Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex Review – Train Hard and Recover Better

Have you been training hard but have gotten minimal results in your post-workout recovery?

Fear not, Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex may be the protein powder you’ve been looking for.

How about 60 grams of protein per serving to start things off? Even a random gainer supplement can’t top that.

If that didn’t get your attention, nothing will. This should be one heck of a review, folks.

About Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex

According to Optimum Nutrition, PRO Complex has more “quality proteins,” “essential amino acids,” and BCAAs. These nutrients will help you pack on muscle and increase strength without the excess sugars, fats, and unnecessary ingredients, per the manufacturer’s official website. Formula notes:

• Sixty grams of protein per serving. One of the highest in the industry.
• Added BCAAs and glutamine. Helps boost the recovery process.
• Comes in three flavors. Rich Milk Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla.

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex: For Those Who Demand More

Optimum Nutrition continues to set the gold standard for whey protein supplements. It’s one of the manufacturers you can trust in a heartbeat.

The company continues to expand its product line with its PRO SERIES, which are designed to help you train hard and recover better. Pining for a supplement which will help you get over the hump?

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex is the way to go, folks.

The manufacturer reminds us muscles only grow “with hard training, adequate rest, and amino acids from protein.” It fortified Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex with “superior quality proteins with naturally-occurring BCAAs and l-glutamine.”

Well, one look at the amount of protein PRO Complex has, you’ll know right away it is meant to supercharge yor post-workout recovery.

Sixty grams of protein per serving. Wow.

Yes, it takes two scoops to reach one serving. If you do the simple math, it comes down to a whopping 30 grams of protein per scoop (not even the likes of MET-Rx Natural Whey and Six Star Pro Nutrition 100% Whey Protein Plus can top that).

Thirty grams of protein per scoop is hard to come by these days.

The average protein supplement yields somewhere between 20 to 25 grams per serving. Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex bowls the competitors over in that regard. Plain and simple.

Now, let’s dissect Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex’s protein blend, which is comprised of whey protein isolate, hyrolyzed whey protein isolate, egg protein, hydrolyzed egg protein, and leucine peptides.

The first thing you notice is the protein blend features fast- and medium- absorbing kinds: whey protein isolate (WPI) and egg protein. The former is made up of at least 90 percent protein with a low carb and fat content. WPI also has little to no lactose, making it a perfect option for lactose intolerant individuals.

On the other hand, egg protein takes you back to the Golden Era of Bodybuilding.

Guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger had to rely on protein shakes with eggs, honey, and milk for their post-workout nutrition and snacks. One serving of egg protein yields approximately 24 grams of protein.

The bonus: egg protein also has good cholesterol which boosts your cardiovascular health. Awesome.

So why did the manufacturer ditch a slow-absorbing kind of protein like casein?

Simple: it all boils down to recovery. The whey component will take care of immediate replenishment (complete absorption within 40 minutes or so). Your system will absorb the egg protein within an hour-and-a-half to three hours tops.

Your recovery will be complete by the end of this three-hour window. Casein comes into the equation if you want to remain in an anabolic state for seven to eight hours.

Note that Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex’s protein blend also has hydrolyzed whey protein isolate and hydrolyzed egg protein. Just so you know, “hydrolyzed” is synonymous with “broken down.”

Any protein supplement component that’s hydrolyzed is meant for faster absorption, which is extremely crucial during the post-workout window. The downside? The microfiltration process ups the cost considerably (you can take our word for it: The original price for a 3.3-lb. container on the manufacturer’s website is $99.99).

We also like the leucine component of Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex. Leucine is the branch-chained amino acid (BCAA) which helps kickstart the protein synthesis process. Any time you want more muscle growth, you gotta have leucine, folks.

Now, let’s check out the formula ingredients:

• Total fat, 1 g: Wow. There’s only one gram of fat in two scoops of Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex. That means one scoop yields a paltry 0.5 grams of fat. Obviously, the manufacturer left no stone unturned in its microfiltration process.
• Cholesterol, 30 mg: Okay, so one serving of this supplement is equal to 10 percent the daily value for cholesterol. That’s a bit too much for people who are monitoring their cholesterol levels. Our suggestion: just take half a serving or one scoop to lower the cholesterol level considerably. If you’re iffy, always ask your doctor’s advice before purchasing.
•  Sodium, 230 mg: Another red flag. Don’t get us wrong, folks. Sodium has its good side: It helps increase fluid volume in the body and muscle size. It also plays a role in muscle contraction, nerve function, and recovery (preventing muscle cramps). The bad side: Too much of it causes your blood pressure to skyrocket. Check with your physician if this concerns you.
• Total carbohydrate, 5 g: We expected Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex to be a low-carb supplement because of its WPI content. Five grams is still low because it’s just two percent of the daily value for this macronutrient. The digestive enzyme blend helped amp up the carb total. All good, though. You need these for more efficient protein absorption. The manufacturer kept the sugar content in check at just one gram per serving.

Formula Analysis

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex is a powerhouse post-workout supplement. Make no mistake about it.

Let’s start with 60 grams of protein per serving, folks. Even if you take just one scoop, your muscles will enjoy a whopping 30 grams of protein.

The protein blend is as unique as it comes – a combination of whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, egg protein, hydrolyzed egg protein, and leucine peptides. It’s a combo of fast- and medium-absorbing protein which takes you back to the Golden Era of Bodybuilding.

And get this: Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex is loaded – and we mean loaded – with branch-chained amino acids and glutamine. Try 15.5 grams per serving of the former and 10.5 grams of the latter.

Wow.

BCAAs help stimulate protein synthesis and give you energy for your workouts. On the other hand, glutamine helps prevent muscle breakdown and increase human growth hormone levels. Having more of these ingredients will boost your post-workout recovery. Trust us.

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex is a low-fat and low-carb supplement which will help you achieve your lean muscle building goals. Having said that, we like the fact this supplement has a potent enzyme blend composed of amylase, protease, and the like which will help break the protein down for better absorption.

As great a supplement Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex is, it also has chinks in its armor.

Sucks to find out I’ve got a few chinks.

We already mentioned about the somewhat high cholesterol and sodium content. Please take the necessary precaution if you have any cardiovascular issues.

We also feel there may be some fillers. Look at the number of ingredients. That could be a dead giveaway, folks. Watch out.

And yes, there’s the cost.

Be ready to shell out $99.99 for a 3.3-lb. container. If you follow the serving suggestion, you’ll run out in three weeks. If you’re willing to pay for quality, no worries.

On the flip side, we give props to the manufacturer for good transparency. Plus, Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex has no proprietary blends. All good.

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex Benefits

Optimum Nutrition enumerates the benefits of PRO Complex on its official website:

• 15.5 grams of BCAAs
• 10.5 grams of naturally-occurring and added l-glutamine
• Loaded with protein microfractions
• Instantized for easy mixing

The manufacturer stays true to its claims. All four points emphasize the importance of better recovery after a hard training session. For active and fit individuals such as yourself, you couldn’t ask for anything more.

Who Takes It?

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex is intended for healthy and active adults who want to boost recovery, build lean muscle mass, and meet their daily protein requirements.

Any Side Effects?

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex’s somewhat high sodium and cholesterol content may be detrimental to people who have cardiovascular issues. We advise them to consult their physician before purchasing.

In addition, individuals who are allergic to milk, soy, and eggs are advised to steer clear of this product.

Optimum Nutrition PRO Complex Summary

Pros

• Sixty grams of protein per serving. One of the highest in the industry.
• Loaded with BCAAs and glutamine. Helps amp up the recovery process.
• Digestive enzyme blend. Assists in protein breakdown.
• Low-fat and l0w-carb. Helps build lean muscle mass.

Cons

• Somewhat high in cholesterol and sodium. Check with your doctor if this concerns you.
• Possible inclusion of fillers. Number of ingredients could be a dead giveaway.
• Lack of variety. Comes in just three flavors.
• Expensive. $99.99 for a 3.3-lb. container.

Pricing & Buying Info

• 1 1.65-lb. container (10-Day Supply): $55.99
• 1 3.3-lb. container (20-Day Supply): $99.99
• Available online and in retail