Building muscle is one of the most popular workout goals. Sometimes following a calorie plan without special supplements isn’t enough to do it.  Weight or mass gainers are popular high-calorie bodybuilding supplements that help people achieve this mass gain target. Weight gainers contain a high amount of protein and carbs, vitamins, and minerals. 

They are well-balanced so that the body receives the optimal amount of substances necessary for intensive fitness exercises and muscle building. So, what are weight gainers and how do they work? Do they come up with any potential side effects? In this article, we go into this in more detail. 

What Are Weight Gainers? 

Mass gainers contain simple and complex carbohydrates with different glycemic indexes. Thus, the body will be provided with the maximum amount of energy needed for the most grueling workouts. The supplement also contains whey protein or a mixture of proteins, which “supplies” the bodybuilder’s muscles with the necessary amount of amino acids needed for recovery. As you know, proteins are best digested in combination with carbohydrates. In addition, a mass gainer contains certain vitamins and minerals necessary for increased physical exertion.

Health Benefits Of Mass Gainers

Regular and proper use of a weight gainer increases your endurance when you perform exercises with low intensity, provides your body with additional energy, and is perfect for gaining mass. That’s why not only bodybuilders use mass gainers. 

Potential Side Effects Of Mass Gainers Usage

Mass gainer is made from common food ingredients, so it can be consumed by men and women of any age. However, taking a large amount of carbohydrates at one time carries the risk of pancreatitis. And since this supplement contains milk powder, people with lactose intolerance shouldn’t take it. Otherwise, the use of mass gainers can lead to diarrhea and digestive problems. These manifestations especially concern those people who suffer from enzymatic insufficiency.

How To Choose The Right Weight Gainer? 

Let’s list 3 main signs by which you can choose a quality weight gainer:

1. High protein level. Ideally, protein level should be about 25-35%, normal indicators can be considered 20-25%. If the supplement contains less than 20% protein, it is better not to take such a product. 
2. Lack of sugar. Ideally, there should be no sweetener in a gainer at all. But you can see gainers that contain up to 35% sugar! 
3. Variety of protein. High-quality gainers contain whey protein or multicomponent protein. Cheaper products use soy protein, which won’t help you achieve high and fast results.

How To Take Weight Gainers Properly?

You can take a mass gainer before or after a workout, it all depends on your fitness goal. Taking this supplement immediately after the end of training means you take it during an anabolic window. This is a short period after a workout when the body lacks proteins and carbohydrates.  There is also a second option of taking the supplement before workouts. In this case, the body receives an energy substrate in the form of a large amount of carbohydrates. 

You can also take mass gainer as a last meal of the day. Mix powder with milk or water in the shaker, play big bass bonanza free play or read a book, and go to bed: mass gainer will do the rest for you! We recommend you split the daily dose of mass gainer into 2 times: in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before or after the workout.

You should take gainers only according to your indicators. Otherwise, there will be an imbalance due to incorrect proportions of proteins and carbohydrates, which will hurt your well-being. And we don’t recommend you take more than 50-150 grams of weight gain powder daily. Add an extra scoop of gain mass powder to your meal, follow a workout regime, and build muscle!