The 3 Best Multivitamins for Athletes [Full Comparison]
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Multivitamins can be helpful for athletes as a form of “insurance” to prevent any nutritional deficiencies and to ensure they are consuming all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to optimize training, performance, and recovery.
This study of ~200 Division 1 college athletes showed that 47% took a multivitamin, making it the third most popular supplement behind energy drinks and calorie replacement products. Athletes often opt for multivitamin products to help maintain overall health, protect their immune system, bone health and cognitive function, and protect against heart and muscle damage.
It’s particularly important for athletes to choose multivitamins that are sourced using high-quality ingredients that are safe for sport and bioavailable. We recommend looking for products that have been third-party tested by reputable testing organizations such as the NSF, which has its sports-specific NSF Certified for Sport certification. Informed Sport is another highly trusted testing organization.
Each of the multivitamins on this list meets a stringent list of criteria that includes responsible sourcing and testing as well as expert research and development, which we believe are the most essential factors in choosing the right multivitamin for athletes.
We’ll start the list of the best options with our own Momentous Multivitamin product.
The 3 Best Multivitamin Options for Athletes
1. Momentous Multivitamin
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Athlete-Relevant Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
Product Details:
Price: $54.95
Number of Servings: 30
What makes it unique: Combines essential vitamins and minerals sourced from naturally occurring forms, along with a blend of unique phytonutrients like lutein, lycopene, resveratrol, and broccoli seed.
Serving Size: 4 capsules
Subscription: Yes - 25% off first subscription order of any size, 10% off thereafter
Free shipping: Yes (orders over $75)
Pros:
Replicates a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet, filling in any potential deficiencies
Combines essential vitamins and minerals sourced from naturally occurring forms
NSF Certified for Sport certification
Proven health benefits from a wide range of phytonutrients
Helps support energy production, immune function, antioxidant defense, and overall health maintenance
Optimal absorption and bioavailability of ingredients
Four-capsule serving allows you to vary dosage if desired
No strange aftertaste
Cons:
Cost
The Momentous Multivitamin exceeds all expectations of a multivitamin. It boasts a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that all athletes look for from their diet and nutrition, whether you’re into endurance sports or an avid gym-goer.
Third-party testing is important for everyone, but even more so for athletes who need to know that what’s on the label is what’s in the product. The NSF Certified for Sport certification means it has been tested for banned substances, label claim verification, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria.
As with many endurance athletes, I try to always eat a whole foods first, nutrient-dense diet that’s packed with fruits and vegetables. But it’s not always possible to do that. This multivitamin helps ensure I’m getting all of those essential vitamins and minerals, which gives me peace of mind that I’m doing all I can to look after my body and support my training and recovery.
Among the many vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients in the Momentous Multivitamin are:
Calcium
Zinc
iotin
Pantothenic acid
Thiamin
Niacin
Riboflavin
Selenium
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin D
Many of these are important for athletes as they train, recover, and prepare to race, but it’s not always easy to eat adequate amounts of the right foods to ensure you’re not deficient in these.
I like the inclusion of phytonutrients, such as lutein, lycopene, resveratrol, and broccoli seed. These compounds that are naturally found in plants have been shown to help build endurance and boost muscle protein synthesis, support recovery, and protect against chronic disease.
Another benefit of the Momentous Multivitamin is its dosage. The recommended dose is four capsules per serving, taking two in the morning and two in the evening. You can change this as needed if, for example, you know you’ve already consumed adequate amounts of certain vitamins and minerals on any given day.
The only downside to this product is its price, but with the Momentous standards for testing and premium ingredients sourcing, the higher price tag is understandable. However, if price is your most important factor, you might find the next multivitamin mentioned below to be a better alternative.
If you’re looking for a premium, third-party tested multivitamin that boasts purity and potency, Momentous Multivitamin is the best multivitamin option for you. It can support a healthy, active, athletic lifestyle and helps ensure little to no nutritional deficiencies in your day-to-day diet, giving you peace of mind that your health is being taken care of as you pursue your training and performance potential.
2. Klean Multivitamin
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Athlete-Relevant Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
Product Details:
Price: $44
Number of Servings: 30
What makes it unique: Specially formulated for the unique needs of athletes with the formula that contains the proper proportion of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other nutrients
Serving Size: 2 capsules
Subscription: Yes - 10% off with subscription
Free shipping: Yes (orders over $75)
Pros:
Boasts a comprehensive range of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other nutrients
Cost-effective
Its unique fruit and vegetable blend, along with antioxidants such as lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and pterostilbene, are not typically found in other multivitamins
Suggested serving size is two easy-swallow capsules
Optimal absorption and bioavailability of ingredients
Cons:
Lower amounts of some key vitamins and minerals
Klean Multivitamin is specially formulated for the unique needs of athletes with a thoughtful blend of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other nutrients that athletes need in order to get the most from training and recovery.
Of particular note with Klean Multivitamin is its unique fruit and vegetable blend, along with antioxidants such as lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and pterostilbene, which are not typically found in other multivitamins. This can help with post-workout soreness and inflammation.
The inclusion of chelated minerals such as selenium, copper, chromium, and molybdenum, helps with better absorption, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene can help moderate oxidative stress from training. However, it should be noted that the Momentous Multivitamin includes greater amounts of vitamins such as vitamin C [400mg versus Klean’s 120mg] and minerals such as magnesium [150mg versus Klean’s 25mg]. These vitamins and minerals are particularly important for athletes.
Klean Multivitamin is NSF Certified for Sport, which always helps give athletes peace of mind. It’s also competitively priced at $44 for 30 servings.
3. Thorne Multi-Vitamin Elite
Key Things to Know About This Product
Third-Party Tested: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
GMO Free: Yes
Athlete-Relevant Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
Product Details:
Price: $70
Number of Servings: 30
What makes it unique: A morning and evening formula designed to support athletic performance.
Serving Size: 3 capsules
Subscription: Yes - save 20% with subscription
Free shipping: Yes (free shipping on all orders to contiguous United States)
Pros:
Designed specifically for athletes with an AM and PM formula
Replicates a whole-food, nutrient-dense diet, filling in any potential deficiencies
Helps support energy production and enhances recovery
NSF Certified for Sport certification
Three-capsule serving allows you to vary dosage if desired
Cons:
Cost
Thorne’s Multi-Vitamin Elite is a powerhouse of a multivitamin, boasting morning and evening-specific formulas that are designed to help with energy production in the morning and enhance recovery and sleep quality in the evening.
The AM Formula contains two specially formulated phytosomes—Meriva® curcumin and green tea. Meriva can help provide relief from occasional joint and muscle soreness while also reducing inflammation. Green tea can help promote fat burning and cellular energy production. Both curcumin and green tea have significant antioxidant properties.
The PM Formula is something many athletes will appreciate, especially after hard evening workouts when it can be difficult to wind down for bed. It contains Relora®, a proprietary blend of Magnolia and Phellodendron extracts, that can help to down-regulate your evening cortisol levels as well as curb late-night cravings. A 107mg dose of magnesium malate is included in this formula to help athletes fall asleep faster and achieve better sleep quality.
As with the Momentous product, the vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients in this multivitamin are comprehensive, highly bioavailable, and undoubtedly geared towards athletes looking to get the most from their body and their nutrition. Many of the ingredient quantities are comparable with the Momentous Multivitamin, although there are fewer phytonutrients.
There are two versions of this formula available, one that is NSF Certified for Sport and one that isn’t (with a $4 price difference: $74 for NSF Certified, $70 without). With this price tag, it’s definitely not for those on a tight budget.
Emma-Kate Lidbury
Emma-Kate Lidbury is a freelance writer and editor with 20 years of experience working in the health and fitness world.
