GNC Protein Powder Review: Why I Think Better Options Exist

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I have managed a supplement store for over a decade and therefore have had the opportunity to try dozens of different whey protein products, including GNC Pro Whey Protein. 

After recently testing GNC Whey Protein for a few weeks, I really wanted to like it because it has a great percentage of protein per scoop, but the high cost and lack of satiety make other options more appealing. 

Key Takeaways

Honest Review Guarantee from FeastGood: Our testing team purchases each product 100% independently and uses the product for several weeks up to several months before writing a review. Learn more about our review process here.

• GNC Whey Protein uses a smaller scoop size than other companies, offering 20g of protein. They advertise 40g of protein per serving, recommending customers take two scoops, which halves the # of servings in their bottle.

• The cost per serving for GNC Whey Protein ($2.78-$3.15) is well above even the highest quality products I’ve tested, which come in at around $2.00 per serving.  

• On a positive note, GNC Whey Protein is Informed Choice certified (safe for tested athletes) and uses the highest quality ingredients with no artificial flavors or colors.

• Overall, I think other products do better in each category (taste, mixability, satiety, price), and at 50%+ the cost of most protein powders, I don’t think GNC Whey Protein is worth the price tag.

• If you’re looking for a quick alternative, check out my review of Transparent Labs Whey Protein. 

About GNC

GNC initially started out as a single small healthfood store, Lackzoom, opened by David Shakarian in 1935. 

He opened a second store six months later, but then was forced to close both stores after the Ohio River flooded downtown Pittsburg where the stores were located. 

He reopened his store the following year, and began rapid expansion in the 1960s, when he also changed the name of his stores to General Nutrition Center (GNC). 

Fast forward to 2018, and GNC hit its peak at over 8,400 locations globally with more than 6,000 of those being in the United States. 

Since 2018, we’ve seen the closure of more than 900 stores, though their popularity continues as they sell online, on Amazon, and have recently partnered with Walmart. 

Their website currently offers more than 500 products, with many being their personal GNC brand. 

They offer supplements in a variety of categories including vitamins and supplements, sport performance, weight management, and protein supplements – the last of which is our topic of discussion today. 

Overview of GNC Pro Performance Whey Iso Burst Protein Powder 

I tested the GNC Pro Performance Whey Iso Burst All Natural, which features whey protein isolate, banaba extract, soy lecithin, and is naturally flavored and sweetened.

The macronutrient breakdown of GNC Whey Iso Burst protein based on the recommended two-scoop serving is:

• Calories: 170
• Protein: 40g  
• Carbohydrates:  1.5g
• Fat:  1g
• Sugar: 0g

This product exceeds our criteria for a great quality protein (one that is at least 85% protein per scoop) by coming in at an amazing 94% protein per scoop. 

Being both low in fat and sugar-free, this product is easy to integrate into any dieting style (e.g. keto) or for anyone tracking macros.

Banaba extract is a unique ingredient that I haven’t seen in protein powders before. 

Banaba leaves are touted for their ability to lower blood sugar, and the active component called Corosolic Acid has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

Banaba extract has been used in conjunction with Vitamin D and green coffee beans as a weight management supplement, making this protein a potentially good option for individuals trying to improve their body composition. 

• Related Article: How To Use Protein Shakes For Weight Loss

Highlights: What I Liked About GNC Pro Performance Whey Iso Burst Protein

High Protein Content

GNC Pro Performance Whey Iso Burst has 40g of protein per serving (if you take the recommended 2-scoop serving) and offers 94% protein per scoop. 

This protein percentage is on par with some of the highest-quality protein powders I’ve tested and love, like Transparent Labs Whey Isolate (click to read my review).

Mixes Well

GNC Whey Isoburst mixed well with a traditional shaker cup, dissolving easily without a lot of effort. It mixed really well into other products like yogurt and oatmeal. 

While this wasn’t my favorite product to drink on its own due to low satiety (more on that below), I did really like this product for adding to smoothies or snacks like oatmeal and yogurt to boost the protein content.

Pictured stirred into plain yogurt topped with frozen fruit – one of my favorite snacks. 

If you pop it in the freezer for 30 mins or so, the yogurt starts to harden up and eats more like ice cream.

Third Party Tested with High Quality Ingredients

Whey Iso Burst uses exclusively a high-quality whey isolate, with the only other ingredients being soy lecithin, natural flavors, stevia, and cocoa. 

While sunflower lecithin is typically considered a higher-quality emulsifier when compared to soy, soy lecithin is less expensive and is found in the vast majority of protein powders. 

It does contain “natural flavors” which is a broad term used by food companies to describe flavor enhancers derived from natural sources like plants or animals. 

These flavorings still undergo some processing and may contain chemical additives, but are found in most protein powders, even some of my tried and tested favorites like Transparent Labs.

Instead of adding artificial sweeteners to their product, they use only stevia and cocoa which makes it a product that is more appealing to individuals trying to limit artificial sweeteners from their diet. 

This protein is Informed Sport certified, meaning it undergoes additional third-party testing to check for the presence of substances that are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. 

This testing certification process means this product is safe for use by elite athletes who are drug tested for their sports. 

Drawbacks: What I Didn’t Like About GNC Pro Performance Whey Iso Burst

Not a Great Value

If you follow the recommended serving size of 2 scoops providing 40 grams of protein, this product retails for $59.99 for a 19-serving container, which makes this product $3.15 per serving. 

If you take the recommended 2 scoop serving to get the 40g of protein, this only provides 19 servings which makes this product over $3.00 per serving. 

There is a larger value size, costing around $135 USD for 48 servings, bringing the price down to $2.81 per serving, still well above every other protein powder I’ve tested. 

Some of the next most expensive powders I’ve found like Ghost Whey Protein come in between $1.75 and $2.00 per serving.

When I compare these products at cost per 100g of protein, Transparent Labs Grassfed Whey Isolate, which also comes in at close to 94% protein per scoop and is naturally flavored, is much less expensive.

The math is demonstrated below since it can be difficult to compare a product that has 40g of protein to one that has 28g. 

• GNC Whey Iso Burst:

19 servings x 40g protein per = ~760g protein per container

($59.99/760g) = $0.07893per g, or $7.89 per 100g

• Transparent Labs Isolate

30 servings x 28g protein per = ~840g protein per container

($59.99/740g) = 0.071416 per g, or $7.14 per 100g

Confusing Nutrition Label

GNC’s Iso Burst Whey doesn’t have a typical nutrition facts panel on it, which made finding the ingredients and exact quantities of macronutrients and micronutrients challenging to find. 

I don’t know how this product got approved without meeting the nutrition facts label standards that are found on literally every other supplement I’ve reviewed, but the label was very confusing and misleading.

On the very top, it says that it contains 40g protein, 1.5g carbs, and 1g fat per 2-scoop serving, but it’s broken down in such a confusing way on the label that you have to search around to find what you’re looking for. 

The fiber and fat content is hidden on the right side of the panel, and the rest of the ingredients are listed hidden under the usage instructions.

The information is all there but having to hunt around for it made it seem like the company was trying to hide something. 

Compare the Whey Iso Burst Label to a typical protein powder nutrition facts panel:

There’s no indication if this product has any vitamin and mineral content, whereas every single other protein powder in my house right now (of which there are about a dozen) lists calcium and potassium on their labels. 

I Didn’t Feel Full or Satisfied

Though it dissolved easily, this product mixed up really thin and I felt hungry pretty quickly afterwards.

I tried this as both a morning post-workout shake and an afternoon snack in between meals. In both cases, I didn’t feel satisfied and felt hungry within an hour after drinking it. 

A product mixing up thin isn’t necessarily a pro or a con – it will depend on your personal preference. 

However, for almost 200 calories and 40 full grams of protein, this protein mixed up really thin and didn’t feel like a substantial protein shake. 

When added to other foods like in a smoothie or stirred into oatmeal, it did prolong the satiety of that snack. 

Doesn’t Taste Great

This product didn’t taste bad, but when adding 2 scoops to water it still had a very diluted and watered-down taste. 

For a product offering nearly twice the amount of protein found in competing products, I expected this protein to mix up a little bit thicker and have a stronger taste. 

Other products that are also naturally flavored, like Transparent Labs, have a much richer taste and flavor variety. 

I only taste-tested the chocolate flavor, but online reviews of all three flavors (chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla) tend to agree that this product leaves a lot to be desired on the taste front. 

GNC Pro Performance Whey Iso Burst Review: My Experience

I had really high hopes for this protein powder, but I was a bit disappointed when it came to adding it to my day. 

I tried it several different ways: as a post-workout shake, as part of a meal/snack, and in between meals. 

My favorite way of using it was to add one scoop to greek yogurt or oatmeal for a 20g protein boost. 

When drinking it just on its own, the taste fell flat and it wasn’t very satisfying. I followed the directions of mixing two scoops into 250ml (1 cup) of liquid. 

I tried it post-workout and found that despite having 40g of protein – more than 10g above every other protein powder I have tested – I felt hungry within about 30 minutes of drinking my shake. 

There were several times after drinking it that I also felt a little bit nauseous/had small stomach cramps. 

This might be attributed to the protein powder, but more likely because of how I was consuming it. 

Because I was mixing it with only 1 cup of water and it was thin, I was drinking it very quickly, which could have caused the nausea. 

I do have a dairy sensitivity, but not a severe one, and I tolerate most protein powders well. 

I am still unsure of why this one bothers me so much, but it could be a reaction to the natural flavors used in the product. 

I could also have felt some adverse reaction to the banaba leaf or piperine (which is in there to aid in nutrient absorption), both of which I have never consumed as part of a protein powder blend. 

Overall, I don’t think this is a bad product. 

They use a high-quality protein source and they have a wonderfully high protein percentage per scoop, which is ultimately the goal when buying a protein powder. 

That being said, I think that there are products that do better in every criterion (taste, mixability, satiety, price) and at nearly twice the cost per serving, I don’t think GNC Whey Iso Burst is worth the price tag. 

How Does GNC Whey Iso Burst Stack Up Against Our Criteria For Whey Protein

At FeastGood, we have 8 different criteria for ranking whey protein powders.  Here’s how GNC’s Whey Iso Burst stacked up:

Nutrition Label Transparency 

Rating: 1/5

The label on the product does not follow the labeling standards that I see on protein powders and food products in North America. It was missing a comprehensive nutrition facts panel, making it difficult to find the information we were looking for. 

It also advertises boldly on the front that it has 40g of protein per serving, but the fact that it is a two-scoop serving providing that 40g is hidden on the back of the label. 

The product does state on the front that it has 19 doses, but if you were to see this product on the shelf lined with other 908g protein powders, and see that this advertises 40g per scoop versus 25-30g that other products offer, you might assume that this product has more protein per scoop and is a better option/value. 

Fat Content Transparency 

Rating: 3/5

The total fat content (1g) is clearly labeled on the front and at the top of the back of the label. The saturated and trans fat content is hidden on the right-hand side of the label.

Again, while all of the info is technically there, it was annoying to try to find it all hidden in the small font of the label. 

Effective Ingredients 

Rating: 4/5

GNC Whey Iso Burst uses a high-quality whey isolate protein that is low in sugar and fat, and undergoes additional testing to check for any banned substances ensuring that this product is safe for athletes.

The addition of banaba extract means that this product has the potential for aiding in weight management and blood sugar control. 

There is a slight room for improvement (for instance, using sunflower lecithin to make their product soy free) but ultimately this product uses high-quality and effective ingredients. 

Protein Percent of Calories

Rating: 5/5

To its credit, GNC Whey Iso Burst has the highest percentage of protein per scoop that we’ve found in any product (94%). Out of 170 total calories in a 2-scoop serving, 160 of those come from protein. 

Taste/flavor

Rating: 3/5

The flavor wasn’t terrible, but I found it bland and unappealing. Other products which are similar taste better, and have a wider variety of flavor options to choose from. 

GNC Whey Iso Burst All Natural came in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry options. I specifically tried the chocolate and felt that other chocolate proteins came out on top as far as taste and flavor variety. 

Mixability

Rating: 4.5/5

GNC Whey Isoburst mixed really well and easily, even when just a plain shaker cup was used. There is no blender, whisk, spoon, or mixing ball required for this product to dissolve completely. 

It also dissolved really well into coffee, oatmeal, and yogurt with no clumping. 

Texture (Thick or Thin)

Rating: Thin

Whey Iso Burst mixed up incredibly thin, even when a minimal amount of liquid was used. 

This is a good thing if you are looking for something that will mix and dissolve well into smoothies and recipes, but can leave you feeling unsatisfied if you drink it alone with water or a milk alternative. 

Satiety

Rating: 1/5

Despite having a full 40g of protein (a typical 3oz chicken breast has around 25g), we felt hungry very quickly after drinking this shake and don’t recommend it if you are looking for something to leave you feeling full or satisfied. 

Who Is GNC Whey Iso Burst For? 

• Someone with extra disposable income who prefers the highest quality ingredients

• Customers who are looking for a protein that can double as a weight management supplement

Who Shouldn’t Take GNC Whey Iso Burst?

• Anyone on a budget, as this is the most expensive protein we’ve tested so far

• Someone looking for a product available in a variety of flavors.

• Someone looking for a protein to keep them full in between meals

GNC Pro Performance Iso Burst All Natural Customer Reviews

The 5lb container of Iso Burst had a 4.8/5 rating on the GNC website, while the 2lb size only had a 3.6/5 star rating (but this was based on only 8 reviews, so the sample size isn’t enough to really draw conclusions on.) 

This discrepancy in reviews is expected because people are more likely to buy the smaller size first to try it out, and then invest in the larger size once they know they like the product. 

The one star reviews all revolved around the taste of the product. Most people found this left a lot to be desired, regardless of which flavor they bought.

There were some reviews on Amazon, but only 64 total ratings. Compare this to other products we’ve reviewed which have over 20,000 reviews on Amazon, and it’s difficult to call this a reliable sample size. 

Even still, the overall consensus seems to be that people love the quality, but aren’t a fan of the taste or price. 

At 66% of reviews being 5/5, this product had the lowest 5-star review rating of any protein I’ve tested so far. 

Where most Amazon reviews based on criteria still fall somewhere between 4/5 and 5/5, the GNC Whey Iso Burst reviews had the following breakdown:

• Value for Money: 3.6/5
• Flavor: 3.1/5 

Overall, consumers tend to agree that there are more desirable options out there, despite the high quality ingredients used.

GNC Promotions & Discounts

There are a few promotional options on the GNC website for you to save some money. 

First of all, they have a Refer A Friend feature where if you refer a friend, you can save $10 off of your next purchase of $75 or more. 

The way this one works is that you get a custom link to share. If your friend uses this link, they save $10 off of their purchase of $75 or more as well. Your $10 is activated after your friend makes their purchase. 

Secondly, you can subscribe and save to save 10% off of your orders, and receive free shipping. 

You can shop their “routines” section, where they offer a variety of options and packages at a subscribe and save discount, and you can choose to have your order shipped every 30, 45, 60, 90, or 120 days. 

GNC routinely runs promotions on their website, especially on GNC brand products. For instance, at the time of this article, they are running “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” on select items, Buy 2 get 1 Free on others, as well as some clearance and individual brand promotions. 

Where To Buy GNC?

The best place to buy GNC products is directly from GNC.com, where you will find a combination of GNC brand products, as well as other brands. 

They also have a warehouse and store through Amazon.com where you can buy GNC brand products. 

GNC Pro Performance Protein vs Other GNC Protein Powders

GNC AMP WheyBolic

GNC AMP Wheybolic is a blend of whey isolate and whey hydrolysate, two fast acting proteins. It has 20g of protein per scoop, similar to the Whey Iso Burst, but only has 80% protein per scoop. 

WheyBolic has some added amino acids (leucine specifically) to help encourage muscle building. 

It also contains an ingredient called Velositol®, which is a patented combination of amylopectin and chromium. This patented ingredient was shown to increase muscle protein synthesis. 

This product is a good option to choose if your goal is to build lean muscle. 

GNC AMP Wheybolic is available in more than 15 different flavours, including a Girl Guide Cookie series, and costs between $2.72 and $4.00 per 40g serving, depending on which size you buy. 

Compared to the Whey Iso Burst, Wheybolic has considerably more artificial and processed ingredients such as sunflower creamer, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium. 

While none of these added ingredients are inherently harmful, if you are someone who is choosing to reduce the amount of additives in your products, you might choose to stay with the Iso Burst. 

GNC AMP Wheybolic™ Ripped Performance Protein + Thermogenic

GNC Wheybolic Ripped uses the same blend of protein, sweeteners, and additives that the regular Wheybolic formula has. 

GNC AMP Wheybolic Ripped also has the same leucine and Velositol® blend that the regular Wheybolic formula has, but also contains 200mg of caffeine and 33.34mg of Capsicum Extract to encourage thermogenesis and fat loss. 

Wheybolic Ripped is available in 4 different flavours (chocolate, vanilla, strawberries and cream, and chocolate peanut butter). 

This product costs between $3.40 and $4.99 per 40g of protein serving. In my honest opinion, if your goal is fat loss, you can save a lot of money and get better results by purchasing a high quality protein powder (one that offers at least 85% protein per scoop) and buying thermogenic ingredients separately. 

If you are not concerned about the cost per serving, then this product is a convenient way to support the maintenance of lean mass while trying to lose fat. 

GNC AMP Pure Isolate

Of all of the protein powders discussed here today, the AMP Pure Isolate would be my top recommendation for a versatile protein.  

It offers a lower protein percentage per serving at around 77%, but has significantly fewer additives than the Wheybolic products mentioned above. Aside from the isolate protein, this product contains natural and artificial flavours, cocoa, cellulose gum, and sucralose. 

AMP Pure Isolate is available in the following flavors: chocolate frosting, chocolate lava cake, vanilla custard, strawberry, and peanut butter cup.

Wth 25g of protein per scoop, and a price point between $1.42 and $2.30 per serving, this product is definitely a much better value than the other GNC products. 

That being said, most isolate proteins that also fall in the $2.00 per serving range typically offer a higher percentage of protein (in the mid 80s to low 90s)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are GNC products Made? 

GNC manufacturing operates out of two facilities in South Carolina; one in Greenville and one in Anderson. 

What Is GNC’s Shipping Policy? 

GNC ships throughout the US, as well as 10 other countries including Canada, Italy, and Australia. Shipping costs are dependent on which items you order as well as which shipping method you select at checkout. Orders are shipped on business days only, excluding observed holidays in the US. 

What Is GNC’s Return Policy? 

If you are unsatisfied with any GNC product, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price, minus shopping and handling. The items must be returned in good condition with all paperwork and accessories for refund. Due to shipping time frames, there are no returns on International orders. 

Is GNC Whey Iso Burst Third Party Tested? 

As of 2015, GNC products are tested by an independent third party lab. Because Whey Iso Burst is Informed Sport Certified, we know that it undergoes additional testing for banned substances. 

Is GNC Whey Iso Burst Good For Weight Loss? 

GNC Whey Iso Burst is a good option for weight loss because it offers a very high percentage of protein per scoop, while keeping the carbs, fats, and total calories low. The addition of banaba leaf supports weight management. 

Is GNC Whey Iso Burst Keto Friendly? 

GNC Whey Iso Burst has only 0 sugar and only 1g of net carbs per 40g of protein, making it a great option for keto dieters. 

Is GNC Whey Iso Burst Gluten Free? 

Gluten/wheat are not listed anywhere as allergens, but the product is not labeled as certifiably gluten-free. 

What Are The Best Ways To Mix GNC Whey Iso Burst? 

GNC Whey Iso Burst mixes easily in water or milk, but doesn’t taste great on its own. We found it tasted much better when added to a smoothie or mixed into something oatmeal or yogurt. 

What Flavors Are Available For XX? 

GNC Whey Iso Burst All Natural is available in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and unflavoured. If you choose the artificially flavoured option, you can also get cookies and cream, banana berry, orange cream, cinnamon toast, fruity cereal, and raspberry swirl. 

Does GNC Whey Iso Burst Make You Gain Weight? 

Because it offers a very high protein percentage, it can support muscle building when used with a high calorie diet and appropriate weight training program. However, this product is low calorie and won’t be likely to contribute to weight gain. 

Can you use GNC Whey Iso Burst as A Meal Replacement? 

GNC Whey Iso Burst should not be used as a meal replacement, since it has little to no carbohydrates or fats to create a balanced meal and offers very little satiety. It can be used to increase the protein content of a meal, or added to yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies. 

When Is The Best Time To Take Whey Iso Burst? 

GNC Whey Isoburst can be taken any time of day where extra protein might be desired, such as with a meal or as part of a snack. Since isolate proteins are great for post-workout recovery, this is a good post-workout option. 

How To Contact GNC

You can reach out to GNC through their Contact page. 

GNC.com has a chat feature on their website or their customer service line at 1-877-GNC-4700. Both are available from 9am-8pm EST Monday through Saturday, and 9am-7pm EST on Sundays. 

Find GNC on social media on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.

References

Miura, T., Takagi, S., & Ishida, T. (2012). Management of Diabetes and Its Complications with Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) and Corosolic Acid. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012, 871495. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/871495

Stohs, S.J., Kaats, G.R., & Preuss, H.G. (2016). Safety and Efficacy of Banaba–Moringa oleifera–Green Coffee Bean Extracts and Vitamin D3 in a Sustained Release Weight Management Supplement. Phytotherapy Research, 30(4), 630-636. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5577.

Stefan M Pasiakos and others, Leucine-enriched essential amino acid supplementation during moderate steady state exercise enhances postexercise muscle protein synthesis–, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 94, Issue 3, September 2011, Pages 809–818, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.111.017061

T. N. Ziegenfuss, H. L. Lopez, A. Kedia, S. M. Habowski, J. E. Sandrock, B. Raub, C. M. Kerksick & A. A. Ferrando (2017) Effects of an amylopectin and chromium complex on the anabolic response to a suboptimal dose of whey protein, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14:1, DOI: 10.1186/s12970-017-0163-1