10 Best Mass Gainers for Bulking

 

Weight loss supplements may be all the rage nowadays but it’s the opposite for those who actually want to gain weight.

Why would anyone want to gain weight? The answer is really simple. They’re looking to either achieve a more muscular appearance or improve their athletic abilities.

Now, gaining bulk can be a cinch for some while being almost impossible for others. It all boils down to science, though- you have to consume a lot more calories than what you burn every day.

For this reason, mass gainers were created.

A mass gainer is one of the easiest ways to increase your daily caloric intake. More than that, the best mass gainers usually contain protein, carbs, fiber and amino acids to make your fitness or athletic goals easier to achieve.

 

Related: The 10 Best Testosterone Boosters

 

Benefits of a Mass Gainer

Individuals who want to build serious mass can turn to mass gainers for help.

Gaining muscle is a simple math of more calories in than out. Eating all day just won’t cut it, not to mention it’s expensive, time-consuming and inefficient.

If you’re someone who struggles to gain weight, a mass gainer is a must-have due to the following reasons:

 

Easy Source of Massive Calories

When aiming for greater muscle definition trainers will usually recommend a few thousand more calories than what you’d typically consume.

A mass gainer allows you to fulfill that caloric requirement easily. All you need to do is incorporate the supplement to your morning routine, and voila! Rapid mass gains in an easy-to-drink form.

Drinking a glass or two of calories each day is definitely more appealing than having to chew and swallow them up. It takes up less time as well.

 

More Fiber in Your Diet

Fiber is an oft-overlooked nutrient in the muscle-building picture but it’s essential in two ways.

One, it promotes better overall health as it helps sweep toxins out of the body. Two, fiber is great for digestion and allows you to get the most out of the food you eat.

Incidentally, the mark of a good mass gainer is that it has to have a significant amount of fiber.

 

Carbs are Great for Energy

Mass gainer products have high amounts of calories and carbs so you won’t sabotage yourself when going through the bulking cycle.

Remember the formula for effective weight and muscle gains? If you constantly work out or train then you’ll have to factor the calories you’re burning. Otherwise the whole thing won’t work and you’ll be back to square one.

Mass gainers solve the dilemma by packing in more calories than you can burn in a single day. The carb content per serving should be more than enough to replenish energy and glycogen reserves.

 

What to Look For in a Mass Gainer

Fiber

Fiber is such an amazing component in any supplement that we can’t get enough of it. Aside from helping you feel full for longer and slowing down digestion (thereby allowing you to absorb more of the good stuff), this remarkable ingredient discourages fat from forming and regulates blood sugar as well.

 

50 grams Protein

50g of protein is a must-have in any respectable weight gainer supplement. It’s an essential building block for creating muscle- the higher the quality, the better!

It’s also important to note that keeping the protein intake high is beneficial for mass gain and in preserving lean muscle. We go by 50g protein as it’s not too high nor too low.

 

Good Carbs

We mentioned earlier that carbs are great for energy purposes, but what we didn’t tell you is that there are good carbs and bad carbs. More specifically, the kind of carbs you want in a mass gainer are the complex ones.

Complex carbs have a slow-release mechanism that gives you a stream of energy throughout the day. You’ll definitely want the good carbs for when you’re working out or training several times a week.

 

The 10 Best Mass Gainers for Bulking

If you are looking for a mass gainer to help you bulk up and add size then these are the best ones to consider.

1. Mass Gainer by Transparent Labs

Available at: TransparentLabs.com

Transparent Labs’ Mass Gainer is worthy of the top spot in our books. It’s the purest and most effective mass gainer we’ve tested so far, plus it’s backed by one of the most reputable brands in the market.

What does this mass gainer have that others don’t? It ticks all the right ingredients, from dietary fiber to protein (at 53 grams) and carbs. Each serving provides you with grass-fed whey concentrate, 109 grams of quality carbs and 8 grams of dietary fiber. That’s a total of 750 calories that can easily be 10 to 25 percent of your caloric goals.

You don’t want just any mass gainer for long-term results- it has to be Mass Gainer by Transparent Labs if you don’t want any dyes, additives or artificial sweeteners ruining your health. The formula comes in two flavors- Cookies n Cream and Chocolate, sweetened with monk fruit and Stevia. It contains zero GMO, gluten and synthetic chemicals.

There’s a wealth of good stuff inside the mass gainer by Transparent Labs. It contains MCT, or medium-chain triglycerides courtesy of coconut milk powder, creatine monohydrate and carb sources such as sweet potato, oat and tapioca.

All those things combine into a single, potent supplement that can make your weight and/or muscle gain journey hugely successful. There are few supplements that can boast this claim and still have a very appealing price tag.

Based on user reviews Mass Gainer is overwhelmingly positive. It works even for those who have trouble gaining weight due to high metabolism. Try it today!

Pros

• Works for all body types
• Great for workouts and training
• Superbly balanced macronutrients
• No fillers, artificial sweeteners and additives

Cons

• Only two flavors to choose from
• Only available on the manufacturer’s website

 

2. Beast Mass by Beast Sports Nutrition

Available at: Beastsports.com

Coming up close is our number two pick, Beast Mass by Beast Sports Nutrition. Its slogan, ‘build mass like a beast’ seems apt as you’ll be bulking up in no time!

Classified as a ‘pro weight gainer’, Beast Mass has an impressive collection of ingredients you’d want in your muscle-building journey. You have the usual trifecta of carbs, protein and dietary fiber at 263 grams, 50 grams and 4 grams, respectively. Each serving has a whopping 1300+ calories and can double as a meal replacement.

Rounding out the supplement facts you have calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, all of which round up your needed daily minerals. You also get a few essential fatty acids for optimal lean mass gains.

Beast Sports Nutrition uses clean carbohydrates and EFAs to make sure your digestion stays well and good, plus a unique enzyme blend to help you absorb much-needed protein. As for flavor you can choose between Vanilla and Chocolate, both of which are tasty in their own right.

In terms of mass gain more isn’t necessarily better, but it works quite well with Beast Mass. You just have to make sure you’re working off all those calories and turning them into lean muscle. The price is very reasonable and you’ll be sure to get the most of your money when you pick Beast Mass!

Pros

• Heavyweight in calories and carbs
• Contains essential fatty acids (EFAs)
• Great-tasting formula
• Free shipping and money-back guarantee

Cons

• Stock runs out fast

 

3. Gold Standard Gainer by Optimum Nutrition

Available at: optimumnutrition.com

Next on our list of the best mass gainers for bulking is Gold Standard Gainer which offers 112 grams of carb, 760 calories and 55 grams of protein per serving. There are three flavors to choose from- Colossal Chocolate, Cookies & Cream and Vanilla Ice Cream in 5 and 10 lb increments.

The proteins in Gold Standard mostly come from isolate sources, while the carbohydrate blend includes potato, pea, and oats. The list of fat ingredients are medium-chain triglyceride, flax, and chia seeds.

Optimum Nutrition further refined their mass gainer formula by making it easy to mix. You can either use milk or cold water and won’t need a blender to enjoy a cup.

Pros

• Has three distinct flavors
• Good mix of carbs and protein

Cons

• Dairy-based protein
• A bit expensive

 

4. True Mass by BSN

Available at: gobsn.com

True-Mass is a premium mass gainer supplement that sports a protein and carbohydrate matrix. It’s primarily aimed at athletes who want to bulk up and individuals with higher caloric needs.

You get 90 grams of carb, 700 calories, and 50 grams protein per serving in a 2:1 ratio of good carbs and protein. BSN has added MCT and fiber for a more well-rounded approach in terms of nutrition.

The manufacturer recommends taking True Mass after workouts, between meals and just before going to bed. This way, you experience faster recovery and can bounce right back to your muscle-building routine the next day.

Pros

• Has natural BCAAs and EAAS
• Made in a GMP facility

Cons

• Only comes in 5.82 lb package
• May contain potential allergens

 

5. Atlas by Legion Athletics

Available at: legionathletics.com

Atlas is a meal replacement product designed to provide you with much-needed carbs, fats and protein. It’s 100% all-natural, with the protein and carbohydrates being sourced from dairy and foods from Ireland.

You get a smorgasbord of 26 probiotics, enzymes and micronutrients for health and performance in a naturally sweetened mass gainer drink. There’s zero GMO, MSG, gluten and flavoring, and no antibiotics or unwanted hormones.

Pros

• Sustainably sourced from Ireland
• Contains whey and casein protein

Cons

• Often out of stock
• Sub-optimal taste

 

6. Mass Jym

Avaialble at: jymsupplementscience.com

Mass Jym is a mass gainer supplement with a non-proprietary protein, fat and carbohydrate blend, meaning all the ingredients and components are available to view anytime.

Mass Jym can be used as a meal replacement, a muscle gainer, or as a weight gainer depending on what you need. The carb to protein ratio is 1:1, with 30g of protein, 34g of carbs and 300 calories per serving. There’s also calcium, potassium, iron, dietary fiber and both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat.

Pros

• Non-proprietary blend
• Created by Jim Stoppani

Cons

• Dosage a bit on the low side
• Limited information online

 

7. Real Gains by Universal Nutrition

Available at: www.universalnutrition.com

Real Gains is billed as a premium muscle and mass gainer for athletes who want ‘clean’ gains. Formulated with balance in mind, you get a selection of hand-picked ingredients for amino acids, macronutrients and taste.

You get 600 calories, 87 grams of carbs and 52 grams of protein per serving. Universal Nutrition boasts a protein complex of whey, whey protein isolate and micellar casein as well as MCTs and fiber.

Flavors range from Vanilla, Chocolate and Cookies and Cream and the mass gainer powder comes in 3.8, 6.85 and 10.6 lbs jars.

Pros

• High protein formula
• Mixes well with water

Cons

• Artificially flavored
• Proprietary blend equals hidden ingredients

 

8. Combat XL Mass Gainer

Available at: musclepharm.com

Combat XL Mass Gainer comes in an intimidating black-and-green jar and promises a ‘revolutionary’ weight gain for those who need the extra calories. At its core are dense calories and essential nutrients that promote a muscle-building environment.

Looking at the label, you’ll be getting 4 different protein sources, complex carbs and essential fatty acids. A single serving will net you 1,270 calories, 50 grams of protein, 252 grams of carbs and a mixture of MCTs and chia and flax seeds.

Pros

• Higher carb count
• Gluten free

Cons

• Only comes in 6 or 12 lb jars
• Too few reviews online

 

9. Less Naked Mass

Available at: nkdnutrition

Rounding out our list of the best mass gainers we have Less Naked Mass which is a weight gainer supplement that has a good combination of protein and carbohydrates. The manufacturer, Naked Nutrition recommends adding the powder to protein shakes and smoothies to gain muscle mass.

The formula of Less Naked comes from the brand’s Naked Casein and Naked Whey, combined with raw cacao powder, organic coconut sugar and tapioca maltodextrin. It’s worthy to note that tapioca is a better alternative than wheat or corn-based maltodextrins and as such may serve you better in the long run.

Pros

• Only five ingredients and they’re all listed
• Gluten, soy and GMO free

Cons

• Fewer vitamins and minerals
• Only 1:6 protein to carb ratio

 

10. Mass Tech by Muscletech

Available at: Muscletech.com

Mass-Tech is a supplement made for hardgainers, or those who have trouble putting on weight. Featuring 80 grams of protein with three different digestion stages, this product may be able to help you achieve your mass gain goals.

You get 840 calories, 131 grams of carbohydrates and 63 grams of protein per serving. Also included are co-factors such as Muscletech’s enzyme digestion complex, L-Isoleucine and L-Glutamine, among others.

Pros

• Eye-catching design
• Cheap

Cons

• Results aren’t as good
• Need a lot of powder per serving