Affordable.
- Cons
- A strong stimulant, so may induce side effects if taken incorrectly or if you have sensitivities.
3. Lean Mode
Another top thermogenic fat burner by Evlution, this product is just as good as Trans4orm, but what makes it different? Well, where Trans4orm needed a warning about caffeine intake, Lean Mode is stimulant free.
To compensate, Lean Mode includes 500 milligrams of an extract from decaffeinated coffee beans, and a green tea extract, too. It also contains the fat burners, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) and acetyl-l-carnitine.
If you’re wondering what good a stimulant free fat burner is, just ask the many happy customers who praise this one for its effect.
- Pros
- Stimulant free thermogenic fat burner, so no jitters or side effects of caffeine.
- Boosts energy.
- Suppresses appetite.
- Customer satisfaction is excellent.
- Inexpensive.
- Cons
- Lacking in vitamins.
- Not as effective, or as proven, compared to Trans4orm.
4. Vintage Burn
Old School Labs has certainly established itself in pre-workouts, but how does it hold up in the thermogenic fat burner category?
For one, Vintage Burn claims to be the first muscle-preserving fat burner. It’s a vegetable-based burner, with full transparency for its ingredients. It’s also a stimulant and appetite suppressant.
- Pros
- Maintains muscle while burning fat.
- Vegetable based.
- No artificial colorants, flavorants, or additives.
- Third-party tested.
- Money-back guarantee.
- Cons
- Reports of side effects.
- It doesn’t work for everyone.
- Not an affordable option.
5. Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen.
You know you’re in for something special when the first information a product gives you is a warning that it’s a potent stimulant. This is one where, as mentioned earlier, exceeding the recommended dosage could be very dangerous.
This thermogenic fat burner is almost purely made of stimulants, to the point where I won’t be surprised if this literally burns fat away like lava. It’s not for the faint-hearted and could cause serious and damaging side effects in those with sensitivities.
- Pros
- Extremely effective thermogenic fat burner.
- Boosts energy.
- Can improve focus.
- Affordable.
- Cons
- Could induce severe side effects due to extremely high stimulant content.
- Low vitamin content.
- Not enough variation in ingredients.
- Contains artificial additives.
6. Burn-XT
Burn-XT is a pretty well-rounded thermogenic fat burner. It’s got a decent amount of caffeine for an energy boost (270 milligrams per serving), and high doses of fat burners like green tea extract (450 milligrams) and acetyl-l-carnitine (700 milligrams).
It also maintains muscle and suppresses appetite.
It claims to be jitter free, but illness with use has been reported. It’s a great mid-range choice, or if you’re looking for something effective but not over the top.
- Pros
- A well-rounded product that’s good for energy and muscle.
- Basic ingredients, no fillers or artificial additives.
- Good caffeine content.
- High dosage of active ingredients.
- Money-back guarantee.
- Cons
- Vitamin content is low.
- Could induce side effects.
Informational guide to Thermogenic Fat Burning Supplements
What Are Thermogenic Fat Burners?
Have you ever considered why we use the word “burn” to describe fat loss? I don’t blame you if it brings to mind images of body fat melting away like volcanic lava, but that’s not how it works.
Calories are often misunderstood to be tangible things. In reality, a calorie is actually a unit of energy, and energy is fuel. You gain fat when your body has more energy than it can use up, and so stores it in your fat cells for later.
So, to say we burn fat isn’t entirely incorrect. We don’t. But we do burn the energy that creates it. This is thanks to our metabolism. It decides what gets broken down into energy, what we burn for energy, and what we store away in our fat cells.
Thermogenic fat burners work off this. They’re designed to speed up your metabolism so that it both burns more energy and breaks down stored fat. But do they work? Even more importantly, are they safe?
How Thermogenic Fat Burners Work
Various studies have looked into the effect of heat on fat, and they all reach the same conclusion. A 2010 study noted that exercising in the heat burns more fat than doing so in cool temperatures. Another emphasized this fact, even if you do the exact same exercise.
A simple explanation for this is that, when you are hot, your body has to work harder to stay cool. This means that you expend more energy, so your metabolism will likely tap into fat reserves to keep things running.
The exact science of thermogenic fat burners is complicated, but the premise is that they accelerate your metabolism by promoting heat production in your body.
Are Thermogenic Fat Burners Safe?
When it comes to supplementing, it’s difficult to say whether or not they’re good for you, because everyone is different. There are safety considerations of course, and they should be taken seriously. That said, all health supplements will have warning labels, so I’m not saying this to scare you away.
Thermogenic fat burners have come under scrutiny since they gained popularity. While the science is mixed, if they were deadly hazardous they’d have been pulled, like OxyELITE Pro Super Thermogenic; a fat burner linked to more than 50 cases of liver damage, some of which were fatal.
That’s an extreme example, and it says more about the particular product than fat burners as a whole. Still, since fat burners change your body’s metabolic processing, there are risks involved. Side effects (as with all supplements) could range from mildly unpleasant to dangerous if they occur. They include:
- Headaches.
- Insomnia.
- Heart palpitations.
- High blood pressure.
- Gas.
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Acne.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Hot flashes.
- Anxiety.
- Chest pains.
- Discomfort.
- Constipation.
- Heart disease.
- Liver failure.
- Stroke.
That’s quite the list of side effects, isn’t it? But don’t run away just yet. Studies have shown that for the most part, thermogenic fat burners are safe to use, but you have to use them properly.
How to Use Thermogenic Fat Burners Safely
I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will anyway: read the ingredients to know what’s in your supplements. It’s one thing to deem something safe in general, but you could have sensitivities that cause adverse effects. If something doesn’t feel right, stop taking it immediately.
Although thermogenic fat burners have been declared safe, you’ll still want to take a few precautions.
Follow the Instructions Exactly
Reading the ingredients is important, but reading the instructions is even more so. If a product has a recommended serving, do not—and I mean DO NOT—exceed it.
Supplements, like thermogenic fat burners, usually have concentrated substances like stimulants in them. Going over the limit can make you very sick, so just listen to what the manufacturer says.
Likewise, if it says to only consume with meals, then do that. If it specifically warns against mixing with alcohol, don’t be dumb by downing it with a glass of wine. The instructions, warnings, or contraindications are there for a reason, and you should follow them.
Don’t Use Thermogenic fat burners for Longer Than Necessary
Extended use of thermogenic fat burners can make them ineffective, as your body becomes accustomed to them. If that happens, you could experience adverse effects, like a slower metabolism and weight gain.
Not to mention that thermogenic fat burners are usually pumped full of stimulants and other ingredients which, over time, can affect your health. This also ties into the first tip.
Use fat burners as intended.
Remember That Thermogenic Fat Burners Are NOT Miracle Pills
They’re supplements. They won’t work if you don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle. Using thermogenic fat burners to compensate for unhealthy habits is not a wise decision and could cause unnecessary complications in your health.
Before you take thermogenic fat burner supplements, get the all-clear from your GP.
Conclusion
The best thermogenic fat burners are those that assist in fat loss while improving your workouts. There are many to choose from, but this list shows you the ones I feel are the wisest choices.
My favorite is BURN EVLOVED—it’s an effective fat burner that has few, if any, side effects (if taken as intended), and it can be used to support cardio and weight training.
My 2nd best is Trans4orm, because I appreciate that its production is FDA approved—a rare gem in thermogenic fat burners.
