Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Christian Gonzalez10 said:oh)
if you think this is hard, just look in the mirror...
good luck 👍

😂😂

this whole fitness thing is a bit much

This constant back-and-forth regarding which brands to trust is getting frustrating. It adds an unnecessary layer of stress, especially since I’m currently traveling and can't just run to a local shop to pick up supplements.

Winter is approaching, and my stomach has been cramping lately as I ramp up my gym sessions. My goal is to put on about 9 pounds—definitely no more than 12—focusing primarily on muscle mass over the next four to five months. To make matters slightly more complicated, I struggle to maintain weight; I find it hard to gain and easy to lose. This might be because I run every single day and keep my body fat below 8%.

1. Which manufacturers do you recommend for clean whey protein?
2. Any recommendations for a reliable glutamine brand?
3. Are there any other ingredients you would suggest adding to my stack, besides dextrose?

I am also considering a recovery drink for after cardio if the need arises, but I will address that later.

4. Beyond specific brands, could you give me a rough estimate of how much whey (in lbs?) and glutamine I should buy? I want to avoid buying a small 5lb tub only to realize I actually need 15lbs. I'd prefer to get the best value upfront. For context, my schedule consists of six training sessions a week (three 1-hour sessions, three 1-hour sessions, and one 20-minute session), likely involving higher repetitions with lighter weights.

neontinker5 said:The constant back-and-forth regarding manufacturers is irritating, but it does introduce a layer of uncertainty—especially since I’m currently out of the country when it comes to sourcing supplements.

Winter is approaching, and my stomach is already acting up because I'm ramping up my gym sessions. My goal is to pack on about 9 lbs (definitely no more than 12 lbs) of mass over the next 4 to 5 months, ideally maximizing muscle gain. To make matters worse, I have a hard time gaining weight—and losing it just as easily—which might be due to the fact that I run every single day (body fat is under 8%).

1. Any manufacturer recommendations for pure whey?
2. Any manufacturer recommendations for glutamine?
3. Any suggestions for other ingredients to add (besides dextrose)?

After cardio, I might look into using a recovery drink if necessary, but I'll deal with that later.

4. Beyond brands, can anyone give a rough estimate on quantities? How many pounds of whey and how much glutamine should I get? I don't want to buy a 5lb tub only to realize I actually need 15lbs. I want to optimize costs from the start. For context, my schedule is three 1-hour sessions and three 1-hour/20-minute sessions per week—six lifting sessions total. I'll likely be doing higher reps with lighter weights.

I'll tell you one thing right now: you don't need glutamine. As for the rest, I don't have the time to write an essay, though honestly, looking at how you phrased this request, I'm not sure why you're even asking for advice in the first place.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey - honestly, I can't even deal with this stuff right now😉

slydriver52 said:I'll just tell you straight: you don't need glutamine. As for everything else, I don't have the time right now to write out a full breakdown, though I'm not sure there's much point given how you framed this request for advice.

Thanks anyway. It saves me about twenty or thirty bucks I would have wasted on glutamine. 😉

Regarding manufacturers, it seems like every single one gets both praise and criticism. How is anyone supposed to remain neutral when trying to make a purchase decision, especially without prior experience? 🤷 To be honest, I was a bit irritable before, and that's on me. My mistake.

Christian Gonzalez10 said:Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey—you can't go wrong with that.😉

In the end, I picked up a 10lb tub of PRO WHEY from MVP. Whether it actually works will depend on my training, my diet, and so on. It cost me about $130, so the deal is done regardless.🙂

Since I have an ectomorph build, if I don't see the scale moving up, I am considering adding casein before bed. I am looking for thoughts, suggestions, or even manufacturer recommendations. They don't all have to be five-star reviews.

Vindija semi-skimmed fresh cheese, 500g😁

Christian Gonzalez10 said:Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey—honestly, you can't beat it!😉

I've got some, but I don't mix it with anything else—just straight up! I see people mentioning glucose and stuff here... so what's the deal with glucose? Like, how much should I take, where do I even find it, and what's it actually for? Any good alternatives out there? Thanks!

So, you head over to CVS and look specifically for some Glucose.
And for heaven's sake, don't go grabbing fruit sugar—that's fructose—because it just isn't the same thing at all.
What you really want to do is take roughly 40-50g of it and mix it right in with about 30-40g of protein immediately following your workout.
See, glucose carries a high glycemic index, which triggers that massive insulin spike we're looking for, effectively driving those amino acids straight into your muscle cells, which, as anyone who actually trains knows, are incredibly insulin-sensitive right after a session. If you're feeling particularly adventurous or just need a little extra, I suppose you could toss a couple handfuls of raisins in with your whey post-workout too.

neontinker5 said:Thanks for that tip too; saved me about thirty bucks I would have wasted on Glutamine. 😉

When it comes to manufacturers, everyone is either a saint or a villain—how is a guy supposed to stay neutral when making a purchase, especially if he’s flying blind without prior experience? 🤷 Fair point, I was a bit worked up before, my bad...

I ended up grabbing 4.5lbs of PRO WHEY from MVP. Whether it actually works or not depends on my training, diet, and everything else. It cost me about $100, so the money is already spent. 🙂

Since I have an ectomorph build, if the scale doesn't move, I'm thinking about adding casein before bed. Just looking for thoughts, suggestions, or manufacturer recommendations—doesn't need to be a five-star review.

I have a bit more breathing room now.
Look, we all get agitated sometimes; I'm not always the most polite person myself. 🙂
Glutamine is one of those "scams" where manufacturers make a killing. It’s similar to L-carnitine. There is zero scientific proof that it does anything for muscle hypertrophy. It might have some minor effect on immunity or helping the body return to homeostasis, but even that field needs more research since studies aren't definitive. Unless you are an elite athlete under extreme physical stress, or someone trying to slash body fat through radical low-carb dieting or IV supplementation for a competition, there is no reason to use it.
That MWP you bought is quite sweet, which means it's loaded with artificial sweeteners, though it does mix well. In my opinion, it wasn't the best value; for the same price, you could have found 10lbs of Optimum Gold on a marketplace site, which is top-tier quality.
You don't just need protein; you need more complex carbs.
Rice, pasta, oats, potatoes (boiled with the skin on), rye bread, etc.
You didn't mention what kind of training you do?

slydriver52 Asks:
Unless you are an elite athlete facing extreme physiological stress, there is really no reason to bother. Or perhaps you are one of those people attempting a radical diet with minimal caloric intake to aggressively slash body fat? If that isn't the case, and you aren't looking to bypass digestion entirely via IV, why even use it?

I don't have any issues with my body fat percentage. As per my usual routine, I'll be hitting the scales on Monday morning to check my progress. Currently, the scale shows me at 146.6 lbs at 5'10".

slydriver52 said:The MWP you picked up is quite sweet, which usually means it's loaded with artificial sweeteners. On the plus side, it mixes pretty well. However, I wouldn't call it a smart buy. For that same price, you could have found a 10lb tub of Optimum Gold on Marketplace, and honestly, that stuff is top-tier when it comes to quality.

It is what it is; there’s no turning back now. I made the purchase because getting 24g of protein per 33g scoop seemed like a solid deal. I also mix in some glucose with my MWP, which makes it quite sweet. On top of that, I picked up some flaxseed oil, and I am considering buying some seeds to grind up and toss into my morning oatmeal. As for vitamins and minerals, I take them year-round since I stay active all year long—usually training six or seven days a week.

slydriver52 Asks:
It isn't just about protein intake alone. You also need more complex carbohydrates, wouldn't you agree?
Rice, pasta, oatmeal, potatoes—ideally boiled in their skins—rye bread, and so on.
You didn't mention which sport you practice?

I am a long-distance runner, so my nutrition is already fairly dialed in for the sport. I focus heavily on complex carbohydrates from the sources mentioned, supplemented by plenty of fruits and vegetables. My biggest struggle, however, has always been my protein intake; that is definitely the weak link I need to address. As for everything else? Junk food, alcohol, sugary sodas, and even coffee have been off my plate for quite some time. The only indulgence I allow myself is the occasional bag of salted popcorn. I also haven't felt the need to cut out dairy entirely. My main goals right now are tackling that protein deficiency and overcoming my reluctance to hit the weights. Up until this point, my strength training has mostly been limited to core and back exercises. Because of that, there is a noticeable imbalance between my lower body and upper body strength, which I am planning to correct this winter—assuming I can stay consistent enough to see results.

I know I’m going to have to sacrifice a certain amount of aerobic training—which honestly frustrates me because I actually enjoy it. On the bright side, bodybuilders usually struggle to force themselves into cardio, whereas I find the weight room just as tedious. Hopefully, the extra carbs, fats, and protein will be burned off through cardio sessions. My goal is to put on about 9 pounds of muscle over the next four or five months using the P90X program. Ultimately, I'm not trying to look like a pro bodybuilder; I just want to fix some physical imbalances.

Christian Gonzalez10 said:Vindija - semi-skimmed fresh cheese 500g 😁

Fortunately, I am a huge fan of low-fat cheese, otherwise I might actually be concerned. 😬
The version from Nestlé is incredibly delicious. Every single time I take a bite, I find myself thinking about my higher purpose. 😂

Donna Kelly6 said:I actually have it, but I don't take anything else along with it. I see people mentioning some kind of glucose stuff here and there. So, what exactly is glucose? Like, how much should you take and how do you use it? Where can I find it, is there an alternative, and what does it even do? Thanks!

Well, just like they told you, you can grab some Glucose at CVS.
Alternatives would be various mass gainers, though those are usually loaded with sugar—you really have to check the label on each specific product—or just junk carbs (like, a liter of fruit juice has about 100g of glucose syrup) and things like that.

I think someone else mentioned a similar product here that's kind of like glucose, but I can't quite put my finger on it right now... if I remember, I'll definitely let you know.

Anyway, it’s pretty much a solid fact that you don't really need alternatives like that in a place like Washington, D.C. The stuff is cheap, it's straightforward, and it gets the job done. Plus, there are more CVS stores in the city than all the fitness supplement shops combined, I guess.

-Stipe

Experts, I would truly appreciate your guidance here 🙂.

So, I am finally getting back into the gym this week to get myself back in shape—I’m looking to drop those last 5 or 6 pounds so I can actually feel good about my weight again.
From what I understand, protein intake after a workout is essential, isn't it? (Though, just to be clear, I am excluding cottage cheese and tuna from the equation 😁.)
I was considering heading over to CVS to pick up one of their protein powders.
On this specific link, there are three options available: the plain version, chocolate, and vanilla.
http://dm-drogeriemarkt.de/cms/servl...sport_eiweiss/

However, I noticed these CVS brands mostly consist of milk and soy proteins, and a friend mentioned that ordering a whey protein might actually be the superior choice for results.

I would love to hear your thoughts and perspectives on this.

Ashley Reed98 said:Hey experts, I am seriously begging for some help here 🙂.

So, basically, I’m finally hitting the gym this week to get my act together. I really want to drop these last 5-6 pounds so I can actually feel good about my weight.
From what I’ve gathered, I need to hit my protein intake right after training. (Just a heads up, cottage cheese and tuna are totally off the table for me 😁.)
I was thinking about just grabbing some protein powder from CVS.
The link shows three options—plain, chocolate, and vanilla.
http://dm-drogeriemarkt.de/cms/servl...sport_eiweiss/

But looking at the labels, these CVS ones seem to be mostly milk and soy protein blends. A friend told me it’d be way better if I just ordered some actual whey protein instead, saying it's the superior choice.

So yeah, I wanted to see what you guys think.

That girl gave you solid advice. If you actually crunch the numbers, whey might even end up being cheaper than those blends in the long run.

Thanks so much for the help.

I definitely won't be picking up those items from CVS then—I did a little more digging online, and apparently, some people swear they’re actually pretty terrible.

So, I'll just stick with the whey 👍

Has anyone actually tried PLATINUM HYDRO WHEY?

Looking at the ingredient profile, it seems pretty solid to me.

Brian Wilson said:Has anyone tried PLATINUM HYDRO WHEY?

The ingredients look decent enough...

Never tried it. Noticed the price dropped a bit, but I'm not sure it's worth switching from Gold. There's still a 700-gram difference...

Ashley Reed98 said:Thanks.

I probably won't be picking up those CVS brands—did a little digging online and some people claim they're actually pretty terrible.

So, the whey 👍

Just so you know, whey protein isn't strictly necessary right after a workout.
Recent studies suggest that meal timing affects body composition by maybe no more than ~2%—it's mostly just about hitting your micros and macros (proteins, fats, etc.). Total caloric intake matters too, even if not every calorie is created equal—though I guess it’s not 100% proven that there's no difference, but it seems logical that a small gap exists.🙂

Kevin Lee7 said:Just so you know, whey protein isn't strictly necessary right after a workout.
Recent studies suggest that meal timing barely moves the needle—like, maybe a 2% difference in body composition at most. As long as you're hitting your micros and macros (protein, fats, all that), you're good. Total calorie count matters too, even if we're still debating whether every single calorie carries the exact same weight. It feels logical that there's at least a tiny distinction, doesn't it? 🙂

Go ahead and cling to that theory and let's see how much progress you actually make. Look, obviously your overall nutrition needs to be on point, but post-workout is easily the most important meal of the day.

Just wanted to jump in here and say hi,
For about two weeks now, I’ve been having two scoops of Optimum Whey daily on top of hitting my protein goals through regular meals—you know, things like tuna, chicken, and stuff like that.
Ever since I started, I’ve been falling asleep pretty consistently around 11 PM, and then I just seem to wake up naturally around 6 or 7 in the morning without even needing an alarm.
Before this, I used to spend three or four nights in a row wide awake, unable to drift off because I felt so restless and jittery, and then when it was time for work in the morning, I'd be in such a fog that if I did crash, I wouldn't wake up until 4 PM.
I'm not entirely sure what else is in this whey besides the protein itself, though the label does mention amino acids, but it feels like my body was probably just missing something.
I've tried taking Omega-3, iron, zinc, and various minerals before, but nothing ever seemed to work quite as fast as this has.
There must be something special about the formula, I guess.😁
Best,