The Secret is in the Science

The Strength One's formula is researched and formulated in the UK and the Netherlands by experts in nutrition and exercise physiology. We only include active ingredients that are robustly proven to improve quality of life through physical performance, muscle dynamics and recovery.

The importance of muscle growth, retention and strength is only now being recognised for it's true importance for quality of life. As new research comes to light we are constantly investigating new muscle support pathways to upgrade the effectiveness and health-promoting effects of each brewi.

Explore the Key Ingredients

Our ingredients are curated through research on every level, with help from researchers in the UK and the Netherlands, all the way down to tailoring the optimal ratio of essential amino acids for our protein enrichment.

EAA-Enriched Protein

EAAs

Muscle growth is triggered once all EAAs hit their required blood levels.

Essential amino acids (EAAs) are the nine key building blocks the body needs to build and repair muscle. Unlike regular protein, which must first be broken down during digestion, free EAAs, not bound into protein, are absorbed quickly and delivered directly to muscle tissue. This rapid availability allows free EAAs to more effectively “switch on” muscle protein synthesis—the process by which muscles grow and recover.

The level of muscle protein synthesis is generally limited by the least available essential amino acid. This is why incomplete proteins, such as standalone collagen protein or plant protein, are far less effective, and proteins with high levels of essential amino acids are vastly superior.

EAAs and protein

EAA-enriched protein exceeds blood thresholds faster and more extensively than just protein.

Studies comparing EAA-enriched protein to standard protein supplementation have shown clear advantages. When EAAs are added to other proteins, blood EAA concentrations reach much higher levels faster, instead of a slow bump. This far exceeds the EAA thresholds producing a stronger muscle-building and muscle-preserving response than with protein alone, often more than twice as powerful a stimulus, even when total protein intake is the same!

wilkinson et al

Small amounts of free EAAs can trigger similar muscle growth to large amounts of whole protein.

Research has shown that even small doses of EAAs can produce muscle-building effects similar to, or greater than, larger doses of traditional protein supplements.

Wilkinson et al conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled trial with the University of Nottingham in which different quantities of EAAs were compared to 40g of whey protein. Amazingly they found that 1.5g of complete EAAs provided a similar trigger for muscle protein synthesis as 40g of whey protein, that's a lot of milk!

Protein balance

EAA-enriched protein creates a far more positive environment for muscle growth and retention

Protein balance is the balance between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown over time. Studies have consistently shown the benefits of greater levels of EAAs in protein for resulting in higher overall protein balance.

This means the body builds more muscle and broke down less. This effect is especially important during intense training or when calories are limited, times when muscle loss is more likely to occur, because its much harder for the body to breakdown muscle without replacing it.

Gwin and church et al

Higher EAAs per gram of protein can more than double the protein balance surplus.

Gwin and Church et al showed in their landmark study the superiority of combining EAAs and protein over just protein supplementation or high protein meals. Even when the total protein intake remained the same muscle protein synthesis was far higher with is the EAA-enriched group.

The protein balance was more than twice the level of the meal and just protein groups, this shows how growth-positive the muscle environment is, the greater the balance the better the environment for muscle growth and retention.

Conclusion

EAA-enriched protein allows more to be achieved with less overall protein due to faster digestion and a greater growth stimulus.

This makes EAA-enriched protein a more targeted and effective option for supporting muscle growth, recovery, strength, and performance. Especially in groups that are less sensitive to amino acids like the over 40s.

Overall, research supports EAA-enriched protein as a superior approach for optimizing muscle metabolism. By delivering greater amounts of the growth-signaling amino acids that our bodies cant produce, the body’s ability to build and maintain muscle is enhanced more effectively than regular protein alone.

Bovine Collagen Peptides

Collagen Peptides

Collagen peptides are fast-digesting, multi-purpose and can be formulated to have a far superior amino acid profile to whey protein.

Collagen peptides are a really interesting protein source, they digest faster even than whey reaching the blood in around 20 minutes, however they are not a complete protein. This makes them the perfect candidate for EAA enrichment, they can be made a very high EAA complete protein, with a targeted EAA profile, that all digests together and in half the time of standard whey protein, spiking muscle growth maximally!

This can be done while still retaining collagen’s unique bioactive peptide chains like prolyl-hydroxyproline. This combination allows the body to support both muscle metabolism and collagen-rich tissues at the same time, making EAA-enriched collagen a far more versatile and effective protein source than collagen or whey alone.

Joint Pain

Collagen peptides provide bioactive amino acid chains that can signal tissues to support collagen formulation and repair.

Collagen peptides are especially useful for the health of joints, tendons, and ligaments. Research shows that collagen peptides provide the specific amino acid chains needed to support collagen turnover and connective tissue repair. When consumed regularly—particularly with sufficient hydration and alongside exercise—collagen peptides have been shown to help reduce joint discomfort and improve joint function. Adding EAAs further enhances this effect by improving overall muscle protein balance, helping the body maintain and rebuild muscle and connective tissues more efficiently.

CLARK ET AL

Collagen peptides provide signals for collagen tissues to regenerate and repair collagen.

In a landmark double-blind placebo-controlled trial by Clark et al, participants were given physiotherapy and either broad spectrum collagen peptides, like those we use, or a placebo.

After 24 weeks of supplementation, reduction in joint pain scores was around twice the placebo group! Showing the functional impacts that bioactive peptides can have on collagen-based tissues.

Skin

Skin health is one of the most studied areas for bioactive collagen peptides effects.

Skin is another tissue that relies heavily on collagen for structure, elasticity, and hydration. As we age, natural collagen production declines, leading to visible changes in skin firmness and texture. Studies have shown that collagen peptide supplementation can support skin elasticity, hydration, and collagen density by providing the raw materials needed for new collagen formation and signaling repair pathways.

When combined with essential amino acids, collagen peptides not only supply skin-specific building blocks but also create a stronger anabolic environment that supports ongoing tissue renewal.

Seong et al

Skin elasticity is among the benefits that collagen peptides have been found to significantly improve.

After 12 weeks Seong et al found that the skin elasticity index scores after in the collagen supplementation group not only avoided the decline seen in the placebo group, but saw a huge positive effect.

Conclusion

Collagen support complements the benefits of protein for many fitness and health goals.

Together, collagen peptides and essential amino acids work synergistically to support the body’s structural proteins in exercisers and non-exercisers alike. This approach goes beyond traditional protein supplementation by addressing muscle, joints, and skin simultaneously. By delivering a complete amino acid profile alongside collagen-specific peptides, EAA-enriched collagen provides comprehensive support for connective tissue health, recovery, and long-term performance.

Creatine

Creatine

Creatine greatly enhances the energy reserves of tissues like muscles and the brain improving performance.

Creatine is one of the most widely studied and consistently effective supplements on the planet as well as already being used by most cells in our bodies in small amounts.

It hydrates muscle cells to increase the body’s stores of phosphocreatine—an ingredient in the rapidly accessible energy type used by cells every time you do short duration physical or mental activity, all the way from getting off the couch to doing a crossword!

When phosphocreatine levels are higher, the body can regenerate ATP (your cells’ main energy molecule) more quickly, for your muscles this means greater strength levels and short-term endurance.

Feuerbacher et al

Creatine greatly enhances both max strength and muscular endurance.

Over 30 years research has consistently shown greater force can be generated and for longer. This placebo-controlled trial from the University of Cologne is one of 100s that confirm the power of creatine in both sport and daily life.

Showing far superior improvements over the placebo group, not only in max strength, but the amount of intense work that can be completed in one effort before failure.

Volek et al

Creatine results in increased muscle fibre size across all muscle fibre types regardless of their function.

Alongside performance, creatine plays a major role in muscle growth. In this double-blinded placebo-controlled trial from Pennsylvania State University 19 participants supplemented with creatine and all participants showed accelerated gains in lean mass over all muscle fibre types, from endurance-focused Type I fibres to strength-focused Type IIa fibres.

These fibre type alterations were shown over 12 weeks to correspond in significant strength gains over the placebo group.

Volek et al

Muscle strength greatly increases along with lean mass during creatine supplementation.

By supporting harder and longer training, and creating a more hydrated environment within muscles, creatine indirectly drives muscle synthesis and reduces breakdown. It has these effects whether you exercise or not!

Conclusion

Creatine has a wide range of predictable and fast-acting effects in the body, enhancing abilities from memory to movement.

Creatine is also well-supported for improving recovery. Research shows that creatine can decrease exercise soreness, inflammation, and speed up performance recovery.

Beyond performance, muscle health, and recovery, creatine has promising benefits in other areas as well. Research is exploring its role in cognitive function, bone health, and overall cellular energy metabolism. These benefits are still emerging, but we're really excited for it's potential for improving quality of life outside of movement and exercise.

Creatine is arguably the most useful supplement for both beginners and advanced athletes. Regardless of age, activity level or skill level, the broad range of predictable effects that creatine has on recovery, muscular endurance and strength, as well as making life and stairs easier, allows more to be achieved from any resistance training program.

HMB

HMB

HMB creates a potent muscle-sparing environment through its own unique pathways independent of dietary protein, hydration and insulin.

HMB (beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate) is highly-researched as one of the most effective supplements for preserving muscle tissue. 0.3g/day is naturally produced when we break down the amino acid leucine from our diets. It plays a key role in preserving muscle through the mTor and UP (ubiquitin–proteasome) pathways. It's been consistently found to reduce muscle protein breakdown by up to 57% and increase muscle protein synthesis by up to 70%!

While supplements like protein and creatine require exercise, diet and hydration for optimal effects, HMB is created by your body to shield you when recovery conditions aren’t perfect, when you're stressed, inactive, during aging, or when we aren't eating or drinking enough. it's role in your body is specifically to ignore these factors!

DEUTZ ET AL

HMB can massively reduce or eliminate muscle loss in many different scenarios.

In this double-blinded placebo-controlled trial from the university of Arkansas 24 healthy adults were subjected to bed rest for 10 days. The good news? The average participant that took HMB actually gained muscle compared to an average loss of over 2kg of muscle in the placebo group!

Research has consistently confirmed this, showing that HMB can help minimise muscle loss during periods of intense exercise, inactivity, aging, illness, dieting, dehydration, pretty much any challenge your body faces!

STAHN ET AL

HMB enhances proteins effectiveness, by lowering muscle loss while protein builds it.

It pairs well with performance and growth compounds like amino acids and protein because it attacks the other side of the equation, muscle repair and breakdown, and it does this through it's own unique and independent pathways, protecting progress when conditions aren't perfect.

This randomised placebo-controlled trial from the University of Pennsylvania showed that protein and HMB far outperformed just protein in leg muscle mass gains.

NISSEN ET AL

HMB increases strength through multiple cellular pathways it uses to maintain cell performance

The powerful effect that hmb has in the muscle protein metabolism equation have been shown to have a major impact on preservation and improvement of strength and performance, above what can be achieved with just protein.

Iowa State University showed this in their series of trials comparing HMB to a high-protein diet in 41 trained adults. Showing that strength gains in from HMB outperformed the high protein diet containing a huge 175g of protein a day!

CONCLUSION

HMB excels at sparing muscle in difficult conditions such as aging, dieting, inactivity etc.

HMB is an excellent inclusion for anyone who wants to maintain or build lean muscle, recover more efficiently, or reduce the negative impact of stress, aging, and hard training on muscle tissue. Beyond muscle retention and recovery, HMB is being explored for potential roles in supporting immune resilience, healthy aging, and overall metabolic function.

These areas are still developing, but the early findings suggest that HMB may support quality of life far beyond the gym—something we’re very excited about.

Magnesium

Magnesium

Magnesium has a wide range of effects in the body, among these are key functions in energy production and muscle recovery from exercise.

Magnesium is one of the most impactful minerals in the body, yet it’s also one of the most common deficiencies—especially in active people, up to 70% of people in western societies are estimated to be magnesium deficient. It’s involved in over 300 biochemical processes, many of which directly affect muscle performance, energy production, and recovery.

Magnesium helps regulate muscle contraction and relaxation, supports ATP production (your cells' main energy source), and plays a key role in nerve function. Put simply: without enough magnesium, your muscles and energy systems struggle to operate.

STEWARD ET AL

Many neuromuscular pathways enable magnesium to reduce several factors in recovery.

Magnesium is known to be crucial for muscle recovery and repair post-exercise. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce muscle tightness, soreness and cramps.

In one of many double-blinded placebo-controlled trials into magnesium's recovery-enhancing effects, Steward et al found that muscle soreness was roughly halved over the 3 days following exercise after 4 weeks of magnesium supplementation.

Performance

Magnesium plays essential roles in muscle maintenance and energy production, but is easily lost in sweat.

When it comes to performance, magnesium helps maintain stable energy levels during exercise by supporting ATP synthesis, because ATP powers every muscular movement—from lifting weights to holding good posture. Research has shown that athletes with higher magnesium intakes are better able to maintain strength, power, and endurance during demanding sessions.

Magnesium plays a quiet but essential role in muscle maintenance through regulating electrolytes, reducing inflammation, and maintain healthy muscle function—especially during periods of stress, high training volume, or poor sleep. Because magnesium is lost through sweat, active individuals often need more than they realise to maintain optimal muscle performance and hydration balance.

Alyssum et al

Magnesium has been shown to result in a significant reduction in fatigue post-exercise.

As well as improvements in physical recovery and performance magnesium is known for its fatigue reduction capabilities in exercise. Alyssum et al displayed this in their double-blinded placebo-controlled trial in 2022 by testing fatigue levels from the same workout before and after 10 days of magnesium supplementation. The result? A 47% reduction in fatigue scores compared to a 21% reduction in the placebo group. Less fatigue = more energy = better performance!

Conclusion

Magnesium functions in muscle and performance are only a few big benefits among a very broad range of effects.

Magnesium supports both the mind and the body. Beyond muscle performance and recovery, it’s well-known for its benefits in sleep quality, mood regulation, stress reduction, and maintaining healthy heart rhythm. These broader effects are still being actively researched, but the current evidence makes one thing clear: magnesium is a foundational mineral that supports not just muscle maintenance and recovery, but overall wellbeing and day-to-day function.

Calcium, and Vitamins K2 and D3

Calcium, and vitamins K2 and D3

Calcium, D3 and K2 work together to support each others functions for muscle, bone and energy production

Calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 are all independently well-studied for muscle function and bone health. When taken together, particularly with magnesium, they have been shown to have dramatically improved effects when taken together, on factors such as bone mineral density. Rather than acting in isolation, these nutrients form a coordinated absorption, transportation and utilisation system that supports bone health, neuromuscular function and tissue recovery.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 increases calcium absorption, muscular contraction and many other processes

Research has consistently shown that vitamin D3 plays a direct role in both muscle fibre signaling and calcium absorption and utilisation. Vitamin D status correlates closely with improved muscle strength, neuromuscular efficiency, and bone mineral density, yet in the UK many are deficient.

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 shuttles excess calcium away from soft tissues and into bones

Vitamin K2 plays a vital role in activating proteins like osteocalcin, that guide calcium into bones rather than unhealthy locations such as soft tissues and blood vessels. K2 should always be taken with vitamin D3 for this reason. The resulting improved bone quality not only reduces fractures, but also enhances the way muscles transmit force through the skeleton, supporting better strength expression and joint stability.

Calcium

Calcium is both a signaling molecule and building block for many bodily functions

Calcium is essential for muscle contraction and bone formation at a cellular level, acting as both signal and building block. These roles are critical for bone mineral density, but also for functional strength, muscular performance and electrolyte-dependent energy production. However excess calcium without D3 and K2 can result in potentially dangerous calcification of joints, muscles, bone spurs, arteries and many other tissues.

Conclusion

In combination they are crucial for performance, quality of life and longevity

By working together to support calcium absorption, muscle contraction, and skeletal strength, calcium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K2 help reinforce the systems that optimise tissue preservation and muscular performance, especially when combined with adequate protein intake and adequate resistance training.

Future Targets for The Strength One

We're constantly looking for updates to our base formula and available customisation. So here are the compounds we're waiting for current research to be release on. Whether we release them or not, if anything sounds good then you can always contact us for recommendations on reliable and honest brands to try.

  • Phosphatidic acid

  • Vicia faba peptides

  • Quercetin

  • Ecdysteroids

Evidence-based Dosage

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