4 Best Collagen Supplements for Athletes [Full Comparison]

Momentous Collagen is a daily essential for me and I use it both pre- and post-workout. It’s well-documented that taking collagen pre-workout can help with joint health, so as an endurance athlete of 20+ years, I’m always keen to do all I can to help prevent injuries.

Post-workout, I take a scoop of Momentous Collagen in a recovery smoothie with:

• A banana

• Momentous Recovery or Grass-Fed Whey Protein

• Momentous Creatine

• Milk

• Almond butter

• Water

It’s an easy and tasty way to get a high-protein post-workout hit with the addition of Collagen also helping to safeguard long-term joint health and building resilience against injury.

While some collagen supplements can have a strange aftertaste or not mix well, Momentous Collagen is unflavored and highly palatable. The fact that it’s third-party tested by both Informed Sport and NSF gives me total peace of mind that the ingredients are pure, potent, and clean—and the ingredients listed on the packaging are exactly what you’ll find inside.

While this is important for everyone, it’s even more so for professional athletes. I love that pro cyclist and Ironman champion Cameron Wurf swears by Momentous Collagen as part of his daily nutrition regime to “help him take care of his body.”

Momentous prides itself on working with some of the world’s leading sports coaches and dietitians, many of whom have contributed their expertise to the research and development of product formulations.

The inclusion of FORTIGELⓇ in Momentous Collagen, for example, isn’t something you’ll find in every collagen supplement. It is a patented, clinically researched collagen peptide source designed to promote collagen synthesis in tendons and ligaments , which few other collagen supplements do.

Momentous Collagen brings some other benefits, namely healthier hair, skin, and nails. I’ve found that with consistent daily use of Momentous Collagen, my skin is clear and healthy with a natural glow and my nails are stronger and healthier.

As a premium product that undergoes rigorous testing and certification, Momentous Collagen is on the pricier side. Those on a tight budget might prefer more wallet-friendly options. In my opinion, you won’t find a better collagen supplement on the market, and if you’re looking for a way to improve joint health, prevent injury, and take care of your hair, skin, and nails then this is the right supplement for you.

2. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides 

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: Yes

• Grass-Fed: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

• Athlete-Relevant Certifications: NSF Certified

Product Details:

• Price: $47

• Types of collagen: Types I, II, III

• Net Weight: 567g

• Number of Servings: 28

• Grams of collagen per serving: 20g

• Serving Size: 4 tbsp (20 grams)

• Flavors: Unflavored

• Subscription: Yes - get a 15% discount

• Free shipping: For subscriptions only

Pros:

• Mixes well

• 20g of collagen per serving

• NSF certified

Cons:

• No scoop

• Price - one of the more expensive options

One of the most popular collagen supplements on the market, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides boasts a hefty 20g of collagen per serving plus 18g of protein. It mixes well with hot or cold fluids and the unflavored powder is easy to drink with no unpleasant aftertaste.

However, one of the common complaints with this product is the lack of a scoop in the canister. The recommended serving size is four tablespoons, which customers complain is a significant serving size and can lead to inconsistencies with the amount you’re actually consuming.

At $47 for a 20z (567g) canister, it’s also one of the more expensive options on the market. Like Momentous, it is third-party tested.

If you’re looking to explore different flavors, there are plenty available with lemon, chocolate, salted caramel, and matcha, as well as a Marine Collagen supplement and a Collagen Peptides Advanced formula, which includes hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C.

There’s no doubt that Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a top-quality player in the collagen supplements category and is highly popular with athletes of all ages and abilities.

3. Gnarly Collagen Pro  

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: Yes

• Grass-Fed: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

• Athlete-Relevant Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport

Product Details:

• Price: $49.95

• Types of collagen: Types I and III

• Net Weight: 455g

• Number of Servings: 30

• Grams of collagen per serving: 15g (hydrolyzed collagen)

• Serving Size: 2 scoops (10 oz prepared)

• Flavors: Unflavored

• Subscription: Yes - get a 10% discount

• Free shipping: On orders $75+

Pros:

• Mixes well

• 15g of collagen per serving

• NSF Certified for Sport

• Also includes Vitamin C for improved collagen absorption plus zinc and copper for collagen protection

Cons:

• Price - one of the more expensive options

Gnarly is an up-and-coming sports nutrition brand that’s focused on developing products for athletes—and their Collagen Pro unflavored powder is a great addition to the collagen supplements game. It mixes quickly and easily with water or can be added to hot fluids, such as bone broth or soup.

The inclusion of vitamin C and zinc is a welcome addition for athletes as it can help improve collagen absorption. I’ve taken this 30-60 minutes before a workout, settles in the stomach quickly, and is easy to get down without any aftertaste.

Like Momentous, the fact this product is NSF Certified for Sport is of particular importance to athletes and gives added peace of mind that what’s on the label is what’s in the product.

At $50 per canister it’s not cheap so those looking to keep costs down might prefer lower-cost products. Overall, though, it’s a strong contender when it comes to best collagen supplements for athletes.

4. Now Supplements Multi Collagen Protein  

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: No

• Grass-Fed: No

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

• Athlete-Relevant Certifications: No

Product Details:

• Price: $39.99

• Types of collagen: Types I, II, III

• Net Weight: 454g

• Number of Servings: 35

• Grams of collagen per serving: 11g

• Serving Size: 2.5 tbsp (13 grams)

• Flavors: Unflavored

• Subscription: No

• Free shipping: On orders $50+

Pros:

• Mixes well

• Unflavored

• Competitively priced

Cons:

• Not third-party tested

• Not sourced from grass-fed cows

• Lower amount of collagen per serving than others on test

Now Supplements Multi Collagen Protein is a super smooth collagen powder that mixes easily into cold or hot fluids.

At $40 for a 454g tub, it’s the most competitively priced collagen supplement on test. However, unlike the Momentous Collagen supplement, it’s not third-party tested. It also has the lowest bang for its buck when it comes to the amount of collagen per serving with just 11g of hydrolyzed collagen per 2.5 tablespoons.

After two to three weeks of using it I noticed a clear difference in skin elasticity, plus joints, tendons, and muscles felt like they were bouncing back from workouts with increased ease, which is obviously of significance to athletes.

For those who are more vigilant about where and how their supplements are sourced, though, this Now product might not be your go-to given its lack of third-party testing.

FAQs About Collagen

Which types of collagen are the most important for athletes?

While there are 28 kinds of collagen, these three types comprise 80 to 90% of collagen in the body:

• Type I: Skin, tendons, bones, ligaments, teeth, and interstitial tissues

• Type II: Cartilage, vitreous humor (part of the eyes)

• Type III: Skin, muscles, blood vessels

Types I, II, and III are most important for athletes as they can help reduce injury risk, strengthen joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue, and expedite recovery. These types of collagen can also help reduce joint pain and improve joint health.

Can collagen help with joint pain?

Yes, collagen can help reduce joint pain and improve joint health and function. Collagen is rich in essential amino acids that can help build joint cartilage, so it can help with healing post-injury or surgery.

Is there anyone who should avoid collagen?

Some collagen supplements contain eggs or shellfish, so anyone with allergies to these products should avoid them. Otherwise collagen supplements are a great choice for athletes.

Is it better to take collagen before or after workout?

The authors of a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated whether taking gelatin and vitamin C before exercise could increase collagen production. They concluded that participants’ collagen synthesis peaked 60 minutes after they took the supplement, so on training days, the best time to take collagen is an hour before your session. That said, the high amino acid content of collagen also makes it a great post-workout choice. 

What’s the difference between grass-fed collagen and marine collagen?

The key difference is where it’s derived from: marine collagen is sourced from fish. The collagen is obtained from their skin and scales through a process of hydrolyzation (using water to break down the collagen molecules into peptides). Grass-fed collagen is sourced from the hides of grass-fed cows.