The Best Collagen Powder Supplements for Bodybuilders

March 20, 2024
Sam Andreas

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Top Pick

So you walk into the gym, and you see that ripped guy or gal that’s always in the gym early. Motivated, happy, and have a super healthy look. And when you know their age you don’t believe it! Why? Because they look at least 10 years younger than their actual age!

The secret? …. Collagen.

As you make your way into your late 30s or 40s, you may notice changes in your skin and joints mobility. This is because, as you get older, your body stops producing as much collagen as it once did.

This is where collagen protein powders come in, by adding in that little bit of extra collagen protein you need for your joints to recover faster and for your skin to look younger.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the multiple benefits of collagen, and what to look for in the best collagen powders on the market. We’ll begin with our top collagen powders used by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts to supplement your diet.

The Best Collagen Powders

Many of the factors above are included in our chosen supplements, which is what makes these products the best collagen protein powders out there for bodybuilding. Let’s take a look.

1. Collagen Pro by Gnarly Nutrition

Our first option for the best collagen protein supplements is this one by Gnarly Nutrition, which is recommended to be mixed with warm water before consumption. Alternatively, it can be mixed with your morning smoothie or cereal, it’s your choice.

Gnarly Collagen is both NSF Content Certified and NSF for Sport Certified.

NSF Content Certified Products go through a toxicology review, label claim testing, and contaminant testing for heavy metals, microbes, and pesticides.

NSF for Sport Certified Products must pass NSF Content Certification and are additionally tested for over 270 substances that are banned by professional sports leagues as well as national and international doping oversight organizations.

Calories: 50.
Hydrolized bovine collagen peptides: 15 grams.
Protein: 14 grams.
Vitamin C: 90 mg.
Zinc: 15 mg.
Sodium: 75 mg.
Copper: 1 mg.

Sourced from pasture-raised and finished cattle.
100% DV of Vitamin C to improve collagen absorption
15mg zinc/1mg copper for collagen protection
Unflavored so you can add it to your favorite product including coffee.
Mixes great in hot or cold water.

None that we think of.

2. Collagen Peptides by Sports Research

Our next option for the best collagen supplements is this one by Sports Research.

We really like how the exact ingredients have been broken down on the label, so you know precisely what your body is taking in. We have to say that all of these ingredients are all-natural and healthy, to improve the general workings of your body. This includes enhancing your healthy hair, skin, bones, and more.

Calories: 40.
Hydrolized bovine collagen peptides: 11 grams.
Protein: 10 grams.
Sodium: 60 mg.

Gluten-free.
Non-GMO.
Suitable for men and women.
Can be added to baked goods too—there are so many potential recipes.
41 servings per container.
90-day satisfaction guarantee.

It clumps together if added to cold water.

3. Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein

One of the best Collagen protein supplements is Ancient Nutrition collagen protein, which is ideal for improving your aging process. With numerous protein sources, like fish, meat, and eggshell, you can rest assured that the ingredients are familiar and trustworthy. This protein is also grass-fed, which is the best type of protein in terms of quality.

With no taste, it can be mixed with any recipe without even being noticed. Want a healthy skin and body, and a healthy gut? Then this one will do the trick, in ways your body is familiar with.

Calories: 35.
Multi-collagen complex: 10.2 grams.
Protein: 9 grams.

Odorless and tasteless, so can be added to lots of recipes without being noticed.
Targets skin, hair, and joints to improve aging.
A multitude of collagen types, from different types of protein sources.
Low calorie.
Mixes easily.
Pure ingredients.
45 servings per container.

Proprietary blend, so unsure if ingredient quantities are effective.

4. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Third on our list for the best Collagen protein supplements is the Vital Proteins powder, which is made to digest quickly into the body for a speedy effect. Simply mix it with hot or cold water, and it’ll dissolve easily.

Made using grass-fed protein, this is the highest quality you can achieve. So your hair, skin, nails, bones, joints, and cartilage should be as good as new, with continued use.

Calories: 70.
Collagen peptides: 20 grams.
Protein: 18 grams.
Sodium: 110 mg.

Dissolves easily in warm or cold water.
Neutral flavor, so won’t be noticeable.
Gluten-free.
Paleo friendly.
Non-GMO.

Not FDA approved.
Only 14 servings per container.

5. RENEW Multi Collagen Protein Powder by WellPath

This product from Renew comes in stylish and sleek packaging. But that’s not the only reason we’ve chosen this multi collagen protein powder for our list of the best collagen protein supplements.

This one is unflavored, low calorie and easy to digest, so your body will barely notice a change, despite the improvements to your health and looks. Made using several natural types of collagen peptides, you’ll get everything you need to revitalize your body.

Calories: 30.
Multi-collagen complex: 7.8 grams.
Protein: 7 grams.
Sodium: 45 mg.

Stylish packaging.
Made using familiar protein sources.
Improves digestive function.
Trusted by numerous magazines, including Vogue and Glamour.
Good quality.
Suitable for numerous dietary requirements.
40 servings per container.

Made using a proprietary blend.

6. Multi-Collagen Protein Powder Hydrolyzed by Code Age

Last, but certainly not least, is the Hydrolyzed multi collagen supplement, made using grass-fed protein for a quality product. This is another one of our best collagen protein supplements which uses familiar protein sources, like meat and fish. This means it’s safe and effective.

We also love the easy-to-mix formula, which means you’ll barely notice you’re consuming it, even in a glass of water. Low in calories, but high in protein, this will rebuild your aging skin in no time.

Calories: 43.
Protein: 9 grams.
Sodium: 50 mg.
Multi-collagen complex: 9 grams.

Improves flexibility.
Non-GMO.
Made using familiar protein sources.
A massive 63 servings per container.

It has a strange aroma.
Proprietary blend means individual ingredients aren’t quantified.

Informational guide to Collagen Protein Powders

The Lowdown on Collagen Protein

Collagen is a protein found in the connective tissues like skin, hair, joints and tendons. Thus, having collagen protein in our diet is considered essential. It helps to improve the joints and bones health, the elasticity in our skin, and strengthens our hair and nails, among other things. Generally, you’ll usually hear about this protein in beauty products for the skin, as collagen often helps to make you appear younger. But for fitness, it greatly helps healing your joints from the training stress.

Where Would We Naturally Find Collagen Protein?

Collagen protein is everywhere in our diets, from fruit to vegetables and meat. You may be surprised to know that some of these foods include:

Kiwis.
Berries.
Oysters.
Avocados.
Garlic.
Spinach, kale, cavolo nero, etc.

Despite this array of choices for consuming collagen protein in our diets, as you get older it’s important to increase your intake, as your body produces less. That way, you may be able to stay looking younger for longer. This is where the best collagen protein supplements come in handy, as they add that extra boost to your diet for good measure.

The Benefits of Collagen Protein

Not only does collagen protein have anti-aging properties, but it also has a number of other fantastic, and surprising, benefits especially for bodybuilders and weight lifters. These include the following:

Accelerates joints recovery from workout.
Increases bone density.
Supports mobility by maintaining the body structure.
Improves hair strength.
Boosts the strength of your nails.
Improves skin elasticity.
Helps to combat health issues, like cancer and cardiovascular disease.

So it’s not just good for one thing; it has multiple other beneficial effects which are ideal for most people. That said, we’d advise you don’t start using a product containing collagen protein until you’re over the age of around 35, otherwise, it may be a little redundant, considering its uses.

Collagen For Fitness and Bodybuilding: What Not to Use Collagen Protein For

Collagen protein is composed of two amino acids: glycine and proline. These amino acids were shown to enhance the health of connective tissues in the body.

Collagen is considered as a poor and incomplete protein. It does not stimulate muscle growth. Therefore, it should not be a substitute for a protein that has a full spectrum of the 9 essential amino acids like whey protein or plant-based protein.

What to Look for in the Best Collagen Powders

Now we know a little more about what the best collagen protein powders do, how do we know what to look out for in them? Here, you’ll find all the information you need.

Low in Calories

As I’m sure everyone is aware, maintaining or losing weight is all down to calorie intake, so it’s important to watch out for this in supplement products. When it comes to taking collagen protein supplements, we don’t want them to add any unnecessary calories into our diet. Instead, we want something that will just provide what we want from it, without causing us to gain weight.

High in Collagen Protein

We’ve already mentioned that most people will want to use the best collagen protein supplements for its anti-aging properties. With this in mind, it’s important that the product you end up purchasing has enough collagen to actually make a difference. After all, there’s no point in spending your hard-earned money on something that won’t work.

Pill or Powder?

When deciding which of the best collagen protein supplements to choose from, whether they’re a pill or powder is useful to know. Pills are easy to swallow, but may not contain a high enough dose of ingredients in their small capsule forms.

Peptide Powders, on the other hand, are pretty useful as, not only do they absorb into your bloodstream quicker, they can even be mixed into various recipes. This means you can get inventive with your collagen protein, mixing it into all different types of baked goods and smoothies.

Whatever floats your boat, there’s always an option for you.

Best Time to Take Collagen Powders

As a bodybuilder, the Best time to take Collagen supplements is pre-workout. Just mix it with your preferred workout meal or supplement. It is also beneficial to take it post-workout with creatine, recovery supplement, or turmeric.

Conclusion

Although a lot of these best collagen protein supplements have pretty similar qualities, we like one more than the others. Our favorite is Collagen Pro by Gnarly Nutrition and I’m sure you’ll want to know why.

Well, it does everything we’d expect from a collagen protein supplement, including improving your skin, hair, and nails, as well as your bones, joints, and digestive system.

But what we like best has to be the fact that all the ingredient quantities are individually listed on the packet. Indeed, it seems many of the best collagen protein supplements include proprietary blends, so we don’t know exactly what we’re consuming.

Mixing the collagen peptides with your morning cereal or coffee won’t be an issue, as you’ll know exactly what’s in it. Safe and effective is key, and that’s what this option provides.