[Jump ahead to the 10 best fat burners]
There comes a day for nearly everyone when you look in the mirror, step on the scale, or try to put on some old clothes just to realize – Whoa, When did I get so out of shape!
It’s an unpleasant wake up call, but not an uncommon one.
In fact, 71.6% of Americans are considered medically overweight or obese (1)(2).
This leads many people to begin experimenting with fat burning supplements every year. New Years day is notorious for kicking off new diet crazes (17), and for some people its the beginning of their new life.
When done correctly, fat burners can help you increase the natural burning of body fat. However its absolutely vital that you take a correctly dosed fat burner and follow the basic rules of dieting.
So then, what’s the weight loss secret?
Well, there is no secret per se. Weight loss is as straight forward as weight gain.
With that said, taking a quality fat burner can help a lot; but you’re going to need to understand how weight loss works.
You need to think about:
- How to separate your emotions from your eating (3).
- New alternatives to your most common unhealthy meals.
- How to trust the weight loss process and not crack.
Interestingly, this is what in-shape people do naturally without really thinking about it.
The only difference is that you were put under different life circumstances that didn’t teach you this, or, made you have to sacrifice these healthy habits in order to get by.
But let that past be the past.
With the right diet and exercise plan, fat burners aren’t even necessary. But they can help speed up the process and encourage you stay consistent. Often times, that is well worth it!
The deal on fat burning supplements and weight loss pills
The majority of weight loss products are gimmicks. They either contain only one ingredient, or they contain a lot of ingredients in dosages too small to work (5).
In order to noticeably increase calorie burn, you want to find a supplement that contains multiple safe thermogenic ingredients.
What to look for in a fat burner:
- Clinically dosed ingredients
- Honest non-proprietary formulas
- Reasonable caffeine content
- Clear use guidelines
What to avoid in a fat burner:
- Aggressive marketing
- Non-website brands
- Heavy caffeine usage
- Anything that makes you skeptical
Realistic Energy Fat Burner Results
When paired with a macronutrient conscious diet and workout plan, we’ve seen people lose up to 4-6 pounds of fat a month. That figure varies back and forth based on the level of athletic activity and diet choices (6).
Just remember that it isn’t going to be a rapid process. Just like how you cannot burn a noticeable amount of calories from doing 500 sit-ups, you will not burn extreme amounts of calories by taking a pill.
Are fat burners totally safe?
While most fat burners are safe to take, they are not all equal in safety.
Typically, a fat burner becomes ‘unsafe’ when it contains too much caffeine or other lesser researched ingredients that can raise your heart rate and blood pressure or interact with medications.
For the average, healthy person, the fat burners that we recommend shouldn’t be a problem since we’ve filtered out the bad ones.
However if you have a pre-existing heart condition, are on any prescription medications, or have that ‘something isn’t right feeling’ – then we recommend speaking with your doctor before supplementing with anything.
Top 10 Best Fat Burning Supplements
1. Transparent Labs: Fat Burner – Best Reviewed
“Fat Burner” is the no BS name for the quality focused fat burner made by Transparent Labs in the PhysiqueSeries supplement line.
Quick Features for TL Fat Burner
- Proven Fat Burning Ingredients
- Increases Energy and Focus
- Highly Effective, Our Best Reviewed Fat Burner
- Use code ‘save10’ to save 10% at TransparentLabs.com
According to Transparent Labs, finding the balance between stimulant thermogenesis and natural stim-free fat metabolism is exactly what makes PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner stand ahead of other supplements on the market. And after our fat burner review, we have to agree.
PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner Ingredient Overview
There are several well researched independent fat metabolizing ingredients that caught our attention:
Forslean Forskolin – Aids in releasing fatty acids from stubborn fat deposits. Several positive clinical studies exist, noting forskolin’s ability to increase metabolism and target belly fat (8).
5-HTP – Not typically found in fat burners due to price, 5-HTP is an expensive ingredient that naturally increases serotonin, reduces excess hunger, and aids weight loss (9).
Cayenne Pepper – The extract of cayenne pepper included in Transparent Lab’s Fat Burner naturally increases thermogenesis in the body without a stimulant effect. This extra thermogenesis alongside Fat Burner’s stimulant matrix greatly increases calories burnt with and without exercise.
Thermogenic Blend – Untapped Energy, Focus, and Fat Loss
The real experience of any fat burner is the thermogenic stimulant blend, and Transparent Labs Fat Burner has a good one. Its effective, and extremely balanced and thoughtful towards burning fat.
Where 99% of fat burners are composed of a huge 300+ mg dose of caffeine, Transparent Labs takes a science backed approach and combines a responsible, clinically inspired 120 mg’s of caffeine and pairs it with 25 mg synephrine and 120 mg l-theanine to balance and extend the energy.
Over long periods of time, like the 30 to 120 days typical in a diet – this responsible dose greatly avoids the stress of high stimulants that other fat burner’s trigger which can result in weight gain. This means you stay on track for the whole dieting period without ‘hitting a wall’.
Even after considering PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner’s premium price, we rank this as the #1 fat burner for both men and women. Everything about it is aligned with cutting fat, maintaining lean muscle, and crafting a serious physique.
2. Jacked Factory: Burn XT Black Edition – Hard-Hitting Nootropic Fat Burner
Quick Features for Burn XT Black Edition
- Researched Backed Ingredients
- Take 1-2 Times Per Day
- Tested and Reviewed: Works
- Backed by a 100% Money-Back Guarantee
- Powerful Trademarked Ingredients Capsimax and TeaCrine
Burn XT Black is the harder-hitting of Jacked Factory’s top selling (#1 fat burner on Amazon), Burn XT. a very novel fat burning supplement compared to everything out there today. Burn XT Black has pushed the boundaries in this 9 ingredient feel-it-now thermogenic fat burner!
Yes, we did say Capsimax.. This patented ingredient is relatively unknown but is incredibly effective, it can rapidly induce thermogenesis (fat burning). Burn XT Black has further utilized the highest quality Theacrine, Caffeine, and Theobromine for a powerful energy and focus boost.
This is one small piece of the get-shredded fat burner pie, Burn XT Black also contains a full dose of L-Carnitine along with several other fat burners that each hold their own.
We highly recommend Burn Xt Black to individuals looking for a fat burner to take while intermittent fasting. As well, if you want a rapid, feel the burn type of fat burner… This is the only option.
3. Muscletech Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite
Quick Features for Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite
- One Pill a Day
- Strong Formula for Faster Results
- Intense Useable Energy
- Thousands of Positive Reviews
Hardcore Elite is the newest and strongest weight loss supplement by Hydroxycut. We have first-hand witnessed a lot of men and women begin their dieting regimens with Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite and have impressive success.
This is a very powerful thermogenic (thermogenic is another term for fat burner) and not every single person will be able to handle the extreme energy this product gives.
In fact, there have been quite a few studies in the past questioning the safety of Hydroxycut products (11)(12)(13).
However, it is extremely an effective fat burner that alongside moderate exercise and a realistic diet you will get results.
4. JYM Shred Fat Burning Supplement
Quick Features for Jym Shred:
- Large L-carnitine Dose
- 200 milligrams caffeine
- Designed for bodybuilders
- Decent cutting formula
Formulated by Mr. Stoppani himself, Shred Jym uses a simple yet highly effective fat burning formula.
With bodybuilders and athletes in mind primarily, Shred uses ingredients that synchronize nicely into a workout routine and do not necessarily overstimulate the body.
There is a good caffeine and synephrine boost in this fat burner, so an energy boost will be present. But, it’s not as overwhelming as Roxylean or some of the lower options.
Overall, this is easily one of the best fat burners out there, and you can read the full Jym Shred review here for more details.
5. BPI Roxylean Fat Burner
Quick Features for Roxylean
- Competition Ready Fat Loss
- Used by Fitness Models
- Extremely Powerful Formula
- Very Friendly Price
Roxylean by BPI is a serious fat burner for men and women serious about their shape. This product is most popular with bodybuilder men and women fitness models before shows when they are ‘cutting’ excess fat.
Roxylean is extremely effective and gives a lot of energy.
We recommend this fat burner to healthy, already athletic individuals who are familiar with energy products. If you don’t do well with caffeine or even an energy drink, then this is not the fat burner for you!
6. Cellucor Super HD Fat Burner and Appetite Suppressant
Quick Specs for Cellucor Super HD:
- One Pill a Day
- Strong Feel-Good Energy
- Appetite Suppressant
- Good First Fat Burner
Super HD is a great stimulant fat burner for the majority of people trying to lose weight and get in shape!
With Super HD, you get a lot of energy; but for the average person its very manageable and ‘uplifting’ (feel good energy). In fact, I must admit that while I’m in great shape, I often take Super HD when I’m exhausted and need energy to get through my workout and paperwork with perfect mental clarity. In addition to allowing me to do more than I typically could; the next day my abs always look great! Though let me remind you, I’m in good shape as is; so I’m not suggesting miracles.
But, if you are beginning your diet and need some extra help with burning the calories, or if you just want to speed up the process; Super HD is great for burning more calories and giving you the energy you never knew you needed to stay focused and positive.
Lastly, the built-in appetite suppressant is a great perk too.
7. Lipo 6 Black Concentrated Fat Burner
Lipo 6 Black is a popular fat burner to take when getting back into shape!
This product is very similar to Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite in our opinion, though we often get people that say Lipo 6 Black is better.
When taking Lipo 6 Black, you can anticipate a surge of feel-good useful energy. Use this energy to hit the gym harder and be more productive during your day, alongside limiting excess calories and you’ll lose weight!
Note: The formula for Lipo 6 has changed for old-school users, but its still an effective weight loss aide.
8. Evlution Nutrition Trans4orm
Evlution Nutrition Trans4orm was a pleasure to review and take, just a total pain to write about with such ridiculously spelled names.
Overall, Trans4orm is a great fat burner if you are already taking a solid fat burning pre workout and have your diet in check.
If you’d like to see our full review, its here – Trans4orm review.
The key ingredient in Evlution Nutrition’s fat burner is 500 mg of green tea standardized to 50% EGCGs.
Green tea, specifically green tea supplements standardized to high EGCGs and then paired with caffeine have been found to increase metabolism (14).
Besides that, it’s mostly a caffeinated experience.
If you like to take a caffeinated fat burner in the morning and then a pre workout powder in the afternoon – this is a safe bet and won’t fry you out.
9. Grenade Thermo Detonator
Thermo Detonator is nothing short of an interesting fat burner.
Remember at the beginning of the article, when we warned you about fat burners that contain many ingredients but at very low dosages?
Thermo Detonator contains a whopping 14 ingredients… In you guessed it, a completely proprietary 775 mg blend.
How many of those ingredients do you think are clinically dosed? Who knows! We don’t!
This ‘fat burner designed for the military’ clearly holds many secrets. Are they the good kind? Doubt it.
10. Beverly International 7-Keto muscLEAN
The last weight loss supplement to make our ranking is Beverly International’s 7-Keto MuscLEAN.
Get it? Muscle + Lean.
Naturally, you’d expect there to be 7 ingredients in this product based on its name, but there are only 6.
DHEA is known for its hormonal effects in the body, primarily taken by men to help raise testosterone (15). How effective is it? Minimal at most.
The rest of the formula in 7-Keto MuscLEAN is pretty straight forward, a few stimulants and then digestive enzymes. Overall, while this weight loss supplement has had quite a lot of positive reviews – we’re still skeptical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taking Energy Fat Burners and Sleep:
If you are beginning your energy fat burner or have already begun and are having some trouble sleeping, here is some advice and reasoning.
That’s because the same feel-good energy that burns tons of fat can also keep you awake at night. Therefore, the average person should not be taking their fat burner after 3 pm (roughly) [16].
If this isn’t an option for you, then you can look into stimulant free fat burners.
Taking Fat Burners and Running:
If your new to running and are taking a fat burner or intend to, we recommend that you pay attention to timing and intensity!
Fat burners can be a huge aid when it comes to extra motivation and energy for running; but at the same time, energy and fat burning supplements can increase your heart rate [4, 6].
So, if you plan on running while taking your fat burner – remember to read the directions and take it easy while your out there! While you may feel like your burning more fat while ‘running hard’, that is not always the case. In fact, light running is clinically proven to burn more fat as energy, versus high intensity running which is fueled by glycogen stores and protein degradation [7]!
Fat burner supplements without dieting:
While taking your fat burner, you will still need to practice proper dieting and exercise. The thermogenic fat burners that we’ve rated above can increase your daily metabolic burn by 200 calories per day maximum.
You can easily out-eat that caloric burn in just one snack item!
To be successful, you will need to plan out your meals, get some physical activity even if its just walking, and stay consistent.
Concluding Thoughts
A proper fat burning supplement like the products we’ve rated above can speed up the weight loss process as long as you play by the rules. This ranking has been updated in august of 2019, and we will update as new products reach market.
Got questions? Comment below and we’ll get back to you quickly.