Before an athlete earns a title or even steps onto the field, one thing matters most: health.
Injuries or illness can derail performance and careers. That’s why athletes invest in training, nutrition, mobility, mindset — and smart supplementation.
Health: The one thing every athlete needs to succeed
An injury or illness can have devastating effects on both immediate performance and long-term career prospects. Whether it’s the flu the night before a big game or a torn ligament that sidelines an athlete for months, staying healthy is paramount.
This is why athletes dedicate themselves to training, mobility work, diet optimization, mental resilience, and the right supplementation.
Without strong, supple joints, an athlete doesn’t stand a chance. Without joint-supporting nutrition, an athlete’s joints don’t stand a chance.
— Dr. Cate, M.D.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein — the strongest, most durable protein in nature — found in all mammals, including humans. Collagen makes up 1/3 of our body’s overall protein. It is located in nearly every part, including:
- Hair, nails, and skin
- Bones and muscles
- Tendons and blood vessels
- Vital organs such as the heart and lungs
- The digestive system, most notably the small intestine
Why Collagen is Good for Athletes
We believe everyone should take collagen (see: Who Should Take Collagen?) But, we’re going to focus on athletes here. Let’s start with a key data point.
Injuries are one of the fastest ways to derail an athletic career or consistent training. Research shows that over two-thirds of career-ending injuries involve tendons, ligaments, and joints — all of which are made primarily of collagen.
Here’s why collagen supplements for athletes are increasingly becoming a must-have.
Key Benefits of Collagen for Athletes
- Supports Joint Health – Collagen is a major component of cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
- Boosts Recovery – Collagen peptides help speed up recovery after intense training.
- Improves Tendon & Ligament Strength – Helps reduce risk of sprains and tears, especially critical for the myotendinous junction.
- Counters Age-Related Decline – Natural collagen production slows after age 25.
- Enhances Durability – Promotes resilient, supple connective tissue.
Unlike traditional whey or vegan protein powders that support muscle protein synthesis, collagen supplements for athletes target the connective tissues that support movement, flexibility, and resilience. This is the rejuvenating magic of collagen!
The Rejuvenating Magic (aka Science) of Collagen
The special amino acids in collagen — hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine — are bioactive amino acids that stimulate the body’s natural repair process. These compounds have a synergistic effect that essentially reverses time in our joints, stimulating the cells in our tendons and ligaments to lay down more collagen, strengthening them from within.
Why Athletes need Collagen
Muscle and connective tissue injuries (sprains, strains, and tears of ligaments and tendons) are the most common injuries for athletes. Our bodies manufacture collagen by combining amino acids from the foods we eat. Even with a dialed-in diet, athletes often miss out on the bioavailable amino acids that support collagen synthesis.
With that said, there are 2 problems here.
2 problems Athletes face
- Most athletes (and most people!) don’t eat foods that contain the bioactive compounds that stimulate optimal collagen synthesis, such as collagen-rich foods like bone broth, organ meats, or connective tissue.
- The body’s natural collagen production declines after age 25 — often when athletes are hitting their prime.
Coincidentally, this is around the same age that many athletes peak in their careers. Ensuring regular collagen intake (Dr. Cate, M.D. recommends up to 40g of collagen protein daily — depending on weight) can help restore overall strength and flexibility in aging joints, preventing athletes from falling down the slippery slope of injury and poor health.
Why Third-Party Certification Matters for Athletes taking Collagen
Third-party certification is the best way to ensure your collagen is clean, accurate, and athlete-approved
There is no gray area.
Either a collagen supplement has undergone rigorous testing with an industry-leading third-party certification organization, or it has not. An athlete should inspect a collagen supplement’s label and look for one of the following logos (below) to confirm third-party certification.
Learn more about third party tested collagen where we explore these 4 most recognized certifications.
How third-party certified collagen protects athletes
Athletes must be extra cautious when selecting supplements. Many products on the market contain hidden contaminants or unverified ingredient claims, which can lead to failed drug tests, unwanted side effects, or ineffective supplementation.
Here are 6 ways choosing a third-party certified collagen supplement protects your performance, your eligibility, and your health:
- Free from banned substances – Certified collagen is screened for over 270 substances banned by major athletic organizations, helping athletes avoid failed drug tests and stay eligible to compete.
- Precision in dosing – Athletes need to know exactly what they’re putting in their bodies. Certified supplements ensure label accuracy so you’re getting the full benefit of the stated collagen dosage — not fillers or guesswork.
- Manufactured in sport-safe facilities – Certified products are produced in GMP-compliant facilities that follow strict standards, reducing the risk of cross-contamination with substances that could jeopardize athletic performance. More about what GMP certified means.
- Cleared of contaminants and heavy metals – Every batch is tested for environmental toxins like lead, mercury, and arsenic, ensuring long-term use won’t negatively affect training or recovery. More about collagen and heavy metals.
- Held to elite standards with regular audits – These manufacturing facilities undergo routine inspections to uphold consistent quality — a level of oversight critical for serious athletes.
- No hidden risks – Without certification, there’s no guarantee the product is safe, clean, or effective. For athletes who demand certainty, third-party verification is non-negotiable.
The Safest & Most Effective Multi Collagen in the World
"I feel confident I am taking the best product and my joints thank me everyday!"
- Mike Freeman
Understanding NSF Certified for Sport®
NSF’s global program helps athletes, dieticians, coaches, and consumers make safer decisions when choosing sports supplements.
NSF International is a globally recognized, independent, and accredited organization dedicated to protecting and improving human health. Their Certified for Sport® program is considered the “gold standard” in supplement safety and quality.
Major sports organizations such as MLB, NHL, CFL, PGA, LPGA, and CPSDA recognize NSF Certified for Sport® products as safe for consumption. Some leagues even mandate that teams can only provide NSF-certified supplements to their athletes.
CB Supplements is the only NSF-certified product that gives athletes on a typical diet exactly what they’re missing: the full spectrum of nutrients necessary for proper growth and repair of all connective tissues.
— Dr. Cate, M.D.
CB Supplements: The First & Only NSF Certified Multi Collagen
At CB Supplements, we wanted to go beyond simply claiming we offer the highest-quality collagen — we wanted to prove it. By achieving NSF Certified for Sport® status, we validate our commitment to clean, safe, and effective supplementation.
Additionally, our goal is to become the #1 multi-collagen brand used by professional sports teams. To get there, earning this certification was an essential first step.
What kind of Collagen is Best for Athletes?
Not all collagen is created equal. The best collagen supplements for athletes has:
- Third-party Certification
- Contains a blend of collagen types sourced from multiple animals — also known as Multi Collagen.
Look for
- Type I & III – Found in tendons, ligaments, and skin.
- Type II – Found in cartilage.
- Type V & X – Support bone and joint health.
Why “Multi” Collagen?
Multi Collagen means collagen is sourced from multiple animal sources. Those sources are:
- Beef
- Fish
- Chicken
- Eggshell membrane
Most collagen supplements are only beef or chicken-based, meaning they miss out on providing all five key types of collagen (I, II, III, V, & X).
There is reason to believe a multi-collagen blend offers superior benefits over a single-source collagen because different sources provide unique amino acid combinations that support a variety of functions, from joint and tendon health to gut integrity and skin elasticity.
How Athletes can start taking Collagen
Athletes, are you ready to upgrade your collagen intake?
- Try our NSF Certified for Sport® Multi Collagen
- Mix it daily with coffee, smoothies — see the various ways to take collagen peptides (at least 17 different ways)
- Stay consistent — results come with time and use
- Stack us up against the rest! See our collagen powder comparison guide
Final Thoughts: Should Athletes take Collagen?
If you’re still wondering, “Should athletes take collagen?”, consider this:
- Better joints = fewer injuries
- Faster recovery = more training
- Stronger tissues = better performance
When it comes to protecting your body and maximizing performance, collagen for athletes is a no-brainer — especially when it’s third-party certified for safety and effectiveness.
