Rating of the best gainers for gaining muscle mass

In recent years, the popularity of bodybuilding has only grown. Gyms are visited by completely different people: thin, overweight, aged and very young. But there is a category of athletes who have not just a lean physique, but also an incredibly fast metabolism. It is very difficult for such “bodybuilders” to gain muscle mass. Everything they eat in a day is burned in the metabolic furnace. It is for such people that special protein-carbohydrate mixtures - gainers - were developed. We suggest talking about what these supplements are and how to take them in the article.

What is a gainer

Gainer is a type of sports nutrition. This is a powder, which is a mixture of proteins and carbohydrates, which can be diluted with water (juice, milk) and consumed in liquid form. Such drinks are often called cocktails, although, by and large, they have nothing to do with cocktails.

The protein can be whey, soy, egg, casein protein, or a mixture of several types of protein at the same time. The carbohydrates included in the gainer can be either fast (simple carbohydrates) or slow (complex carbohydrates).

The ratio of proteins and carbohydrates in a gainer may vary. On average, this ratio is 30/70% -40/60%, with a bias towards carbohydrates.

Also, gainers contain flavoring and vitamin supplements.

TOP 3 best foreign gainers

Ultimate Nutrition Muscle Juice Revolution 2600

Ultimate Nutrition produces one of the best rated gainer products for ectomorphs. A special feature of the Muscle Juice line is the Octo-PRO protein composition - a matrix of three protein sources prepared by eight different purification methods: isolates, concentrates of whey, milk and egg proteins, as well as micellar casein and calcium caseinate, the latter in turn is very slowly absorbed and slows down the breakdown of other proteins, so that the feeling of fullness remains for a long time. However, to close the anabolic window, faster, highly purified proteins, such as the isolates and concentrates present in the product, will be required. The composition contains carbohydrates of medium and high speed of breakdown - corn and rice maltodextrin, used as an inert auxiliary substance and a source of glucose. One serving (256 g) contains 170 g of carbohydrates, 14 g of fat, of which 9 g are healthy fats, for example, Omega 3, and 56 g of pure proteins, 23% of which are BCAA essential amino acids. Price for 5 kg. a bucket fluctuates between 3300-3600 rubles.

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

ON Serious MASS is recognized as the best weight gainer for skinny people. Optimum Nutrition perfectly stimulates muscle growth, energizes you before workouts, and helps you quickly recover after, reliably “slamming” the anabolic window. Per 1 serving (334 g) there are 50 g of protein, 254 g of carbohydrates, 4 fat (of which 2.5 are “healthy” polyunsaturated fats), and 26 vitamins + minerals. A mixture of whey protein concentrate, calcium casein, egg white and sweet whey is prepared. The product is manufactured exclusively in the USA according to all quality control standards, and each batch undergoes independent laboratory analysis. Price for 2.8 kg. a jar (8 servings) costs as much as 2500-2700 rubles.

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What is a gainer for?

One of the most important conditions necessary for muscle growth is a calorie surplus. This is especially important for ectomorphs who gain muscle mass with great difficulty.

If taking a gainer can only harm an endomorph and lead to the formation of fat deposits, then for an ectomorph, sometimes there is simply no other alternative to create a significant calorie surplus.

Food is food, but the stomach is not rubber. Therefore, in order to increase the caloric content of your diet, without the need to stretch your stomach with giant portions of food, you can take a gainer as a dietary supplement.

Gainer has a high calorie content, and thanks to its pleasant taste and easily digestible liquid form, its use allows you to comfortably gain almost any amount of calories.

Stirability and taste

The days when preparing a protein or carbohydrate shake was a lengthy task that ultimately resulted in a less-than-tasty drink are long gone.

One of the main advantages of dymatize super mass is the richness of its composition

When purchasing Super Mass Gainer from Dymatize Nutrition, you can choose your favorite flavor:

• vanilla;
• banana;
• chocolate;
• berry;
• cake.

Long-term use of sports nutrition can lead to the fact that some flavors become boring, but in the case of this product, the choice is wide enough to replace the boring flavor. Preparing a cocktail is also not difficult, since the powder is easily mixed in milk, water or juice for ten seconds of shaking.

How is a gainer different from a protein?

In a sense, a gainer can be considered a special case of protein. The fact is that protein mixtures consist mainly of protein (protein is protein), and carbohydrates are present in them only as a by-product, the presence of which is due only to an insufficient degree of isolation.

Thus, if in a gainer the ratio of proteins and carbohydrates is 30/70% -40/60% in favor of carbohydrates, then in protein this ratio may look like 70/30% -100/0% in favor of protein, depending on the manufacturing technology : concentrate, isolate, hydrolyzate.

Protein and gainer are used for different purposes. The goal of a gainer is to provide the body with calories. The purpose of protein is to provide only protein, without a noticeable increase in calorie intake. In some cases (for example, for endomorphs, or during a drying period), excess carbohydrates and calories will only interfere with the matter.

Thus, protein is a more versatile type of sports nutrition. It can be used both during the period of mass gain and during the drying period. The gainer is designed specifically for uncompromising mass gain.

Sportspit

Gainer properties

Gainers are used to build muscle mass. The supplement is based on carbohydrates and proteins. Typically in bodybuilding, a carbohydrate supplement is taken after physical work in the gym. And some people use a gainer to store up energy before training. Gainers promote recovery after workouts.

The universal principle is this: to build muscle mass per 1 kg of body weight, take 3-4 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of protein.

Endomorph

Many experts are sure that a gainer is not appropriate for an endomorph at all. It is worth remembering that this is a powerful source of extra calories. There is also a version that taking a gainer is allowed, but with strict control of the situation.

The metabolism of an endomorph is such that glucose is used as fuel. In principle, in some cases it is possible to take a gainer, but not just any one. The composition should contain maximum protein and as few calories as possible. For an endomorph it is good when there is little fat and carbohydrates.

Large endomorph athletes often avoid mass gainers and take creatine, energy supplements with guarana, whey protein, gentle fat burners such as L Carnitine, pharmacy preparations with vitamins and minerals, Rhodiola and Leuzea.

Ectomorph

Gainer is more suitable for people with an ectomorph body type. The figure will be normal, since ectomorphs do not have a tendency to gain fat. An ectomorph is a person with an accelerated metabolism. The energy fuel in the body is fats and protein. It is difficult to gain weight; this requires increased protein intake. Gainers for ectomorphs are high-calorie and contain a lot of carbohydrates. A supplement is selected that has an average percentage of protein and a minimum percentage of fat.

Mesomorph

A mesomorph is able to preserve proteins and burn fats. Fats act as energy fuel. It is not difficult for a mesomorph to grow beautiful and sculpted muscles. In a gainer, fats and calories should be in moderation. As much protein as possible. And a minimum of carbohydrates. When you oversaturate yourself with carbohydrates, unwanted fat mass is added.

And in conclusion, a few words about the endomorph. An endomorph can have a beautiful figure if he achieves harmony in nutrition and training. Muscles grow with excess calories and regular exercise. Against the background of the predominance of energy consumption over kcal consumption, excess fat is burned. Therefore, endomorphs are recommended to combine strength training and a protein diet.

How to drink a gainer to gain muscle mass

When using a gainer to gain muscle mass, there are several approaches.

Approach No. 1 – According to instructions

The packaging of any gainer always indicates recommended consumption rates. The norms can be indicated in the form of a table with possible dosages based on the athlete’s body weight and the number of gainer intakes during the day. Although a table view is only one of the possible options.

Approach No. 2 – According to the required calorie content

If you think that you need a specific amount of calories to ensure the required level of anabolism, then you just need to calculate how much gainer you need to consume during the day, based on its calorie level per serving, or per 100 grams dry product.

For example, you want to get a total of 4000 kilocalories, but you get 2000 kilocalories from food. This means that with the help of a gainer you need to add another 2000 kilocalories. If the calorie content of your gainer is, for example, 400 kcal/100 g, then to get 2000 kcal you will need to consume 500 grams of gainer per day (we are talking about the mass of dry powder undiluted in water).

This dosage may seem too high (and expensive) for you, but your caloric needs may be less than this example.

Approach No. 3 – According to the required amount of protein

With natural training, it is most often recommended to consume 1-2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. That is, if you weigh 80 kg, and are going to adhere to the norm of 2 grams per kilogram, then you will need to get 160 grams of protein per day (along with food, not only through supplements).

Thus, if you get half of this norm with food (this figure is determined individually), then you will need to gain the second half with the help of a gainer. That is, the gainer will account for 80 grams of protein.

Knowing the required rate, you can calculate the required amount of gainer using simple formulas. For example, your gainer contains 40 grams of protein per 100 grams of product. This means that to cover the norm of 80 grams of protein, you will need to consume 200 grams of gainer.

There is an opinion that you should not consume more than 30 grams of protein at a time, since excessive consumption of protein will not allow it to be fully absorbed, and thus the additional consumption of an expensive product will be unjustified. It is better to break a large portion into several small ones and consume them throughout the day.

How to take a mass gainer for an ectomorph

As we have already said, for ectomorphs taking a gainer is especially important, since it is fundamentally important for ectomorphs to create a noticeable calorie surplus to launch anabolic processes in the body. At the same time, the rules for taking gainer for ectomorphs are no different.

Perhaps, when calculating gainer dosages, preference should be given to Approach No. 2 (in terms of calories), since the ectomorph should have enough protein (little muscle), and the dosages recommended on the label are universal and do not take into account your individual characteristics and calorie needs.

What's included

The main active ingredients of the Special Mass Gainer supplement are combined into 5 groups , each of which delivers nutrients to the body in the required quantities.

Additive composition

1. MuscleFue is a complex of carbohydrates (simple and complex) that quickly replenish glycogen reserves, improving energy metabolism in the body and promoting muscle development.
2. MultiStage . A complex of proteins from various sources. Thus, the Special Mass Gainer supplement contains whey isolate, concentrate and hydrolysate, egg white albumin, milk isolate, micellar casein. Nutrients have different periods of absorption and breakdown, due to which their prolonged effect on the body is observed. So, your muscles grow and develop even at night, as they steadily receive the necessary building material.
3. EnergyCore . The combination of special ingredients allows you to significantly increase the duration of training sessions and increase the load for more quickly achieving sports goals.
4. PowerMax . A powerful complex of substances accelerates metabolism and promotes the rapid formation of new muscle fibers.
5. MyoRecovery . A complex of amino acids (including BCAAs) promotes rapid muscle regeneration and the prevention of catabolic processes.

The Special Mass Gainer protein matrix contains high-quality proteins in various forms that provide regular nutrition to the athlete's muscles. The complex is also enhanced with food additives, such as flax and coconut , sweeteners, and flavorings.

What results can you expect from a gainer?

And here is the most interesting thing. The fact of the matter is that inexperienced athletes often expect too much results from any sports nutrition, and in particular from gainers. They perceive sports nutrition as a magic pill that can lead them to the desired results quickly and easily (and sports nutrition manufacturers are actively involved in the formation of this erroneous opinion).

In fact, you don't need to expect too much from a gainer. These are not steroids, on which you can gain 5-10 kg of muscle mass in a month. These are just proteins and carbohydrates. No more, no less.

The effect of taking a gainer can be comparable to the effect of a nutritious diet. Just like proper nutrition, taking a gainer can have a positive effect on your results, but results with natural training do not come too quickly, and, in any case, you will need to spend a lot of time to achieve them.

It is important to take this into account not only to eliminate inflated expectations, but also when assessing the financial component. Perhaps, realizing this, you will decide to find a more practical use for the extra money at your disposal.

Application results

Special Mass Gainer is a complex product that has a diverse effect on the athlete’s body. Thus, regular use of the supplement causes the following positive effects :

• accelerated gain of total body weight;
• increase in muscle mass and strengthening of strength parameters;
• strengthening the athlete’s endurance (cardio, aerobic, strength, etc.);
• increased mental concentration and attention ;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• acceleration of rehabilitation after heavy loads, reduction of symptoms of sore throat;
• suppression of catabolism ;
• improving overall training productivity.

Results of using the gainer