Based on eight rated factors, Tier 1 by Citadel Nutrition is a better product than 1st Phorm BCAA by 1st Phorm. The tables below display a side by side comparison allowing you to make a more informed decision on which product is more effective. The simple report at the top of the page is a quick and easy way to gauge product effectiveness. For more information, scroll down to the detailed report.

Community Vote

Have you used both products? If so, which worked better for you?

1st Phorm BCAA by 1st Phorm Tier 1 by Citadel Nutrition

Simple Report

Products are graded and compared against each other in eight areas. A green check mark is placed under the product that scores higher in each category. An equal sign is shown in the event that both products are equal in one or more categories.

Note: You are comparing products from different categories. While this tool is capable of making this comparison, the results may not mean much. Products are categorized based on the manufacturer's marketing material. Comparing products from unrelated categories (pre-workouts vs joint supplements) can be impractical. Some categories are more similar (scuh as pre- and intra-workout supplements). In these cases, comparisons are more approparite. Use caution when interpretting comparsions from products in unrelated categories.

1st Phorm BCAA Tier 1
Effectiveness Rating
Transparency Score
Effective Ingredients
Ineffective Ingredients
Effective Claims
Ineffective Claims
Research Rating
Ranking Within Category
Total Score 1 6

The final score is 6 - 1 in favor of Tier 1. To get a more detailed report on how each product is rated and which one is better tailored to fit your needs, scroll below to the detailed report.

Detailed Report

The effectiveness rating is an overall measure of how well a product works. This rating is a 3-point scale and is based on what peer reviewed research articles conclude about the ingredients found in a product. A rating equal to or greater than 2.5 means the product is extremely effective. A rating between 1.5 and 2.5 means the product is moderately effective. A rating equal to or less than 1.5 means the product is ineffective. This rating is a direct measure of whether or not a product does what it claims. Avoid products with ratings equal to or less than 1.5.

The transparency score is a percentage reflecting how many of a product's ingredients are listed with amounts on the nutrition label. Often, manufacturers create proprietary blends of ingredients which hide amounts under the guise of meaningless phrases. Avoid products that do not list 100% of their ingredient amounts.

Product ingredients are individually rated based on research from peer reviewed journal articles. The number of extremely effective, moderately effective, and ineffective ingredients illustrates what type of ingredients are found in the product. High quality products are those with a high amount of extremely effective ingredients combined with no ineffective ingredients. Avoid products with a high amount of ineffective ingredients.

Each ingredient has been tested on a number of different claims. A product can be effective or ineffective at certain claims based on its mix of ingredients. The number of effective and ineffective claims of a product illustrates how well a product is at doing what it advertises. Chose products with more effective claims and avoid ones with large numbers of ineffective claims.

A product's effectiveness rating comes from research on its ingredients. The research rating is a measure of how much research the database contains on a product's ingredients. A score below 60 indicates not enough research has been conducted on a product's ingredients to truly know whether those ingredients are effective. Scores above 60 are better. Scores above 60 are better while scores above 80 indicate the ingredients chosen by the manufacturer have adequate research backing their use.

All products are ranked against each other. The ranking within category displays how the product ranks against its competition. Choose products ranked highly while avoiding products ranked at the bottom.

Overview 1st Phorm BCAA Tier 1
Manufacturer 1st Phorm Citadel Nutrition
Product Category Intra-Workout Supplements Pre-Workout Supplements
Effectiveness Rating
1.79 out of 3

1.83 out of 3
Transparency Score 50% 100%
Serving Size 1 scoop (11.000g) 1 scoop (12.500g)
Extremely Effective Ingredients 2 0
Moderately Effective Ingredients 7 3
Ineffective Ingredients 3 1
Effective Claims 21 21
Ineffective Claims 13 3
Research Rating
33.167

90.250
Ranking Within Category 249 out of 332 6 out of 1717

Ingredient Comparison

This section compares the ingredients and amounts found in both products. Products with a transparency score under 100% do not have amounts for all ingredients listed on their labels.

Ingredient 1st Phorm BCAA Tier 1
Agmatine Sulfate amt not listed not in product
Beta Alanine not in product 3.2g
Branched Chain Amino Acids 7.5g not in product
Caffeine not in product 200mg
Creatine Monohydrate not in product 5g
Glutamine amt not listed not in product
L-Citrulline amt not listed not in product
Magnesium amt not listed not in product
Niacin 50mg not in product
Potassium 80mg not in product
Sodium 56mg not in product
Taurine amt not listed not in product
Tyrosine amt not listed 3g
Vitamin B12 12mcg not in product
Vitamin B6 10mg not in product

Claim Comparison

Products are made from a mix of ingredients. There is evidence either proving or disproving claims for each ingredient. Some ingredients might be good at increasing muscle mass while at the same time being bad at improving cardiovascular endurance. This section provides information on which product is better for a specific claim. An equal sign means both products have the same rating for the specific claim.

Claim 1st Phorm BCAA Tier 1
Decrease Body Fat
Decrease Fatigue
Decrease Protein Breakdown
Improve Agility
Improve Cardiovascular Endurance
Improve Cognitive Ability
Improve Cycling Performance
Improve Cycling Sprint Performance
Improve Glucose Control
Improve High-intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Performance
Improve Immune Function
Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Improve Memory
Improve Mood
Improve Muscular Endurance
Improve Recovery
Improve Rowing Performance
Improve Running Performance
Improve Sports Performance
Improve Sprint Performance
Improve Swimming Performance
Increase Alertness
Increase Bone Density
Increase Fat Burning
Increase HDL (good) Cholesterol Levels
Increase Muscle Mass
Increase Protein Synthesis
Increase Strength
Increase Testosterone
Increase Weight Loss
Lower Blood Pressure
Lower LDL (bad) Cholesterol Levels
Lower Total Cholesterol Levels
Lower Triglyceride Levels
Maintain Muscle Mass During Weight Loss
Reduce Joint Pain
Reduce Muscle Damage
Reduce Muscle Soreness

Product Labels

Click on a label below for the full image.

1st Phorm BCAA Tier 1
1st Phorm BCAA by 1st Phorm Product Label Tier 1 by Citadel Nutrition Product Label