Brand Spotlight: Optimum Nutrition
We’re looking at Optimum Nutrition in this edition of Brand Spotlight! Here’s a very well-known brand with a number of outstanding supplements. More than likely you think of Gold Standard 100% Whey when you think of this brand, but they have much more to offer. With that said, let’s jump right in and check out the lineup!
Who Is Optimum Nutrition?
Optimum Nutrition began life way back in 1986 by a pair of brothers. Their original goal was to bring a higher level of quality to the sports nutrition market. For those who may not know, the 80’s was before whey protein and before creatine. You would see a lot of “hype” products. Protein was mainly egg or milk & egg. That was a time when amino acids were new. Pre-workouts were nowhere near what they are today.
With the history as described above in mind, Optimum were early innovators. Once whey protein hit the market, they introduced their flagship product, Gold Standard 100% Whey, which was originally called “100% Whey”. They added the “Gold Standard” name in the early 2000s to establish dominance. In 2025, it remains the number one best selling whey protein on the market.
They introduced instantized BCAA powder in 2000, and a 100% casein protein powder (Gold Standard 100% Casein) in 2005. They are also credited with introducing the first amino acid + caffeine product (Essential Amino Energy).
In 2008, Optimum Nutrition was acquired by Glanbia, a global nutrition group. The acquisition helped propel Glanbia to the forefront of the global protein powder market.
Who Is Glanbia?
Glanbia, as noted above, is a global nutrition group, meaning they own multiple brands across several nutritional fields. For example, they cover dairy nutrition, which manufactures cheese for the U.S. market. They also cover health and nutrition, which manufactures premixes and flavors for the health and nutrition market. For our purposes, they also cover performance nutrition, and to that end own several brands. These brands include Optimum Nutrition as well as Isopure, Think!, BSN, Nutramino, LevlUp, and Amazing Grass. What a list! (1)
What Kind Of Products Does Optimum Nutrition Carry?
OK, back to Optimum – what else do they carry? Well, nearly everybody offers creatine, but Optimum offers a Creatine capsule option. This product features micronized creatine monohydrate in easy to swallow capsule form. .
They also carry BCAA capsules, vitamins for men and women, and a quality Gainer. Of course, they carry all the basics you would expect from a major brand.
Top Sellers
Of course, Gold Standard 100% Whey is THE leading product of the brand. Not only is it available in a ton of delicious flavors,such as Cinnamon Roll, Rocky Road, Fruity Cereal, as well as various Chocolates and Vanillas.
One serving provides 24 grams of protein from a blend of whey isolate, whey concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey. Plus, it’s low sugar and low fat.
Next up on thor best seller list should come as no surprise: Essential Amino Energy. This impressive and delicious amino acid powder also provides an Energy Blend supplying 100 mg of caffeine per suggested 2 scoop serving. In addition, they’ve added citrulline, glutamine, taurine and tyrosine to the EAA complex..
Sample Optimum Nutrition Stacks
Here’s 3 sample Stacks centering around Optimum Nutrition.
Core Stack
Here’s a great Stack that covers your basic needs.
- Gold Standard 100% Whey
- Essential Amino Energy
- Creatine Capsules
Advanced Stack
This is the Core Stack with some solid additions.
- Gold Standard 100% Whey
- Essential Amino Energy
- Creatine Capsules
- Opti Men (or Women)
- BCAA Caps
Ultimate Stack
Here’s the Ultimate Optimum-based Stack.
- Gold Standard 100% Whey
- Essential Amino Energy
- Creatine Capsules
- Opti Men (or Women)
- BCAA Caps
- NutraBio Base – Yes, I know it’s not an Optimum product, but with 200 mg of caffeine per serving, this pre-workout stacks perfectly with Essential Amino Energy (100 mg caffeine per 2-scoop serving). Plus, you get the extra anabolic benefit of the EAAs and other aminos.
Of course, you can add any Optimum Nutrition products to your current Stack, or create a Stack with just one product from Optimum, and other products from other companies. For example:
The Mass Stack
Gold Standard 100% Whey
Panda Supplements First Blood – One of the best pre-workouts on the market.
NutraBio EAA Pure – A caffeine-free EAA formula. Trust me, with First Blood, you won’t need any more caffeine.
AllMax Creatine Monohydrate – Creatine in powder form. This product uses micronized CreaSyn®, a patented creatine monohydrate.
AllMax VITASTACK – A comprehensive (70 nutrients!) vita pack for men or women.
Hi-Tech Andriol – A mild prohormone that can be taken year round – no off cycles, no PCT! If you’re serious about mass, add this to your Stack!
Summary
For many lifters, Optimum Nutrition is probably their go-to brand, at least in terms of protein and creatine. As noted, they have led the way in these categories, as well as the BCAA and Amino Energy categories. The next time you need whey protein, creatine, amino’s, multi-vitamins, or a gainer, stop by illpumpyouup.com and check out Optimum Nutrition!
References:
- https://www.glanbia.com/