4 Best Supplement Stacks for Weight Loss in 2024
Reviewed by: Jacek Szymanowski (Certified Nutritionist, S&C specialist, M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology)
If you’re looking for supplements to help you lose weight, then you may be interested in a supplement stack that combines some of the best supplements for weight loss. In this article, we’ll be covering your options for the best supplement stack for weight loss available today.
Our team of certified nutritionists and professional athletes has reviewed 10 products and 4 of the best ones made it to this list. We’ve based our evaluations on 4 key factors and we have spent 10 hours testing most of these products out. Additionally, we have also analyzed hundreds of online user reviews. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section because our list is regularly updated.
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Core Essentials Stack by Transparent Labs?
Containing protein, pre-workout, and creatine, Transparent Labs’ Core Essentials stack contains high-quality variations on the 3 main supplements you’ll need to support effective weight loss..
Top 4 Best Supplement Stack for Weight Loss Reviewed
- Core Essentials Stack – Top Pick
- BulkSupplements Vital Stack – Budget Pick
- The Fat Loss Stack by Legion – Best Specialized Fat Loss Stack
- Performance Stack by Kaged – Best with Electrolytes
Product | Total | Stack Formulation | Nutrition Label Transparency | Third Party Testing | Value for Money |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Transparent Labs | 40 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
BulkSupplements | 39.5 | 10 | 10 | 9.5 | 10 |
Legion | 39 | 10 | 10 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
Kaged | 39 | 9.5 | 10 | 10 | 9.5 |
1. Core Essentials Stack
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Stack Components: Whey Protein Isolate, Lean Pre-Workout, Creatine HMB, Fat Burner
- Price per Stack: ~$157.00
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by Athletes: Hafthor Bjornsson, Paul Sklar, Sean Harris
Starting our list of the best weight loss stacks is one of the most trustworthy and reputable brands on the market, Transparent Labs with their Core Essentials Stack.
The first supplement you’ll be getting here is Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein, which is one of the highest-quality protein supplements on the market. With 28g of protein per serving at only 120 calories, this protein will make a perfect addition to any fat-loss diet.
Next, you’ll be getting Transparent Labs’ Lean Pre-Workout which contains common pre-workout ingredients Citrulline Malate, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine with 200mg of caffeine for a powerful formula.
Citrulline helps with exercise performance and endurance, Beta-Alanine helps to reduce fatigue, and betaine helps with force production, endurance, and recovery. Note that beta-alanine in particular will only have an effect with consistent use.
You’ll also be getting Creatine HMB, which combines the 2 supplements in its title. While there’s little research to support the use of HMB, Creatine is one of the most well-backed sports supplements for increasing exercise performance. While the HMB isn’t really necessary, creatine dosed at 5g/day is a great addition to any supplement stack.
Like all Transparent Labs products, the 3 supplements in this stack are made without any artificial ingredients. All the supplements included also come in a wide variety of flavors.
This stack comes in at ~$157.00, so it is the most expensive option on our list. It’s also worth noting that Transparent Labs doesn’t offer a discount on their supplement stacks. However, by including 3 highly effective supplements in protein, pre-workout, and creatine, this is still one of the best supplement stacks available.
Containing protein, pre-workout, and creatine, Transparent Labs’ Core Essentials stack contains high-quality variations on the 3 main supplements you’ll need to support effective weight loss.
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2. BulkSupplements Vital Stack
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Stack Components: Whey Protein Isolate, Creatine Monohydrate
- Price per Stack: ~$50.96
- Company Founded: 2006
- Recommended by Athletes: Jovan J. Campbell, Adam Montrose, Shayne Kawika
Next up on our list of the best fat-burning stacks is our pick if you’re after a simple budget-friendly supplement stack. Combining 2 of the most essential supplements in whey protein and creatine, this is also easily the cheapest stack on our list.
This stack includes a basic whey isolate supplement that has 26g of protein per serving at only 110 calories. You’ll also be getting a simple creatine monohydrate supplement, dosed at 5g without any unnecessary additional ingredients.
Both of these are formulated without any unnecessary artificial ingredients. Also, keep in mind that these are both unflavored supplements. While this is common for creatine, it may not be what you’re after in a protein powder.
This stack will only cost you ~$50.96, making it the cheapest option on our list by far. Bulk Supplements also offer a solid discount when you buy these products together as opposed to buying them separately. On top of Bulk Supplements' already low prices, this stack is undoubtedly the best value for money on our list.
Offering a simple protein powder and creatine supplement, this is our pick for a basic, budget-friendly supplement stack to support weight loss.
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3. The Stack by Legion
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Stack Components: Pulse Pre-Workout Drink, Forge Pre-Workout Fat Burner, Phoenix Stim-Free Fat Burner
- Price per Stack: ~$144.97
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended by Athletes: Gage Clark, Grant Tinsley, Machaela Brabham
Next up on our list of shredding stacks is Legion’s Fat Loss Stack, which is the first option on our list to contain several specialized fat-loss supplements.
The first supplement included in this list is the Pulse pre-workout which is fairly similar to Transparent Labs’ pre-workout included in their Core Essentials stack. This supplement contains solid doses of active ingredients L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine, on top of a whopping 350mg of caffeine.
While this dose will be solid for experienced pre-workout users, it will likely be far too strong for most beginners. However, if you’d prefer no caffeine, a stim-free option is available.
On top of the pre-workout, you’ll also be getting the Phoenix Stim-Free Fat Burner and Forge Pre-Workout Fat Burner. Most ingredients included in these “fat-burning” supplements such as Grains of Paradise, Forskolin, etc. will not have much of a significant effect on weight loss. The only way to lose fat is to eat in a caloric deficit.
This will be better supported by supplements like protein powder and pre-workouts instead of “fat-burners”.
It’s also worth noting that Forge contains an ingredient yohimbine, which may have some side effects such as increased anxiety. However, there is also some evidence that it helps in fat burning, although these effects will be mild at best.
Similar to Transparent Labs and Bulk Supplements, all the supplements included here are free of any unnecessary artificial ingredients. Also, while both fat-burning supplements are unflavored, Legion’s pre-workout comes in 21 different flavors which is some of the best variety on the market.
In terms of price, this stack will cost you ~$144.97 in total, making it the second most expensive option on our list. It’s also worth noting that Legion doesn’t appear to offer any discounts on their stacks.
Overall, Legion’s pre-workout is undeniably solid, but the included fat burners likely won’t make a major difference in your ability to lose weight. Still, if you’re interested in trying fat burners, then Legion’s stack may be a good choice for you.
While we don’t highly recommend the fat burner supplements included in Legion’s stack, their pre-workout supplement is one of the most complete options on the market.
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4. Performance Stack by Kaged
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Stack Components: Whey Protein Isolate, Pre-Kaged Sport, Hydra-Charge
- Price per Stack: ~$114.97
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by Athletes: Andrea Somer, Colt Nichols, Kris Gethin
Closing out our list is Kaged’s Performance Stack which is the first option on our list to contain an additional electrolyte supplement. This makes Kaged’s stack one of the best choices for endurance athletes.
First, Kaged offers a similarly high-quality whey isolate to Bulk Supplements and Transparent Labs. It has 25g of protein in every 120-calorie serving, along with only 4g of carbs and 0.5g of fat.
Kaged also offers a solid pre-workout supplement with L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, and Betaine, the 3 main active ingredients we recommend in a pre-workout supplement. You’ll also be getting 188mg of caffeine for a solid moderate dose of stimulation.
Finally, you’ll also be getting Kaged’s Hydra-Charge Electrolyte supplement, which contains a moderate dose of electrolytes. While we generally recommend electrolytes for endurance athletes, you can use this as a simple flavor enhancer for water as well!
Because of the low dose of electrolytes here, this may not be the best option for athletes in need of a more heavy-duty electrolyte supplement. It’s worth noting that electrolytes can be a valuable tool when fasting or cutting to make weight for a competition.
Each of these supplements comes in a wide variety of flavors, giving you plenty of variety. Also, it’s worth noting that Kaged’s protein powder contains the artificial sweetener sucralose in case this is something you’d prefer to avoid.
At ~$114.97, this is one of the cheaper supplement stacks on our list. While the electrolyte supplement may not provide too much value to the average athlete, you will still be getting an excellent pre-workout and protein powder. Especially considering Kaged offers a small discount for buying the stack, this is still a great deal.
Although the electrolyte supplement may not be super beneficial to most, Kaged still offers a great pre-workout and protein powder in this supplement stack.
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What Are the Benefits of Weight Loss Stacks?
If you’re wondering what the point of a supplement stack for cutting is, we’ll be covering the specific benefits below. Essentially, supplement stacks are a good choice if you’re looking for a cost-effective and convenient way to get all the supplements you need.
1. Budget-Friendly Option
First, supplement stacks are a great option if you want to save a bit of money when buying multiple supplements at once. However, not all supplement brands offer a discount for buying their stacks.
If you’re after discounted prices for buying a stack, it appears that Bulk Supplements and Kaged will be your best choice as Transparent Labs and Legion don’t appear to offer any discount on their supplement stacks.
Keep in mind that these discounts aren’t major, usually around 10% of the total price. However, if you’re buying these stacks regularly, that will add up over time!
2. The Supplements Are Already Chosen for You
Next, supplement stacks are a convenient way to have supplements chosen for you, especially if you’re a beginner. When first buying supplements, it can be daunting seeing all the different options out there. Supplement stacks will usually combine some of the most popular supplements a brand has to offer, which will often be your best choice anyway.
However, this can be a potential downside if a supplement company offers poorly-curated stacks. This can often cause a similar amount of confusion as buying supplements on their own. Still, by doing some research and understanding what you’re after, you can find supplement stacks that fit your needs.
How to Choose Best Best Supplement Stack for Weight Loss?
Before deciding on which stack to buy, there are a few factors we recommend considering to ensure you’re getting the most value for your money possible. These mainly include which supplements you’re getting, and a brand’s reputation.
1. Choose Multi-Component Stacks With the Most Studied Components
First, the most important factor when deciding on a stack is which supplements it contains. Generally, the 3 supplements we recommend prioritizing for most athletes are protein powder, creatine, and pre-workout/caffeine. These supplements will give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to your training.
It’s worth noting that creatine won’t be great for everyone. While it’s great for those looking to lose weight and maintain muscle, it may not be ideal for those looking to cut weight for a competition. This is because it can add lean body mass, which will affect the number on the scale, whether or not it's fat.
Also, remember that the best way to lose weight is to ensure a caloric deficit, and adequate intake of protein and micronutrients. Supplements like “fat burners” likely won’t have much of an impact on any of these factors. Remember that fat burning is not the same as weight loss.
Overall, while other supplements may have some benefits depending on your goals, these 3 supplements easily have the most research supporting them and should be prioritized accordingly.
2. Avoid Stacks From Lesser-Known Brands
A general rule of thumb for buying any supplements is to avoid lesser-known brands. This is because small brands may have worse quality control standards and higher prices. By choosing long-standing brands with good reputations, you’re more likely to get great value for your money.
3. Do Not Buy Stacks With Unrealistic Promises
If you see a brand making unrealistic promises, specifically about fat loss or muscle gain, we recommend avoiding them. Brands trying to sell “magic pills” likely aren’t delivering high-quality products, and are instead trying to capitalize on people’s unrealistic expectations.
Instead, look for brands that are honest about their formulas and use genuine science to back up any claims they make. This is usually a sign that you’ll get much better value for your money.
4. Choose Stacks With Protein Powder
Finally, if you’re after a stack for cutting fat, we believe protein powder is one of the best supplements to look for. This is because a major part of burning fat instead of muscle is getting adequate protein intake.
We recommend shooting for 0.7-1g of protein per pound of body weight every day. Because this target can be difficult while eating in a caloric deficit, using protein powder is a great way to hit your protein targets without eating too many calories.
FAQ
What Supplements Help Burn Belly Fat?
There are no supplements that will specifically target belly fat. There’s also no way to “spot reduce” fat, so the only way to lose belly fat is to reduce your total body fat percentage. The best way to do this is to eat in a consistent caloric deficit while eating enough protein. In this sense, protein powder is likely the best supplement available for assisting in weight loss.
What Is the Best Supplement to Take for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain?
Protein powder is likely the best supplement for assisting with weight loss and muscle gain. This is because it will help you maximize protein intake without taking in an excessive amount of calories.
The key to losing fat and building muscle is staying in a caloric deficit, adequate protein intake, and strength training. While things like pre-workout and creatine can help with your exercise performance, protein powder is the best supplement available for ensuring optimal nutrition.
Is L-Carnitine a Fat Burner?
No, there is minimal evidence to support the use of L-Carnitine as a fat-loss supplement. While it can affect metabolism, it likely won’t have any impact on weight loss. However, there is some research to support its use for aiding recovery and improving endurance performance. While it’s certainly not a magic solution for weight loss, it may still have some performance applications.
Conclusion
Supplement stacks are a great way to get all the supplements you need in a convenient and affordable package. Especially for beginners, these products can eliminate much of the confusion surrounding supplements. For weight loss, we recommend prioritizing stacks that include protein powder, creatine, and pre-workout (caffeine), as these are the 3 supplements that will give you the best bang for your buck.
If you’re after a high-quality supplement stack for weight loss, our top pick is Transparent Labs’ Core Essentials Stack. We hope these fat-loss stack reviews are able to help you make an informed choice!
Have you ever used any supplement stacks for weight loss? What supplements are you most interested in trying? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read:
- Best Muscle Pump Supplement
- Best Bodybuilding Supplement Brands
- Best Cla Supplement for Weight Loss
- Best Glucosamine Supplement
- Best Supplement Stacks
- Best Carb Supplement
- Best Supplements for Athletes
- Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate Review
References:
- Adam M. Gonzales, et. al, “Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Exercise Performance in Humans: A Review of the Current Literature.” J Strength Cond Res. 2020 May;34(5):1480-1495.
- Arnold B. McGonigle,"EFFECTS OF BETA-ALANINE ON ANAEROBIC PERFORMANCE," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 8: Iss. 8, Article 67. (2020)
- Jenna M. Apicella, “The Effect of Betaine Supplementation on Performance and Muscle Mechanisms,” Master's Theses. 109. (2011).
- Richard B. Kreider, et. al, “International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine,” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition volume 14, Article number: 18 (2017).
- Everson A. Nunes, et. al, “Systematic review and meta-analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adults,” Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 13, 795–810, (2022)
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With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
The product testing process is described in more detail here
Camila has worked as a Nutritionist for 7 years. In addition to being a nutritionist, she is an amateur weightlifting athlete for 2 years. Camila has experience at Flamengo’s football base and in a food supplement company and currently provides services at a clinic. At the moment she is coursing a postgraduate study in Sports Nutrition.
Reviewed by: Jacek Szymanowski
Certified Nutritionist,
M.Sc.Eng. Biotechnology
Performance architect,
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
With over 30 years of fighting experience, specialization in nutrition coaching for athletes, and expertise in metabolic health and dietary strategies, Jacek offers a comprehensive approach to optimizing your performance and well-being. Backed by a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology, Jacek remains at the forefront of scientific advancements, ensuring that his coaching is always evidence-based and up-to-date.
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