Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Ryan Carter52 said:What about this one?

They claim it's 100% whey isolate, but how much weight can you actually give that label?

On paper, the ingredients look fine, but the price makes me extremely skeptical. If that were truly high-quality powder like the label claims, 4kg of isolate wouldn't be selling for $250 instead of $500. I once picked up some Scitec whey—just standard concentrate—and it was a disaster. The taste was sickeningly sweet and it clumped like crazy when trying to mix it.
My advice? Steer clear of that brand entirely.
Stick to the heavy hitters: Optimum Nutrition, Twinlab Whey Fusion, Ultimate Nutrition Prostar, Olimp Whey 100%, Dymatize ISO100, EAS, Cytosport, Muscletech Hardcore, Gaspari Myofusion, BSN Syntha-6, or Champion Nutrition.
Those are the reliable brands we have access to here in the States.

Fine then, tell me why it actually matters to someone like me—or any casual lifter out there—whether it’s a concentrate or an isolate.

So we're talking about absorption being five minutes faster? That's really the big debate?
Paying an 80-100% markup just for that seems pretty snobby—and honestly, unnecessary.

"Absorption"

I've got a bit too much free time on my hands today, I guess.
😁

-briskjackal5

James Rogers53 said:Fine, let’s get down to brass tacks then. What does it actually matter whether you're drinking a protein concentrate or an isolate if you're just a recreational lifter? Think of it like fuel for a car. If you're driving a standard sedan around town, you don't need high-octane racing fuel to get to the grocery store; regular unleaded works just fine. But if you're piloting a Formula 1 car, that cheap fuel is going to cause problems. For the average person hitting the gym a few times a week, protein concentrate is usually more than enough. It’s cost-effective and gets the job done. Isolate is essentially "refined" protein—it's been filtered more heavily to strip out almost all the fats and lactose. This makes it faster-absorbing and easier on the stomach if you have issues with dairy. If you aren't training like an Olympic athlete or dealing with a sensitive gut, you're often just paying a premium for extra processing. You're paying for purity when you really just need protein. Unless you're constantly bloating or trying to shave every single calorie off your macros, the difference is negligible. Pick what fits your budget and your digestion, and stop overthinking it.

Is a five-minute difference in absorption really worth debating? That’s the question.
Paying an 80-100% markup for something like that isn't just bad math—it's pure snobbery. It’s completely unnecessary.

I think you’ve got your wires crossed.
Let’s be clear: we aren't talking about a pure isolate here. This is a blend.
Why on earth would I pay extra for some flavored concentrate from Myprotein? $113 Why pay extra for 2.5 kg sitting in a flimsy bag when you can get a high-quality blend of concentrate and isolate from a reputable brand for the exact same price? You'd be getting a slightly smaller amount—just under 2.5 kg—but it comes in a sturdy plastic tub complete with a scoop. It’s basic math: why settle for less value and worse packaging?
In that scenario, Myprotein is overpriced. You have to account for the fact that the global market price for concentrate versus isolate isn't a level playing field. Isolate is significantly more expensive at the raw material stage, which naturally drives up the final price tag depending on whether you're buying a pure isolate or just a blend.
As far as I know, Impact Whey comes in packaging that lacks any actual labeling. If you want to see the ingredients, you're forced to check their website.

Honestly, I don't see the point in dropping $340 on a 2.4kg tub of Myprotein—I mean, if you can grab Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey for basically the same cash, why wouldn't you?
Now, picking up the 5kg bulk bag is a whole different ballgame because it’s only $167

You’re answering whatever question you feel like answering instead of what I actually asked. 😕

The price per pound for Impact Whey is $33.
The price per pound for Optimum Nutrition is $52.

Keep in mind we're talking about black market prices here—if you're buying from a legitimate retailer, the gap is even wider.

So, tell me—am I really going to see some magical 5% boost in results if I switch to an Optimum Nutrition blend (where they don't even bother disclosing the isolate percentage) versus a pure concentrate from Myprotein (which lists its full label, lab analysis, and ingredient sourcing right on the site, all verified by third-party labs)?

Of course not. And even if there were a difference, your average gym rat wouldn't notice it anyway. The only real difference is that you'll have less money left in your wallet.

briskjackal5 said:"Absorption"

thanks 🙂—wasn't really paying attention during the heat of the debate.

James Rogers53 said:I ask you a direct question, and you just pivot to whatever suits your argument. 😕

The price per pound for Impact Whey is $33.
The price per pound for Optimum Nutrition is $52.

We’re talking about black market prices here, and if we were looking at legitimate retail, the gap would be even wider.

Now, tell me: am I actually going to see a 5% boost in results if I switch from an Optimum Nutrition blend—where they don't even disclose the isolate percentage—to a pure concentrate from Myprotein (which provides full transparency, lab analyses, and ingredient sourcing right on their site via independent testing)?

Of course not. And even if there were a difference, the average gym rat wouldn't notice. The real difference is how much money stays in your pocket.

I am talking about cost-effectiveness, not muscle gains!
If you're picking up 5.5 lbs of Impact Whey for $83 (as you claimed), then Myprotein is the better deal. But if you're paying $340-$17 based on those ads, then paying that much for basic concentrate isn't exactly a steal.
Do you get it now?

I get it, but you just don't.

If concentrate is even a buck cheaper than those "blends," people should probably just be told the truth—they aren't getting any extra muscle from it anyway. Might as well save that dollar.

James Rogers53 said:I get it, but you clearly don't.

If concentrate is cheaper than a "blend," just tell people the truth: they aren't gaining any extra muscle by paying more, so they might as well save their money.

The issue isn't about savings; it's the fact that Myprotein makes their margins by selling cheap raw materials at an inflated markup. I have zero intention of handing them my money. I’d much rather buy a blend of isolate and concentrate, which is what most major brands do these days anyway. Isolate is objectively superior—higher protein percentage, lower carbs and fats, and significantly less "filler" compared to concentrate.
Don't act like there isn't a massive price gap between isolate and concentrate; I'll gladly pay a premium for a manufacturer that actually invests in the quality of their product.
Look, if I can get a higher-quality product for nearly the same amount of cash, I'm choosing Optimum Nutrition, Twinlab, and the rest.
The price for Impact Whey is roughly $113 for a 2.5kg tub of flavored powder with no clear label breakdown.
Meanwhile, the Dymatize price and Muscletech price sit around $110 for 2.3kg of flavored powder that actually includes a full nutritional label on the packaging.

Hold on a second. Why the lies? Myprotein has standard labeling just like any other product—plus they actually submit their stuff to independent labs for testing. Around here, you're looking at about $153 for Dymatize or Muscletech at the local shops. If you’re buying in Canada, you’ll pay $110, while Myprotein runs about $73.

And that supposedly top-tier Dymatize with its fancy "labeling"—independent studies show it performs almost like a gainer. We're talking maybe 60% protein per tub (with only 1% being isolate). Not to mention most of that protein is likely soy-based. Here's the proof,

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/608...7200812031.jpg

It seems you're still in that phase where you think drinking whey is going to turn you into a bodybuilder—especially if you're sticking to those "premium, branded" names. I know it doesn't mean much to you, but you're living in a fantasy.

James Rogers53 said:Hold on a second. Why are you lying? Myprotein provides a full label just like any other product, plus they submit their stuff to independent labs for testing. Here in the States, the Dymatize and Muscletech whey prices sit around $153 in local shops. If you buy it in Canada, you’ll pay $110, while Myprotein runs about $73.

And as for that supposedly top-tier Dymatize with its "official certification"—independent studies show it performs almost as poorly as a mass gainer. We're talking roughly 60% protein per tub (and only 1% of that is isolate). Not to mention most of that protein is derived from soy. Here is your proof:

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/608...7200812031.jpg

It looks like you're still in that phase where you think sipping on whey is going to turn you into a bodybuilder, especially if you're clinging to those "premium branded" names. I know it means nothing to you, but you are living in a fantasy land.

Don't get mad, but you clearly don't have a clue what you're talking about. You posted an analysis that's nine years old and was conducted in Italy, if I recall correctly, though I'll concede that Dymatize is a bit sketchy. Now, why don't you show me some actual analyses for Myprotein—not their own marketing fluff, but third-party tests paid for by regular people, much like this Dymatize one? And tell me, where on an Impact Whey bag does it list the powder composition? By law, every product has to disclose its ingredients, doesn't it?
Does the Impact Whey bag actually list it or not? In the US, you can find whey listed on classified ads, and you'll see $110 under those ads; the procurement method is identical to how you get your Impact Whey. Both are bought through online listings. Your comparison to retail stores is flawed because you aren't walking into a shop to buy this stuff here; you're buying it via online ads just like everyone else.
Here is the base price for Impact Whey, and then you have to factor in the $4.95 shipping fee. It has to be delivered to a home address, if I'm not mistaken, since they don't want to deal with the competition (like the Canadian postal service). Shipping is handled via FedEx, and as far as I know, Myprotein doesn't ship directly to the US. So, when you account for the transport to Canada—assuming you have a contact there and you're splitting the cost—the total comes out to about $100, provided you go with a neutral flavor. If you want something like chocolate, the total hits about $113.
The current average exchange rate for the pound is $3.00
. That's assuming you were buying directly from their webstore, but you're buying through ads where the unflavored version is $100 and the flavored version is 340, which is cheaper than what you'll find on general classifieds. Essentially, it costs you the same as ordering directly, with the minor inconvenience of needing a connection in Canada.

http://www.myprotein.com/uk/products...t-whey-protein

Regards!

Yeah, it does. It takes up over half the bag.

I don't know how to make that any simpler for you.

Regulations in the EU are way stricter than what we deal with here—and honestly, maybe 20 times more intense than in the US, where brands like Optimum Nutrition and the rest actually manufacture their stuff.

As for the price, you're just being difficult. You need to decide if you're looking at retail store prices or the gray market. Either way, Myprotein comes out ahead.

If you go through a guy bringing stuff in, it looks like this:

2.5 kilos of Impact Whey - $83

2.28 kg of Optimum Nutrition - 330-$117

The difference is massive.

And since you’re already complaining about protein quality, you might want to mention that Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, and those other guys using a blend of concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate—they never disclose the actual ratio of those proteins (supposedly a business secret 😂). So, it wouldn't be surprising if they tossed in a single grain of isolate and marketed the whole thing as a "premium" product. There's nothing anyone can do about it.

James Rogers53 said:Yeah, they do. It covers more than half the bag.

I don't know how to make that any clearer for you.

Regulations in the EU are significantly tighter than what we deal with here, and about 20 times stricter than in the USA, where brands like Optimum Nutrition are actually manufactured.

As for the cost, you’re just talking nonsense. Make up your mind: are you looking at retail prices or grey-market imports? Either way, the value proposition favors Myprotein.

If you're looking at imports, here’s the breakdown:

2.5 kg of Impact Whey - $83

2.28 kg of Optimum Nutrition - 330-$117

The difference is massive!

And since you want to talk about chest gains, keep in mind that Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, and others using a blend of concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate don't disclose the exact ratios (it's a trade secret 😂). They could easily toss in a single grain of isolate and market it as a "premium" product, and there's nothing anyone can do about it.

Please, do me a favor and drop a link to whoever is selling 2.5kg of Impact Whey for $83.
For your information—since you clearly aren't well-informed—Optimum Nutrition also has production in the EU because the brand owner also owns the BSN brand out of Ireland.
So, is the powder composition explicitly listed on the label? Fine, take a photo of the bag and post it on the forum for me. Can you handle that?
Sure, manufacturers can pull those stunts, but you can tell by the declaration. WPC80 averages around 75% protein content; if it's blended with isolate, that percentage climbs. You can also judge by solubility—you can tell if it's pure WPC80 or if there's a trace amount of isolate present. Besides, do you honestly think Myprotein doesn't produce an isolate version just like everyone else?
Even Allstar has worse solubility in water because it's strictly WPC80.

slydriver52 said:Hey man, could you please drop a link to whoever’s selling that 2.5kg tub of Impact Whey for $83?

I haven't had a chance to read through every single comment here, but I figured I'd jump in and say something quick.

I've got some Myprotein Impact Whey unflavored in a 5kg bag $167.
And I also have the flavored 5kg version $200.

Just a guy from the local gym forum selling his extra stock.

As far as the nutritional info goes, here’s what it says:

Myprotein/30g
Calories 118.0kcal
Energy 497.0kJ
Protein (dry basis) 24.6g (82%)
Protein (as-is) 23.6g (78.6%)
Fat 2.1g (7%)
Carbs 1.8g (6%)

The massive 5kg bags don't actually show that specific chart on the front. It basically just lists the ingredients inside.

Jamie Rivera70 said:I haven't combed through everything here, so I'll just keep this brief.

Myprotein Impact Whey unflavored, 5 kg bag $167.
The flavored 5 kg version $200.

Some guy from an American fitness forum is selling it.

As for the label, they claim:

Myprotein/30g
Energy 118.0cal
Energy 497.0kJ
Protein (dry basis) 24.6g (82%)
Protein (as-is) 23.6g (78.6%)
Fat 2.1g (7%)
Carbohydrates 1.8g (6%)

You're jumping into the fray without actually following the discussion from the start.
We're talking about a 5 kg tub, not 2.5 kg, and it’s the unflavored kind. What's the price on the flavored one? And more importantly, is that info printed directly on the bag, or are you just reading their website? As far as I know, they didn't used to print the full nutritional breakdown on the packaging itself.

As someone who just hits the gym for fun, I pretty much only use whey protein as part of my post-workout meal...

Because of that, I usually just grab whatever the cheapest option is on the shelf. I figure I probably wouldn't see any better results even if I splurged on the most expensive, top-tier whey out there.

rapidtrucker14 said:As a casual gym-goer, I only use whey protein as a post-workout meal...

So I just grab the cheapest stuff on the shelf. It’s my logic that I won't see any better gains by dropping a fortune on some premium, top-shelf whey.

For crying out loud, go back and actually read the thread from the start before posting nonsense like this.

Gemma already laid out almost everything you need to know, but apparently, some people here struggle with basic reading comprehension.

slydriver52 said:Look, maybe you should try reading the whole thread from the top so we aren't just throwing random comments out there.

Gemma pretty much covered all the bases here, though I guess some people are having a bit of a hard time following the conversation.

I'm not sure why I'd need to reread everything from the start... the topic is proteins, and I've already shared my take on them.🙂

slydriver52 said:Look, please—just go back and read the whole thread from the top so you don't end up posting stuff like this.

Gemma actually covered almost everything already—it seems some people are just having a hard time following the conversation.

That comment was made entirely independent of your specific debate. <.<