The Top 3 Muscle Building Supplements In 2024
Updated 11/24/2024Here's what you need to know when picking a testosterone booster that actually works.
Once you reach the age of 30, it's likely that your testosterone levels have peaked. This makes burning fat and packing on muscle that much harder. This shouldn't get you down, as plenty of older men are proving that it's still possible to elevate testosterone levels and build muscle—naturally.
There are many t-boosters that are effective in the short term, but contain harmful ingredients or use a dangerously high dose of something that's hidden behind a proprietary blend. That's why it's important to find a supplement that uses natural, clinically studied ingredients and lists their dose on the label.
At Consumer Survey, we analyzed dozens of clinical studies on muscle building and testosterone before creating this guide. You'll learn what ingredients work and which ones to avoid along with our top picks.
How Testosterone Affects Muscle
Testosterone directly increases neurotransmitter activity which helps develop muscle growth. It also raises the levels of growth hormone and stimulates muscle-protein synthesis—making your workouts that much more likely to result in muscle mass.
A Quality Testosterone Booster Can:
- Increase Physical Performance1
- Decrease Body Fat2
- Increase Muscle Mass3
- Boost Sex Drive4
- Increase Cognitive Ability5
- Reduce Risk of Memory Related Illnesses6
- Alleviate Symptoms of Depression7
However, not all supplements are created equal and when it comes to choosing a high-quality testosterone booster, there are several things to consider.
What To Look For In A Testosterone Booster:
Ashwagandha Extract
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen (medicinal herb) that lowers cortisol levels—the reduction of stress allows your testosterone to rise. Studies have shown it to increase muscle mass in weight lifters. One study showed testosterone levels were, on average, 5x higher in ashwagandha users than the placebo group after an 8 week period.8
Clinically Effective Dose: 600 mg - 1000 mg
Shilajit
Shilajit is a substance made of broken-down plant matter found under rocks in mountainous regions. In Sanskrit, shilajit loosely translates to “conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness.” A 90-day study was conducted where men ages 45-55 were given shilajit. Researchers found there was a statistically significant difference in testosterone levels.9
Clinically Effective Dose: 200 mg - 600 mgBoron
Boron is a testosterone boosting mineral that's also a potent treatment for erectile dysfunction. A study titled "Nothing Boring About Boron" revealed that testosterone levels doubled after four weeks of consistent supplementation.10
Clinically Effective Dose: 3 mg - 10 mgDIM (Diindolylmethane)
DIM is a compound that blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen, thereby keeping the testosterone you already have intact.11
Clinically Effective Dose: 100 mg - 300 mgBeware: Avoid these Ingredients
D-Aspartic Acid
This ingredient has little evidence to back its claims of increasing testosterone and muscle mass. Some people experience breast enlargement, bloating, anxiety, and headaches.
DHEA
DHEA is a precursor hormone that can be converted to testosterone or estrogen in the body. It's often marketed as a way of boosting testosterone and muscle mass but has not been proven to do so outside of a few small studies. Side effects have included breast enlargement, high cholesterol, and hair loss.
Horny Goat Weed
Results may vary from person to person, but by some accounts, this herb leads to dizziness, nosebleeds, or a rapid heartbeat. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has acknowledged that horny goat weed comes with risks and that people with heart disease or hormone-related illnesses should consult their doctor before taking it.
Magnesium Stearate
This cheap filler is used to help bind ingredients together and lubricate the supplement so it doesn’t gum up when it is run through the manufacturing machines. Magnesium stearate adds no nutritional value and can become toxic to your system.
The Results Are In...
We took all of these factors into account, and after reviewing dozens of supplements, only a handful offered users the right combination of ingredients and purity. According to our extensive research, these are the top 3 testosterone supplements on the market today.
Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:
Top Pick
Consumers Survey Recommended
- Formulated with quality ingredients
- Free additives and preservatives
- Flavorless taste
- 365-day money-
back guarantee
1. T-hero
T-hero's ingredient list contains 600 mg of ashwagandha, 500 mg of shilajit, 5 mg of Boron, and 100 mg of DIM. All of these dosages are in line with those used in clinical trials making this a very potent formula. This was one of the only products that we could verify had no hidden additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients.
Additionally, their return policy was topnotch — a comprehensive, 365-day, risk-free, money-back guarantee, proving the company stands behind its products. This was a huge advantage versus the competition, along with total effectiveness projections that rivaled any other supplement we found.
Buy Now > >
2. Testosterone Booster
Iron Brothers Testosterone Booster has ashwagandha, 5 mg boron,100 mg of DIM, and 40 mg of zinc which we liked, but the remaining ingredients are questionable at best.
Fenugreek may cause bloating, Tribulus extract has only been shown to work in mice, and niacin may cause an itchy sensation in the face and arms. These ingredients won't affect everyone this way but it's certainly worth noting.
Beyond that, Iron Brothers offers a comprehensive 30-day return policy, so everyone can try their products completely risk-free.
Buy now > >
3. PRIMASURGE
By Jacked Factory
PRIMASURGE by Jacked Factory has 250 mg of ashwagandha, 125 mg of shilajit, and 5 mg of boron in their formulation, making for a solid muscle-building base.
Their formulation includes a marginal amount of longjack and mulsi. Few studies have been conducted on these ingredients and their effects are largely speculative.
Jacked Factory's 90-day money-back guarantee shows us that they stand by their products and give customers enough time to see whether or not it works for them.
Buy Now > >
P.S. While Essential Elements has the best testosterone boosting supplement we've found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send us an email to info@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.
Sincerely,
Dean
Health Editor
Citations
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5054608/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2917954
4. https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/91/7/2509/2656285
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17132744
6. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/tam.6.1.13.17
7. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2712976
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282
9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/and.12482
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855561/
What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.
