6 Best Ashwagandha Supplements for Athletes [Compared]
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Ashwagandha’s popularity as a supplement has grown in recent years, especially among athletes.
Research in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2015) showed that participants who took ashwagandha experienced a 17.1% increase in muscle strength and a 7.6% increase in muscle size compared to the placebo group, showcasing its potential benefits for athletic performance, endurance, and recovery.
A 2019 study published in Medicine (Baltimore) also found that ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced cortisol levels by 27.9%, indicating its effectiveness in lowering stress and anxiety.
Athletes should choose a clean, high-quality ashwagandha product that is safe for sport and free from contamination. Third-party testing and certification from reputable organizations like NSF provides much of that peace of mind regarding sourcing, purity, transparency, and safety.
Each of the ashwagandha supplements on this list meet quality, dosage, and cost criteria, which we believe are the most essential factors in choosing the best ashwagandha supplements for athletes.
We’ll start the list of the best options with our own ashwagandha product at Momentous.
1. Momentous Ashwagandha
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
Product Details:
Price: $24.95
Number of Servings: 60
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Ashwagandha per serving: 300mg
Free shipping: Yes (on orders over $75)
Subscription: Yes - 25% discount on first order, 10% thereafter
Pros:
NSF Certified for Sport
Contains NooGandha® for elevated nootropic bioactivity and bioavailability
Cost effective
Cons:
Lower dose than some competitors
Momentous Ashwagandha is like a little capsule of calm—helping to provide a noticeable feeling of relaxation since I first started taking it a few months ago. I’ve also found it helps promote deeper, better sleep, especially when taken with Sleep .
Momentous Ashwagandha uses NooGandha®, a specialized form of Ashwagandha root and leaf extract that is standardized to contain 3.5% withanolides (the active ingredient). This ensures higher bioavailability (your body absorbs it faster and more effectively).
I tend to take it in the morning when I start my work day and I’ve noticed it helps with focus and concentration, ultimately allowing greater productivity. While some people have concerns about ashwagandha producing drowsiness or a sedative effect, I’ve personally never noticed this—or any other side effects.
Ashwagandha is believed to work primarily through its effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, helping to balance cortisol levels. For anyone looking for help regulating their stress, anxiety, and occasional feelings of overwhelm, Momentous Ashwagandha is certainly a great product to try.
As with all Momentous products, I particularly like that it has the NSF Certified for Sport certification, a rare find among other ashwagandha products on the market. This means it’s been tested and is safe, free from contaminants, and label claims are accurate—something which is hugely important to me and gives great peace of mind.
High-performance expert Dr. Andy Galpin had this to say about the Momentous product: “I’ve used it for a long time and it’s hard to find from a third-party certified provider. Its adaptogenic benefits are hard to argue from a practical and scientific standpoint.”
At $24.95 for 60 servings it’s reasonably priced, especially when you consider the reputable certification it comes with.
2. Gaia Herbs Ashwagandha Root Capsules
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: No
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Certifications: USDA Organic
Product Details:
Price: $42.29
Number of Servings: 60
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Ashwagandha per serving: 350mg
Free shipping: Yes - on orders $64+
Subscription: Yes - subscribe and save 15% + free shipping
Pros:
Organic and free of allergens
Great for moderate stress management
Cons:
Lower dose per capsule compared to some competitors
May cause mild stomach discomfort without food
Price
Gaia Herbs Ashwagandha Root Capsules are a customer favorite when it comes to relieving stress, overcoming anxiety, and finding tranquility. While they aren’t third-party tested like the Momentous product, Gaia says it has a stringent internal testing process and ingredients are only sourced from the highest-quality suppliers with state-of-the-art processing facilities. It also says it maintains full end-to-end traceability and transparency on all raw materials.
Some people have reported mild stomach issues and/or nausea when taking it without food, so pairing it with a meal might be advisable for some.
At $42 for 60 servings, it’s one of the more expensive ashwagandha products on this list.
3. Pure Encapsulations Ashwagandha Capsules
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Certifications: Yes, certified gluten free
Product Details:
Price: $26.30
Number of Servings: 60
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Ashwagandha per serving: 500mg
Free shipping: Yes - free expedited shipping
Subscription: Yes - save 10%
Pros:
Hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive users
Medium-strength dosage for daily use
Cost effective
Free shipping
Cons:
No third-party certifications
Pure Encapsulations Ashwagandha capsules receive rave reviews from customers and it’s easy to see why, with many saying they’ve noticed great efficacy of ashwagandha with this product, perhaps due to the 500 mg of ashwagandha extract per capsule.
The product is competitively priced with a higher dosage of ashwagandha root extract than many of its competitors. It is also non-GMO and hypoallergenic and, as with all Pure Encapsulations products, it is formulated using high-quality, pure ingredients, free from unnecessary additives and many common allergens.
This ashwagandha extract product helps promote a natural sense of calm and tranquility, ideal for use in moderately stressful situations or at times of occasional heightened anxiety.
Priced at $26 for 60 servings, it’s competitively priced and offers good value for money, especially considering the reputation of the brand.
4. Organic India Fairtrade® Certified Organic Ashwagandha Root Capsules
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Certifications: USDA Organic, Fairtrade, Non-GMO certified
Product Details:
Price: $25.99
Number of Servings: 45
Serving Size: 2 capsules
Ashwagandha per serving: 800mg
Free shipping: Yes - on all orders
Subscription: Yes - subscribe and save 25%
Pros:
High potency per capsule
Sustainably sourced using regenerative agriculture
Effective in high-stress situations
Cons:
May be too strong for beginners
More expensive than its competitors
This supplement offers strong potency and sustainability, making it a premium choice for managing stress and improving energy levels. The 800mg of ashwagandha root extract per serving is almost three times higher than some of its competitors, making it a highly effective choice for those used to taking ashwagandha. However, for those newer to this adaptogen, it might be too potent a dose to begin with.
It’s also pricier than other choices on the market at close to $0.60 per serving (compared to $0.44 per serving for Momentous). That said, it does boast a number of reputable certifications, such as USDA Organic, Fairtrade, and non-GMO. For someone who’s already established that ashwagandha is ideal for their needs and lifestyle then this could be a great pick, but otherwise it might be better to start with a lower dosage and lower price.
5. Goli Ashwagandha Gummies
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: No
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Certifications: No
Product Details:
Price: $19
Number of Servings: 30
Serving Size: 2 gummies
Ashwagandha per serving: 300mg (KSM-66 extract)
Free shipping: Yes - on orders $20+
Subscription: Yes - subscribe and save 15%
Pros:
Uses KSM-66® Ashwagandha Root Extract
Great for those who prefer gummies over swallowing capsules
Also includes Vitamin D2
Good flavor and taste
Cons:
Ingredients include tapioca syrup and cane sugar
Lower dosage than others on the market
More expensive than capsules
Goli Ashwagandha Gummies offer a different alternative for those wanting to add ashwagandha to their daily routine with these tasty and easy-to-consume gummies. If you dislike swallowing capsules or simply prefer the convenience of taking gummies, then these are a great pick.
The other notable difference with this product is the use of KSM-66® Ashwagandha, which is a highly concentrated ashwagandha root extract that’s known as a “full-spectrum extract.” This is believed to retain the balance of all the natural constituents of the ashwagandha root, unlike some extracts that focus on just a single component. It is also one of the most extensively researched forms of ashwagandha, backed by more than 20 clinical studies supporting benefits such as stress reduction, improved cognition, enhanced physical performance, and hormonal balance.
These gummies also include Vitamin D2, included to help promote wellness and a healthy immune system.
At $19 for 30 servings, they are more expensive than ashwagandha capsules, making them a less attractive option for those on leaner budgets.
6. Nootropics Depot Shoden Ashwagandha Capsules
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Certifications: GMP certified facility, ISO certified lab
Product Details:
Price: $40
Number of Servings: 90
Serving Size: 1 capsule
Ashwagandha per serving: 120mg with 35% withanolides
Free shipping: Yes - on orders $50+
Subscription: No
Pros:
Uses Shoden, one of the most potent extracts with high bioavailability
Requires a lower dose for effectiveness
Competitively priced
Cons:
May be too strong for sensitive individuals
Nootropics Depot’s Shoden Ashwagandha capsules offer high withanolide concentration and low serving size requirements. They’re great for experienced ashwagandha users due to the potency per capsule, but might be overwhelming for beginners.
All products are manufactured in a GMP certified facility and tested in an ISO-certified lab, helping to provide peace of mind around safety and sourcing.
At $40 for 90 servings, they are one of the more competitively priced products on the market.
Emma-Kate Lidbury
Emma-Kate Lidbury is a freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience working in the health and fitness world.
