Best protein powders for muscle gain?

If we’re going to follow that line of reasoning, what’s even the point of taking whey and creatine? Why would they be any better than just straight amino acids? At the end of the day, protein is basically just a collection of amino acids anyway, so logically, wouldn't it make more sense to just start with the core supplementation?

EDIT: I’ve already got them sitting here, so really, I just need to decide on my actual dosage.

Ronald Cox96 said:Will I actually hit my calorie surplus if I just take maybe 2 or 3 capsules a day?

I mean, you're probably not gonna see any kind of real surplus from just pills.

Ronald Cox96 said:If we're going by that logic, what's even the point of taking whey or creatine? Why would those be any better than amino acids?

Well, creatine and amino acids just do totally different things, I guess.

Honestly, whey is a way better deal than aminos because you aren't paying a massive premium for basically the same thing.

-Steve

With that comment, you basically admitted you have no clue what you're doing. Do you even understand what protein is? Does anyone actually think taking 12 tablets a day makes any sense???

I used to stick with Optimum Nutrition whey, but I just picked up some BiotechUSA. Now I’m staring at these scoops and feeling totally lost... The old one was 35g, but this new one is 32g. The weird part is the 32g scoop is actually twice the physical size of the first one! I have no clue how much protein I was actually getting with the old scoop versus this massive one. Which one is the real deal? Because I can't exactly follow both... Thanks for the help

Dymatize Elite Whey 4.5kg
http://www.amazon.com/example1

vs

Biotech Pro Whey 4.5kg
http://www.amazon.com/example2

So, I just finished an entire 10lb tub of Pro Whey, and a friend actually handed me a kilo of Elite Whey to try out since I'm currently in a bulking phase.
The price gap is roughly $33. After doing a quick scan of the nutritional labels for both, I couldn't spot any major differences. Is it actually worth paying $33 more for EW, or is it just clever marketing?

Kevin Bishop5 said:So, I used to stick with the whey from Optimum Nutrition. But then I went out and grabbed some from BiotechUSA. And now... man, I am just totally lost with these scoops! See, the old one had a 35g scoop, but this new one is only 32g. The weird part is that even though the weight is lower, this 32g scoop looks way bigger in volume than the first one was! I’m seriously confused about how much protein I was actually getting with the old scoop versus what I'm getting now. Which one is the right one to go by? I mean, they can't both be right, right? Any help would be awesome, thanks!

Just grab a kitchen scale

-briskjackal5

briskjackal5 said:Just go buy a bathroom scale

-Stipe

I was actually hoping someone could share some real experience and explain what the catch is here. But hey, thanks for the advice...

I am currently weighing my options regarding a protein supplement purchase in the near future, though I find myself caught in a bit of a dilemma: should I opt for a standard whey isolate, or would a blend containing casein be more prudent? Given the undeniable fact that my daily protein intake is significantly lower than what is required for optimal results, 🤷

If you're looking at something to last you all day, go with casein or whatever... but if it's for right after a workout, stick to whey

Sam Roberts said:Honestly, the way you’re talking makes it pretty obvious you have no clue what you're doing. Do you even understand how protein works? There is zero logic in popping 12 tablets a day.div>

I’m not tossing them in the trash, and I’m not selling them either—not when I’d basically be giving them away for pennies. I’m not looking for a lecture here. I’ve been hitting the gym long enough to know my way around a barbell; I just need some actual advice on dosage, because 12 a day feels excessive to me.

Everything you need to know is right there on the label. How much powder actually fits in one pill versus a full scoop of protein? It’s pretty obvious you’d have to swallow a ridiculous amount of them daily just to see any benefit...
Maybe you aren't a rookie, but clearly you don't know how this works. Forget all those pills; you're better off just eating smart. Most of what you're swallowing in tablet form is already in the food your mom makes for you

Rebecca Myers38 said:I'm thinking about picking up some protein soon, but I'm kind of stuck deciding between just plain whey or maybe one of those blends or casein? Since my daily protein intake is definitely way too low right now...🤷

Honestly, you could probably go with pretty much anything.
Personally, I find that whey makes me feel hungry again super fast, so it doesn't really work for me. I guess that might happen to you too, maybe?

The main thing you should really watch out for is making sure that "Muscle Gainer" or "protein powder" you pick is actually mostly protein and not just a bunch of carbs. For instance, there's this one "Muscle Gainer" product that's like 85% protein, with basically zero carbs or fats.
On the other hand, that Scitecov Muscle gainer is basically just a giant pile of carbs.

-Stipe

Kevin Bishop5 said:I was just hoping someone could share their actual experience and tell me what the deal is. But hey, thanks for the advice.

Look, the weight of the powder varies... keeping it simple: if you want to hit a specific weight, you might need more volume because the texture changes. If it’s fluffier or the grains are bigger, you're gonna need a bigger scoop to get the same amount.
just grab a kitchen scale and check for yourself

briskjackal5 said:She could honestly pick any of them.
Personally, I find that after drinking whey, I get hungry almost immediately, so whey just doesn't cut it for me. Is it possible you might experience the same thing?

The only thing you truly need to watch out for is ensuring that this "Muscle Gainer" or "protein powder" is actually packed with protein rather than just being a mountain of carbohydrates. For instance, there is a product called "Muscle Gainer" that is 85% protein, whereas UH and M have practically zero.
On the other hand, the Scitecov Muscle gainer is nothing more than a typical sugar bomb.

-Stipe

Alright, then which whey would be considered the best value? And is it even worth buying what people are listing on Craigslist, for example? Or is there somewhere else to find a better deal?

Ronald Cox96 said:I'm definitely not throwing them out, and I won't be selling them either since I'd probably end up selling them for next to nothing. I don't need a lecture here—I haven't just started hitting the gym yesterday. I really just need some advice on how many servings to take daily, because 12 scoops seems like way too much to me.

Well, maybe try 11 then!

@ Rebecca Myers38, if you're hunting for the absolute best deal, honestly, it might be worth looking into ordering larger bulk packs from those specialty supplement sites overseas eventually. Only thing is, you won't know if you actually like the flavor, and you really don't want to be stuck with a massive 5lb tub of something that tastes absolutely gross.

I haven't ordered from there myself or visited in person, so maybe someone else around here can give you more specifics on how the shipping works. A few of my buddies head over that way every couple of weeks, so if you need any specific details and don't find them soon, feel free to shoot me a PM.

From what I know, everyone pretty much skips those random, no-name protein brands you find on sketchy marketplaces.

Right now, the banana flavored Inkospor Muscle Gainer is actually on sale at GNC; it's going for $33 instead of the usual $140 for a half kilo, and that's for everyone, not just pro athletes. I'm not sure how long the sale lasts, but usually, these things don't hang around for months. You can check it out at www.gnc.com.
That is IMO the best value you'll find right now.
Edit - just a heads up though, that isn't whey. You were asking about protein in general earlier, right? Not specifically whey?

-Stipe

briskjackal5 said:Then just drink them at 11.

@ Rebecca Myers38, if you are hunting for the absolute best value, your best bet might be to eventually start ordering from an online distributor like Bodybuilding.com using their larger bulk sizes. However, how are you supposed to know if you actually enjoy the flavor? You certainly wouldn't want to be stuck with a massive 5lb tub of something that tastes absolutely revolting, would you?

I haven't personally ordered from there or visited any local shops myself, so perhaps someone else here can provide more specific details regarding their shipping procedures. A few of my buddies head over to the local supplement warehouse every couple of weeks; if you find yourself needing more granular information and don't get an answer soon, feel free to shoot me a PM.

Every person I know avoids those cheap, unbranded proteins you find on random marketplace sites.

Right now, Inkospor Muscle Gainer options in banana flavor are on sale at GNC; they are priced at $33 instead of the usual $30 for a half-kilo, and this deal is open to everyone, not just professional athletes. I have no idea how long this promotion will last, though it typically doesn't run for months on end. You can check out the specifics at www.bodybuilding.com.
That is, IMO, currently by far the best buy available.
Edit - just a heads up, that isn't whey. Weren't you asking about protein in general earlier, rather than specifically whey?

-Stipe

If I take that half-kilo once a day, would it really only last me two weeks if my math is correct? 🤔
By the way, what do you mean by 'unbranded marketplace proteins'? Are you suggesting people are passing off something else as a premium brand like Dymatize? 😕

Rebecca Myers38 said:So, if I'm taking one serving a day, that half-kilo tub would last me about two weeks, right? I think my math is okay... maybe? 🤔

lol, women and math!

But hey, I can totally help you figure that out!
I just need a few details first
- exactly how many workouts you're planning for those 30 days (like, how many times would you actually be drinking it, every single day?), and
- how much protein you want to have after each session

Let's just assume you bought a 500g tub for now, and then just leave the rest to me—I'll crunch all the numbers for you so everything comes out perfect!

😁

btw what do you mean by "no-name sketchy proteins"? are you saying they pass off something else as, like, Dymatize? 😕

No, when I say no-name sketchy proteins, I mean those random brands you find online that Google has barely even heard of.
As for Dymatize, I honestly think there's a pretty slim chance it’s fake (though, I guess, I wouldn't rule it out entirely).

-Stipe

briskjackal5 said:lol, women and math... what a combo.

But hey, I'll help you figure this out.
I just need a few things from you:
- Exactly how many workouts are we talking about in those 30 days? (Like, how often would you be drinking it, every single day?) and
- How much protein powder are you planning on having after each session?

Let's just assume you grabbed a 500g tub for now, then just leave the rest to me and I'll crunch all the numbers so everything comes out perfect.

-Stipe

Can I jump in?
- working out every other day = 15 sessions
- how much does the label say to take (just after training)

briskjackal5 said:LMAO @ women and math

However, I am more than willing to assist you with this calculation.
I require the following specific data points:
- Exactly how many training sessions would you complete within those 30 days (how many times would you be consuming it, strictly every single day?), and
- How much protein do you intend to consume following each individual workout?

Let us establish a baseline assumption that you have purchased 500g of powder, and from there, feel free to leave the rest to me; I will ensure all results are calculated precisely.

😁

No, when I referred to "no-name" brands on eBay, I was specifically discussing those obscure products that even Google struggles to identify.
As for Dymatize, I believe the probability of it being counterfeit is slim (though I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility entirely).

-Stipe

Well, a little more than half a month would be accurate :-P. It stated that one scoop equals 30g, which means 500g would last for 16 servings.😁
I am currently working out (mostly) 6 times a week...
So, are you suggesting it makes no difference (in terms of muscle hypertrophy😬) whether I opt for casein to boost my daily protein intake, or whey to be used as my PWM?

I asked about eBay because I saw Dymatize Elite Whey 2.3kg listed for around $50, and if the prices are similar elsewhere, it’s just easier to grab it through eBay.🤷

Rebecca Myers38 said:Well, that would be a little more than half a month, I guess! :-P Since it said one scoop equals 30g, then 500g would be enough for about 16 servings, maybe? 😁
So, I'm hitting the gym basically six days a week, for sure...

Lisa Rogers94 said:Can I jump in?
So, if you're hitting the gym every other day... that works out to like, 15 workouts! I guess that's the math, right? Maybe? Anyway, it’s a solid way to go!
So, I was looking at the label, and I guess it says you should only take it right after your workout? Maybe that's just how they want it, though I suppose it depends on what you're aiming for!

Yeah, I mean, you’re basically looking at the exact same numbers. It's pretty much identical, I guess!

So, if you're looking at a standard 33g scoop—which gives you about 29.7g of protein per serving, assuming the powder is around 90% protein—then one of those half-kilo tubs is going to last you exactly 15 workouts. And hey, you'll even have a little 5g leftover to kick things off next month! I guess that’s a pretty decent way to track it, maybe?

😁

So, you're basically saying that when it comes to building muscle, it doesn't really matter which way you go? I mean... I guess maybe you think it's all the same thing? 😬So, I was thinking... should I go with casein or something else just to help bump up my total daily protein intake? Or would it be better to stick with whey and basically use it as my PWM? I guess it really depends on what you're aiming for!

So, I was checking out some listings on eBay because I spotted that Dymatize Elite Whey 2.3kg tub for like, maybe $45 or something? And I was just thinking, if the prices are pretty much the same everywhere else, then it’s probably just way easier to just grab it through an eBay seller. It seems simpler that way, I guess! 🤷

PWM is PWM, you know? I mean, honestly, a good whey could definitely step in and fill that gap. I guess I’d probably just treat those two things as totally separate things entirely.

During the day, it really just comes down to whatever else you're eating—it all depends on if you actually need the extra boost. Honestly, either some whey or a multi-component protein would probably do the trick (keeping that little note about whey in mind that I mentioned earlier, of course; I tend to eat pretty frequently throughout the day, so it works out fine for me).

I mean, honestly? It’s probably just way easier to go through Craigslist.

Stipe