What Athletes Use Thorne Creatine and Why They Trust It

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

Thorne creatine is trusted by more than 100 professional sports teams and numerous elite athletes across various disciplines. The reason for this widespread trust comes down to the company's rigorous testing protocols and the highly-regarded NSF Certified for Sport certification, which provides peace of mind for competitors who undergo drug testing.

Quick Summary

Elite athletes from the UFC, multiple US National Teams, and professional basketball and racing leagues rely on Thorne creatine. This is due to its high-quality, pure creatine monohydrate formula, which is verified by NSF Certified for Sport for banned substances and label accuracy.

Key Points

Elite Athletes Trust Thorne: Professionals in the UFC, motorsports (Team Penske), and U.S. National Teams use Thorne creatine due to its safety and purity.
NSF Certified for Sport is Key: Thorne's creatine is certified by NSF, meaning every batch is tested for over 300 banned substances, offering critical assurance for drug-tested athletes.
Pure Creatine Monohydrate Formula: The product contains only pure, micronized creatine monohydrate, with no fillers or additives, which is the most researched and effective form.
Versatile for Many Disciplines: Both strength athletes seeking explosive power and endurance athletes needing recovery support benefit from supplementing with Thorne creatine.
Higher Quality, Higher Trust: Though potentially more expensive, athletes pay for the reliability and safety standards that come with Thorne's rigorous third-party testing.
Clinician Recommended: Health-care practitioners and dietitians often recommend Thorne to their athletes because of the company's commitment to quality and science-backed formulations.

Why Elite Athletes Choose Thorne Creatine

When it comes to competitive sports, particularly at the professional level, athletes are held to the highest standards. The risk of unintentionally consuming a banned substance from a contaminated supplement is a significant concern. This is where Thorne's reputation for quality and its third-party testing become crucial. The company's commitment to providing clean, reliable supplements is why so many athletes and sports organizations, including the UFC and U.S. National Teams, partner with them.

Rigorous Testing and Certifications

Thorne's products, including its creatine, undergo extensive testing protocols, notably the NSF Certified for Sport program. This certification is highly regarded in the athletic community as a benchmark for quality and safety. Every batch of a certified Thorne product is tested for over 300 substances prohibited by major athletic governing bodies. Additionally, Thorne's manufacturing facility adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), certified annually by NSF, ensuring a reliable and clean production process. This certification also verifies that the product's label accurately reflects its contents.

High-Profile Athletes and Team Collaborations

Thorne's credibility in the sports world is underscored by its partnerships with prominent athletes and teams:

UFC Fighters: Thorne is the Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner of the UFC, and many fighters like Kayla Harrison and Merab Dvalishvili use their products.
Motorsports: Team Penske utilizes Thorne's NSF Certified products for their pit crews.
US National Teams: Thorne has an exclusive wellness partnership with several U.S. National Teams.
Individual Athletes: Prominent individual athletes such as Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and tennis players Madison Keys and Ben Shelton are official Thorne partners.

Who Stands to Benefit Most?

While suitable for various users, Thorne creatine is particularly beneficial for certain athletes:

Strength and Power Athletes: Those in sports like weightlifting and sprinting can see enhanced explosive power.
Team Sport Athletes: Individuals in sports requiring repeated high-intensity efforts, such as basketball, benefit.
Endurance Athletes: Runners and cyclists can use it for high-intensity bursts and recovery.
Drug-Tested Athletes: The NSF certification is crucial for those subject to testing by organizations like WADA and the NCAA, offering confidence in the product's safety.

Comparison: Thorne Creatine vs. Competitors

Examining Thorne's creatine alongside other market options highlights its unique advantages:


Feature	Thorne Creatine Monohydrate	Standard Creatine Monohydrate (Generic)	Performance-Blend Creatine (Flavored)
Purity	Pure micronized creatine monohydrate; no fillers or artificial ingredients.	Variable; may contain undisclosed additives.	Often contains a mix of fillers, sweeteners, and artificial flavors.
Third-Party Testing	Yes. NSF Certified for Sport® guarantees testing against banned substances.	Usually not; relies on self-certification.	Varies; many lack comprehensive third-party certification.
Cost	Typically higher; reflects quality and testing.	Lower cost; may compromise on purity/testing.	Varies widely; often higher due to added ingredients.
Mixing	Micronized for better solubility.	Solubility is inconsistent.	Often mixes well due to added ingredients.
Taste	Unflavored.	Inconsistent taste profile.	Masked by artificial flavors/sweeteners.

Conclusion: The Ultimate Choice for Purity and Trust

Thorne creatine is highly favored by elite athletes due to its unwavering commitment to quality and transparency. The NSF Certified for Sport status is a critical assurance of being free from banned substances, essential for those undergoing drug testing. Thorne's partnerships with major sports organizations and athletes further solidify its reputation as a trusted provider. While the cost may be slightly higher than generic options, the reliability and safety provided by a pure, tested product are invaluable for athletes at the highest levels.

[Disclaimer: Always consult with a healthcare professional or a sports dietitian before adding any new supplement to your regimen.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional athletes choose Thorne creatine primarily for its purity and safety. The product holds the NSF Certified for Sport certification, which independently verifies that it is free of over 300 banned substances and that the label is accurate, which is crucial for drug-tested competitors.

The NSF Certified for Sport certification is the highest standard in supplement testing for athletes. It means that every batch of a product has been tested for banned substances and contaminants, and ensures that what is on the label is what's in the bottle, minimizing the risk of a failed drug test.

No, Thorne creatine is a pure and simple supplement. It contains only creatine monohydrate and no other fillers, additives, artificial flavors, or sweeteners.

While it is highly effective for strength and power athletes, endurance athletes also use it. Creatine can enhance high-intensity sprints during a race, improve recovery, and boost overall power output for athletes in sports like cycling and triathlon.

Thorne operates an NSF-certified manufacturing facility that is annually audited for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This ensures a clean and tightly controlled production environment, further guaranteeing product safety and purity.

Yes, Thorne has official partnerships with several major sports organizations. These include the UFC, Team Penske (NASCAR), Major League Rugby, and numerous U.S. National Teams.

Thorne creatine is often priced higher than generic brands. However, the premium is justified by its rigorous third-party testing, high-quality ingredients, and the assurance of purity that is vital for professional and drug-tested athletes.