GNC & Vitamin Shoppe

Everyone knows about GNC, it is the most popular supplement store in the States and across the globe. Vitamin Shoppe has a similar product stock and price list.

I stopped in to both to see what they had to offer and these were the hot buys recommended by staff and customers alike.

#1: Cellucor Super HD Xtreme

Cellucor has had its hand in the supplement game for a long time. You’ll find the Cellucor brand plastered across several categories of supplements in GNC including pre-workouts, post workouts, testosterone boosters, multivitamins, whey protein, and, of course, weight loss.

Super HD Xtreme by Cellucor is one of the GNC’s most popular products and with good reason: it has a next level formula that has been shown to support weight loss.

TeaCor Tetramethyluric Acid, or Theacrine, is a rarely used (soon to become huge) ingredient that may not have a direct impact on your body fat levels but it has been shown to boost your cognitive function, performance and mood.

A counterpart to caffeine, Theacrine will certainly be beneficial in supporting your ambitions to get up and get going to the gym, for a walk, or whatever physical activity you decide to do.

Super HD Xtreme contains caffeine, which, as demonstrated above, is a known body fat burner. It also has Capsimax (Capsicum) and Rauwolfia vomitoria root bark extract on its list of ingredients.

Capsicum has been shown in studies to provide a high level of fat oxidation while Rauwolfia vomitoria directly enhances weight loss and cholesterol levels.

This one is a fan favorite.

Check out reviews across any platform and you’ll see a huge number of positive ones. Users have raved about the huge energy boost, fat loss, and muscle building.

When I tested it, I lost 6 pounds. This may not seem like much but I didn’t have a lot to lose to begin with.

The negative reviews seem to have one thing in common: the intolerance to the thermogenic formula. If you’re sensitive to caffeine or any other thermogenic, consider a smaller dose.

Despite having a terrific line up of ingredients, considering the price point for a one-month supply, I don’t know if I would recommend Super HD Xtreme by Cellucor. GNC and Vitamin Shoppe sell the product for $100 while Gold Card members can snag it for $80.

If you can find this product for $70 or less (or if you have the money to blow), then I’d say go for it. Otherwise, you can find other terrific weight loss supplements in store for half the price.

#2: BioGenetic Laboratories Meratrim Platinum+

Meratrim Platinum+ by BioGenetic Laboratories is one of the best weight loss pills at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe. It is marketed towards women as a weight loss supplement (hence the cheerful woman in the advertising).

If you’re a guy and your ego will allow it, you can still take Meratrim Platinum as none of the ingredients are sex hormone specific. In other words, you won’t have to worry about your testosterone levels if you take this supplement.

Meratrim Platinum+ has a very simple yet effective formula. Its two primary ingredients, Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana, both have scientific backing as you’ll find in this article published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

Its other two ingredients are L-Carnitine and Green Tea Extract. The jury is still out on L-Carnitine for weight loss although it is found within many pre, intra, and post workout supplements because of its suggested muscle building benefits. Green tea has been hailed as an all-around health aid and studies have demonstrated its effectiveness for weight management.

So what are people saying about Meratrim Platinum+?

Featured on the Dr. Oz show, Platinum+ got the thumbs up from America’s supposed health guru. Browse through the review section of the major distributors of the product and you’ll see a very mixed set of reviews.

Previous customers seem to be split down the middle. Some customers are claiming that they saw good results when pairing it with proper diet and exercise.

Of the reviews I have seen, the average weight loss cited has been between 5 and 15 pounds. Others bash the pill, claiming that it did nothing but burn a whole in their pocket.

Based on the ingredient list, I would recommend Meratrim Platinum+ by BioGenetic Laboratories. It contains ingredients that have been proven to work.

If you’re skeptical due to customer reviews, then wait until it’s on sale to pick up. Depending on whether or not it’s on sale, you can pick up Meratrim Platinum+ at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe for $30 to $35.

I have seen it as low as $23 for Gold Card members!

#3: Hydroxycut SX-7 Black Onyx

Make no mistake about it, SX-7 Black Onyx by Hydroxycut may seem like it’s all talk with the name and flashy label but it has the ingredient list to back it up. Hydroxycut is a weight loss supplement brand that has been around for a long time.

Like many of the best supplements, it has gone through various formula changes based on the irresponsible usage of customers and FDA legislation. Still, considering what the company has been through, they still manage to put out terrific, yet pricey, supplements for weight loss.

Let’s get started with the somewhat bad news first. SX-7 Black Onxy contains Salvia miltiorrhiza and Theanine. Salvia miltiorrhiza: This herb may have a long-standing history of ancient medicinal use but the studies to back it up just aren’t there.

Then there is Theanine.

This amino acid has been used in numerous cognitive research studies but there are no studies to support it as a weight loss supplement.

With that said, SX-7 Black Onyx also contains coleus forskolin, caffeine anhydrous, yohimbe bark extract, and green coffee bean extract. All of these ingredients have been shown in a variety of studies to trigger a higher level of fat loss and support weight management.

As a whole, the reviews for SX-7 Black Onyx are positive.

Most reviews that you’ll find on websites like Amazon or Bodybuilding.com have users exclaiming about the huge mental boost they felt along with the increased weight loss.

Many guys take the product specifically for the added mental intensity in the gym, which, in turn, has helped them gain muscle mass.

SX-7 Black Onyx by Hydroxycut has a proven formula and the reputation to go with it. I would definitely recommend using this to support weight loss goals.

It is available at GNC and Vitamin Shoppe for around $60. If you take two capsules per day, it’s a supply for a little over a month. Gold card members can pick it up for $50.

#4: BSN Clean Fat Burner

BSN is another king of the supplement industry.

I remember its early days when NO Xplode first hit the gym scene (check out my review of that one here). Since then, BSN has come a long way and become an industry giant, offering every type of supplement for your fitness needs including Clean Fat Burner.

As far as ingredients go, BSN Clean Fat Burner has a great line-up including Green Coffee Extract, Caffeine Anhydrous, Cissus Quadrangularis Extractm, and Yerba Mate Extract.

These ingredients, in particular, have all demonstrated a number of benefits related to weight loss including increased levels of fat burning and heightened energy and focus.

Overall, Clean Fat Burner makes sure to play to every type of crowd.  It has a formula that supports metabolic boosting, appetite suppression, and energy enhancement.

So what are people saying about it?

The general consensus that you’ll find scattered across the Internet is that Clean Fat Burner is an effective way to support weight loss and muscle building. Some of the most positive comments that I came across had to do with people losing up to 20 pounds in conjunction with exercise and a healthy diet.

Other people used it as an alternative to coffee and found themselves to be extremely productive throughout the day. The negative reviews that I found all had to do with the fact that this is a thermogenic blend. People who tried it on an empty stomach experienced nausea.

Other customers with a caffeine intolerance found that they could not handle the thermogenic formula, of which caffeine is the main ingredient. Case in point: It works but you may want to look elsewhere if you are sensitive to thermogenics like caffeine and green coffee extract.

Given the formula and reviews, I’d say that BSN Clean Fat Burner may be a great asset to your weight loss journey. My only problem with the supplement is the price point that you’ll find at the GNC and Vitamin Shoppe stores.

It runs $60 before taxes for a one-month supply. Considering the other supplements on our list, I think this is a bit expensive. If you are a Gold Card member, you can pick it up for $48, which is better. Put simply: If you can find it on sale, grab it.

If you enjoy BSN products, check out my reviews for NO Xplode, EvoTest, Amino X, and Hyper FX.

#5: Fastin

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is a brand that is becoming increasingly popular around the thermogenic supplement scene. Their product Fastin is often on the store shelves at your local GNC and Vitamin Shoppe, and it is a common diet pill that has a decent line up of ingredients.

Fastin has a short and sweet ingredient list that includes:

• Caffeine
• Yohimbe
• Phenyethylamine hcl
• Methylsynephrine hcl
• N-Methyl-B-Phenylethylamine HCL
• Synephrine HCL
• Theobromine Anhydrous

If you’re looking for the heavy hitters of weight loss research, nothing hits harder than Yohimbe and Theobromine. Yohimbe has been shown to be extremely effective at promoting body fat reduction while improving body composition.

Theobromine has been shown in studies to trigger a high level of fat oxidation while increasing your energy levels. It also has been said to suppress appetite and improves insulin sensitivity.

So how does Fastin stack up?

First and foremost, if you have a sensitivity to any type of thermogenic, this is not for you.  I personally have a sensitivity to Yohimbe, so my first week on the product was up and down.

If you can adjust or if thermogenics are no big deal to you, then you may be very happy with what Fastin can provide. The reviews you’ll find about the product all point to the incredibly high energy levels.

This is both a good and bad thing depending on who you ask.

As you’ll see in my full review, I ended up losing 2 pounds in one month, which isn’t bad. I didn’t need to lose much so I was pretty happy with the result, although I’ve lost more on other products.

Even with a decent line up of ingredients, I don’t think I’d recommend this product. The price point is a bit high for a one-month supply as you’re looking at $50 for a supplement with a very high thermogenic profile.

If you can find it on sale and you have a good history with thermogenics, then I would say buy it. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

Walmart

For better or worse, it seems like every town has a Walmart. From groceries to televisions, this mega chain offers customers everything they could ever want.

Walmart also is home to a well-stocked supplement section. It may be surprising to learn that the store provides more than just a box of protein bars.

Here are the most popular diet pills that you’ll find in your local Walmart.

Note:  This is just a small sample of what’s available.  Click Here to read our in depth article on the best weight loss supplements at Walmart.

#6: Zantrex-3 High Energy Fat Burner

This Utah-based company offers several supplement solutions to fat burning with the most popular being Zantrex-3 High Energy Fat Burner.

Zantrex-3 has some noteworthy ingredients that all have scientific research and studies to back up their effectiveness including Kola Nut Extract, Yerba mate, Green Tea extract, Caffeine, and Panax Ginseng.

Of these ingredients, there are two that I haven’t talked about. Kola Nut Extract is rarely seen on product labels but considering the research, that may soon be changing. Kola Nut Extract has been shown to suppress appetite and significantly reduce body fat.

Panax Gingseng, an ancient overall health remedy, has been shown in several studies to support weight loss as well as healthy gut bacteria.

It has proven ingredients but is the product worth the buy? Bad news first: If you look at some of the reviews on our site, the most common complaints about Zantrex are:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

Consider this: These reviews are mostly from people that already had a known intolerance to caffeine.

In fact, in the reviews that I read on other sites, the authors all admitted they had a caffeine intolerance YET they still took the product. You know your own body. If you can’t handle caffeine then why would you do that to yourself?

If you can handle your morning cup of coffee, then this product should be just fine. It no longer has the ephedrine in it that it once did (which may be a good or bad thing, depending on who you’re asking), yet it still knocks a powerful punch for your weight loss.

All of the positive reviews that you’ll find on the product talk about a high amount of energy, increased productivity, decreased body fat, and enhanced muscle mass.

Like most supplement companies, Zantrex has hit some bumps in the road with their original formula. Even after changing up their ingredients, Zantrex still offers an impressive product at a reasonable price.

If you’re looking for a way to support your weight loss journey in conjunction with a proper diet and exercise program, then I would recommend Zantrex-3.

In fact, I would even go so far as to say that it’s one of the best female fat burners we’ve ever tested.

And we’ve tested A LOT!

It’s also a VERY effective Phentermine alternative, and that’s saying a lot.

Walmart sells Zantrex 3 for around $40, depending on what region of the country you live in.

To check out my full review on Zantrex-3 High Energy Fat Burner, click here!

#7: Relacore

Relacore is a little different from most weight loss supplements. While the rest of them put their focus on typical strategies like boosting metabolism, burning fat, and suppressing appetite, Relacore concentrates on relieving stress and improving your mood, and claims that this is the way to win the fight against belly fat.

It may seem strange, but the claim is based on the real concept that stress causes your body to release Cortisol, the stress hormone. According to this article in Prevention Magazine, Cortisol signals your body to replenish its energy stores by – you guessed it – eating, and because when you’re stressed you’re also craving pleasure to replace the anxiety, you’re going to crave pleasure-inducing foods like fat, salt, and sugar. It seems that increased cortisol can lead not only to increased fat, but specifically increased belly fat, as fat cells in the belly have been shown to contain more cortisol than fat cells in the rest of the body.

But the question that remains is whether or not Relacore can lower cortisol levels and reduce the associated belly fat.

Along with Vitamin C, several B Vitamins, and essential minerals, the Relacore formula provides a proprietary blend of herbs including:

• Ginseng
• Magnolia
• Passion Flower
• Jujube
• Chinese Skullcap
• Phosphatidylserine

The top anxiety relievers in the list are Passion Flower, Phosphatidylserine, B Complex Vitamins, and Magnesium, but truthfully, there are plenty more stress relieving herbs that come to mind (think Ashwagandha and Rhodiola Rosea).

Customer responses to Relacore are mixed, with most of the positive feedback revolving around stress relief more than weight loss.

So if you think your belly fat could be reduced by alleviating some of the stress in your life, you can pick up a 72-count bottle (a 24 day supply) at Walmart for $21.99.

#8: eAC 1234

eAC stands for Energy Appetite Control, which pretty much explains what this product claims to do for you. It was formulated by Creative Bioscience, specifically for dieters in any phase of the hCG diet plan (the one with the drops), but with its list of benefits it really can be used by anyone using any program to try to lose weight.

Read more about the hCG diet plan here: http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/3609673

The eAC 1234 formula relies quite a bit on stimulants with its nearly 200 mg of caffeine, 30 mgs of Citrus Aurantium, 100 mg of Green Tea, and 20 mg of Guarana Extract. That’s some serious stimulant power, in fact it may be too much for some. Citrus Aurantium in conjunction with Caffeine has been known to cause uncomfortable side effects, perhaps to the point of being dangerous.

Additional ingredients include, B Vitamins, Chromium, Caralluma Fimbriata, Cascara Sagrada, and a Probiotic Blend.

Caralluma Fimbriata comes from a cactus plant, and there’s evidence that it can help control appetite, while Cascara Sagrada acts as a laxative.

Customer feedback on eAC 1234 is mainly positive, primarily in reference to the appetite control. This is a popular choice for people who have difficulty keeping their eating under control, and for the most part, it seems to be helping.

Walmart sells the 60-count bottle (a one month supply) for under $15. At this price, it’s almost a no-brainer.

#9: Slimquick Pure

Slimquick Pure is a weight loss product designed especially for women, and it promises to help you lose 3 times the weight in just 13 weeks, recognizing the open secret we all really know – that it’s just plain harder for women to lose weight than it is for men.

The Slimquick Pure line works on 6 levels to help you smash through plateaus:

• Boosts metabolism
• Suppresses appetite
• Sends energy soaring
• Reduces bloating and excess water
• Support proper hormone balance
• Eases stress

The product line has yet another hook, and that’s the online support community you can join when you buy the products and sign up. Heck, I don’t think you even have to buy the products, I think you can just join. It’s definitely the kind of perk that can engender loyalty to a brand.

There are three products in the line: Slimquick Pure Pills, Slimquick Pure Gummies, and Slimquick Pure Drink Mix.

The primary active ingredient in all three is BioPure Green Tea Extract. In addition to being a strong antioxidant and the small amount of caffeine it provides, Green Tea Extract contain EGCGs which have been shown to studies to help improve weight loss efforts by increasing the use of fat for energy.

The formulas for each of them vary a little.

Slimquick Gummies

This is mainly a straight shot of Green Tea Extract (75 mg per gummy with a serving size recommendation of two). They’re designed as a quick treat that can help your diet rather than hinder it.

Walmart sells a 60-count bottle of the Slimquick Gummies for $17.88.

Slimquick Pure Drink Mix

The formula for this one is a little more rounded out with a slate of B vitamins and calcium, and a few herbs in addition to the Green Tea Extract. It also adds some isolated caffeine, though we don’t know how much because it’s within a proprietary blend.

Add a packet to your water bottle on the road or at home for a boost of energy and metabolism.

The 26 pack box sells at Walmart for $17.98.

SlimQuick Pure Pills

The pills contain the most complete formula with a host of addition vitamins, herbal fat fighters, and antioxidants. It’s the core of the 3-part system, and arguably the most important to have in your arsenal.

You can buy the 60-count caplet package at Walmart for $17.98.

#10: Twinlab Ripped Fuel Extreme

The Twinlab company has been around for a long time and like larger companies such as BSN, it offers a product for every fitness goal. In the weight loss department, Twinlab has a line-up of Ripped Fuel supplements.

The most popular in the series is Ripped Fuel Extreme.

The main ingredients in Ripped Fuel Extreme are Caffeine, Green Tea leaf extract, Cayenne fruit extract and L-Carnitine. While the first three of these ingredients all have studies supporting their ability to promote a healthy weight loss, L-Carnitine does not. (6, 2, 8)

With that said, L-Carnitine is a very popular ingredient to support muscle building and you’ll find it in many pre-workout and post-workout recovery products; however, the Ripped Fuel brand does not even come close with an efficient dosage. To see real results from L-Carnitine, you need at least 2 grams.

Ripped Fuel Extreme only has 13 mg!

As with most caffeine heavy products, the reviews are mixed based on the user’s body type. The positive features of Ripped Fuel Extreme include higher energy levels and water weight loss. For those who are sensitive to caffeine, the 220 mg per serving may be a bit high.

Speaking of caffeine, it seems to be the only ingredient in this product that is dosed at its effective level. The rest of the fat burning ingredients are all lacking.

In other words, Ripped Fuel Extreme is essentially a caffeine pill.

Considering the price point for the product, which is $14 at Walmart, I wouldn’t recommend Twinlab Ripped Fuel Extreme. You can purchase a huge supply of straight caffeine tablets for much less elsewhere.

Click Here to check out my full review.

Walgreens, Rite Aid, & CVS

If you don’t feel like trucking to your local GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, or Walmart, you can always find a wide variety of diet pills in local stores like Walgreens, Rite Aide, and CVS.

You’ll find many of the exact same products we’ve already talked about above in these stores, but here’s a few that seem to be sold almost exclusively in these chains.

#11: Lipo 6 Black Concentrate

Nutrex has made its way into many households across the nation since the company first started in 2002. With the recent opening of their newest headquarters in Florida, Nutrex is pushing more product than ever before.

The supplement company’s focus and popularity stems from its unique line of diet pills that are readily available in your local Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS.

Lipo 6 Black Concentrate is arguably the most popular weight loss supplement from Nutrex, but the reviews seem to be a bit mixed. The commonly cited benefits of taking Lipo 6 as stated by users were as follows:

• Intense energy and focus
• High level of intensity during workouts
• Noticeable body fat loss
• Elevated mood
• Feelings of euphoria

And the drawbacks?  Here’s a few direct quotes from reviews on my site:

• “I ended up in the hospital for getting a vascular disease”
• “Not worth the money”

A bit scary if you ask me.

Although Nutrex keeps their scientifically proven ingredient list simple with Caffeine, Theobromine, Synephrine, Yohimbine, and Rauwolscine, they do so in the form of a proprietary blend. One capsule provides you with 294.5 mg of this special blend.

Caffeine is at the top of the ingredient list, meaning it makes up most of that 294.5 mg blend. This may be where the negative reviews come into play. Many people complained of caffeine-related side effects such as diarrhea and nausea.

With that said, like many of the products on this list, if you can’t handle caffeine then you may want to look elsewhere for a diet pill.

All of this in mind, I believe that the claims made in many of the reviews may be exaggerated as the proprietary blend doesn’t allow you to see the full dosage for each ingredient.

Caffeine is clearly the dominant ingredient.

Since you can’t see how much of each ingredient is in the formula, it’s completely possible that caffeine could make up 98% of the blend, for example, with the remaining 2% being a minuscule amount of the other tried, true, and highly effective fat burners. Without complete disclosure, the customer doesn’t know what they are getting themselves into.

From the proprietary blend to the discovered fake paid reviews (which I explain in my full review), I’m not sure if I’d recommend this. If you can find it on sale at Walgreens, Rite Aide, or CVS, then it may be worth giving it a try.

To read my full review on Lipo 6 Black Concentrate, click here!

#12: Simply Garcinia and Simply Green Coffee Bean

As far as the Simply brand goes, there isn’t much to tell because there isn’t much information. When the supplement boom for Garcinia Cambogia and Green Coffee Bean began, thanks largely in part to the Dr. Oz show (which put him under some criticism), many new brands began to pop up to get their share of the customers.

Simply is one of those brands.

It’s important to distinguish the science behind the ingredient and the reputation of the company, which I explain in great detail in my full review of this supplement. You can read the review and check out my video here.

As far as ingredients go, the Simply brand stands by their title. There is only Garcinia Cambogia and Green Coffee Bean in the respective supplements. The science behind these ingredients favors one over the other.

In animal studies involving Garcinia Cambogia, obese rats did show a high level of fat oxidation and total body fat reduction.

In human trials; however, the jury is still out.

Despite several studies, no human subject has demonstrated a marked improvement in weight loss due to the use of Garcinia Cambogia.

Green Coffee Bean, on the other hand, has the scientific studies to back up its claims for supporting a healthy weight loss. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Green Coffee Bean in reducing overall body fat and triggering a total body weight loss.

Ingredients aside, what about the reviews for the Simply brand products?

It’s a task to find legitimate reviews on the Simply brand supplements because they are more well known for their free trial scam. I explain this in greater detail in my video review.

Of the reviews I was able to find, these two supplements were nothing to brag about. Most users complained that they didn’t see a difference. Due to the lack of reviews on the internet and the company’s shady reputation, I would recommend trying a different in-store brand of Garcinia Cambogia and Green Coffee Bean.

Check out my full review on Simply Garcinia and Simply Green Coffee Bean, It’ll help save you a lot of time, energy, and money!

#13: Alli Weight Loss Aid

Alli hitting the market was huge news. Why? It was the only FDA approved, over-the-counter weight loss aid. Think about that for a second. Every dietary supplement you pick up will inevitably have this statement somewhere on the bottle:

“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

Now, for the first time, an over the counter supplement for weight loss has the FDA’s approval (which was actually later recalled due to possible tampering). Naturally, Alli flew off the shelves as the company claimed it could block about 25% of ingested fat from being absorbing.

This wasn’t just an empty promise.

Several studies were right there to back up the company claims. Alli is scientifically proven and FDA approved but what about the real world results?

As you may have expected, the general consensus is that Alli IS all that it’s cracked up to be. Numerous customers, who were also repeat buyers, raved about Alli.

One thing I did notice among the positive reviews was that many people intentionally limited their fat intake as they claimed it helped them lose more weight. More importantly, it helped them avoid the infamous side effects, which I talk about below.

Like any supplement, the negative reviews are out there too. Of the negative reviews, the most common claim is that the Alli of today is not the same Alli of 2000. Users claim the formula has changed, preventing the weight loss they experienced years before.

Other people complained about the dreadful side effects that made national news shortly after Alli’s release. These side effects include:

• Changes in your bowel function
• Fatty/oily stool
• Oily spotting in your undergarments
• Intestinal gas with discharge
• A feeling of needing to have a bowel movement right away
• Increased number of bowel movements
• Poor bowel control
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

The looming threat of going to the bathroom in your pants while you stroll about your day is serious business and has driven many users away from the product.

The science is there and you can’t get a better backing than from the FDA. If you are feeling brave and believe you have the ability to limit fat intake so that you limit your social embarrassment, then I’d definitely recommend Alli to help with your weight loss.

You can find Alli for sale over the counter, without a prescription, at Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aide all for the low-low price of $70.

Conclusion

While buying online can be the cheapest way to go, sometimes you want to be able to run out to your local store, hold the supplement bottle, and talk to someone about your purchase.

Because so many are available over the counter and in stores nowadays, getting them in person is a great choice, especially because it can be more trustworthy than using a credit card online.

Of all the options listed above, based on user feedback I believe the best products to pick up are SX-7 Black Onyx by Hydroxycut, Zantrex-3 High-Energy Fat Burner, and Alli Weight Loss Aid. These supplements also have the scientific backing to ensure their effectiveness.