Correct approach to buying a gainer

Author: Purik Kirill - manager of the sports nutrition store Atletic-Food.
2014-05-08

“Hello, do you have Serious Mass?” - this is the question most buyers ask when looking to purchase a mass gainer. At the same time, they make a mistake in the name of the desired product. This example shows that most people mindlessly purchase products without considering the actual effects of the item they are buying. The typical buyer's psychology is based on recommendations from friends and advertising, while more detailed product research takes a back seat. As a result, typical marketing and advertising outshine the objective qualities of the product. In other words, you are paying for the brand rather than for its properties and quality.

For example, let's return to the gainer “Serious Mass.” This is perhaps the most popular protein-carbohydrate supplement from the most marketed company in the world. Virtually everyone who has ever bought sports supplements has heard of this gainer. But does its quality measure up to its actual properties?

So, “Serious Mass” is a gainer with a high carbohydrate content and low protein content per serving. Looking at the composition, it is evident that there are 254 grams of carbohydrates and 50 grams of protein in a serving. The recommended serving size is 334 grams. Firstly, did you consider that nearly "half a kilo" of the mixture is simply difficult to stir? Imagine the size of the shaker needed for this! Secondly, the ratio of protein to carbohydrates is approximately 1 to 5. This means that less than 20% of the serving is protein, which is very low.

Many buyers pursue high carbohydrate and caloric content when purchasing a gainer. However, most people (who took the full serving of this gainer at 334 grams) had issues with absorbing such amounts of carbohydrates and calories. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for you to experience bloating after the first use of this product. Very often, people with weak intestinal and digestive systems find themselves running to the bathroom 15-20 minutes after consumption. Thus, it can be concluded that it is advisable to consume not the full serving but rather 50 or 75% of it, depending on individual body characteristics.

What can be said about the price of this gainer? Of course, the price is not low, but not particularly high either, considering that it contains only 20% protein. After all, carbohydrates are less expensive compared to protein. In this case, you are at least overpaying for the brand.

In summary, here’s what you need to remember from this article:

1. Caloric content and the amount of carbohydrates are not the primary factors influencing the choice of a gainer.

2. Do not buy sports supplements mindlessly based on some advice. Take the time to review the composition, at least superficially.

3. For those who read the composition, it needs to be noted that many manufacturers employ a very clever tactic. They list the amounts of the main ingredients per serving on the label. Then, the buyer compares two gainers based on the front side and makes a conclusion about the product. However, if you are a smart buyer, you should look at the number of grams per serving. Typically, different gainers have different serving weights. For example, take two different weight gain supplements. One has 600 calories and 50 grams of protein, while the other has 1000 calories and 70 grams of protein. You might immediately think that the second one has a richer composition? But this is not always the case. Look first at the serving weight. If, in the first case, the serving is 100 grams, and in the second case, it is 300 grams, then the first supplement turns out to be more concentrated.

4. Lastly, I would like to mention the sugar content in gainers. Sugar is one of the cheapest and most harmful carbohydrates. Always check the amount of sugar in the composition! Try to choose supplements with minimal sugar content. Take, for example, the gainer Weider Mega Mass 4000. In a 150-gram serving, it contains 94 grams of sugar. That’s a lot. Does this mean the gainer should be cheap? However, you cannot say that based on the price of this gainer.