Whether you have just started working out or are a seasoned athlete, there are high chances that you might have heard of whey protein. It is one of the most popular fitness supplements. A lot of people believe that whey protein is only for beginner level athletes and fitness enthusiasts. But that’s not true. You can find a whey protein for all levels of fitness enthusiasts – beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

What is whey protein?

Whey protein is obtained as a by-product during the cheese making process. The liquid whey that is obtained in the process goes through multiple stages of filtration and purification. And the end product is called whey protein. There are three types of whey protein powder – whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolyzed.

Some of the main whey protein benefits are –

• Improves strength and athletic performance
• Aids in weight loss and weight management
• Prevents muscle breakdown especially after intense workouts
• Helps gain muscle mass
• Boosts immunity and metabolism
• Reduces fatigue and post-workout muscle soreness

It can be a challenge to choose the best whey protein supplements out of the many choices available these days. We recommend that you get in touch with your doctor to know what is whey protein and which is the best whey protein for you.

Best whey protein supplements for intermediate and advanced level athletes

1. GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein

When listing the best whey protein supplements in India, GNC Pro Performance 100% Whey Protein is one name that cannot be missed. It is known for its amazing quality and delivers targeted results. Each serving provides 24 g muscle building protein in the perfect balance of whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate.

The main benefits of this whey protein are –

• The BCAAs in the formula help you build lean muscles
• It is enriched with 9 essential amino acids to promote faster muscle recovery especially after intense workouts
• Helps reduce tiredness and muscle cramps
• Boosts muscle growth and repair
• Improves strength and stamina

There are plenty of flavors to choose from – chocolate supreme, mango smoothie, mawa kulfi, vanilla cream, kesar pista, café mocha, and chocolate fudge. All the flavors taste delicious, get mixed instantly, and have zero added sugar. You can have it as a whey protein shake, add it to breakfast and dessert recipes like pancakes, oats, and protein bars, or blend it with yogurt and fruits to make a delicious and healthy smoothie. You can have it in the early morning, as a healthy mid-meal snack, post workout, or before bedtime.

2. GNC AMP Pure Isolate

Whey protein isolate is considered to be the purest form of whey as it has the least fat and lactose content and the highest protein content which is around 90%. If you are an intermediate or advanced level athlete, then a whey protein isolate supplement would be ideal for you. GNC AMP Pure Isolate is one of the top selling whey protein supplements in India.

It undergoes a strict 20-step purification and filtration process to ensure you get the best potency and quality. Each serving of GNC AMP Pure Isolate delivers 25 g of protein, is loaded with 5 g naturally occurring BCAAs, 17 g muscle supporting amino acids to speed up muscle recovery process, and also has added 1 g creatine which aids in improving strength, enhances lean muscle mass, and assists in quick recovery.

The main benefits are –

• It is micro-filtered protein with no added sugar and is free from any banned substances
• Helps improve your workout performance and enhances your strength and stamina
• It gets absorbed in the body quickly and is effective in muscle repair
• The BCAAs in the formula also alleviate muscle soreness and keep exhaustion to the minimum
• It is enriched with digestive enzymes to make it easier on the stomach

There are three amazing flavors to choose from – chocolate frosting, vanilla custard, and blueberry. For best results, consume 1 – 2 servings after workout and throughout the day. It is ideal for ardent athletes, sports competitors, fitness professionals, and bodybuilders.

3. GNC Pro Performance Power Protein

GNC Pro Performance Power Protein is more than just your regular whey protein. It has a versatile composition and is known for its advanced formula. The formula contains 100% premium Whey Concentrate and is also enriched with muscle-supporting ingredients to present a multipurpose supplement that lets you take on any fitness challenge. It contains L-Arginine that boosts Nitric Oxide production to improve blood circulation, which increases oxygen supply towards muscles to make them stronger and more active. 

The main benefits are –

• Helps increase muscle mass
• Boosts energy and endurance
• Helps build muscle strength
• Gives extra pump to smash your workout goals
• Speeds up post workout recovery

Take it 20 minutes before your workout session, or within 30 minutes after completing your workout for best results. It is a gluten free formula, that’s enriched with digestive enzymes to make it easy on the stomach, has a delicious taste, and zero added sugar. It is available in a delicious double rich chocolate flavor that’s super versatile.

4. GNC AMP Gold Series 100% Whey Protein Advanced

Next on the list of best whey protein supplements in India is GNC AMP Gold Series 100% Whey Protein Advanced. As the name suggests, it is an advanced formula of whey protein that’s ideal for intermediate and advanced level athletes. It has the goodness of fast acting whey blends – with whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolyzed to maximize lean muscle gain. Each serving of this whey protein provides 24 g protein, 100 mg digestive enzymes with aminogen and lactose to help improve nutrient breakdown, and 5.5 g BCAAs for advanced recovery and better performance. It also has 4 g glutamine and glutamine precursors to help maximize muscle recovery.

Some of the main benefits of this whey protein are –

• Promotes advanced muscle building
• Supports intense workout performance
• Helps with post workout recovery, especially after intense workouts
• Boosts muscle strength
• Builds strength and stamina and improves exercise performance

There are three amazing flavors to choose from – double rich chocolate, vanilla, and delicious strawberry. All the flavors have a delicious taste and have zero added sugar, so you can have them guilt free and even make this whey protein a part of different smoothie and breakfast recipes. You can consume it for – breakfast, pre workout, or post workout. GNC AMP Gold Series 100% Whey Protein Advanced is ideal for – regular gym goers, fitness enthusiasts, bodybuilders, and athletes.

5. GNC Plant Protein Isolate

When you ask someone what is whey protein and is it made up of milk, a lot of people don’t know the answer. If you are a vegan or want to switch to a plant-based protein, then you should definitely check out GNC Plant Protein Isolate. Each serving provides 25 g plant protein and 10 g EAAs.

The main benefits of GNC plant protein are –

• It is vegan, soy free, and lactose free
• Keeps you active all day and maintains energy levels throughout the day
• Boosts muscle strength
• Helps in weight loss and weight management
• Improves athletic strength and stamina
• It is enriched with digestive enzymes which makes it easy on the stomach

Just add 1 scoop to 180 – 200 ml water and make a smooth shake. You can replace your breakfast, lunch, or dinner with GNC plant protein for weight management. To gain muscles, have it 20 minutes post workouts. And for regular folks you can have it pre workout, post workout, or in between meals as a healthy snack.

Make sure to consult your doctor before including any new whey protein in your fitness routine. Ask him/ her what is whey protein and do I need whey protein. Go through the dosage instructions carefully and do not consume more than the mentioned quantity, as it may trigger allergic reactions and side effects.