Are you one of those ectomorphs who struggle to gain mass? While others may envy you and even consider you lucky, you’re painfully aware that it’s not always a walk in the park. However, the best weight gainer products can help you tip the scales in your favor and bulk up.
Whether you’re concerned about your health, self-conscious of your string-bean physique, or want to pack on muscle, there’s a quality mass gainer product to help you achieve your goal.
With the supplements and health food market of today, the choices for weight gainer products are overwhelming. Not sure what to get?
We have put together a complete guide so that you can choose the best mass gainer product for your needs. In this post, you’ll learn about the different types of weight gainers, how to pick the best weight gainer and what some of the top products are.
What Is a Weight Gainer?
Weight gainers, also known as mass gainers or mass builders, are supplements that are designed to help you gain weight. Most of these products cater to individuals specifically looking to increase their muscle mass. This makes sense. After all, having tons of extra fat on your body is never ideal, no matter how thin you are.
If you are skinny, you likely want to gain muscle, but you also want to ensure that the majority of what you gain is muscle.
Gaining muscle is hard work! For naturally thin or scrawny people, it can be really hard to make the scales go up. Not to mention that if you want to gain weight in a healthy way, you can’t just eat donuts all day.
However, that doesn’t mean that fats and carbs are bad. You need a combination of nutrients in your diet to help you gain mass the healthy way. High-calorie, nutrient-dense foods like avocado, nuts and seeds, healthy oils, dried fruit, cereals, whole grains, and lean meats are advised.
By supplementing and beefing up your diet, the finest weight gainer products help you reach your goals.
However, other great weight gainer products may help by increasing your performance in the gym. Learn about the different weight gainer products and how they work below.
Best Weight Gainer Supplements and Mass Gainer Shakes
The best weight gainer shakes and weight gainer proteins are high in calories and have a well-balanced macronutrient profile. To help you bulk up, you’ll get a good serving of protein, carbohydrates, and even some fats. This sort of mass gainer is great for anyone wanting to gain weight, but athletes, in particular, can benefit from it.
Because weight gainer and protein shakes typically include a decent amount of protein, weightlifters and gym-goers can forgo their usual protein powders and use these instead. That being said, protein powders, in general, are great muscle building supplements that can also be used to help gain weight in general.
However, products specifically designed for weight gain will make it easier for you to put on those elusive pounds. What are some good products to try?
#1 Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
The transparent labs mass gainer is a well-reviewed, concentrated supplement to think about. This particular weight gainer can pack in calories rapidly, with 740 calories per 2-scoop meal. On the Transparent Labs website, it got a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars.
For those looking for organic and/or gluten-free products, the transparent labs mass gainer uses recognizable and organic ingredients.
Highlights
- 100% grass-fed whey protein
- No artificial colors, flavorings, or sweeteners
- Gluten-free, non-GMO
- Available in chocolate and cookies’ n cream flavor
- Transparent Labs Website Price: $65 for 1 bag (15 two-scoop servings per bag; “buy more save more” deals available) + Shipping
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Nutrition Profile and Ingredients
- Calories per serving (196.76g): 740
- Macronutrient Profile:
- Protein: 53g (~29% calories from protein)
- Fat: 12g (~14.5% calories from fat)
- Carbohydrates: 109g (~59% calories from carbohydrate)
- Additional nutrients:
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 15g
- Major Ingredients: Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin (a disaccharide sugar), NZ Whey Concentrate, Coconut Milk Powder, Chocolate Flavor, Cocoa, Medium Chain Triglycerides, VitaFiber®, Creatine, Sodium Chloride (table salt), Oat Flour, Sweet Potato Powder, Stevia, Monk Fruit. Please note that this may not be a complete ingredients list. Always check the ingredients on the product itself or ask the company for a full list.
- Allergen Warning: Milk
Who Makes It
ProteinSeries is an entity of Transparent Labs. Transparent Labs strives for 100% transparency in their products to know what they are getting. Among all of their products, they avoid artificial sweeteners, food dyes, and certain additives. This company produces pre-workout supplements, weight gainers, fat burners, and other products.
The Bottom Line
Anyone who wants organic and non-GMO weight gain supplements should opt for the transparent labs mass gainer. As you can see on the ingredients list, this product consists of some recognizable ingredients like tapioca, monk fruit, stevia, and sweet potato. If you like knowing what’s in your food and supplements, this ingredients list may be the simplest of the products we compare in this article.
#2. Cyto Gainer Protein Powder by CytoSport
- One 6 pound canister of CYTOSPORT CYTO GAINER – about 36 servings.
- SPECIALIZED HIGH-PROTEIN & CALORIE-DENSE MASS GAINER – 550 calories to increase your overall calorie intake…
- 3.2 GRAMS OF CREATINE MONOHYDRATE to help support muscle mass and strength.
The Cyto Gainer Protein Powder is a popular weight-gain product that may also help you recover from a workout. Whey, milk protein concentrate, and whey peptides provide high-quality proteins. According to customer evaluations, this powder has a nice flavor and mixes well with water or milk. Compared to some of the other weight gain supplements on the list, this powder is on the cheaper end (per serving)!
Highlights
- Available in chocolate and vanilla flavor
- High-quality protein (the protein is easily digestible for use)
- Gluten-free
- Contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals
Nutrition Profile and Ingredients
- Calories per serving (75g): 280
- Macronutrient Profile:
- Protein: 27g (~38.5% calories from protein)
- Fat: 2.5g (~8% calories from fat)
- Carbohydrates: 37g (~53% calories from carbohydrate)
- Additional nutrients:
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 5g
- Major Ingredients: Maltodextrin (a disaccharide sugar), Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Cocoa Powder, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Creatine Monohydrate, L-Glutamine, Whey Protein Hydrolysate. Please note that this may not be a complete ingredients list. Always check the ingredients on the product itself or ask the company for a full list.
- Allergen Warning: Milk, Soy
Who Makes It
CytoSport was originally founded in 1998 by a single-family. As the company grew, however, Hormel Foods Corporation purchased the company in 2014. In 2014, CytoSport was named one of the world’s most innovative fitness companies. CytoSport is the maker of Muscle Milk ® and Evolve ® products. Currently, they are a California-based company that sells several fitness performance products to colleges, professional athletes, and world-class training programs.
The Bottom Line
If you research this product, you may see that the front label displays calorie and protein information based on a double serving of the product (4 scoops total). Don’t be confused! Make sure to carefully read the front label and Nutrition Facts label before buying. While you can consume 4 scoops of this product in one sitting, remember that your product will be consumed twice as quickly.
#3. Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer
- Vitamin C and Zinc Provides Immune Support along with Vitamin E
- 650 CALORIES – delivering calories that count to support your gains
- 60G PROTEIN BLEND – support your mass gaining goals with high-quality protein
The Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer can double as a calorie booster and/or a meal/snack replacement for those who don’t have time to eat after a workout. Compared to other supplements on this list, the Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer macronutrient breakdown of fat and protein falls right in the middle. It’s higher in fat than some other weight gainer products, so you can pack in calories easily. While this supplement’s carbohydrate percentage is still over 50%, it is the lowest carb option in our best weight gainer supplements list.
Highlights
- Available in unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, banana, strawberry, raspberry lemonade, peach mango, and fruit punch flavor (may vary based on availability)
- Contains lecithin for better blending properties
- Contains added vitamins and minerals
- High quality protein from ingredients like egg whites
- Price: $39.43 for a 5-lb container (14 one-scoop servings; other sizes available; “subscribe and save” option available) + FREE Shipping
Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer Nutrition Profile and Ingredients
- Calories per serving (165g): 650
- Macronutrient Profile:
- Protein: 60g (~37% calories from protein)
- Fat: 8g (~11% calories from fat)
- Carbohydrates: 85g (~52% calories from carbohydrate)
- Additional nutrients:
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 7g
- Major Ingredients: Maltodextrin (a disaccharide sugar), Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Egg Whites, Whey Peptides, Cocoa (dependent on flavor), Medium Chain Triglycerides, Sunflower Oil, Guar Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Lecithin (an emulsifier), Vitamin and Mineral Blend, Aminogen® Protease, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Lactase. Please note that this may not be a complete ingredients list. Always check the ingredients on the product itself or ask the company for a full list.
- Allergen Warning: Milk, Egg, Soy, Wheat
Who Makes It
Optimum Nutrition is an entity of Glanbia, which is an international “cheese and ingredients” company. You may also see Optimum Nutrition under another name called “American Body Building.” Optimum Nutrition manufactures nutritional supplements for active people all over the world. Specifically, they specialize in ready-to-drink products, pills, capsules, and nutrition bars.
The Bottom Line
The Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer offers several flavors. If you’re sick of milky weight gainer supplements, try out some of their fruit flavors. Switching up the flavor may help you stay on track with your weight gain dietary routine. When comparing the nutrition of this supplement to other products, this is a lower-carb weight gainer. This would be the best supplement to try if you are interested in weight gain for bodybuilding and strength training. It has the highest amount of protein (in grams) per serving.
#4. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
- 10.7 grams of BCAAs, including 5.1g Leucine, as building blocks to help Muscle growth
- 1310 calories and 245g carbohydrates per serving to help the ectomorphs building muscle
- Each serving contains 52 grams of protein (a mixture of fast, medium, and slow-digesting proteins) for muscle growth
Dymatize super mass gainer is a high-calorie, high-carb supplement. It has the highest caloric intake per serving on the list! If you want to gain weight quickly or have a hypermetabolic illness (cancer, HIV/AIDS), consider Dymatize super mass gainer to increase your weight. This particular supplement has a very different nutritional profile, which may give it an edge over other weight gain supplements. With its low protein and low fat profile, this supplement is easier to drink, which can help you drink more of it.
Highlights
- Available in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavor
- High carbohydrate ratio for easier consumption and digestion
- A high carbohydrate ratio may help prevent early fullness (especially for those in hypermetabolic, wasting disease states)
- High-quality protein (the protein is easily digestible for use)
- Price: $28.68 per 6-lb jar (8 two-and-a-half-cup servings; other sizes available)
Dymatize super mass gainer Nutrition Profile and Ingredients
- Calories per serving (336g): 1280
- Macronutrient Profile:
- Protein: 52g (~16% calories from protein)
- Fat: 10g (~7% calories from fat)
- Carbohydrates: 242g (~76% calories from carbohydrate)
- Additional nutrients:
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 22g
- Major Ingredients: Maltodextrin (a disaccharide sugar), Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Micellar Casein, Sunflower Creamer, Cocoa (dependent on flavor), Fructose, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Vitamin and Mineral Blend, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Acesulfame Potassium, Sunflower Lecithin. Please note that this may not be a complete ingredients list. Always check the ingredients on the product itself or ask the company for a full list.
- Allergen Warning: Milk, Soy
Who Makes It
Dymatize Nutrition is a sports and athletic supplement company whose products have been endorsed by Chip Smith Performance Systems, an elite training facility. In order to create their products, they use a team of scientists and doctors with over 50 years of combined experience.
The Bottom Line
Weight gainer supplements that are high in fat or protein may be hard to consume regularly and in large amounts. Protein and fat naturally make us feel full quickly and for long periods of time. Since this weight gain supplement is comprised of mostly carbohydrates, a consumer may be able to drink lots of this supplement without feeling as full. The slightly full you feel, the more you will drink and the more weight you will gain. This will be your first choice if you need to gain weight for medical purposes (i.e. cancer treatment, clinical muscle wasting, malnutrition). Consider the Super Mass Gainer if you suffer from early satiety or struggle to finish high-calorie supplements at baseline. Price per serving: $3.59.
Best Weight Gainer for Men and Women
Women and men have different needs. You may wonder if there’s an ideal weight gainer shake for women or a weight gainer product especially recommended for men. The truth is, it probably depends more on your lifestyle, body weight, and goals than on your sex.
The ideal mass gainer for slim gym-goers might be a combination of weight gainer tablets, smoothies, and a well-balanced diet. However, for men of average weight who want to bulk up, the simple addition of a protein powder or muscle building supplement may do the trick as long as they’re hitting the gym.
What about women? The same is generally true for women. The best mass gainer shake for women could easily be one of the options listed above. Both Serious Mass by Optimal Nutrition and Gainer by Muscle Milk are great choices that will help anyone gain weight. For women who are already hitting the gym and doing weight training workouts, a simple protein powder can also help.
Mass gainer protein powders and shakes are primarily created for those who want to gain weight. They pack in more calories than other protein powders. So, if you are underweight and really need to move up, these are the best weight gainer choice for you.
How to Pick the Best Weight Gainer for You: 5 Easy Steps
Your plan for weight gain should involve a combination of lifestyle changes. Part of that plan will involve a quality mass gainer product. Here are the steps that can help you determine what product to choose:
- Make a Goal Weight: Your goal weight will show you how far you have to go. Do you want to move up 20 lbs, 30 lbs or just a few? The more weight you want to gain, the more calories you’ll want from a weight gainer product, making shakes and protein powders your top choice. If you’re aiming at the lighter side, a muscle-building creatine weight gainer could be enough to get you to your goal weight.
- Make an Exercise Plan: Are you a jogger? Or perhaps you like to do workout videos at home? Or are you a serious gym enthusiast who lives for leg day? The more lifting you do, the more products like weight gainer pills will help. However, you may want to take them in addition to weight gainer shakes so that you can bulk up. If you aren’t into weightlifting, opt for one of the best mass gainer shakes or protein powders.
- Make a Meal Plan: The more calories you get from meals, the fewer you’ll need to add with weight gainer shakes. That means if you work out a lot, you may opt for just the pills. If you struggle to eat enough though, the shakes and powders are best for you.
- Check Customer Reviews: When purchasing any supplement, reviews are a great way to know what to expect. If the majority are positive, you can purchase with confidence.
- Make Your Final Choice: Based on what you’ve determined in the previous questions, you should know what to do next.
Have you successfully gained weight using a weight gainer? Tell us what product you used and any tips you have in the comments!