We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
Specifically formulated for use while working out, Transparent Labs Intra goes beyond your standard EAA supplement. Yes, it contains 6.7 grams of EAAs, but it also has electrolytes, tyrosine, betaine anhydrous, and other patented blends that are designed to increase muscle mass, boost energy, enhance hydration, and improve blood flow so you can operate at peak performance.
That’s a lot of claims for a single supplement, so we put it to the test to see if it’s worth the hype. Our tester, Amanda Capritto, former GGR writer and certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, used the Intra for several weeks during all types of workouts. Below, you’ll find more information about Intra, as well as her thoughts.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
We Take Testing Seriously
GGR’s expert testing team is made up of certified personal trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, and weightlifting coaches—and we don’t take supplement testing lightly. Each supplement we try goes through an extensive testing process. We personally take them during our workout routines, which include everything from heavy lifting to high-intensity cardio. We then rate the supplements across various factors that are laid out in our GGR supplement testing methodology.
These factors include:
- Price per serving
- Formulation
- Taste
- Solubility
- Side effects
- Third-party testing
- Customer service
- Customer reviews
We never recommend supplements that we wouldn’t take ourselves.
Transparent Labs Intra
Transparent Labs CoreSeries Intra EAAs
Product Highlights
- Delivers a balanced ratio of essential amino acids (EAA) designed to reduce muscle breakdown when training
- Contains naturally occurring electrolytes from added coconut water powder
- Each 18.7-gram scoop provides 6,700 milligrams of EAA, 2,000 milligrams of citrulline malate 2:1 ratio, 2,000 milligrams of taurine, 1,250 milligrams of BetaPure betaine anhydrous, 1,000 milligrams of coconut water powder, 150 milligrams of ElevATP, and 50 milligrams of AstraGin
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sweet taste
- Good mixability
- Added electrolytes
- Users report feeling more energized
- Contains several clinically studied ingredients
- Uses clinical doses
Cons
- Expensive
- Settles after mixing
- Some clumps present after mixing
Bottom Line
Transparent Labs CoreSeries IntraWorkout Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) offers a balanced ratio of easily digestible EAAs formulated to reduce muscle breakdown and encourage muscle growth.
A Quick Look at Transparent Labs Intra
While pre-workout supplements are designed to be taken before your workout, intra workout supplements are meant to be taken during your workout. The main goal of an intra workout is to hydrate your body and your muscles, but they also provide essential amino acids (EAAs), which help stimulate muscle protein synthesis1 (and thus muscle-building when combined with resistance training). A high-quality intra workout can also help enhance post-workout recovery. And Transparent Labs Intra fits the bill.
While the bulk of this supplement is essential amino acids, there are additional active ingredients that set it apart from BCAA supplements. It also includes electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, and sodium, plus patented ingredient combinations that enhance performance overall.
It comes in two flavors and is free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes. While the macros are negligible, it does provide 1 gram of carbs and 10 calories per serving.
Before You Buy
- Transparent Labs Intra combines EAAs with other patented ingredients to improve performance.
- There are no artificial ingredients and it’s a stim-free product.
- You can save some money by subscribing to a recurring monthly delivery.
Is Transparent Labs Intra Worth It?
An intra workout supplement may not be necessary if you’re getting all of these things through other supplements or a really optimal diet, but it’s a good option for those who want an easy way to get a boatload of beneficial ingredients in one serving. At $1.50 per serving, we think the price is fair for what you get. As with any supplement, some people will benefit from it, while others may not need it.
Great for:
- Those looking for a supplement that combines EAAs with electrolytes and other beneficial ingredients
- Weightlifters and bodybuilders who want to support muscle protein synthesis
- People who want a natural supplement without unnecessary additives
Not recommended for:
- Anyone who takes EAAs or BCAAs already—you likely don’t need both
- Casual exercisers; this is designed to support peak performance
- People who are allergic to coconut
Transparent Labs Intra Workout Supplement Specs
| Price per serving | $1.50 |
| Flavors | Blue raspberry, strawberry lemonade |
| Serving size | 18.7 g |
| EAAs per serving | 3.81 g |
| L-leucine dosage | 2.67 g |
| L-isoleucine dosage | 0.59 g |
| L-valine dosage | 0.55 g |
| Other key ingredients | Betaine anhydrous, ElevATP, coconut water powder, AstraGin, citrulline malate, l-tyrosine, taurine, essential amino acids (EAAs) |
| Calories per serving | 10 |
| Sweeteners | Stevia |
| Third-party tested | Yes; Informed Choice |
Experience Using Transparent Labs Intra Workout Supplement
Transparent Labs Intra was tested by certified personal trainer and former GGR writer Amanda Capritto, ACE-CPT, NASM-CNC. She used the Intra for several weeks doing a variety of workouts. Here’s what she said about price, formulation, taste, solubility, side effects, and third-party testing.
Price Per Serving
A 30-day supply of the Intra supplement retails for $44.99, which breaks down to just under $1.50 per serving. According to our supplement testing methodology, this earns it 3 out of 5 stars because it falls somewhere in the middle cost-wise, compared to similar supplements.
If you like the supplement and sign up for a subscription, you can save $4.50 on the total cost, which brings the price down to $40.49, or $1.35 per serving.
Formulation
As far as formulation goes, Amanda doesn’t think it can really get much better than this. She gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Intra provides 6,700 milligrams total of all nine essential amino acids and adheres to the widely recommended 2:1:1 ratio of BCAAs.
In addition to the amino acids, it has other key ingredients, including betaine anhydrous, ElevATP, coconut water powder, AstraGin (which helps with nutrient absorption), and citrulline malate, which has been shown to enhance blood flow and reduce muscle soreness post-workout2.
Additionally, it’s free of unnecessary additives with no added sugar, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colors. It’s also non-GMO and gluten-free.
Taste and Solubility
The Intra comes in two flavors: blue raspberry and strawberry lemonade. Amanda tried the blue raspberry and gave it 4 out of 5 stars. She said, like other Transparent Labs supplements she’s tried, it was too sweet for her. It did have a bit of tartness, which she liked, but she had to mix it with more than the recommended amount of water to make it taste better for her.
It dissolved well initially but can settle if you leave it sitting for too long. It was nothing a quick shake couldn’t fix, but because of this, Amanda gave it a 3 out of 5 for solubility.
Side Effects
Intra earned a 5 out of 5 for side effects. Betaine anhydrous is known for increasing fluid retention. This can create muscle pumps (and contribute to muscle growth) and increase total work capacity, which can help improve performance with high-intensity workouts.
This fluid retention can sometimes make you feel bloated, but Amanda said she didn’t notice anything like that—and didn’t experience any other significant side effects either.
Third-Party Testing
Transparent Labs is big on third-party testing. This one is Informed Choice certified, so Amanda gave it a 5 out of 5.
Transparent Labs Intra vs Alani Nu BCAA
Alani Nu BCAA
Alani Nu BCAAs
Product Highlights
- Vegan BCAAs offered in a variety of 5 unique flavors
- Intended to improve recovery, support muscle mass, and enhance performance
- Key ingredients include sodium, potassium, L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine, and L-glutamine
- Each serving costs about $1.39
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tasty flavors
- Vegan BCAAs
- Mixes well
- Aids in hydration
Cons
- Expensive
- Made with artificial sweeteners including sucralose
- Too sweet for some
Bottom Line
While Alani Nu BCAAs are one of the more costly BCAAs on the market, their flavor options reign supreme.
It’s hard to compare these two supplements side by side since they’re not exactly in the same category. That said, the right one for you depends on what you’re hoping to get from it.
Alani Nu has the recommended 5 grams of BCAAs in the optimal 2:1:1 ratio, so it’s a good option for those looking to maximize muscle protein synthesis (and who may not be taking a protein powder).
While the Intra falls a little short in total BCAAs, it can be a good addition to a supplement routine that includes a protein powder. The Intra is also a better option for those who want a supplement that can check multiple boxes: The additional ingredients help with hydration, blood flow, and muscle soreness, too.
Other major differences here are the added ingredients. While Transparent Labs is big on natural ingredients, Alani Nu contains artificial flavors and sweeteners.
Again, the right one for you comes down to what you’re hoping to get out of the supplement, and the ingredients you want to avoid. You can learn more in our Alani Nu BCAA review.
| Price per serving | $1.50 | $1.33 |
| Flavors | Blue raspberry, strawberry lemonade | Sour Gummies, Sour Peach Rings, Hawaiian Shaved Ice |
| Serving size | 18.7 g | 5 g |
| BCAAs per serving | 3.81 g | 5 g |
| L-Leucine dosage | 2.67 g | 2.5 g |
| L-Isoleucine dosage | 0.59 g | 1.25 g |
| L-Valine dosage | 0.55 g | 1.25 g |
| Other key ingredients | Betaine anhydrous, ElevATP, coconut water powder, AstraGin, citrulline malate, l-tyrosine, taurine, essential amino acids (EAAs) | L-glutamine, beet root extract, citric acid, natural and artificial flavors |
| Calories per serving | 10 | 10 |
| Sweeteners | Stevia | Sucralose, acesulfame potassium |
| Third-party tested | Yes; Informed Choice | No |
Customer Experience
Amanda gave Transparent Labs a 4.5 for customer service/experience. There’s a lot of good, like an auto-ship option that gives you 10% off your purchase and the option to compare supplements side by side.
You’ll also get free shipping when you spend $100, which is easy to do with two or three of the brand’s supplements. (We also recommend the Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout and the Creatine HMB if you’re looking for other ideas.)
The company also has a generous return policy: If you try the Intra, or any other supplement, and you don’t like it, you can return it within 30 days of delivery. To be eligible for this return policy, you have to purchase the supplement directly through the brand’s website: transparentlabs.com.
Customer Reviews
The Intra has an average 4.7-star rating on Transparent Labs’ website from 171 reviews at the time of writing. We usually like to include ratings from Amazon since they tend to be less biased than what the company posts on its own website, but this particular supplement isn’t available on Amazon (although other supplements from the brand are, like the grass-fed whey protein isolate and LEAN pre-workout).
RELATED: Transparent Labs LEAN Review
Users of Intra love the ingredient mix and the science-backed doses, and say it tastes great and enhances performance without giving you the jitters.
There aren’t too many complaints about the product, but most negative comments are about the taste—some think it just doesn’t taste good. But as Amanda notes, you can dilute the flavor by adding more water than recommended.
Final Verdict of Our Transparent Labs Intra Review
Overall, we’re big fans of Transparent Labs products and the Intra is no exception. After testing, it got high marks for formulation, taste, and third-party testing, earning it an overall score of 4.3 out of 5.
- It’s a good addition for those who aren’t already taking BCAAs and need additional workout support
- You may need to dilute it because it’s pretty sweet
- Transparent Labs opts into rigorous third-party testing, which we really like
Full Rating
Transparent Labs Intra
Transparent Labs CoreSeries IntraWorkout Essential Amino Acids (EAAs) offers a balanced ratio of easily digestible EAAs formulated to reduce muscle breakdown and encourage muscle growth.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 44.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.3
Transparent Labs Intra: FAQs
How legit is Transparent Labs?
In our opinion, Transparent Labs is legit. The company uses research-backed doses, avoids unnecessary additives and fillers, and opts into third-party testing. We’ve tried many Transparent Labs products, many of which have earned top spots in our buying guides.
Are intra workouts worth it?
While pre-workout supplements, mass gainers, and creatine all have their place, intra workouts can be worth it for those who want more of an all-in-one-supplement (or aren’t taking any of these other supplements). If you are taking other supplements, like pre-workouts, BCAAs, and protein powder, you may not need an intra workout on top of that.
Is Transparent Labs FDA approved?
No supplements are FDA approved, including Transparent Labs. While the FDA doesn’t closely regulate supplement manufacturing, companies can choose to do independent third-party testing if they so choose. Transparent Labs opts into this testing and makes the test results readily available on their website so you can double-check purity and potency.
What is the best intra-workout supplement?
We haven’t tried too many of them yet, but we think Transparent Labs’ Intra is a very worthy contender. It scored highly in all of our tests, and it’s a supplement that we would take ourselves.
Is Transparent Labs third party tested?
Yes, Transparent Labs supplements are third-party tested. The testing agency may vary depending on which specific supplement you’re looking at, but the Intra is Informed Choice certified.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
1. Church, DD, Hirsch, KR, Park, S, et al. Essential amino acids and protein synthesis: Insights into maximizing the muscle and whole-body response to feeding. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3717. Published 2020 Dec 2. doi:10.3390/nu12123717
2. Gough, LA, Sparks, SA, McNaughton, LR, et al. A critical review of citrulline malate supplementation and exercise performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2021;121(12):3283-3295. doi:10.1007/s00421-021-04774-6
Further reading
After months of testing, we present the best low-sugar protein bars for satisfying cravings with a punch of protein. Read more
In our Bowflex BXT116 Treadmill review, we take a look at the specs of this now-discontinued treadmill. Read more
Looking for ways to add more protein to your diet? Check out our list of high-protein vegetables to add to your meals! Read more
Get the exclusive Ativafit discount code to save up to 7% on your next order on home gym equipment. Read more