Is Applied Nutrition Good? A Full Review (Quality, Safety & Value)

Applied Nutrition has become one of the biggest supplement brands in the UK over the last few years. Walk into any supplement shop, scroll through fitness TikTok, or chat with regular gym-goers, and chances are you’ll hear the name. Their bold black-and-blue packaging is instantly recognisable, and their products — from Critical Mass weight gainer to the best-selling ABE pre-workout — are everywhere.

But with popularity comes questions. Is Applied Nutrition actually good? Are their supplements high quality, safe, and worth the money — or are they just another brand riding the fitness hype wave?

This review takes a deep dive into Applied Nutrition’s reputation, testing standards, and product range, with a clear look at whether they’re worth buying.

Is Applied Nutrition a Good Brand?

Yes — Applied Nutrition is widely regarded as a trustworthy and high-quality supplement company. Based in Liverpool, they’ve grown rapidly since 2014 by focusing on three key things:

1. Informed-Sport Certification – Almost all of their performance products are batch-tested for banned substances, making them safe for athletes.
   
   
2. UK-Based Production – Their products are made in-house in the UK, giving them tighter control over quality.
   
   
3. Range and Innovation – From hardcore gym staples like creatine and pre-workout to wellness supplements like collagen and multivitamins, Applied Nutrition covers all bases.
   
   

This balance of athlete trust, affordability, and variety explains why they’ve become one of the fastest-growing brands in the UK supplement market.

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass: Is It Any Good?

When it comes to mass gainers, Critical Mass is Applied Nutrition’s flagship product. It’s built for people who struggle to gain weight, athletes in heavy training blocks, or anyone who needs a calorie-dense shake to support recovery.

Each serving provides:

• High-quality protein blend (whey concentrate, milk protein).
  
  
• Complex carbs like oats and waxy maize starch.
  
  
• Added creatine monohydrate for strength and recovery.
  
  
• Healthy fats from sources like MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides).
  
  

The result is a complete mass-gaining formula: protein for muscle repair, carbs for glycogen refuelling, fats for extra calories, and creatine for performance.

What sets Critical Mass apart is that it isn’t just “cheap sugar calories in a tub.” Some gainers load up on maltodextrin, which spikes blood sugar and leaves you feeling sluggish. Critical Mass leans more toward balanced, slow-release carbs, making it a cleaner option.

If you’re bulking or struggle to hit your daily calorie target with whole foods alone, Critical Mass is one of the best options in the UK.

Is Applied Nutrition Third-Party Tested?

Yes — and this is one of the brand’s biggest strengths.

Applied Nutrition partners with Informed-Sport, a globally recognised testing programme. Every batch of supplements with the Informed-Sport logo is tested for banned substances before being sold. This is crucial for competitive athletes, but it’s also reassuring for casual gym-goers who just want to know what’s in their tub.

Some budget supplement companies skip this step to cut costs. Applied Nutrition doesn’t — which is why so many PTs, strength coaches, and even pro athletes recommend them.

Where Is Applied Nutrition Made?

Applied Nutrition is manufactured in the UK, specifically at their Liverpool facility. Unlike brands that outsource production overseas, they’ve invested in their own state-of-the-art factory. This means they control everything from sourcing raw ingredients to packaging the final product.

For UK buyers, this is a big win. It reduces reliance on international supply chains, keeps costs competitive, and ensures the brand is held to UK/EU food safety standards.

Is Applied Nutrition Safe and Healthy?

For most healthy adults, yes. Applied Nutrition supplements are designed to be taken daily and have sensible, research-backed dosages. The only exceptions are the same ones you’d find across the industry:

• Caffeine-containing products (like ABE Pre-Workout) should be used in moderation, especially if you’re sensitive.
  
  
• Weight gainers like Critical Mass are calorie-dense, so they should be used strategically, not on top of an already high-calorie diet.
  
  
• Anyone with a medical condition or who is pregnant should consult a doctor first.
  
  

Overall, Applied Nutrition has a very good safety record compared to many supplement brands, particularly thanks to Informed-Sport testing.

 

Is Applied Nutrition Creatine Good Quality?

Creatine monohydrate is one of the most researched sports supplements ever — and the good news is that Applied Nutrition’s creatine is about as pure as it gets.

Each serving is 100% micronised creatine monohydrate in a vegan capsule, no unnecessary extras. You get the standard 3g per capsule that every study references, which means you can expect the same benefits seen in the science:

• More strength in the gym.
  
  
• Better power output for sprints and lifts.
  
  
• Improved recovery between sets.
  
  
• Over time, a leaner, fuller look to your muscles.
  
  

Is it any better than generic creatine? Honestly, creatine is creatine — provided it’s pure monohydrate. What sets Applied Nutrition apart is the trust factor. With Informed-Sport testing, you know exactly what you’re getting, which matters if you’re competing. For the average lifter, it’s the peace of mind that makes it worth a couple of extra pounds over budget brands.

Applied Nutrition Multivitamins & Health Range

While the brand is best known for gym staples like protein and pre-workout, their health and wellness range is also worth mentioning.

The Applied Nutrition Multivitamin Complex is designed to cover daily gaps in nutrition. It’s not flashy, but it ticks all the essential boxes:

• B vitamins for energy metabolism.
  
  
• Vitamin C & D for immune support.
  
  
• Zinc & magnesium for recovery.
  
  

For most people, it’s a solid, affordable way to cover the basics.

They’ve also expanded into targeted formulas, including:

• Vitamin D3 (especially useful in the UK’s darker months).
  
  
• Collagen Peptides, which are increasingly popular for joint and skin health.
  
  
• Greens powders for added micronutrient support.
  
  

What’s impressive is that Applied Nutrition hasn’t just stuck to “gym bro” formulas — they’ve built a wellness line that appeals to mainstream health-conscious buyers too.

Is Applied Nutrition Collagen Any Good?

Collagen is one of those supplements people either swear by or dismiss. The research shows it can help with joint recovery, skin elasticity, and even hair and nail strength — but only when it’s in the right form and dosed properly.

Applied Nutrition’s Collagen Peptides come as a flavourless powder you can add to shakes, smoothies, or even coffee. Each scoop delivers a clinically effective dose of hydrolysed collagen, making it easy to build into your routine.

While some collagen products are overpriced “beauty” supplements, Applied Nutrition keeps it simple and cost-effective. It’s a solid option for anyone looking to protect their joints during heavy training or just support overall wellness.

Applied Nutrition Pre-Workout: The ABE Range

If you’ve stepped into a supplement shop, you’ve seen the All Black Everything (ABE) tubs lined up in bold matte packaging. This is Applied Nutrition’s flagship pre-workout, and it’s one of the best-selling pre’s in the UK.

So, does it live up to the hype?

ABE Pre-Workout combines:

• 200mg caffeine (a strong but not insane dose).
  
  
• Creatine monohydrate for strength.
  
  
• Citrulline malate and beta-alanine for pumps and endurance.
  
  
• Taurine and vitamins B3 & B12 for energy metabolism.
  
  

The result is a well-rounded formula that delivers focus, energy, and pumps — without being overly stim-heavy. For most people, one scoop is plenty.

For those who want to avoid stimulants altogether, Applied Nutrition also makes ABE Pump (a non-stim version). It delivers the pumps and focus benefits without caffeine, perfect for late-night training.

Compared to competitors, ABE hits the sweet spot. Not as underdosed as cheap pre-workouts, not as overhyped as hardcore US formulas with borderline-legal stimulants. For UK gym-goers, it’s one of the safest, most balanced pre’s you can buy.

Value for Money: Is Applied Nutrition Worth It?

This is where Applied Nutrition really finds its sweet spot. They sit in the middle ground between cheap-and-cheerful bulk brands and overpriced US imports.

Cheaper brands like MyProtein will always tempt with bulk tubs at rock-bottom prices, but do you want to go for the cheapest option when your putting it in your body? On the flip side, big-name US brands like Ghost or Optimum Nutrition can charge nearly double—often with the price tag inflated more by marketing than what’s actually inside the tub.

Applied Nutrition balances those two extremes. You get supplements that are batch tested, Informed-Sport certified, and trusted by athletes—without breaking the bank.

Take creatine as an example:

• Budget brands – around £9.99 for a 250g tub of raw powder, but often lacking certification.
  
  
• Applied Nutrition Creatine 3000 – £9.99 for 120 easy-to-take capsules, each dosed at 3g of pure creatine monohydrate. Convenient, portable, and third-party tested.
  
  

That’s the kind of value where Applied Nutrition shines—you’re not just paying for creatine, you’re paying for peace of mind that what’s on the label is what’s in the capsule.

FAQs: Applied Nutrition Review

1. Is Applied Nutrition good quality?

Yes — with UK-based production, batch testing, and Informed-Sport certification, it’s one of the most trustworthy supplement brands in the UK.

2. Is Applied Nutrition Critical Mass good for building muscle?

Yes. Critical Mass provides a balanced source of protein, carbs, fats, and creatine, making it one of the best weight gainers for muscle and recovery.

3. Does Applied Nutrition creatine actually work?

Yes. It’s pure creatine monohydrate, the same form backed by hundreds of scientific studies.

4. Is Applied Nutrition safe to take every day?

For most healthy adults, yes. Their formulas are dosed sensibly, with no hidden ingredients.

5. Is Applied Nutrition better than MyProtein?

If quality and trust are your priorities, Applied Nutrition has the edge. If price is your main factor, MyProtein wins.

6. Does Applied Nutrition have side effects?

Only the same ones any supplement might cause (e.g., caffeine jitters, creatine bloating). Nothing unusual.

7. Who owns Applied Nutrition?

It’s majority-owned by JD Sports, giving it strong financial backing and mainstream credibility.

8. Is Applied Nutrition ABE Pre-Workout safe?

Yes — it uses legal, well-dosed ingredients. Just be mindful of the 200mg caffeine if you’re sensitive.

9. Is Applied Nutrition collagen worth buying?

If you’re training hard and want to protect your joints, it’s a cost-effective way to add collagen to your diet.

10. Is Applied Nutrition expensive?

No. It’s more than budget brands, but cheaper than premium imports — a solid middle ground.

Conclusion: So, Is Applied Nutrition Good?

The verdict is clear: Applied Nutrition is one of the best supplement brands in the UK right now.

They’ve built their reputation on quality, transparency, and safety — not just flashy marketing. With UK-based manufacturing, Informed-Sport certification, and JD Sports ownership, they’ve proven they’re here to stay.

Their Critical Mass weight gainer delivers clean calories and performance support, their creatine is pure and effective, their ABE pre-workout is one of the most balanced on the market, and their wellness range adds something for everyone.

If you’re asking “Is Applied Nutrition good?” — the answer is yes. It’s reliable, safe, and excellent value for money. Whether you’re a casual gym-goer or a competitive athlete, you can feel confident that what’s on the label is what’s in the tub.