Protein Powder Reservoir: How to Choose Protein and Pre-Workout In Store
Buying protein powder in Reservoir? The easiest way to get it right is to taste the flavour first, check the protein per serve on the label, and work out the price per serve before you commit to a big tub. For pre-workout, check how much caffeine is in one serve and start small if you are new to it. At Supps247 Reservoir, Shop 21A, Summerhill Shopping Centre, 850 Plenty Road, you can taste before you buy and the team can help you compare labels side by side.
Here is what to look for if you are buying protein powder or pre-workout in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, from Reservoir and Kingsbury to Preston and Bundoora.
Taste first, then buy the big tub
The most common protein regret is a large tub of a flavour you do not enjoy. Ask the team which flavours are open to taste (this changes day to day) and think about how you will drink it: with water, milk or in a smoothie. If two flavours are close, pick the one you would happily have most days.
How to read a protein powder label
The nutrition information panel shows nutrients per serve and per 100 g. Serve sizes differ between brands, so the per 100 g column is the fairest way to compare.
| What to check | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Serve size (g) | Top of the nutrition panel | One serve is not the same amount in every tub |
| Protein per serve | Per serve column | The protein you get in each shake |
| Protein per 100 g | Per 100 g column | Fair comparison between brands |
| Servings per pack | Top of the nutrition panel | Needed for price per serve |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredient list and allergen statement | Check for milk, soy or anything else you avoid |
| Caffeine per serve (pre-workout) | Label or supplement panel | Count it against your daily total |
Work out price per serve and price per 25 g of protein
A cheaper tub is not always better value. Two quick sums help:
- Price per serve = tub price divided by servings per tub.
- Price per 25 g of protein = price per serve divided by protein per serve, then multiplied by 25.
Worked example (made-up round numbers, not real Supps247 prices):
- Tub A costs $100, has 50 serves and 25 g of protein per serve. That is $2.00 per serve and $2.00 per 25 g of protein.
- Tub B costs $80, has 40 serves and 20 g of protein per serve. That is also $2.00 per serve, but $2.50 per 25 g of protein.
Same price per serve, but Tub A gives more protein for the money.
Isolate, concentrate or plant: the plain version
- Whey concentrate is less filtered, so it keeps more milk sugar (lactose) and fat.
- Whey isolate is filtered further. It is at least 90% protein on a dry basis, with little lactose left. It is still milk, so not for a milk allergy.
- Plant protein uses pea, rice or soy, often blended. It is the dairy-free choice. Check allergens, especially soy.
Read more in whey protein isolate vs whey blend and our vegan protein powder guide.
Choosing a pre-workout in Reservoir: check the caffeine
Most pre-workouts are built around caffeine, so find the caffeine per serve first. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) advises:
- Healthy adults: no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day from all sources, and no more than 200 mg in a single serving.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding: no more than 200 mg a day from all sources.
- Under 18: no more than 3 mg per kg of body weight in a single serving.
The Australian Institute of Sport notes caffeine affects people very differently, can affect sleep even at low intakes, and is not always clearly stated on pre-workout labels. So:
- If you are new to pre-workout, start with half a serve and see how you feel.
- Count your coffee and energy drinks on the same day.
- Avoid it close to bedtime.
- If the label is unclear, ask the team, or try a stim-free pre-workout.
See our guide to pre-workout caffeine and Australian rules. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take medication, check with your doctor before using pre-workout or any supplement.
Creatine monohydrate basics
Creatine monohydrate is the most studied form of creatine. The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) position stand says creatine stores can generally be maintained with 3 to 5 g a day. Loading (four 5 g doses a day for 5 to 7 days) is optional; 3 g a day without loading gets there more slowly, over about 4 weeks. The ISSN found creatine safe and well tolerated in healthy people. Check the scoop size on the label, and see how to take creatine.
Quick in-store checklist
- Taste the flavour, or ask what is open to try.
- Check the protein per serve and per 100 g.
- Work out price per serve and price per 25 g of protein.
- Choose isolate, concentrate or plant.
- For pre-workout, find the caffeine per serve and start with half.
- For creatine, look for monohydrate and check the scoop size.
How Supps247 Reservoir can help
The Reservoir team can walk you through flavours, serve sizes and price per serve. Stock varies, so check the Click & collect box on the product page before you head in.
Supps247 members get our price match guarantee: a listed competitor's full price beaten by 5% on the identical item (same brand, size and flavour, sealed). Sale prices are matched, not beaten. Conditions apply. Members also earn Rewards points.
Know what you want? Order online, choose Supps247 Reservoir for pickup at checkout and bring your order number. Orders are usually ready in 1 hour during store hours, with no delivery fee. See our Reservoir click and collect guide.
The store is open 7 days: Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 7pm. Hours can change, so check the Supps247 Reservoir store page. For tram and parking details, read our Reservoir store guide.
FAQs
Can I taste protein powder before I buy in Reservoir?
Yes. At Supps247 Reservoir in Summerhill Shopping Centre you can taste before you buy. The flavours open to try change, so ask the team on the day.
How do I work out the price per serve of protein powder?
Divide the tub price by the servings per tub. To compare protein value, divide the price per serve by the protein per serve and multiply by 25 to get the price per 25 g of protein.
How much caffeine in a pre-workout is too much in Australia?
FSANZ advises healthy adults to have no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day from all sources, and no more than 200 mg in a single serving. Count coffee and energy drinks too, and start with half a serve if you are new.
Is whey isolate better than whey concentrate?
Neither is better for everyone. Isolate is filtered further, so it has more protein and less lactose; concentrate keeps more lactose and fat. Pick based on taste, budget and how milk sits with you.
How much creatine should I take a day?
The ISSN position stand says 3 to 5 g a day of creatine monohydrate generally maintains creatine stores. If you have a medical condition, check with your doctor first.
Sources: FSANZ, Caffeine powders and high caffeine content foods; Australian Institute of Sport, Caffeine fact sheet; Kreider et al. (2017), ISSN position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation; Better Health Channel, Food labels; American Dairy Products Institute, Whey protein isolate; American Dairy Products Institute, Whey protein concentrate
