Best protein powders for muscle gain?

1. mindset
2. nutrition
3. training
4. recovery
5. protein intake

Nathan Wilson67 said:Does anyone happen to know if there’s any kind of whey protein out there that doesn't have soy lecithin added? I've got a pretty bad allergy to soy and soy lecithin specifically... it's a real pain.
Thanks!

Maybe check this out -

I mean, I'm pretty sure everything on here should work for you, and they even have their phone number listed up there if you want to call them to double-check everything just to be safe.

-Joe

Anyone actually using weight gainer? I can snag some at a killer price right now, so I’m wondering—what's the real deal between that and just regular protein powder???

It really just comes down to what's actually inside them.
Basically, a "weight gainer" is packed with both protein and carbs, whereas "protein powder"—well, like the name implies—is mostly just protein.

-Joe

briskjackal5 said:It’s all about what's inside.
A "weight gainer" is packed with protein and carbs, while "protein" is just protein, obviously.

-Joe

So you're saying this actually helps you bulk up because of the carbs... honestly, I don't care. Standing at 6'6" and weighing 215lbs, I'm good where I am. 🙂

Henry Fowler said:One scoop (about an ounce) should do it. Just mix it with about two cups of water or milk with some glucose. You don't really need the glutamine; you're better off spending that money on actual food. As for your diet, eat everything, but try to keep it clean. Maybe start your day with carbs, then switch over to protein later in the evening, and finish with some low-fat cottage cheese—it makes for a great dinner. Since you mentioned you're trying to build muscle, remember that you have to be in a calorie surplus to actually see gains. That means eating more than you burn, so watch out with all that running. Just make sure you eat enough! 😉

I've been hitting the treadmill because I'm struggling with mediocre definition. I've been thinking about it, and I've decided to focus entirely on cutting body fat this summer since I'll finally have the time (school is just too intense right now). Now I'm wondering, if I stay in a calorie surplus, will I actually gain muscle, or am I just going to end up looking bigger without the definition?

You’re actually going to get both. I mean, if you're eating in a true surplus, you’ll be putting on both fat and muscle at the same time.
Which one ends up being more—and how much of each—really just depends on a bunch of things, like how hard you're training, your genetics, what kind of workouts you're doing, and even where those extra calories are coming from, I guess.

-Joe

briskjackal5 said:You’re going to get both. If you're in a calorie surplus, you'll be putting on fat along with muscle.
How much of each you gain depends on how active you are, your genetics, what kind of training you do, and where those extra calories are coming from.

-Joe

Obviously, my goal is to gain mostly muscle. I know gaining some fat is pretty much unavoidable. I've been reading up on different nutrition plans designed to make building muscle easier. My plan is to hit the gym three times a week and maybe play some pickup basketball every now and then. Can anyone point me toward a good resource for a solid meal plan or offer some specific advice?

Sorry if I'm being a bit much.

Thanks in advance

Alright guys, I’ve got a question about timing my protein intake after a workout... I know people always harp on about needing to hit that 20-minute window right after hitting the gym and all that nonsense, but here's what I'm actually wondering. If I absolutely demolish a massive meal—say, I just polished off three pork chops and two thick slices of toast—and then head straight into a pretty intense 30-minute session, will drinking a protein shake afterward even matter? Does my stomach need to be basically empty so the protein can rush into my bloodstream immediately, or is the body smart enough to prioritize the shake even if those chops are still sitting in my gut waiting to be digested? Basically, does the food slow everything down, or will my stomach just "release" the protein regardless? Thanks in advance!

Better watch yourself before you get hurt

Look, if I’m being polite enough to ask nicely, then I’d really appreciate it if you could be polite enough to actually answer me...

Scott Long4 said:Of course my goal is to be mostly muscle; I know gaining some fat is just part of the deal. I've been reading up on all those different diets that supposedly make it easier to pack on mass. I'm planning to hit the gym three times a week, maybe toss in a pickup game of basketball every now and then.

That sounds like a solid plan!
If you haven't spent much time in a gym before, maybe ask the staff at the front desk to help you out with your form so you don't hurt yourself.
Just make sure you always warm up and get loose first, and then maybe do a little light stretching for a few minutes after you're done.
Honestly, just grab any beginner weightlifting program you can find online.

The sooner you jump in, the better.

Can anyone send me a link to a good diet plan or maybe recommend something specific?

Those kinds of links won't actually help you nearly as much as this simple advice—

just eat meat.

Sorry if I'm being a bit much.

Thanks in advance!

You aren't being a bother at all! Honestly, it's actually really nice to see someone being so patient and polite when talking to us.
No worries!

Matthew Campbell13 said:Hey guys, I have a question about protein intake after working out... I know people say you have to take it within 20 minutes or whatever, but here's what I'm wondering... if I eat a huge meal, like say I just ate three burger patties and two slices of bread, and then I go do a hard workout for maybe half an hour and take my protein right after, does that even work? Or does my stomach need to be somewhat empty so the protein hits my bloodstream faster? I mean, would it just move slowly because my stomach is busy digesting the burgers, or will my body still "release" the protein quickly? Thanks!

I'm not quite sure what it is you're actually asking.

-Joe

Sure, it’s definitely gonna be slower than if it were empty.

I was honestly just spiraling a bit wondering if it’s actually a good move to hit the gym right after a massive meal—you know, eat your fill and then immediately slam down some protein—or if I should play it smart and wait maybe three hours so everything actually digests before the protein hits my bloodstream... anyway, I finally got an answer... turns out waiting is definitely the way to go.

Joe, what's your take on this?

Not exactly your brightest idea, hitting the gym right after a meal... especially after crushing three schnitzels

I mean, honestly, you probably won't feel like training at all if you stuff yourself right before hitting the gym—you'll likely just end up feeling sick. I guess it’s better to leave some space between your meal and your workout, maybe like two hours? That should give your body enough time to get through that initial phase of digestion.

And look, it doesn't really matter which proteins hit your bloodstream first, whether they're from what you drank after your session or what you ate beforehand. I don't see how the body would even tell the difference! Sure, the protein you take post-workout might "enter the system a little slower" because the stuff from your pre-workout meal is still processing, but I don't think that does any harm at all.

So, yeah, go ahead and eat before you train and then grab your protein afterward. No biggie.

-Joe

Thanks for all the input, everyone... cheers!

Those links aren't going to do nearly as much for you as this will -

just eat meat.

Is four meals a day enough, including my main meal? I can't really squeeze in five or six because of my school schedule.

It’s probably enough, I guess. But honestly, it really just depends on how much you were eating daily before versus what you're hitting now with those four meals.

If you think you might be stuck without food for a while at some point, maybe just toss a protein shake in your bag to take with you.

-Joe

What would happen to my muscle mass if I switched to a healthy, high-protein diet but stayed at maintenance calories—around 2,000 kcal—instead of being in a surplus? I’d still be hitting the gym three times a week like usual. Would I actually see any muscle progress?