A weight gainer, or muscle builder, is a high-calorie protein powder or drink designed to help you gain weight. They usually contain a blend of carbohydrates, proteins and fats along with vitamins and minerals. They are a convenient way to get extra calories, but you should use them as part of a healthy eating plan that includes whole foods.
Is it safe to take pills for weight gain?
Weight gainers are typically used by athletes or other highly active people who find it challenging to meet their daily calorie requirements and need to gain weight for sports performance, health or other reasons. They can also be used by those who are what is known as ‘hard gainers’, which is someone who has an extremely fast metabolism and finds it very difficult to gain weight, even when consuming a high-protein, high-carbohydrate diet.
Most weight gainers are formulated to be taken closer to or after your workout, when it is most effective to feed the muscles with fast acting carbohydrate sources that can drive protein synthesis and spike glycogen stores. They tend to have higher calorie content, with some containing up to 4000 calories per serving.
If you’re looking to bulk up, you should look for a weight gainer that is high in protein and contains a blend of both simple and complex carbohydrates. A good quality product will also include a digestive enzyme blend to help with the breakdown and absorption of the proteins and carbs. Other supplements to consider with a mass gainer are creatine, branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and omega-3 fatty acids.