Mass Gainers: Benefits, When & How To Use

Mass Gainers are a type of weight gain supplement that helps you gain muscle, bulk up and build an overall healthier body. These products are designed to provide a higher calorie intake, should be consumed throughout the day, and may help you reach your weight goals in a shorter time frame.

Mass Gainers are not for everyone. For example, if you’re looking to only increase your muscle mass while losing fat and not gaining any weight whatsoever, then this is not the right product for you. Mass Gainers usually consist of high-calorie food products like whey protein and carbohydrates that bulk up your body in a healthy manner with muscle and fat gain.

The goal of using a Mass Gainer is to increase muscle mass. However, it can also help decrease body fat by increasing the caloric intake of essential nutrients like protein and carbohydrates.

If you’re looking for a more effective way to build muscle mass quickly than typical.

A mass gainer is one of the most popular supplements among bodybuilders and sportspeople. If you have also been advised to go for a mass gainer supplement and you are wondering, do I really need this supplement? 

Don’t worry; this blog will help you learn the basics of a mass gainer and its benefits.

What is a Mass Gainer: Let’s First Understand

A mass gainer is a health supplement, i.e. typically used to gain muscle mass. It has a high carbohydrate and protein content and usually provides around 1000 calories per serve. In addition, it may also contain fats, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and digestive enzyme blend.

Hence, because of its high-calorie content, mass gainer supplement helps build muscle and gain weight simultaneously. Mass gainers usually provide protein and carbohydrates in the ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 but may vary from brand to brand.

It is necessary to create a calorie surplus to gain weight, for which a person must consume extra calories more than the daily requirement. Mass gainers are perfect for fulfilling those additional needs. In simple words, if you are aiming to gain weight healthily and build muscle mass, choose a mass gainer supplement. 

Benefits of Using a Mass Gainer

Mass gainers have plenty of health benefits. When combined with proper workouts, mass gainers can help build muscle faster and gain weight healthily.

1. Calorie-dense

Bodybuilders or ectomorphs that desire to bulk up are required to consume calorie-dense diets. It might be challenging to eat large food portions to meet calorie goals. With mass gainers, one can be sure of taking around 1000 calories in a single-serve and that too from healthy sources.

2. Macronutrients rich

If you want a ‘clean bulk’, it is essential to take the correct nutrients. The diet must contain a balanced proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Mass gainers provide all the nutrients through healthy sources. In addition, the presence of dietary fibre supports toxin removal from the body and promotes better gut health for improved nutrient absorption.

3. Gain muscle size and strength

Mass gainer supplements provide protein from high-quality protein sources like whey and casein. They are perfect to deliver supreme quality nutrition, especially for post-workout muscle recovery. The amino acids add strength to muscles, nourish and encourage lean muscle growth.

4. Easy to use

Another most significant advantage of mass gainers is their ease of use. If consuming large meals and digesting them is a challenge for you, mass gainers are ideal. They can provide you with all the required nutrients without having too much.     

Who all need mass gainers?

Mass gainers are not meant for everyone. At times, fitness lovers get confused between mass gainers and protein supplements. Here is the list of people who can use mass gainers to achieve their fitness goals.

1. Skinny people with fast metabolism

If a person has a high metabolic rate and tends to burn calories quicker, mass gainers could be a good choice.

2. Ectomorphs

Every individual has a specific body type. Ectomorphs or hard gainers with lean body types often struggle to gain muscle mass. If you are unable to build muscle despite intense workouts and diet, consider taking a mass gainer supplement.

3. Bodybuilders

Mass gainers provide ample support, especially during the bulking phase of bodybuilding when people require a healthy nutrition source high in calories, proteins, and carbs. 

4. Athletes

In addition to strength athletes, mass gainers can also be used by endurance athletes like runners and cyclists. Endurance athletes require high carbs and proteins post their training or competition to recover their muscles and lost glycogen stores, making mass gainer a proper meal. 

When & How Should You Intake A Mass Gainer?

If you’re looking to gain weight and build muscle, mass gainers can be a useful supplement to add to your diet. However, it’s important to understand when and how to consume them to maximise their effectiveness. In this article, we’ll explore the best times to take a mass gainer and how to consume it for optimal results.

When to Take a Mass Gainer?

The best time to take a mass gainer is after a workout. This is because your body is in a state of heightened muscle protein synthesis (MPS) after exercising. MPS is the process by which the body repairs and rebuilds muscle tissue after a workout. Consuming a mass gainer after a workout can help to provide your body with the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild muscle tissue.

In addition to taking a mass gainer after a workout, it’s important to take it at other times throughout the day to meet your calorie and macronutrient needs. For example, taking a mass gainer in the morning or between meals can help to provide your body with the necessary nutrients to support muscle growth and prevent muscle breakdown.

How to Take a Mass Gainer?

To take a mass gainer, simply mix the recommended serving size with water, milk, or your favourite beverage. It’s important to follow the instructions on the label for the recommended serving size as taking too much can lead to unwanted weight gain and other health issues.

It’s also important to pay attention to the macronutrient breakdown of your mass gainer. Most mass gainers contain a mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Depending on your goals, you may need to adjust the ratio of these macronutrients to best support your needs. 

For example, if you’re trying to gain muscle mass while minimising fat gain, you may want to choose a mass gainer with a higher protein to carbohydrate ratio.

And, it’s important to remember that a mass gainer should not be used as a meal replacement. While they can be a convenient way to meet your calorie and macronutrient needs, they should be used in conjunction with a balanced diet that includes a variety of whole foods.

Which is the best mass gainer in the market?

Here are some of the top-selling and best mass gainers in India that one can consider.

1. Nutrabay Gold Mega Mass Gainer

It has been specifically formulated to meet your daily calorie needs in a balanced way. This advanced mass gainer delivers 714 Kcal, 122 g carbs, and 40 g proteins per 182 g serving that help gain weight and build lean muscle mass. Its cutting-edge formulation is enriched with multiple high-quality protein sources that help support muscle growth and repair and gain strength and stamina.

2. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Gainer

It has been exquisitely crafted for elite fitness enthusiasts who strive to gain muscle mass and a sturdy physique with a high-calorie formula. ON Serious Mass Gainer is perfect for people struggling to gain weight as it provides you with a high-calorie and whey protein that promotes natural, healthy weight gain and triggers new muscle synthesis.

3. Labrada Muscle Mass Gainer

This mass gainer protein is a high-calorie bodybuilding shake packed with muscle-building protein, carbohydrates, creatine monohydrate and essential nutrients. Labrada Mass Gainer provides all the calories you need with the right ingredient blend. Each serving of 333 grams provides 1244 calories, 52 grams of protein and 250 grams of carbs.

4. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer

This high-calorie and high protein mass gainer contains complex carbohydrates with a balanced protein blend from multiple sources. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is enriched with vitamins and minerals that help boost immunity and provide performance fuel to conquer your workout. It contains no added sugar, is trans-fat-free and suitable for bodybuilders, weight trainers, athletes, fitness champions and gym enthusiasts. 

Summary

Mass gainers can be a great supplement for individuals who are looking to gain weight and build muscle. They provide a convenient way to meet your calorie and macronutrient needs, especially when consumed after a workout when your body is in a state of heightened muscle protein synthesis. 

However, it’s important to follow the instructions on the label for the recommended serving size and pay attention to the macronutrient breakdown of your mass gainer. 

Remember, a mass gainer should not be used as a meal replacement, but rather as a supplement to a balanced diet that includes whole foods. By incorporating a mass gainer into your diet, you can support your muscle-building goals and see better results from your workouts.