Creatine is one of the most widely used sports nutrition supplements today. This organic compound helps supply energy to cells in your body, particularly muscle cells. Taking creatine as a supplement can help boost strength, build muscle, and enhance exercise performance.
Two popular creatine supplement brands are Thorne and Klean Athlete. But which one is better? Here is an in-depth comparison of Thorne Vs. Klean creatine to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Factor | Thorne Creatine | Klean Athlete Creatine |
| Form | Creatine monohydrate powder | Creatine monohydrate powder |
| Serving Size | 1.5g per scoop | 5g per scoop |
| Flavors | Unflavored | Unflavored, fruit punch, watermelon |
| Mixability | Easy to mix and stack | Easy to mix and stack |
| Effects | Increase strength, muscle, power, endurance | Increase strength, muscle, power, endurance |
| Testing | NSF Certified for Sport | NSF Certified for Sport, tested for 200+ banned substances |
| Facilities | Made in NSF-certified facilities in USA | Made in NSF GMP facility |
| Purity | Pharmaceutical grade, no extra ingredients | No artificial ingredients, some stabilizers |
| Price | $$ | $ |
Overview Of Thorne Creatine
Thorne is a trusted supplement company known for its high-quality, pure ingredients. Their creatine product contains creatine monohydrate, which is the most studied and effective form of creatine.
Some key features and benefits of Thorne creatine include:
- Pure creatine monohydrate powder with no added ingredients
- Pharmaceutical grade and NSF Certified for Sport
- Unflavored for easy mixing and stacking
- Supports energy production, muscle strength, and power output
- Helps increase muscle mass when combined with strength training
- Enhances anaerobic endurance and athletic performance
- Made in the USA in NSF-certified facilities
Thorne creatine comes in a 300g tub and is unflavored, odorless, and colorless. The recommended dosage is 5g per day, which can be mixed into shakes or smoothies. It’s also NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it’s tested for banned substances.
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Overview Of Klean Athlete Creatine
Klean Athlete is a reputable brand under NSF International focusing on clean, safe sports supplements. Their creatine also contains high quality creatine monohydrate.
Here are some of the key details about Klean Athlete creatine:
- Contains 5g of creatine monohydrate per serving
- Available in 300g unflavored and flavored tubs
- Tested for over 200 banned substances by LGC Labs
- NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice certified
- Helps boost strength, power, and lean muscle mass
- Supports athletic performance and training intensity
- Increases muscular endurance during high-intensity exercise
- Unflavored version is pure 100% creatine monohydrate
The Klean Athlete creatine line includes an unflavored version along with fruit punch and watermelon flavors. The recommended daily serving is 5g, which can be mixed into protein shakes or taken on its own.
Comparing Key Factors: Quality, Purity, Effectiveness
When comparing Thorne Vs. Klean creatine, there are a few key factors to consider:
Quality
Both Thorne and Klean Athlete creatine products are high quality supplements made by reputable manufacturers. They both contain pure creatine monohydrate without any extra additives or fillers.
Thorne creatine is pharmaceutical grade, while Klean is made in an NSF GMP facility. Both are NSF Certified for Sport, meaning they are rigorously tested for contaminants and banned substances by trusted third-party labs. This gives assurance that you are getting a clean, safe product.
Purity
The creatine from Thorne and Klean Athlete comes in an unflavored pure powder form as creatine monohydrate. This allows you to easily stack with other supplements and take it consistently without any added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Klean Athlete’s unflavored version contains 100% pure creatine monohydrate. Thorne’s powder is also highly pure creatine monohydrate without additional ingredients.
Effectiveness
Numerous studies demonstrate creatine monohydrate is effective for boosting high intensity exercise performance, strength, power, muscle mass, and recovery.
Since both products contain pure creatine monohydrate, which has proven effects, they can be considered equally effective if taken at the recommended 5g per day dosage. The only potential difference is that Klean Athlete packs 5g in one serving, while Thorne has 1.5g per scoop so you need to take multiple scoops.
Also Read: AG1 Vs. Armra: A Comparative Analysis
Pros And Cons Of Thorne Creatine
Here is a quick rundown of the main pros and cons of using Thorne creatine:
Pros:
- Pharmaceutical grade and rigorously tested for purity
- No extra ingredients, just pure creatine monohydrate
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Enhances strength, muscle, and anaerobic performance
- Made in the USA in NSF-certified facilities
Cons:
- Only contains 1.5g creatine per scoop (need multiple scoops per day)
- Contains silica as an anti-caking agent
- Can cause mild water retention initially in some people
- Unflavored taste may be unpleasant for some
Also watch the video about Thorne Creatine!
Pros And Cons Of Klean Athlete Creatine
Here are the main upsides and downsides of taking Klean Athlete creatine:
Pros:
- Tested for 200+ banned substances for safety and purity
- 5g creatine monohydrate per serving
- Available in unflavored or flavored versions
- Improves strength, power, muscle, and exercise performance
- NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice certified
Cons:
- Contains maltodextrin and dextrose as stabilizers
- Limited third-party testing details available
- Possible bloating or water retention at first
- Need to take consistently for ongoing effects
Which Is Better Overall?
When choosing between Thorne or Klean creatine, you really can’t go wrong with either one. They are both high quality creatine monohydrate supplements from trustworthy manufacturers.
However, if you had to pick one, Thorne creatine may have a slight edge because it is pharmaceutical grade and contains only pure creatine without any added stabilizers. The NSF Certified for Sport designation also verifies its purity.
On the other hand, Klean Athlete creatine provides 5g of creatine in one scoop for convenience and offers flavored options for taste. It’s also tested for banned substances and certified by NSF International.
Ultimately, it depends if you prefer:
- The highest purity and quality (Thorne)
- Great taste and single serving dosing (Klean Athlete)
No matter which you choose, be sure to take 5g daily for optimal results. Also drink plenty of water and stick with it consistently for at least 8-12 weeks to notice effects on muscle gain and performance.
Also Read: Differences Between Ascent And Optimum Nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Thorne creatine is very high quality. It is pharmaceutical grade creatine made in NSF-certified facilities. Thorne’s creatine powder contains pure creatine monohydrate without any added ingredients. It is rigorously tested for purity and banned substances, as verified by its NSF Certified for Sport designation.
Klean Athlete is a reputable brand that makes quality supplements. Their creatine is NSF Certified for Sport and contains pure creatine monohydrate. Klean products are tested for over 200 banned substances. So yes, their creatine is a good option.
Research shows creatine monohydrate is the most effective form of creatine for boosting exercise performance, strength, and muscle mass. Top brands like Thorne and Klean Athlete use high quality creatine monohydrate. As long as you take creatine monohydrate properly at 5g per day, the specific brand is not necessarily more effective.
Yes, Thorne creatine is still a high quality and effective creatine supplement. It contains the same pharmaceutical grade creatine monohydrate powder it always has. Thorne creatine provides all the expected benefits of creatine like increased muscular strength, power, endurance, and bigger muscle gains when training. It remains a top choice among strength athletes and bodybuilders.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Thorne and Klean creatine supplements, you can feel confident choosing either brand. Both provide pure, high quality creatine monohydrate powder.
Thorne may beat out Klean Athlete slightly when it comes to pharmaceutical grade quality and purity. But Klean is competitively priced and offers convenient pre-dosed 5g servings.
Ultimately, you can maximize your gains by consistently taking 5g of creatine monohydrate daily from a reputable brand like Thorne or Klean Athlete. Be sure to stay well hydrated, follow a proper training and nutrition program, and stick with creatine supplementation for at least 8-12 weeks.