If you struggle to bulk up and put on muscle mass, then protein powders for weight gain are a helpful option. They’re high in protein and carbs to give you that extra bump in your daily caloric intake, helping you gain weight and get bigger muscles.
Knowing which product to choose can be difficult, so we’ve curated a list of the best protein powders for weight gain in 2024. We like the high quality and easy digestibility of the Insane Labz whey protein, so we chose it as our top pick. Read on to find out everything you need to know about choosing the right option for your needs.
The Insane Labz protein powder is a great option for those looking to build lean muscle while also enjoying a delicious taste. It contains 25g of protein to aid in post-workout recovery and has a naturally occurring BCAA amino profile to help speed up recovery time. This protein powder is known for being easy to mix without any clumps, making it one of the best protein powders available. There are different flavors to choose from as well, including Birthday Cake, Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Strawberries and Cream, and Vanilla.
What sets Insane Labz apart is their commitment to using high-quality ingredients and producing their products in a cGMP facility. This protein powder is WADA-approved and free of banned substances, ensuring that it is a safe and certified product. With only five carbs and 1g of sugar, this protein powder has earned its spot as the top product on our list.
Elevate your protein intake with the Old School Labs muscle-building protein powder, a unique blend of three high-quality protein sources: eggs, milk, and beef. This protein formula is designed to provide superior muscle-building results compared to single-source proteins like whey. Building and repairing muscles requires a sufficient protein intake, and this protein powder offers a novel approach by combining these three sources. This blend has been shown to be more effective than relying solely on whey protein.
The unique absorption and digestion profile allows your body to efficiently process the protein over a longer duration, maximizing its benefits for muscle growth. What sets this powder apart is its range of delicious, naturally flavored options, including Rich Chocolate, Vanilla Milkshake, Birthday Cake, Mint Chocolate, Tiramisu, Pumpkin Spice, and Lemon Cheesecake. Some are even 100% naturally sweetened for a pure and delightful protein experience.
The Lyfefuel protein powder for weight gain can help you take control of your fitness journey. This plant-based powder is formulated with a blend of non-GMO pea, quinoa, brown rice protein, tart cherries, magnesium, and zinc to provide the antioxidants and electrolytes needed for optimal recovery.
It also includes organic greens, plant-based vegan proteins, and superfoods to supply essential vitamins, minerals, and BCAAs for nourishment and well-being. You can easily incorporate this versatile shake into your active lifestyle as a meal replacement or post-workout smoothie base. This protein powder for weight gain is also GMP-certified, ensuring the highest quality standards.
Looking for the perfect supplement to help you add mass and pack on muscle? Try the Dymatize Super Mass Gainer protein powder. Packing 1,280 calories with 245 grams of carbs in each serving, this product is formulated with hardgainers in mind. Along with 17 different vitamins and minerals, it also includes 10.7 grams of BCAAs and 5.1 grams of leucine, an amino acid that will aid you in your muscle-building and muscle-recovery processes.
This option gives you 52 grams of fast, medium, and slow-digesting proteins per serving, perfect for maximizing your gains. It boasts a gluten-free recipe and comes in a 6-pound container in three different flavors. Aside from Gourmet Vanilla, you can also pick between Cookies & Cream and Rich Chocolate. This protein powder for weight gain is the top product on our list thanks to its nutrient-dense formula, high protein content, and delicious flavor options.
Four Sigmatic’s organic plant-based protein powder is an impressive combination of clean vegan protein and superfood ingredients that provide a powerful health boost. This product is sure to keep you feeling healthy and energized.
The protein powder includes 15 servings of pure protein at a reasonable price. Each serving contains 1000mg of functional mushrooms, 500mg of adaptogens, and five kinds of plant-based proteins. Unlike other protein powders on the market that contain fillers or artificial additives, this product is made with only organic and naturally sourced ingredients. It provides an amazing way to maximize health benefits while enjoying a tasty treat.
If putting on weight is something you struggle with, then we suggest you try out the Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Weight Gainer protein powder. At over 12 pounds, it’s sure to last you for many intense workout sessions. It packs an incredible punch with 1,250 calories in each 2-scoop serving. Along with 252 grams of carbohydrates per serving, this pick also offers 50 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of fat, providing your body with enough macronutrients to support you in your weight-gaining journey.
This protein powder for weight gain also contains 25 different vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin E to boost support to your immune system. It comes in a whole variety of different flavors from banana to chocolate peanut butter, so you’ll never get bored with the taste. You can even mix the powder into smoothies with fruits and other high-nutrition foods to ramp up your weight gain potential even more.
If gaining lean muscle mass is your goal then the BSN Muscle Mass Gainer protein powder should be your choice. With a 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio, its macronutrient breakdown is different from other protein powders for weight gain. In fact, this product packs only about 700 calories and 50 grams of protein per serving, ensuring that you pack on lean muscle mass without as much fat and sugar.
This weight gainer protein powder sources its protein content from pure ingredients like egg whites, whey protein concentrate and isolates, micellar casein, and calcium caseinate. Apart from that, this 5.82-pound option includes about 10 grams of BCAAs and MCTs that help round out the nutritional value of this product. This product comes in three delicious flavors to choose from.
If you’re in search of a vegan-friendly option, then this Naked Nutrition Vegan Weight Gainer protein powder is a great choice. Packaged in an 8-pound container, this product has nothing to hide. For its source of complex carbs, it’s made with just three high-quality ingredients: pea protein and organic rice protein powder, and organic tapioca-sourced maltodextrin. This option includes no artificial flavoring, colors, or sweeteners, and is GMO, soy, gluten, and dairy-free.
This protein powder for weight gain maintains a 2:1 pea-to-rice protein ratio, with each serving containing about 50 grams of protein and 248 grams of complex carbohydrates for a total of 1,230 calories. To assist with protein synthesis and muscle recovery it also includes amino acids, specifically 10.3 grams of BCAAs. The unflavored variant of this weight gainer makes it the perfect addition to fruit and veggie-packed smoothies. You can also pick one of the more traditional flavors of chocolate or vanilla.
As the name suggests, protein powders for weight gain help bodybuilders and athletes get the nutrients they need to bulk up and put on muscle. Thanks to these products’ high amounts of carbs, protein, amino acids, and calories, they do a great job of keeping the body in a caloric surplus. This allows people trying to put on weight to consume more calories than they get from their diet alone, which can ultimately help them grow bigger muscles.
Taking a product with a high caloric content could be harmful if you don’t have an active lifestyle as the extra calories may start storing up as fat. That’s why knowing what your goals are is very important when it comes to picking a mass gainer.
A caloric surplus is the most important factor for gaining weight; you cannot gain body mass otherwise. If putting on size is your primary goal, then look for a product that offers a high-calorie count per serving. The higher the calories, the more potential there is for weight gain. If you don’t want to consume so many calories at once, don’t be afraid to split up a serving throughout your day.
Protein acts as the building block of cells and is behind most muscle growth in the human body. Before picking out a weight gain protein powder, check the amount of protein the product offers per serving. Anything upwards of 30 grams should be ideal. You’ll likely get enough protein from most mass gainers, but some may fit your goals better than others.
Always remember to look out for the carbohydrate content in your protein powder. Most protein powders for weight gain contain high amounts of carbs to pump up the calorie count, improve glycogen levels, and boost muscle recovery. Depending on whether you want to bulk up or gain lean muscle, you should definitely consider what the desired carb levels are for your optimal protein powder.
The composition of a mass gainer is of the utmost importance. You need to make sure that the product you’re getting doesn’t contain any sort of unnecessary ingredients that provide no benefits or are potentially harmful. As a general rule, try to avoid products that use artificial coloring or sweeteners to improve the taste or quality of their powder.
The most common type of protein you’ll come across is whey protein. Derived from milk it is great for everyday use, acts fast, digests easily, and contains the right combination of amino acids to help in muscle building and recovery.
That said, Trista Best, Registered Dietitian, Environmental Health Specialist, and Adjunct Nutrition Professor, cautions that “due to its popularity, it can also be difficult to find a high-quality version that meets your needs without excess additives and fat.” Luckily our list has some great options that avoid the bad excessive additives.
Another common protein type that’s used in protein powders is casein. Milk and other dairy items like Greek yogurt are the primary sources of casein. They take a while to digest and work slower which makes them great for muscle regeneration and taking before you fast overnight.
A common source of protein in plant-based products is brown rice protein. It’s gluten-free and is a great alternative for people who don’t consume dairy or animal-based proteins.
Another type of plant-based protein is pea protein. It’s easy on the stomach, hypo-allergenic, and a rather cost-effective source of protein. Best praises pea protein, stating, “Protein, fiber, calcium, and omega fatty acids make pea protein a serious contender in this realm of *health* foods.“
A common concern among first-time buyers of weight gainers is choosing between the different varieties of protein. This typically comes down to either whey protein or casein. So, let’s compare the two.
Talking about whey protein first, we’ve already said it acts fast and metabolizes quickly into amino acids. This quick reaction is not just good for muscle synthesis but also great for muscle recovery. But since whey is more like an “anabolic” protein, its effects are not as noticeable, especially after a few hours of training.
Casein, on the other hand, is more like an “anti-catabolic” protein helping you prevent muscle and bodily protein breakdown. It digests rather slowly, sustaining muscle recovery for longer periods. Since it takes a while to digest casein, it also makes you feel fuller for longer. This could be an issue if you plan to do high-intensity training after having some but makes it great for taking before fasting at night.
Ultimately, whether you choose whey or casein protein boils down to your personal goals and dietary needs.
A: The general advice is to consume protein powder in the morning, after your workouts, or between meals. But there really is no right answer; it all depends on your lifestyle and goals.
A: Results can usually be seen within a few weeks with most weight gainers. But make sure that you’re getting enough calories and nutrients from the rest of your diet for optimal growth.
A: These products are high in calories and carb content, so if you’re not burning enough calories, the surplus calories will start storing as fat in your body. If you work out consistently and focus on stimulating your muscles, excess calories will be directed to muscle growth rather than fat storage.
A: The amount of protein powder you should consume a day depends on the serving size of each individual product and the type of protein. Generally, a serving size is around two scoops or around 50 grams of protein.
A: Mass gainers can have some side effects, usually related to the digestive system. If you have certain food intolerances, you might experience an upset stomach and symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, bloating, or cramps. If this is your first time using this product, try starting with a smaller serving and increasing to the recommended one gradually.