No matter how hard you work and how many hours you pour into your gym, there will come a point where you can no longer naturally build muscle mass. That’s where mass gainers come in. Mass gainers are packed with calories, carbohydrates and protein so you can boost your results to where you want them.
The best mass gainer is MuscleTech Mass-Tech Elite Mass Gainer. It’s stuffed with calories, carbohydrates and protein so you can build muscle and general mass as fast as possible.
Mass gainers contain a high amount of calories per serving so they can bulk you up. You have to be careful about taking in too many calories, though, as this will lead to fat gain instead of muscle. Most mass gainers have calorie-per-serving counts of 500 to 1,000.
The carb-to-protein ratio is what separates a mass gainer from a protein powder. However, these products often work in tandem — just at different stages of your journey.
A mass gainer has roughly three times as many carbohydrates as protein, while protein powders are the inverse, having multiple times fewer carbohydrates than protein.
So use a mass gainer to gain weight and build bulk. Once you’ve built that bulk, however, switch to a protein powder so you can shed excess weight while losing minimal to no muscle mass.
Mass gainers come in various quantities, usually given in pounds. They can be as small as 1 or 2 pounds or as much as 10-plus pounds. When trying a new mass gainer, always start with a small bag to see if you like it, then switch to a big bag so your per-serving cost drops.
The best mass gainers contain low quantities of sugar. It should be just enough to make the gainer taste good without adding too many empty calories. Aim to have no more than 3 to 5 grams of sugar per serving.
The best mass gainers contain extra, helpful ingredients. Most contain branched-chain amino acids, often shortened to BCAA. Others may contain electrolytes to prevent muscle cramps or special enzymes to aid in digestion. Finally, many gainers contain a collection of helpful vitamins and minerals.
They can cost as little as $15 or as much as $50 depending on the size of the container and how much protein is included per serving. Small and low-protein containers typically cost no more than $25, while midsized and average-protein containers run no more than $35. The biggest and highest-protein containers start around $30.
A. There are many benefits to using a mass gainer.
A. A few are possible.
MuscleTech Mass-Tech Elite Mass Gainer
What you need to know: This mass gainer is packed with extra protein.
What you’ll love: There are three flavors — chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream — and the 7-pound container holds roughly 15 servings. Each serving contains 80 grams of protein, 156 grams of carbohydrates, 17 grams of amino acids and 1,000 calories when mixed with two cups, or 16 ounces, of skim milk.
What you should consider: Some purchasers felt sluggish after taking it. Others found it doesn’t mix well, leading to a chalky experience. A few thought it was too sweet.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and iHerb
What you need to know: This extra-large package is great for keeping costs down if you already have a daily mass gainer drinking routine.
What you’ll love: There are six flavors. It comes in either 5- or 10-pound packages, which include roughly 15 or 30 servings respectively. Each serving contains 560 calories, 30 grams of protein, 97 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of sugar.
What you should consider: A few customers found the flavors too sweet, even when severely watered down. Others felt bloated or gassy after taking some.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Powder
What you need to know: This powder is perfect for shedding excess bulk without losing muscle mass.
What you’ll love: It has 10 two-scoop servings that each pack in 60 grams of protein, 12 grams of amino acids, 15 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of sugar. The chocolate peanut butter flavor mixes with a glass of milk to serve as an excellent breakfast.
What you should consider: Some consumers had issues getting the powder to fully dissolve, leading to a grainy at best, or chunky at worst, drinking experience.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan C. Woika writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.