Anatoly is one of the most watched strength acts on the internet, and almost nobody knows a single thing about how he eats or what he takes. That's on purpose. The whole bit is a disguise. He shuffles into a gym dressed as a cleaner or an electrician, drags around a mop and bucket that reportedly weigh 32 kg each, then casually deadlifts a loaded barbell one handed while everyone stares. Reporting has linked the persona to a Ukrainian powerlifter, but inside the videos he stays anonymous, and he has never published a supplement stack, a macro breakdown, or a training log.
So let's be honest about what this article is. We are not going to tell you what's in Anatoly's cabinet, because we don't know and neither does anyone else. What we can do is more useful. We can look at how a raw-strength athlete who trains the way he performs would actually supplement, and pick the short list that has real evidence behind it. Every item below is our pick for that style of training. None of it is a claim about what he personally takes.
What raw strength actually asks of a stack
Pulling close to 300 kg off the floor, or hauling a mop that weighs as much as a person, comes down to a few boring inputs repeated for years. Enough protein to repair heavy training. Enough total food to recover. Consistent sleep. And a nervous system that can produce force on command. Supplements sit at the edges of all that. They don't build the lift. They support the work that builds the lift.
That framing matters, because the strength world is full of expensive powders that do almost nothing. The list that survives honest scrutiny is short. His reported numbers, a deadlift around 290 kg, a squat around 210 kg, and a bench around 150 kg, were built by training, not by a tub of anything. Public write-ups and his own viral clips make the training obvious. Keep that order of importance in mind as you read the rest.
The short list that earns its place
Creatine monohydrate is the one supplement we'd put ahead of everything else for raw strength, and it isn't close. The evidence is not subtle. The International Society of Sports Nutrition calls it the most effective legal supplement going for high intensity work and lean mass, and it holds up across years of daily use. Five grams a day, every day, is the entire protocol. You don't need to load it and you don't need a fancy form. The ISSN position stand is worth reading if you want the receipts.
After creatine, the picks get simpler. Protein is the input heavy training keeps demanding, and a whey powder is just an easy way to hit a daily target when whole food falls short. Aim for the total across the day first, then use powder to fill whatever's missing. Electrolytes matter more than people expect for anyone training hard, sweating a lot, and grinding out near-maximal sets. Omega-3s, magnesium, and vitamin D3 round out the base. None of them are exciting. All of them quietly cover common gaps that drag on recovery and force output.
A pre-workout, or just plain caffeine, is the one honestly optional pick here. Caffeine does improve strength and power for most people, so it earns a spot, but it's a tool, not a requirement. Plenty of very strong people train on a good night of sleep and a cup of coffee, and nothing else. If a pre-workout helps you show up and push hard on a heavy day, use it. If it wrecks your sleep, drop it.
How to actually use this
Start with creatine and protein, get both consistent for a month, and only then think about adding anything else. That order is boring and it works. Buy the biggest sensible size of the things you take daily, because cost per serving on creatine and protein drops fast at volume, and consistency is the whole game. Chasing the newest powder is how people waste money while skipping the two that matter.
None of this is medical advice. If you take medication, have a kidney or liver condition, are pregnant, or you're just not sure how something fits your situation, talk to a doctor before you start. Supplements are also lightly regulated, so buy from brands that publish third party testing and skip anything selling a shortcut. And remember the honest core of this piece. We're breaking down the essentials for strength training, not revealing Anatoly's routine, because he has never shared it.
The short, honest list of supplements that actually earn a place in a raw-strength routine.
The complete list
Frequently asked questions
Do we actually know what Anatoly takes?
No. He performs anonymously and in disguise, and he has never published a supplement stack, diet, or training log. This list is our evidence-based pick for the kind of raw-strength training he does, not a claim about his personal routine.
Is creatine safe to take every day?
For healthy adults, yes. Daily creatine monohydrate at 5 g is one of the most studied supplements there is, and the ISSN reports no evidence of harm to kidneys or liver at normal doses. If you have a kidney condition or take medication, check with a doctor first.
Do I need a pre-workout to get strong?
No. It's the most optional thing on this list. Caffeine can help power output on a heavy day, but a cup of coffee does the same job, and good sleep matters far more than any stimulant.
What's the minimum stack on a tight budget?
Creatine and protein. That's the whole answer. Get those two consistent before you spend a cent on anything else, then add electrolytes, omega-3, magnesium, or vitamin D3 only if you have a real gap to fill.