1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Review: Is This Premium Whey Protein Isolate Worth It?

As an avid multi-sport competitive athlete myself (CrossFit and powerlifting), and a certified nutrition coach with clients from all walks of life, I’m always keen to try new protein powders to see how they stack up against my tried and true favourites.

I jumped at the chance to try a new-to-me product: 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Pure Whey Protein Isolate.  I’m a bit of a choco-holic, so I went for the Chocolate Milkshake flavor (spoiler: it was hard to pick which flavor because they have almost a dozen great-sounding options to choose from).

Overall, 1st Phorm Phormula has earned a place in my “protein pantry,” but it’s not an every day choice for me because of its premium price point, and the fact that it doesn’t work as well in my high-protein baked goods as a whey isolate-concentrate blend.  I’m most likely to have it in a post-workout shake with some quick-digesting carbs after an intense workout.

Key Takeaways

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• Phormula-1 uses whey protein isolate, providing 23 g of protein and 110 calories per 29 g scoop.  This puts it at ~84% protein per scoop, which is below Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Isolate.

• Phormula-1 costs around $2.00 – $2.17 US per serving (as of the time of publication of this article), making it a premium choice compared to other more budget-friendly options.

• Phormula-1 is NSF-Certified for Sport and carries the Informed Choice label, meaning it is third-party tested to ensure it does not contain any banned substances for competitive athletes.

Who is 1st Phorm?

1st Phorm International is a U.S.based supplement company founded in 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri. The brand has built its reputation on premium products, athlete partnerships, and a strong fitness community culture. 

Unlike many supplement companies that primarily sell online, 1st Phorm heavily emphasizes customer education and coaching through its Legion of Boom program, app integration, and direct access to advisors.

I could really see the personal touch that 1st Phorm prioritizes based on the hand-written note that was included on my packing slip: 

“Hey Lauren, Thank you for the support!  It truly means the world to us.  You will love the Phormula-1.  If you ever have any questions or need anything we got your back!”

In all my years of buying protein powders, this is the first time I’ve gotten a hand-written note addressed directly to me, and that really impressed me.

Key hallmarks of the company include:

Quality Control

Products are manufactured in SQF Level-3 facilities and are often tested for purity and banned substances.  As mentioned, Phormula-1 is NSF Certified for Sport, and is part of the Informed Choice program.  These are two of the most recognized third-party testing organizations for supplements.

Community Focus

1st Phorm positions itself not just as a brand but as a lifestyle, encouraging users to participate in challenges, community forums, and transformation programs.

Premium Positioning

While priced higher than many competitors, the company markets its supplements as top-tier in terms of ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, and support.

In short, 1st Phorm is a community-driven, premium supplement company with a strong emphasis on trust, education, and results, which aligns with why Phormula-1 has become a flagship product.

Overview of 1st Phorm Whey Protein Isolate

The macronutrient breakdown of 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Whey Protein Isolate is (per 29 g scoop):

• Protein: 20-23 g (depending on the flavor)
• Carbohydrates: 1-3 g (depending on the flavor) 
• Fat: 0.5-1g (depending on the flavor)
• Sugar: 0-2 g (depending on the flavor)

When evaluating whey protein powders, the protein-to-calorie ratio is one of the most important markers of quality.

As I mentioned above, at 110 calories per serving, protein accounts for 84% of the calories in each scoop.  This is almost within the “Excellent” range* for protein content (see below), and puts 1st Phorm only just slightly behind our #1-ranked Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate (their products range from 86-93% protein per serving).  

Protein Quality

The protein is derived from cross-flow micro-filtrated whey isolate, which means it is:

• Fast digesting — ideal for post-workout recovery or breaking a fast.

• Low in lactose — easier on digestion compared to whey concentrate.

• Rich in BCAAs — supports muscle protein synthesis.

Carb Profile

With only 1–3 grams of carbs (depending on the flavor), this product fits well into low-carb or ketogenic diets. The small carb content comes primarily from flavoring agents (like the natural cocoa powder in the Chocolate Milkshake flavor) and stabilizers.

Fat Profile

At just 1 g of fat per serving, Phormula-1 won’t significantly impact daily fat intake. This makes it well-suited for those trying to maximize protein intake while keeping calories lean.

FYI, our general guidelines are as follows:

• Excellent protein content: >85% per scoop
• Good protein content: 75-85% per scoop
• Reasonable protein content: 60/65-74% per scoop
• Poor protein content: <60-65% per scoop

I’m calling it “very good,” which is not an official category, but it’s so high in the good category that it doesn’t seem fair to lump it in with products that contain only 75% protein per scoop.

At 84% protein per scoop, Phormula-1 is a “very good” protein source.  Phormula-1 is lean, clean, and protein-dense.

Highlights: What I Liked About 1st Phorm Phormula-1

High-quality whey isolate

Given its higher price point ($2.00-$2.17 per serving, compared to an average of <$1.50 per serving), I’m glad that this is a highly refined whey protein isolate, making it fast-absorbing, and low in lactose and in fat, perfect for a post-workout shake.

Third-party tested

Because I’m a competitive athlete in a sport where I am subject to drug-testing, I really appreciate that Phormula-1 is third-party tested so that I don’t have to worry about the risk of banned substances that would disqualify me from competition.  This also gives me confidence to recommend this product to my clients who are competitive athletes.

Flavors that feel like dessert

Now that I’ve tried (and liked) the Chocolate Milkshake, I’m looking forward to getting my hands on flavors like Cookies & Cream, Salted Peanut Butter (which I’ve never even heard of before but instantly made me drool), Salted Caramel, Cafe Mocha and Chocolate Mint Cookie.

Top-notch mixing

Because I’m most likely to have Phormula-1 immediately post-workout in a shaker cup with some water, it was really important to me that it mix smoothly without the need for a blender, or other ingredients to mask any clumpiness or grittiness.  Phormula-1 delivered.

Drawbacks: What I Didn’t Like About 1st Phorm Protein

Not chocolatey enough

This was totally down to my own personal preference, but I didn’t get as much chocolate flavor as I had hoped.  I do have to remember that this is a “chocolate milkshake” flavor, which is often sweeter and more subtle than a “chocolate deluxe,” “chocolate fudge” or “double chocolate.”  If you’re looking for a strong chocolate flavor, this product will be sweeter and less chocolatey than you’re looking for. 

Artificial sweeteners

After reading through (and being impressed by) the clean and natural ingredients and flavorings, I was disappointed to get to the final ingredient and see sucralose instead of a natural high-intensity sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.  

1st Phorm Phormula-1 Protein Review: My Experience

Shakes

I mixed one scoop with ~200 mL of cold water in a shaker cup, as per the “Suggested Use” printed on the side of the tub:

It dissolved cleanly with zero lumps – especially after letting it sit 60 seconds as recommended.  The texture was smooth and satisfying, but not quite as thick as a real milkshake, given I only mixed it with water.

Smoothies

I’m pretty spoiled with a gym in my garage, so I often have the luxury of preparing my post-workout shakes and meals at home – this means that I can use a blender and make a smoothie and not just a shake.  

I got much closer to a legitimate milkshake texture by adding some ice cubes and frozen cauliflower (my secret “hack” for thick, fluffy protein shakes that sneak in a serving of vegetables in a way that you can’t even taste), and blending with unsweetened cashew milk.  

As I said, the chocolate flavor was very subtle, but the result was sweet and creamy, just like a milkshake.  You’d definitely get a more chocolatey experience if you used chocolate milk to blend with the powder: a great choice for adding even more protein and additional carbohydrates into your post-workout recovery.

For the best chocolate flavored protein powder read here.

Baking

If you’ve read some of my other articles or recipes, you’ll know that I love making high-protein baked goods.  Naturally, I had to try this protein powder in my favourite protein skillet cookies.  I know from past experience that whey protein isolate tends to lead to a drier, gummier result, so I shortened the baking time. 

The end result was tasty, but the texture was still a bit gummier than the soft, brownie- or cake-like result I get when I use my usual whey isolate-concentrate blend for baking (Quest and PE Science are both excellent brands for baking). 

I won’t be using Phormula-1 Whey Protein Isolate for baking again.

Other Uses

I’m obsessed with my Ninja Creami, so naturally I had to try making protein ice cream with Phormula-1.  The texture was totally fine (unlike with the baked goods), but the flavor was really bland – it barely tasted like chocolate at all.  I’d suggest adding some unsweetened cocoa powder (1 tbsp) to the mix if you’re looking to make chocolate protein ice cream.

Digestion

Despite the artificial sweetener, I didn’t experience any digestive issues.  Anyone extremely sensitive to artificial sweeteners or to lactose might have issues with this product, although sucralose is less likely to cause issues than sugar alcohols like erythritol or xylitol (not present in this product), and whey protein isolate often removes all of the lactose through processing.

Post-Workout Recovery

Because it’s a pure whey isolate, it delivers protein and BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) quickly to your muscles, perfect for pre- or post-workout or following overnight fasting.

Value

The premium price point at $2.00 or more per serving, it’s one of the more expensive options we’ve reviewed- but for many users the flavor and quality justify the cost.

How Does 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Stack Up Against Our Criteria For Whey Protein?

We’ve come up with 8 consistent criteria for ranking whey protein powders.  Here is how Phormula-1 scored in each of the categories:

Nutrition label transparency:

Our rating: 4.5/5

Phormula-1 clearly labels calories, carbs (including total sugars and added sugar, but not fiber), protein and fat (including saturated fat but not trans fat or mono- or poly-unsaturated fats) and highlighted micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) per serving in accordance with national food labelling requirements.

That said, while they do meet the nutrition label minimum requirements, they don’t go above and beyond by providing any additional data such as the additional splits I mentioned above.

They also have a clear, short list of ingredients, and point out the risk of common allergens (milk, eggs, soy and wheat) because the product is manufactured in a facility which also processes those ingredients.

Fat content transparency:

Our rating: 4.0/5

Phormula-1 clearly identifies the total fat and saturated fat per serving on the nutrition label, but stops short of providing any kind of split into trans fats, and mono- and/or poly-unsaturated fats.

Salted Peanut Butter is the flavor with the most fat, which is still quite low at only 1 g per serving.

Most flavors, including Cookies & Cream, Chocolate Milkshake, Chocolate Mint Cookie, Salted Caramel, Strawberry, Cafe Latte, and Cafe Mocha have 0.5 g of fat per serving.

Loop D Fruit, Vanilla Milkshake and CTC (Cinnamon Toast Crunch) flavors all have 0 g of fat per serving.

Effective ingredients

Our rating: 5.0/5

In terms of effectiveness, a refined whey protein isolate is an excellent source of protein.  

I was pleased to see that each flavor only had a short list of ingredients with natural flavorings.  I’m personally not sensitive to sucralose, so it didn’t bother me to see this high-intensity sweetener in the place of the more “natural” option of stevia.  Sucralose versus stevia isn’t going to reduce the effectiveness of the protein.

I also liked that the product was soy-free (using sunflower lecithin instead of soy lecithin) and gluten-free.  Soy and gluten are two key ingredients that many of my clients are looking to avoid, so it’s nice to have a protein powder to recommend for them.

Protein percent of calories

Our rating: 4.4/5

Phormula-1 has ~23 g of protein per scoop and 110 calories per serving (for the Chocolate Milkshake flavor).  As I’ve calculated earlier, this puts it around 84% protein per scoop, just shy of our “Excellent” rating. 

Other flavors, like CTC, deliver the same 23 g of protein, but for only 100 calories, bumping the protein percentage up to 92% (on par with Transparent Labs), which makes it Excellent in terms of protein percent of calories.

It really depends whether any of the other ingredients used for natural flavor (like cocoa powder versus cinnamon) add calories from carbohydrates and/or fat, bumping the protein percentage downward slightly.

Taste/flavor

Our rating: 4.5/5

While I wasn’t personally a huge fan of the Chocolate Milkshake flavor because I like a richer chocolate experience, it definitely had the creamy sweetness of an actual chocolate milkshake.

With some amazing-sounding flavors in the roster, and lots of user reviews raving about the great taste, I don’t have a good basis to adjust the rating downward.

Mixability

Our rating: 5/5

I was very impressed with how smoothly Phormula-1 protein powder mixed – whether with just water in a shaker cup, in a blender, or mixing into the batter for my protein cookies or the base mixture for protein ice cream.

I did not have mixability concerns in any use/application of the product.

Texture (Thick or Thin)

Our rating: Thin; 4.5/5

Phormula 1 has a fairly thin texture, which is common for whey protein isolate due to the fact that it has minimal additional carbohydrates or fat.

The good news is that Phormula-1 mixes very smoothly with water, with no grittiness, graininess, lumps or clumps -see my comments about mixability, above.

Satiety

Our rating: 4.0/5

Because whey protein isolate is so fast-digesting, it won’t keep you full as long as a slower-digesting protein like caseinate, or even a whey concentrate.

That said, I didn’t notice a significant difference in my hunger or appetite levels post-workout when I used Phormula-1 versus my whey isolate-concentrate blend.  This could be due to the fact that I always have other ingredients mixed into my smoothie, or served on the side.

If you find that you get hungry too quickly, I suggest adding some carbohydrates with fiber (like a banana) and a little bit of fat like nut butter (but not too much – you don’t want to slow down digestion so much that you don’t quickly deliver protein and carbohydrates to your muscles for post-workout recovery).

Who is Phormula-1 For:

1st Phorm Phormula-1 whey protein isolate is for:

• Serious athletes who want a quick-digesting, high-quality whey protein isolate

• Individuals who want a protein powder that mixes easily with water

• Consumers who prefer natural flavoring and no artificial colors

Who Shouldn’t Use Phormula-1?

1st Phorm Phormula-1 whey protein isolate is not for:

• Individuals who want to avoid artificial sweeteners (sucralose)

• Individuals looking for a budget-friendly protein powder

• Individuals who want a rich, chocolatey flavor protein powder

1st Phorm Phormula-1 Customer Reviews

On the 1st Phorm website, Phormula 1 boasts an impressive 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on over 25k reviews.

But, like any product, you can find unhappy customers – there is an entire Reddit thread dissing Phormula-1 as overpriced and the company as having “shady/sketchy” influencers and employees.

The company itself (1st Phorm) has an overall rating of 4.21 at the Better Business Bureau, but even there reviews are mixed with some customers leaving 1-star reviews and scathing comments, and others leaving 5-star reviews.

Where to Buy 1st Phorm Phormula-1?

You can order Phormula-1 directly from the 1st Phorm website.  Products are available for a one-time purchase, or you can get a discount if you use their “Subscribe & Save” feature with varying delivery frequencies (depending on how quickly you go through the product).

Some brick and mortar supplement stores also carry Phormula-1, and depending on the location, major retailers like Walmart will also carry it.

Final Thoughts

1st Phorm Phormula-1 Chocolate Milkshake is a premium whey isolate that genuinely tastes like a milkshake, with excellent macronutrient balance and high production standards. Its lack of chocolate flavor and price are potential drawbacks—but for flavor-lovers and athletes seeking both taste and quality, it’s a standout.

1st Phorm Phormula-1 Alternatives

Other top picks for protein include:

Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey

This is our number-one ranked protein powder on the website for a reason – check out our review here. I personally love it because their Dark Chocolate flavor delivers the rich chocolate flavor that I prefer (compared to Milk Chocolate or Chocolate Milkshake).  

Transparent Labs even goes a step above 1st Phorm by using natural sweeteners like stevia instead of artificial sweeteners like sucralose.

Like 1st-Phorm, Transparent Labs’ products are all third-party tested and Safe for Sport.  

PE Science Protein

Since I love baking with protein powders so much, PE Science is a top choice for me because the blend of why and casein gives it the perfect texture for baking (instead of the dry, crumbly and somewhat gummy texture I get using a pure whey isolate).

It also blends up into thick and fluffy smoothies that provide long-term satiety and are slower-digesting than pure whey isolate.  A protein shake or protein ice cream for dessert made with this protein powder are my go-to choices after dinner for an option that will replenish me all night long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is 1st Phorm Phormula-1 Whey Protein Made?

1st Phorm Phormula-1 Whey Protein (and all of 1st Phorm’s products) are made at their facility in Fenton, Missouri, USA.

What is 1st Phorm’s Shipping Policy?

All orders placed before two o’clock central time (Monday-Friday) are guaranteed to ship out the same day.  Orders placed after two o’clock central time are processed and shipped the following business day.

Standard shipping is free to all 50 states and US territories on orders $100 and above.

International shipping is available but costs do not include import fees, customs, duties or value-added taxes.  Shipping is not currently available to Mexico, Germany, Brazil or Spain.

You can get all the details on 1st Phorm’s shipping policies here.

What is 1st Phorm’s Return Policy?

I personally think 1st Phorm’s return policy is generous and industry-leading: 1st Phorm offers a 30-day exchange policy.  And, if you’re still not satisfied with a product OR your results with a product, they offer a 110% money back guarantee – you can return a product for a full refund + 10% (minus shipping costs).

Is Phormula-1 Gluten-free?

Yes, Phormula-1 is gluten-free, and carries a certified gluten-free label.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Most of the time, highly refined whey protein isolate no longer contains isolate (the naturally-occuring sugar in milk), but for highly sensitive individuals, there is a chance that trace amounts could cause bloating, gassiness or other symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Also, the product is processed in a facility that also processes wheat, eggs, soy, milk, tree nuts and peanuts, so there is a small risk for individuals who are highly allergic to any of these items.

How To Contact Phormula-1

1st Phorm has a contact form, or a live chat feature Monday-Friday 6:00 AM – 7:30 PM Central time, or call their customer service line at 1-800-409-9732.