Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Hit them with enough protein and carbs after a workout to help them recover, and you'll see results

Scott Long4 said:What would happen to my muscles if I switched to a super healthy diet loaded with protein, but I didn't stay in a calorie surplus? Like, what if I just stuck to maintenance levels, maybe around 2,000 calories? I'd still be hitting the gym normally three times a week. Would I actually see any muscle gains at all??

When you say "normal amounts," are you talking about staying right at maintenance level?

Yeah, you'd still see progress, though probably not as much as when you're eating in a surplus.
Your body will eventually adjust to the change, especially since you're basically telling it, "Hey, I'm training now!"

-Joe

Sure, you might see some quick wins at first since they're just starting out, but that momentum usually hits a wall pretty fast... though honestly, it's hard to call it. It really just comes down to the individual.
btw, eating only 2,000 calories doesn't automatically mean you're in a deficit, especially on those days when you're basically glued to the couch.

briskjackal5 said:Is there such a thing as a "normal amount," like a state of equilibrium?

Yeah, though it’s a smaller surplus than when you're really bulking.
Your body will adjust to the change. You're essentially telling it, "Hey, I'm training now."

-Stipe

How big of a surplus should I aim for? My BMR is around 1,900 calories.
I also have another question about my schedule. I'm in school until mid-June, so I won't have time to work out every day—it'll just be three times a week at the gym. So, here's my dilemma: should I focus on building muscle right now, or should I try to lose some fat first? I'll be completely free every single day from July through October. Which approach makes more sense for right now versus the summer? I'd love to hear what you guys think.

Thanks in advance

Scott Long4 said:How much of a surplus should I aim for in terms of calories? My BMR is around 1,900.

Honestly, the specific number doesn't matter all that much.

If you're looking to put on some weight, just look at what you're eating right now and maybe tack on a few hundred extra calories on top of that.

I also have one more question about all this. I'm in school until mid-June, so I won't really have time to work out every day—it'll probably be about three times a week at the gym. So, my question is, should I focus on building muscle mass right now, or should I try to lose some body fat instead? (Since I'll be totally free every single day from July through October). What would be better to tackle now versus during the summer? I'd love to hear what you guys think.

Thanks in advance!

It really doesn't matter, just go with whatever feels right for you.

-Stipe

What do you guys think is the best whey protein out there?

MusclePharm.

-Steve

briskjackal5 said:MusclePharm's.

-Steve

Should I go with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, Dymatize Elite Whey, or MuscleTech 100% Whey?

Which one of these three is actually better? Also, where can I find them here in the States—is it worth buying from MusclePharm?

And is this a decent shake recipe: 40g whey + 60g glucose + 0.5L water? (Does the amount of water really matter, and is half a liter enough?)

Thanks for bearing with me.

Scott Long4 said:Should I go with optimum nutrition gold whey, Dymatize elite whey, or MuscleTech 100% whey?

Which one of those three is actually better? And where can I find them here in the States—can I just grab them from MusclePharm?

Also, I was thinking about this shake recipe: 40g whey + 60g glucose and maybe 0.5L of water. Does the amount of water really matter that much? Is half a liter enough?

Thanks for being patient with me!

You can find MusclePharm stuff in local shops around town, or you can just order straight from them on . Actually, their main shop is right over on Fifth Avenue, just before you hit Brooklyn.

Those measurements look pretty good to me. I guess you could even bump it up to 100g of glucose if you're really trying to bulk up. As for the water, honestly, it doesn't really matter how much you add.

No worries at all!

-Steve

briskjackal5 said:You can find MusclePharm in local shops nearby, or just order straight from them at . Their main shop is right on Fifth Avenue, just before you hit Brooklyn.

The serving sizes look fine. If you're looking to put on some weight, you could always grab some glucose too. It doesn't really matter how much water you mix in.

No worries.

-Steve

Hey, I found someone selling protein for a bit less. Which one is actually better quality between these two?
Is it 100% Gold Standard Whey or Dymatize Elite Whey?

Thanks

Scott Long4 said:I found someone selling protein at a lower price point. Which one is actually better quality between these two?
100% Gold Standard Whey or Dymatize Elite Whey?

Thanks.

Dymatize, MusclePharm, Optimum Nutrition, Ultimate Nutrition, Weider... honestly, does it even matter to you? Aside from the flavor, color, or smell—all those minor details—you aren't going to notice a real difference between two different whey proteins. Whey is just whey. 🙂

Is anyone actually using MuscleTech whey here?
What’s the consensus on the MuscleTech line overall?

Angela Howard said:Is anyone actually drinking MuscleTech whey?
What’s the verdict on the MuscleTech line?

Last time I checked their prices, MuscleTech was trying to position itself right up against MusclePharm.
If that's still the case, then the choice is pretty easy, I guess.

Scott Long4 said:So, there's this guy selling protein at a lower price point. Between these two, which one is higher quality?
Gold Standard Whey or Dymatize Elite Whey?

Honestly, "higher quality" probably just means whichever one tastes better to you, given what you're looking for.

-Steve

Scott Long4 said:What’s the best whey protein in your opinion?

Honestly, just grab whatever works for you and stop listening to all this endless debating

especially if your stomach is pretty sensitive...
for me, Dymatize Elite Whey and MusclePharm are straight up death
the nutrition amino whey spas

don't overthink it, man. Just buy what you can afford, and if it doesn't mess you up—great.

briskjackal5 said:Last time I checked, MuscleTech was trying to price themselves right up against MusclePharm.
If they’re still playing that game, the choice is pretty much a no-brainer.

-Steve

But honestly, I don't know the first thing about protein powders, so the choice isn't exactly "simple" or logical to me. Can you give me some details? Maybe some comparisons?

Angela Howard said:but I honestly don't know the first thing about proteins, so picking one isn't exactly "easy" or logical for me. Could you give me some details? Maybe some comparisons?

Yeah, definitely need more info.

The one I suggested is just higher quality, and they both end up being about the same price anyway, I guess.

-Steve

I honestly think MusclePharm whey is the cleanest stuff out there—at least in that specific price range. Last week I picked up the banana and berry flavor, but I’ll probably head back to chocolate or vanilla next time because banana just doesn't sit right with me, I guess. :-)

briskbison55 said:MusclePharm's whey is easily the cleanest stuff out there—at least in that specific price bracket. I picked up the banana and berry flavor last week, but honestly, I’m heading back to chocolate or vanilla since the banana just isn't doing it for me. :-)

So it really just comes down to the protein percentage then. Thanks for clearing that up. 🙂

I’ve got a question regarding amino acid capsules, specifically Dymatize Super Amino 4800. According to the dosage instructions: "As a dietary supplement, take four (4) caplets three times daily." If I’m reading this right, I’m supposed to just knock back 4 capsules, three times a day—meaning 12 capsules total 😕 That feels like a massive amount to me (even if I'm not stacking it with anything else), doesn't it? Shouldn't the dose be based on some kind of body weight category? Will I actually see any meaningful gains if I just stick to a max of 2 or 3 capsules a day?

Honestly, I think those pills are a total waste of money. Aside from protein (whey, casein) and creatine, everything else is just unnecessary...