Best CLA Supplements For Weight Loss & Lean Muscle (Updated 2021)

Finding the best CLA for weight loss and muscle is important for your desired physique goals can become reality.

When looking for those supplements to aid in weight loss and muscle growth, CLA is one to absolutely check out. While it may not be as popular as some of the staple supplements we all know and love like pre-workout, fat burners, or protein powders, CLA has the potential to work for you in a safe and natural way as you seek those desired body composition changes. Weight loss can be hard and when mixed with a great training and nutrition routine, the right supplement can work wonders for you. Don’t neglect the potential power of CLA for men and consider this supplement for your weight loss and muscle retention needs.

We’ve put together a list of the Best CLA Supplements for 2021 so you can aid in those weight loss goals. A desired physique requires a good training routine and proper nutrition but solid supplementation can only add to the benefits so that shredded aesthetic becomes reality.

Best CLA Supplements For 2021

• Best Fat Reduction: Burn Lab Pro
• Best Clean Ingredients: Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner
• Best For Muscle Retention: Enhanced All Day Shred
• Best CLA For Athletes: Sports Research CLA 1250
• Best CLA For Weight Loss: Bulk Supplements CLA Softgels
• Best CLA For Weight Management: RSP Nutrition CLA
• Best CLA For Lean Muscle Support: Evlution Nutrition CLA 1000
• Best CLA For Metabolic Support: Muscle Pharm Essentials CLA Softgels
• Best CLA For Women: GNC Total Lean CLA

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Best Fat Reduction

When looking to reduce fat to see those desired body composition changes, it’s important to have the right supplement working for you. With the right ingredients packed into a great formula, it is absolutely achievable to see those fat reduction goals.

 Burn Lab Pro

Number Of Servings	30
Serving Size	3 NutriCaps
Best Way To Take	Take 3 capsules with water.

Burn Lab Pro is an all-around great fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits to really enhance your results as you seek to burn belly fat. Instead of an unhealthy, stim-driven formula, Burn Lab Pro is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free to give you an effective supplement without any fear of jitters or crashing. Burn Lab Pro allows you to shed more body fat from every workout, gain more lean muscle, see better results from diet and exercise, and give you a safe and natural fat burner supplement to tackle any issues, like muscle maintenance and lack of an energy boost. With 5 powerful and research-backed ingredients, this is the ultimate fat burner for whatever your needs may be.

Pros

• Great ingredients designed to tackle weight and fat loss goals
• No stimulating ingredients with an advanced formula
• Safe and natural supplement for your overall health and wellness
• From a reputable and high quality company

Cons

• Premium priced option
• 3 capsules is a lot for serving size

Price: $59.00

Check out our individual review for Burn Lab Pro here!

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Best Clean Ingredients

The ingredients in these supplements should be clean to only work for your benefit as you seek the best out of these supplements. Clean ingredients ensure that your overall health is the number one priority.

Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner

Number Of Servings	60
Serving Size	2 Capsules
Best Way To Take	Take 2 capsules with 8-10 ounces of water, twice daily, 30-60 minutes before meals.

Transparent Labs Fat Burner is a great supplement to expedite weight loss by allowing you to shed fat, maintain muscle, and build that ideal physique for whatever comes your way. Working with 3 ways to expedite fat loss, this works to increase loss by determining how many calories you should burn, prevent hunger to eliminate snacking and unwanted calories, and offer an enjoyable weight loss experience so you actually work for your fat loss goal more effectively. With just 9 ingredients, this formula works to give you everything you need to succeed in your weight loss journey while boosting your metabolism.

Pros

• Researched-backed doses and an honest label
• Safe and effective to help you lose weight while burning belly fat
• No artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives

Cons

• A premium priced option
• Only available through their website
• The amount of caffeine may be slightly high

Price: $49.00

Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Also, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner here!

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Best For Muscle Retention

While losing weight, it’s important to consider your muscles because you don’t want to lose those hard earned gains. By targeting fat loss the right way, you put muscle retention at the top of the priority list in order to see that desired physique unfold.

Enhanced All Day Shred

Number Of Servings	30
Serving Size	1 scoop
Best Way To Take	Take 1 scoop anytime of day.

Enhanced All Day Shred is a great fat burner with a formula of 15 clinically dosed ingredients with amazing results packed in four blends. These blends include a fat releasing, fat oxidation blend, thyroid support, and a supportive vitamin and mineral blend. Each works together with one another to offer increase metabolism for more calorie burn, the movement of fatty acids into cells for energy, the maintenance of healthy levels of essential nutrients to avoid deficiency, and the promotion of fat loss and lean muscle growth by boosting your metabolism and boosting thermogenesis while limiting your intake. With 15 ingredients, this powerful formula is great for evening fat loss.

Pros

• No stimulants
• 15 ingredients offer amazing benefits
• Verified by active buyers with a money back guarantee

Cons

• The price is okay for the number of servings
• Some have complaints about the taste

Price: $39.99

Check out our individual review for Enhanced All Day Shred here!

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Best CLA For Athletes

Athletes need the right supplements to continue pushing through any and all workouts. The best products for athletes will address their needs and only aid in your overall health and performance as you look for the best inside and out of the gym.

Sports Research CLA 1250

Number Of Servings	180
Serving Size	1 Liquid Softgel
Best Way To Take	Take 1 softgel 3 times daily, 30 minutes before a meal.

Sports Research CLA 1250 is a great CLA supplement designed for weight management support for men and women. Standardized to 95% CLA and sourced from non-GMO safflowers, this supplement is perfect for those athletes always active and on the go. Gluten and soy free, while also having no artificial colors or flavors, this product is third party tested to ensure the utmost accuracy and quality of a top tier CLA for men.

Pros

• Helps curb appetite and aid in weight loss
• Softgels make these easy to swallow
• Gluten and soy free

Cons

• Pill size is large
• Some unpleasant side effects were reported

Price: $22.95

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Best CLA For Weight Loss

CLA and its mission for weight loss is important and the right product will do just that. With an emphasis on losing weight, paired with a great training routine and nutrition plan, your goals can be met.

Bulk Supplements CLA Softgels

Number Of Servings	300
Serving Size	1 Softgel
Best Way To Take	Take 1 softgel up to 3 times daily with meals.

Bulk Supplements CLA Softgels are a natural weight loss supplement that can increase fat metabolism and naturally boost your metabolism. Used as a fat burner of sorts, this supplement will also work to suppress hunger and build lean muscle mass while working to reduce body fat for a leaner body. Soured from safflower oil, this product is non-GMO and manufactured in an FDA registered facility for accuracy and quality. For your weight loss or maintaining needs, try Bulk Supplements CLA.

Pros

• Can help with weight loss and management
• Price is good for number of servings
• Easy to swallow with no aftertaste

Cons

• Amount of CLA in each softgel is slightly less than advertised
• Not the best smell

Price: $18.96

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Best CLA For Weight Management

For those looing to simply manage their weight, CLA can also work for your benefit. While weight loss isn’t always the goal, sometimes sitting at the right weight keeps you healthy and moving well for both training and performance.

RSP Nutrition CLA

Number Of Servings	180
Serving Size	1 Softgel
Best Way To Take	Take 1 softgel three times daily with meals.

RSP Nutrition CLA is a natural and healthy weight loss supplement shown to help reduce body fat, support lean muscle mass, and improve exercise performance. As a low risk metabolism booster, this safe and jitter-free supplement can enhance your metabolism and is great when paired with a healthy diet and exercise routine. Made from safflower oil, this safe and comprehensive formula is perfect for maximum effectiveness when it comes to your weight management goals out of a CLA supplement for men.

Pros

• Great for weight management and metabolic assistance
• No jitters or digestive issues
• Safe and comprehensive formula

Cons

• Pill size is a bit large

Price: $18.97

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Best CLA For Lean Muscle Support

Lean muscle support is vital as you look to continue to grow those muscles. A CLA supplement for men that will work for you is a great start as you seek that shredded aesthetic.

Evlution Nutrition CLA 1000

Number Of Servings	90
Serving Size	1 Softgel
Best Way To Take	Take 1 softgel with morning, afternoon, and evening meals.

Evlution Nutrition CLA 1000 is a great stimulant free supplement to support your muscles and metabolism. When combined with exercise and a healthy diet, this can enhance your metabolism, reduce body fat, and amplify lean muscle development to improve performance. This scientifically-formulated blend will reinforce these benefits without any jitters and is held to the highest standard in terms of purity and quality. You work hard for your lean muscle and this product can ensure you keep that on.

Pros

• Great for stim-free fat loss and lean muscle development
• Sourced from pure, natural safflower oil
• Works really well when paired with a solid diet and training routine

Cons

• Pill size may be large and tough to swallow

Price: $12.99

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Best CLA For Metabolic Support

Your metabolic health is important and as supplements work to kickstart your metabolism, you want to make sure this is done in the right way. Supporting you metabolism is the first step in keeping your health in check while also keeping it moving effortlessly.

Muscle Pharm Essentials CLA Softgels

Number Of Servings	180
Serving Size	1 Softgel
Best Way To Take	Consume 1 softgel with morning, noon, and evening meals.

Muscle Pharm Essentials CLA is the right CLA supplement to assist with your metabolic support. A natural weight loss exercise enhancer, this helps increase your metabolic rate in an efficient way to promote weight loss while increasing lean muscle mass. This formula is designed to fit the needs of active individuals and is of the highest quality, purity, and potency with no banned substances to ruin this great CLA supplement for men.

Pros

• Great for metabolic support and increasing lean muscle mass
• No banned substances ensures a clean product
• Formula designed for needs of athletes

Cons

• Some stomach discomfort was reported

Price: $22.52

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Best CLA For Women

Women may need certain ingredients or dosages that are different than men. While the supplement doesn’t vary too much, having one geared towards women can work wonders for your gains inside and out of the gym.

GNC Total Lean CLA

Number Of Servings	45
Serving Size	2 Softgels
Best Way To Take	Take two Softgels twice daily.

GNC Total Lean CLA is perfect for improving body composition, toning lean muscle, and fueling fat metabolism. Sourced from safflower oil, this gluten-free and fat metabolizing supplement is great for women and those active female athletes seeking the best out of their weight loss supplements. Clean and effective, GNC has created a great product to enhance all your goals with this CLA supplement.

Pros

• Great for improving body composition and toning lean muscle
• Gluten-free and quality fat metabolizing supplement
• Stimulant-free

Cons

• Number of servings are low for the price compared to others on the market

Price: $29.99

What Is CLA?

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a heavily promoted fat burning supplement that can aid in weight loss, increased fat burning, and appetite suppression. It is the most common omega-6 fatty acid and is found in large amounts of vegetable oil predominantly, but also meat and dairy. A common misconception is that this is lumped in with other trans fats. While this is a trans fat, it differs greatly from the other trans fats known to cause harm to your health. It is natural and is often touted as a great weight loss aid and performance enhancing supplement great for boosting your overall health and performance (1).

Benefits Of CLA Supplements

CLA has great benefits to training and performance, as well as health and wellness and is considered to be a very helpful supplement by many. Knowing the benefits surrounding this supplement can prove most effective as you seek the best for your overall health and wellness.

Benefits of CLA include:

• Aid in weight loss and fat burn: CLA works to suppress your appetite and increase energy expenditure, using stored fat for energy, thus aiding in fat loss (2,3). It can also increase fat burning for that vital boost and inhibit fat production to keep that lean physique.
• Helps keep lean muscle: By working to shed fat and not use that lean muscle for fuel, you can keep that hard earned muscle for a desired aesthetic (4).
• Pure and bioavailable: Made with pure ingredients, your body reacts positively to CLA and it can be absorbed quickly and effectively into your body for optimal benefits.
• Natural supplement: Made with natural ingredients, these supplements typically do not contain natural or artificial stimulants to ruin a great product.

Safety & Effectiveness

On the whole, CLA is a safe supplement to take. Some side effects of taking too much include digestive problems, nausea, constipation, stomach pain, and indigestion, but to avoid these, it is best to always read the label and talk with a medical expert if you have questions or concerns. While CLA tends to be very effective in terms of its benefits, some have found that it didn’t change their body fat mass or physical performance all that much. On the other hand, some have said it supports fat loss and the fat burning effects of exercise. Looking at each respective supplement and choosing the best option will ensure the most success (5).

How We Choose

When it comes to choosing the best CLA for men we first look at the brand and the company representing each product. You deserve to have the best looking out for your health and your supplement should absolutely reflect that. We look at the ingredients and where they are sourced because the label should be honest and transparent with all of the ingredients. It is important for you to have the best ingredients put into your body because your health is number one. Lastly, we look at price because we know these supplements can get expensive. It is possible to have a great supplement and have it still be at an affordable price.

FAQ Section

What should I look for in a CLA supplement?

You should look for the ingredients to see if they are natural along with the formula because a company should be transparent. Be sure to look for any added ingredients that may be unnecessary and unwanted out of your CLA product for men.

Are CLA supplements safe to take?

CLA supplements for men on the whole are safe to take but it is always best to consult a medical expert with further questions. Some side effects do exist and it is important to know what they are and how you can handle them if they do come on.

Should I use a CLA supplement or a fat burner?

This is really a preference. While fat burners are a mix of ingredients designed for fat loss, look into both supplements and see if one or the other sticks out to you more.

Wrap Up

CLA is an interesting supplement that many use to promote weight loss as they look to burn fat while also retaining some of that lean muscle. What it comes down to is what you want out of your supplement. These CLA supplements have the potential to work wonders for you and your weight loss goals but it is important to look at the ingredients and formula to make sure it will benefit you. Check out our list above and see if these CLA supplements can give you all the gains you want and then some.

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References

1. Lehnen, Tatiana E.; da Silva, Marcondes R.; Camacho, Augusto; Marcadenti, Aline; et al. (2015). “A review on effects of conjugated linoleic fatty acid (CLA) upon body composition and energetic metabolism”. (source)
2. Gaullier, Jean-Michel; Halse, Johan; Hooye, Kjetil; Kristiansen, Knut; et al. (2004). “Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation for 1 y reduces body fat mass in healthy overweight humans”. (source)
3. Thom, E.; Wadstein, J.; Gudmundsen, O. (2001). “Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat in healthy exercising humans”. (source)
4. Kim, Yoo; Kim, Jonggun; Whang, Kwang-Youn; Park, Yeonhwa (2016). “Impact of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Skeletal Muscle Metabolism”. (source)
5. Benjamin, Sailas; Prakasan, Priji; Sreedharan, Sajith; Wright, Andre-Denis G.; et al. (2015). “Pros and cons of CLA consumption: an insight from clinical evidences”. (source)