Ryse Review: Evaluating the Ryse Sports Nutrition and Energy Product Range

Ryse is focused on developing performance-oriented products designed to support energy, strength, and workout performance. Its product lineup includes protein powders, pre-workout formulas, creatine supplements, amino acid blends, greens powders, and ready-to-drink energy beverages.

The company claims to provide nutritional support for training intensity, muscle recovery, and day-to-day performance. Many of its products address common challenges associated with exercise routines, including workout fatigue, insufficient protein intake, hydration needs, and nutrient replenishment around training sessions.

This review will examine the brand’s bestselling products, flavor partnerships, and customer feedback trends. It will also evaluate its advantages and limitations, value relative to competing sports nutrition brands, and how its products support common fitness and performance goals.

About RYSE

Ryse Supplements is a U.S.-based sports nutrition brand that develops performance-focused products. The company was founded by Nic Stella and presents its brand around the idea of supporting long-term fitness goals.

The company offers several protein products, including Loaded Protein and Clear Protein formulas. It also produces multiple pre-workout supplements, including Loaded Pre-Workout, Loaded Pre MAX, Pump Daddy v2, and Godzilla Pre-Workout. Beyond these core products, the brand sells Loaded Greens powders, hydration stick packs, and protein-based foods such as Protein Pancakes. It has also expanded into ready-to-drink products like Ryse Energy and Ryse Fuel energy drinks.

Bestsellers

1. Loaded Protein

   Loaded Protein is a whey-based protein product formulated to provide a concentrated source of fast-digesting protein along with ingredients intended to support digestion and energy metabolism. Its 33.9 gram serving provides about 25 grams of protein, primarily from whey protein isolate. Whey isolate is produced through filtration processes that remove much of the lactose and fat, resulting in a protein source rich in essential amino acids that is absorbed relatively quickly. This rapid absorption may support muscle protein synthesis, the process involved in repairing and rebuilding muscle tissue after resistance training or physical activity.

   The formula also includes prebiotic fiber, which serves as a fermentable substrate for beneficial gut bacteria. Unlike digestible carbohydrates, prebiotic fibers pass through the upper digestive tract and are fermented in the colon, producing short-chain fatty acids that may support digestive balance and gut barrier function. Including prebiotic fiber in a protein supplement may also help improve gastrointestinal tolerance during higher protein intake.

   Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are included as a lipid component of the formulation. As MCTs have shorter fatty acid chains than typical dietary fats, they are absorbed more directly into the bloodstream and transported to liver, where they are converted into energy. This faster metabolic processing is why MCTs are often used in sports nutrition products designed to support energy availability. Flavor options include Jet-Puffed Marshmallow, Blueberry Muffin, Chocolate Cookie Blast, Skippy Peanut Butter, MoonPie Banana, among other flavor options.

2. Godzilla Pre-Workout

   Godzilla Pre-Workout includes ingredients associated with workout intensity, muscular endurance, blood flow, and mental focus. The formula includes citrulline, consisting of L-citrulline and NO3-T citrulline nitrate. Citrulline functions as a precursor to arginine, which supports nitric oxide production in the body. Nitric oxide could relax blood vessels, which increases blood flow to working muscles and contributes to the muscle pump sensation during resistance training.

   The product also provides beta-alanine, which helps increase carnosine levels in muscle tissue. Carnosine acts as a buffering compound that may help regulate hydrogen ion buildup during high-intensity exercise, which may delay muscle fatigue during repeated efforts.

   The stimulant mix contains a total of 400 mg of caffeine from both caffeine anhydrous and ZumXR extended-release caffeine. Caffeine functions by blocking adenosine receptors in your brain, which could increase alertness and perceived energy.

   The formula also includes the Thinkamine vincamine compound derived from the periwinkle plant that might support focus and cognitive alertness. Additional ingredients such as VasoDrive-AP peptides, Pink Himalayan sea salt, and nitrate compounds are included to support circulation, hydration, and vascular response during training.

3. Loaded Pre

   Loaded Pre-Workout by Ryse may support energy, muscular endurance, blood flow, and mental focus during workouts. It has citrulline, which helps the body produce nitric oxide. These effects might increase blood flow to working muscles and contribute to the pump effect often associated with resistance training. The formula also includes beta-alanine, which may help delay fatigue and support muscular endurance during repeated high-intensity efforts. Energy support comes from caffeine, which may help maintain energy and alertness throughout a workout.

4. Ryse Creatine Monohydrate

   Ryse Creatine Monohydrate may support muscular strength, power output, and high-intensity exercise performance. It contains creatine in monohydrate form. Creatine supports performance through its role in the phosphocreatine energy system, which helps regenerate adenosine triphosphate. During intense activities like resistance training or sprinting, ATP is quickly depleted. Stored phosphocreatine in muscle tissue helps restore ATP levels, allowing muscles to continue producing energy during short bursts of high effort. Higher creatine availability may support improvements in strength, muscular power, and training capacity. Creatine is also associated with increased intracellular water within muscle cells, which can temporarily increase lean body mass and contribute to muscle cell volumization.

5. Loaded Creatine

   Loaded Creatine aids in supporting power output and exercise endurance. It combines several forms of creatine with additional performance-related compounds that may support cellular hydration and energy metabolism during training.

   The formula includes creatine monohydrate to support strength and muscular performance. It also contains creatine hydrochloride (HCL) and MagnaPower, a creatine chelate bonded with magnesium. These additional forms might support creatine absorption and provide magnesium to support muscle contraction and energy production.

   The makers of Loaded Creatine also include betaine anhydrous compound for its potential role in supporting cellular hydration and exercise performance. PeakATP in its mx provides ATP, which supports energy levels and muscular output during high-intensity exercise. According to the brand, the formula supports improvements in strength, power, and training endurance when used alongside consistent resistance training or athletic activity.

6. Pump Cap Max

   Pump Cap Max is a stimulant-free product formulated to support blood flow, vasodilation, and muscle vascularity during workouts. It has PepForm citrulline peptides, a peptide-bonded form of citrulline intended to support absorption. It may improve nutrient delivery and contribute to the temporary muscle pump sensation often experienced during resistance training.

   Another ingredient in the formula is NO3-T betaine nitrates. Nitrates can be converted in the body into nitric oxide, which aids in vascular relaxation and circulation. Betaine in the formula may provide cellular hydration and exercise performance. The product also contains VasoDrive-AP peptide complex derived from casein protein hydrolysates, which may have a potential influence on vascular function and circulation.

7. BCAA + EAA

   BCAA + EAA is formulated to support muscle protein synthesis, training endurance, and post-exercise recovery. The formula combines branched-chain amino acids, essential amino acids, electrolyte minerals, and coconut water–derived hydration ingredients. It is designed for use before, during, or after workouts to help maintain amino acid availability and fluid balance during physical activity.

   The product provides leucine, isoleucine, and valine through BCAAs. These amino acids are metabolized in skeletal muscle. Leucine plays a key role in activating signaling pathways involved in muscle protein synthesis. The formula’s essential amino acids may support muscle recovery following training sessions.

   Hydration support is included through electrolyte minerals such as sodium and potassium, which may help regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction. Maintaining electrolyte levels can support endurance and performance during longer or high-intensity workouts. The formula also contains coconut water powder, which provides naturally occurring electrolytes and minerals, potentially helping maintain hydration during exercise.

Advantages

1. Athlete-Endorsed Brand Positioning

   Ryse positions athlete partnerships as a central element of its brand identity, using high-profile endorsements and team sponsorships to support its performance-oriented appearance in the sports nutrition market.

   The brand prominently features professional athletes and fitness personalities across marketing channels, linking its energy drinks, pre-workouts, and protein products to competitive training and athletic performance. Among the most visible partnerships is Sean O’Malley, the UFC bantamweight champion, associated with campaigns such as Suga Sean x Ryse Energy.

   The brand also highlights Noel Deyzel, who appears frequently for products like Loaded Protein and stimulant-based pre-workouts such as Godzilla and Project Blackout. According to the company, its athlete signups include more than 20 partners spanning bodybuilding, combat sports, and digital fitness creators. It also extends its presence into professional sports through official partnerships with teams including the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Stars, and the Buffalo Sabres, integrating products into arena promotions, team collaborations, and retail activations.

2. Diversified Product Category Expansion

   Ryse has expanded its portfolio beyond traditional powder-based sports formulas into multiple adjacent performance and convenience categories. The brand has protein powders, pre-workouts, energy drinks, hydration products, creatine formulas, recovery formulas, and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.​

   ​The company’s foundation remains in Loaded Protein and stimulant-based pre-workouts like Loaded Pre-Workout, Godzilla Pre-Workout, and Project Blackout. Flavor collaborations with consumer brands, such as Kool-Aid™, Jell-O®, SunnyD™, and Jet-Puffed™, appear across whey proteins, clear whey isolate formulas, and pre-workout products. It also has clear whey protein drinks, canned energy drinks such as Ryse Energy and Ryse Fuel, electrolyte hydration sticks, BCAA/EAA blends like BCAA Focus, and specialty products including creatine formulas, pump supplements, greens powders, and functional items such as protein pancakes.​

   ​The brand also highlights an evolution from core products into broader retail-ready formats, including RTD proteins and energy drinks distributed through gyms, supplement retailers, and convenience channels.​ This diversified product structure allows multiple aspects of a fitness or wellness routine to be managed within a single brand ecosystem. You can choose between gym-focused powders and portable formats depending on lifestyle needs, while maintaining continuity across flavor profiles and brand familiarity.​

Potential Limitations

1. Artificial Sweetener Dominance

   Ryse relies heavily on artificial sweeteners across its core product portfolio, with sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) appearing in flagship formulations like Loaded Protein, Clear Protein, Loaded Pre-Workout, and Godzilla Pre-Workout. Ingredient labels consistently list sucralose and Ace-K as primary sweetness sources in these protein blends, isolate formulas, and pre-workout variants. The brand does not prominently feature natural sweetener alternatives like stevia or monk fruit in its primary product lines. Most of the products include artificial sweeteners in their flavor systems, which can be a concern if you prefer natural sweeteners or clean-label options.

2. Limited Visible Third-Party Certifications

   Ryse does not prominently display widely recognized third-party certification seals like NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport, or USP Verified across its product pages or materials. Its Products lack these logos, with no links to certificates of analysis or certification databases.

   ​The brand states that products are made in FDA-regulated, cGMP facilities described as banned-substance-free, aligning with standard compliance but not independent batch testing. NSF and Informed Sport databases show no Ryse listings. This means brand-wide purity and potency rely on manufacturer claims. A lack of clean-label verification, contaminant screening, or batch-level transparency, along with the absence of widely recognized certification logos, highlights a trust signal gap relative to certified competitors.

Alternatives To RYSE

1. Gorilla Mind

   Gorilla Mind and Ryse both support workout performance, muscle development, recovery, and focus. The brand Gorilla Mind organizes its catalog into pre-workouts, pump and performance supplements, muscle-building products, recovery formulas, health supplements, nootropics, and fat-loss supplements. Its pre-workout lineup includes Gorilla Mode, Gorilla Mode Nitric, Gorilla Mode Lightning, and Gorilla Mode Base. The brand also has performance ingredients such as creatine monohydrate, creatine hydrochloride, beta-alanine, HydroPrime glycerol hydration formulas, essential amino acids, and intra-workout carbohydrate supplements.

   Ryse also offers many similar product types, but structures its lineup differently. Its catalog includes protein powders, pre-workouts, creatine supplements, hydration products, and amino acid formulas. Protein options include Loaded Protein whey powders and Clear Protein drinks, as well as the ready-to-drink Clear Whey beverages. The brand also has lifestyle-oriented products such as Loaded Greens powders, hydration stick packs, and protein pancake mixes.

   One of the main differences between the brands is their flavor and marketing strategy. Gorilla Mind typically uses internally developed flavors such as Rainbow Sherbet, Volcano Burst, Red Gummy Fish, Cherry Blackout, and Sour Gummy Worm. Ryse frequently releases products with licensed flavor collaborations such as Kool-Aid, Country Time, SunnyD, and Jell-O, among others. These collaborations focus mainly on flavor branding rather than ingredient sourcing.

   Gorilla Mind also offers a mobile app on iOS and Android through which you can browse products, track and manage orders, create wishlists, and access early product launches. Ryse maintains a digital ecosystem centered primarily on its website and currently does not offer a mobile app option like Gorilla Mind.

   Both brands highlight similar categories, but they emphasize different aspects of the sports nutrition market. Gorilla Mind often focuses on detailed ingredient disclosure, performance-oriented formulations, and nootropic supplements. Ryse places more emphasis on flavor collaborations, mainstream branding, and wider retail availability.

2. Ghost Lifestyle

   Ghost and Ryse emphasize slightly different brand philosophies and product strengths. The brand GHOST was founded by Daniel Lourenço and Ryan Hughes. Ryse focuses more directly on performance and progress.

   As per product details, Ghost offers whey protein, pre-workout supplements, intra-workout drinks, hydration formulas, vegan supplements, and weight management products. The brand emphasizes flavor innovation through cereal-inspired formulas such as cereal milk. Ryse offers comparable categories, including Loaded Protein powders, pre-workouts such as Loaded Pre and Godzilla Pre-Workout, creatine monohydrate, BCAA and EAA supplements, hydration products, greens powders, and functional ingredients like L-citrulline and glutamine.

   A significant similarity between the two companies is their use of licensed flavor collaborations. GHOST partners with Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms, and Nutter Butter. Ryse uses a similar approach with collaborations involving brands such as Kool-Aid, SunnyD, Sour Punch, Ring Pop, and Jet-Puffed marshmallows.

   Both brands also compete strongly in the energy drink category. Ghost has Ghost Energy, which typically contains caffeine, zero sugar, and candy-inspired flavors. Ryse operates two energy drink lines, which are Fuel and Energy, which contain caffeine, protein, and prebiotics. These brands occupy a similar position in the sports nutrition market but emphasize different philosophies. GHOST focuses on lifestyle culture, creative branding, and recognizable flavors tied to snack brands. Ryse focuses on performance products and workout-focused formulas. This indicates that the brand Ghost appears to have a broader lifestyle ecosystem, while Ryse maintains a more focused product range.

How Did We Evaluate?

1. Real User Reviews

   To evaluate customer sentiment for RYSE, we reviewed publicly available feedback on Amazon for three top products. The brand’s Loaded Pre-Workout Powder holds a 4.3 out of 5 rating based on 5,820+ global reviews. Many users report feeling increased energy and sustained performance. Flavor variety is also frequently mentioned, especially the brand’s licensed candy and beverage flavors. However, taste feedback is mixed, with some customers describing certain flavors as very sour or overly sweet.

   Creatine Monohydrate Powder has a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 1,500+ reviews. Many report improvements in strength, lifting capacity, and endurance. Several reviews also mention the product’s simple formula without extra ingredients. Some moderate reviews note that the powder texture can occasionally feel slightly gritty.

   Ryse Loaded Protein Powder has a 4.5 out of 5 rating based on 1,060 reviews. Users frequently mention smooth texture and good mixability in liquids like milk, smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal. Negative feedback typically focuses on price compared with other protein powders and occasional mild digestive discomfort for some users.

   Across all three products, common experiences mentioned include strong workout energy, good mixability, unique flavor options, and perceived ingredient quality. The most common criticisms involve strong flavor intensity, occasional powder clumping in pre-workout containers, higher price compared with some competitors, and individual differences in digestive tolerance.

2. Brand Reputation

   As part of the evaluation process, we reviewed Ryse Supplements through the Better Business Bureau. The company is not BBB accredited and currently holds an F rating. According to the BBB profile, this rating is largely linked to the company’s failure to respond to several complaints. Many of these complaints involve order fulfillment and customer service communication. Customers report issues such as missing items, incomplete shipments, or delays in receiving tracking information after placing orders. Some state they attempted to contact the company through phone calls and emails, but did not get any timely responses.

   Other complaints mention order discrepancies, including receiving incorrect product flavors, partial shipments, or products that customers believed differed from what was listed on the product page. These experiences may influence perceptions of the company’s customer support reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Ryse products replace balanced nutrition?
   No. The brand’s products (protein powders, RTDs, energy drinks) are designed to supplement protein or energy intake, not replace meals. They lack the full range of fiber, essential fats, and micronutrients found in balanced whole-food diets.
2. Is Ryse only meant for endurance athletes?
   No. The brand targets a broad range of fitness needs, including strength training and general physical activities. Its products support workouts and recovery, but are not specifically meant only for endurance athletes.
3. Can I consider adding Ryse formulations to a cutting phase?
   Yes. Products like Loaded Protein (about 25g protein, 130–150 kcal) may help maintain protein intake during calorie deficits. Pre-workouts and hydration sticks may support training performance, but fat loss still depends on the cutting diet that you follow and calorie control.

Final Words

Ryse is focused on supporting energy, muscle recovery, and training endurance. The brand emphasizes convenience, recognizable flavor collaborations, and athlete-backed credibility. However, Ryse does have certain limitations and concerns. The frequent use of artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and acesulfame potassium across its product line may not align with those who prefer natural or clean-label options. The lack of third-party testing or widely recognized certifications like NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport also leaves some uncertainty regarding independent verification of purity and potency.

While the brand may provide additional support for active lifestyles, strength training, endurance exercise, and muscle development, its products function best as complementary tools rather than standalone options. They might support your workout performance and recovery when used alongside balanced nutrition, adequate hydration, and consistent exercise habits.