BodyBuilding.com Review - Is This The Best Online Supplement Store?

If you've ever wanted to reach a fitness goal then I'm sure that at some point the thought of using supplements has crossed your mind, but where do you get them?

BodyBuilding (for short) has a VERY popular online supplement store, but are they the best?

I decided to do a little research to find out if BodyBuilding.com is the #1 online supplement store.

What will I be looking at?

I'm going to compare BodyBuilding to 3 other popular online supplement stores: GNC, The Vitamin Shoppe and Vitacost.

I've selected 5 very popular supplements and I'm going to see which store has the best...

• Prices based on the lowest possible price per container (without having to become a member), the lowest average price per container, and who has the cheapest price per serving or size.
• Variety based on product sizes, flavors and if anything is back-ordered or out of stock.

• Deals based on any promotions, discounts or freebies you can get from buying one of these supplements from that particular store.
• Shipping based on payment methods and shipping methods, times and rates for both US and International shipments.

I'm going to rank each store and assign them a point value based on these stats. Now that you know what I'll be looking at, let's get right into the comparison...

The first supplement we're going to compare is Optimum Nutrition's 100% Whey Gold Standard Protein. This is one of the most talked about and complete protein powders on the market today.

Let's take a look at the prices first...

1. BodyBuilding: $14.99 to $111.99 ($63.49 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is $11.20, if you get the 10lb bag. (4 points)
2. Vitacost: $29.99 to $111.99 ($70.99 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is also $11.20 if you get the 10lb bag. (2 points)
3. The Vitamin Shoppe: $29.99 to $111.99 ($70.99 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is again $11.20 if you get the 10lb bag. (2 points)
4. GNC: $31.99 to $62.99 ($47.49 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is $12.60 if you get the 5lb container. (2 points)

So it appears that if you want to buy Optimum's 100% Whey then you should head to BodyBuilding's store for the best prices on most of the varieties. Let's take a look at the variety ranking...

1. BodyBuilding: 6 Sizes, 21 Flavors; All In Stock (6 points)
2. Vitacost: 5 Sizes, 20 Flavors; 1 Out of Stock (3 points)
3. GNC: 3 Sizes, 19 Flavors; 1 Out of Stock (1 point)
4. The Vitamin Shoppe: 3 Sizes, 9 Flavors; All In Stock (1 point)

BodyBuilding's store really has the best selection of Optimum's Gold Standard Whey Protein, but let's take a look as see who has the best deals going on...

1. The Vitamin Shoppe: Healthy Award Points (2 points)
2. GNC: Free Amino Sample (1 point)
3. BodyBuilding: No Deals (0 points)
4. Vitacost: No Deals (0 points)

Bodybuilding's store doesn't really have any deals for this protein powder but with the money you'll save and the variety you have to choose from who needs a deal, right? Let's take a look at the overall ranking for this supplement...

1. BodyBuilding - 10 points
2. Vitacost - 5 points
3. The Vitamin Shoppe - 5 points
4. GNC - 4 points

It appears that BodyBuilding's store is off to a good start, because they give you the best prices and have the most variety in stock, even if they don't have a deal going on right now.

But that's just for one supplement, let's see how it ranks with some other popular supplements on the market today.

Now we're going to compare Cellucor's C4 Extreme, which is a pre-workout powder that intensifies your workouts by boosting your energy and focus.

First a look at pricing...

1. BodyBuilding: $7.87 to $47 ($27.44 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 78 cents, if you get the 60-serving container. (7 points)
2. Vitacost: $29.99 to $47 ($38.50 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 78 cents, if you get the 60-serving container. (5 points)
3. The Vitamin Shoppe: $29.99 to $47.99 ($38.99 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 80 cents, if you get the 60-serving container. (3 points)
4. GNC: $39.99 to $89.99 ($64.99 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is $1, if you buy the 60-serving container or the 3 pack. (0 points)

So BodyBuilding's store definitely has the best price for C4 Extreme, but let's take a look at the variety each store offers.

1. BodyBuilding: 3 Sizes, 10 Flavors; All in Stock (4 points)
2. GNC: 3 Sizes, 9 Flavors; All in Stock (3 points)
3. Vitacost: 2 Sizes, 8 Flavors; All in Stock (1 point)
4. The Vitamin Shoppe: 2 Sizes, 8 Flavors; 4 Out of Stock (0 points)

So it looks like BodyBuilding has the best selection once again, but let's see who has the best deals going on...

1. BodyBuilding: Buy One Get One 50% Off (30 & 60-serving sizes) (3 points)
2. GNC: Additional 20% Off Select Pre-Workout Powders (2 points)
3. The Vitamin Shoppe: Earn Healthy Award Points (1 point)
4. Vitacost: No Deals (0 points)

It looks like BodyBuilding's store has the best deal on C4 Extreme with their 50% discount! Let's take a look at the overall ranking for C4 Extreme.

1. Bodybuilding - 14 points
2. Vitacost - 6 points
   
3. GNC - 5 points
4. The Vitamin Shoppe - 4 points

Well, Bodybuilding's store is still holding rank, since it gives you not only the best prices and selection, but also the best deals this time around.

But let's move onto the next supplement and see if they can keep that top position.

The next supplement we're going to compare is Optimum Nutrition's Essential AmiN.O. Energy, which helps you train harder and longer, thanks to the boost of energy and focus.

First we'll check the pricing...

1. BodyBuilding: $17.98 to $35.38 ($26.68 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 54 cents, if you get the 65-serving container. (9 points)
2. Vitacost: $18.79 to $37.99 ($28.39 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 54 cents, if you get the 65-serving container in Orange Cooler or Fruit Fusion. (6 points)
3. The Vitamin Shoppe: $19.99 to $45.99 ($32.99 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 67 cents, if you get the 30-serving container. (3 points)
4. GNC: $29.99 to $52.99 ($41.49 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 82 cents, if you buy the 65-serving container. (0 points)

So BodyBuilding's store definitely has the best price for Essential AmiN.O. Energy, but let's take a look at the variety each store offers.

1. Vitacost: 3 Sizes, 8 Flavors; All in Stock (4 points)
2. BodyBuilding: 2 Sizes, 7 Flavors; All in Stock (2 points)
3. GNC: 2 Sizes, 5 Flavors; All in Stock (1 point)
4. The Vitamin Shoppe: 2 Sizes, 5 Flavors; 2 Out of Stock (0 points)

So, it looks like Vitacost slightly edged out BodyBuilding, because of the chewables that no one else has, but let's see who has the best deals going on...

1. The Vitamin Shoppe: Earn Healthy Award Points (1 point)
2. BodyBuilding: No Deals (0 points)
3. GNC: No Deals (0 points)
4. Vitacost: No Deals (0 points)

It looks like The Vitamin Shoppe is the only store giving deals for Essential AmiN.O. Energy, even if it is only award points, but let's take a look at the overall ranking for this supplement.

1. Bodybuilding - 11 points
2. Vitacost - 10 points
   
3. The Vitamin Shoppe - 4 points
   
4. GNC - 1 point
   

Once again, Bodybuilding comes out on top overall, even if they are lacking on the deals again.

Now, I could stop right here and say that Bodybuilding is going to give you the best prices, selection and deals, but let's stretch things out and review two more supplements... you know, just to be sure. ;)

Next up is MusclePharm's Combat Powder, which is another great protein blend for muscle growth.

Let's check the pricing first...

1. BodyBuilding: $27.99 to $42.99 ($35.49 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is $10.78, if you get the 4lb container. (6 points)
2. Vitacost: $27.99 to $42.99 ($35.49 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is $10.78, if you get the 4lb container. (6 points)
3. The Vitamin Shoppe: $43.20 ($43.20 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is $10.80, because you only get one choice. (2 points)
4. GNC: $29.99 to $79.99 ($54.99 average), and the Cheapest Pound you can get is $11.25, if you buy the 4lb container. (1 point)

So BodyBuilding and Vitacost are going to give you the best prices on Combat Powder, but let's take a look at the variety each store offers.

1. BodyBuilding: 2 Sizes, 9 Flavors; All in Stock (4 points)
2. Vitacost: 2 Sizes, 7 Flavors; All in Stock (3 points)
3. GNC: 3 Sizes, 7 Flavors; 4 Out of Stock (3 points)
4. The Vitamin Shoppe: 1 Size, 5 Flavors; All in Stock (1 point)

So, it looks like Bodybuilding is back on top again, but let's see who has the best deals going on...

1. The Vitamin Shoppe: Earn Healthy Award Points (2 points)
2. GNC: Free Amino Sample (1 point)
3. BodyBuilding: No Deals (0 points)
4. Vitacost: No Deals (0 points)

And it looks like The Vitamin Shoppe is still giving the best deals, because a little cash back is better than a sample you may not have wanted. But let's go ahead and take a look at the overall ranking for this supplement.

1. Bodybuilding - 10 points
2. Vitacost - 9 points
   
3. The Vitamin Shoppe - 5 points
   
4. GNC - 5 points
   

And even though BodyBuilding doesn't always give the best deals, they are STILL coming out on top in the overall rankings; get your MusclePharm Combat Powder here! And just so you know, even if BodyBuilding doesn't list a free sample on their sales page, they almost always throw in one or two free samples with every order.

And even though it's looking like a shutout, let's take a look at one last supplement and then we'll compare the payment and shipping methods of each store.

The last supplement we're going to use in this comparison is MusclePharm's Assault, which is a great pre-workout formula used to boost your strength, energy, endurance and focus.

First we'll check out the pricing...

1. BodyBuilding: $6.99 to $46.89 ($26.94 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is 94 cents, if you get the 50-serving container. (7 points)
2. The Vitamin Shoppe: $21.99 to $29.99 ($25.99 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is $1, if you get the 30-serving container. (6 points)
3. Vitacost: $22.99 to $49.99 ($36.49 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is $1, if you get the 50-serving container. (3 points)
4. GNC: $23.99 to $54.99 ($39.49 average), and the Cheapest Serving you can get is $1.10, if you buy the 50-serving container. (0 points)

So BodyBuilding is once again giving you the best prices on MusclePharm Assault, but let's take a look at the variety each store offers.

1. BodyBuilding: 4 Sizes, 8 Flavors (Plus a Variety Pack); All in Stock (5 points)
2. Vitacost: 3 Sizes, 7 Flavors; All in Stock (3 points)
3. GNC: 3 Sizes, 6 Flavors; All in Stock (2 points)
4. The Vitamin Shoppe: 2 Sizes, 5 Flavors; All in Stock (0 points)

So, it looks like Bodybuilding is back on top once again, giving you the most variety of all, but let's see who has the best deals going on...

1. GNC: Additional 20% Off Select Pre-Workouts (3 points)
2. Vitacost: Extra 10% Off Select MusclePharm (2 points)
3. The Vitamin Shoppe: Earn Healthy Award Points (1 point)
4. BodyBuilding: No Deals (0 points)

And it looks like GNC finally came out on top with the best deal for MusclePharm Assault, but let's take a look at the overall ranking for this supplement.

1. BodyBuilding - 12 points
2. Vitacost - 8 points
3. The Vitamin Shoppe - 7 points
   
4. GNC - 5 points
   

Well there you have it; when it comes to prices, selection and deals, you're going to want to head to BodyBuilding, but we're not done yet...

Now that we've compared 5 of the top supplements on the market today, we need to take a look at shipping. It doesn't really pay to have the best prices, variety and deals if they charge an arm and a leg to get it to you!

Let's take a quick look at the variety of ways you can pay for your orders, how you can get them shipped to you, how much it'll cost and how long it should take. This will help us finalize the comparison to see if BodyBuilding's store really is the best supplement store online.

Vitacost's Store

• 8 Payment Methods
• 5 US Shipping Methods
• 3 International Shipping Methods
• 1 - 8 Days for US Shipments
• 3 - 35 Days for International Shipments
• $4.99 - $9.99 US Starting Prices
• Doesn't List International Shipping Rates

GNC's Store

• 7 Payment Methods
• 4 US Shipping Methods
• Have to use completely different sites for each country
• 1 - 7 Days for US Shipments
• Doesn't List International Shipping Info
• $2.99 - $22.09 US Starting Prices
• Doesn't List International Shipping Rates

BodyBuilding's Store

• 10 Payment Methods
• 4 US Shipping Methods
• 3 International Shipping Methods
• 1 - 8 Days for US Shipments
• 7 - 25 Days for International Shipments
• $3.99 - $11.99 US Starting Prices
• Doesn't List International Shipping Rates

The Vitamin Shoppe's Store

• 10 Payment Methods
• 4 US Shipping Methods
• 1 International Shipping Method
• 1 - 10 Days for US Shipments
• 7 - 10 Days for International Shipments
• $2.99 - $15.99 US Starting Prices
• Doesn't List International Shipping Rates

1. Bodybuilding - 9 points
2. Vitacost - 9 points
   
3. The Vitamin Shoppe - 7 points
   
4. GNC - 2 points
   

So, it looks like if you want to easily complete your order and have the best shipping options then you should head to BodyBuilding or Vitacost's store for your supplements!

Now let's tally up all the points and see who comes out on top as the best online supplement store...

1. BodyBuilding - 66 points
2. Vitacost - 47 points
   
3. The Vitamin Shoppe - 32 points
   
4. GNC - 22 points
   

Now, I only compared 5 out of the literally thousands of different supplements you can get from any of these stores, but I wanted to give you a good idea as to what to expect without having to write a thick book of comparisons.

I picked these supplements because they might be some of the exact supplements you choose to order and it shows you how the stores rank for different supplements.

As you can see from the ranking on the right, BodyBuilding's store is truly the best option overall for your supplement needs.

They have the best prices, selection, deals and payment and shipping methods available. It's really a "no-brainer" but sometimes you need to see the facts before you decide! And don't forget that you'll be getting a bunch of free samples with every order!