Best protein powders for muscle gain?

So, I’ve finally decided to get off the couch and actually start working out. My main goal is to drop about 10 or 15 pounds and maybe tone up a little bit—get some muscle definition, you know? What kind of supplements would you guys recommend? Just a heads-up, though—my protein intake is pretty pathetic right now, so I definitely need help there.

Angela Reyes7 said:So, I finally started working out! My goal is to drop about 10 pounds and maybe tone up a little bit. What supplements would you guys suggest? Just a heads up though, my protein intake is pretty low right now.

Well, start with the protein ;-) just scroll through the thread a bit, everything's already been covered there.

Angela Reyes7 said:So, I finally started working out! My goal is to drop about 10 pounds and tone up a little bit. What supplements would you guys recommend? Just a heads up, my protein intake is pretty low right now.

Well, maybe just try bumping that number up first.

I guess I’d suggest poking around here on the forums or just doing a quick Google search to see which foods actually have good protein levels if you feel like you're lacking. Honestly, getting it from real food is probably better than buying protein powder, at least for right now. You'll get way more out of it that way, I think!

-Stipe

First off, hey everyone!

I’ve spent quite a bit of time scrolling through this thread and digging around online, but I eventually realized it’s probably better to just ask someone who can actually give me a straight answer based on real experience 😁

So, here’s the deal—I’ve been training Muay Thai for a few months now. I’m really enjoying the sessions and the sport itself, and I definitely plan on sticking with it. But my main issue, or rather my question, is this: like so many other people, I’m struggling with that stubborn fat around my midsection. I’d say I have a mesomorph build; I’ve always been active in sports. I tend to put on weight pretty easily, but I also drop it just as fast once I start training seriously.
I was thinking about starting running—both to burn off that fat and to boost my cardio—alongside my Muay Thai sessions twice a week. Boxing is pretty intense; we’re talking about an hour of absolutely grueling work (if anyone here has done it, you know exactly what I mean) 😁

I’m also planning to hit the gym soon, hopefully in about a month or so (I can't right now because of some shoulder issues). My ultimate goal is to lean out and pack on some muscle mass, especially in my arms since they feel a bit thin. I’m about 6'1" and roughly 180 lbs. So, nothing crazy, just trying to swap some fat for a bit of muscle. (I realize it won't just happen by magic without putting in the work)

What I’m wondering is: should I focus on cutting the fat first and then bulk up later, or is there a better way to approach this? The reality is that for at least the next month, I’ll mostly be focusing on aerobic exercise. Also, what’s the deal with whey? Should I wait until I start lifting weights, or should I be taking it after my Muay Thai sessions too? Or maybe I should hold off since I’m trying to lose weight? My training runs pretty late—we finish around 11 PM, so maybe that’s part of the problem 😕 )

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you guys with such a long post, but I wanted to make sure I explained everything clearly. If you need any more details, I’m happy to provide them. Thanks in advance, everyone!

Tyler Jackson53 said:I’m kind of wondering if I should focus on cutting fat first before I try to bulk up, or what the move is? The thing is, I’m planning to stick strictly to cardio for at least the next month. And what about whey? Should I wait until I actually start hitting the weight room, or should I be drinking it now after my Muay Thai sessions? Even though I'm trying to drop some weight... I don't know. My training runs really late too—it wraps up around 11 PM, so maybe that’s part of the issue 😕 .

Honestly, using whey just for muscle recovery after any extra activity feels unnecessary to me, though I guess people have different opinions on that.

Go for the fat loss first. You'll be building new muscle along the way because, well, fat doesn't actually turn into muscle—it either burns off or it builds up. Building that new muscle will actually help speed up the fat burning process. After that, you can bulk up as much as you want, although, given your height and weight, you probably don't really need the extra mass for Muay Thai.

briskbison55 said:Personally, I think drinking whey for muscle recovery after every single workout is totally unnecessary and doesn't really have anything to do with the training itself, though I know everyone has different takes on that.

First off, you need to drop the body fat—meaning you'll be building new muscle because fat doesn't just magically turn into muscle; it either burns off or it builds up. Building more muscle will actually help speed up that fat loss process, and once that's done, you can bulk up as much as you want, even though you probably don't need all that mass for Muay Thai given your weight and height.

Thanks for getting back to me.

So, basically, hitting the gym and packing on muscle would help melt away that fat regardless of anything else. Sorry, I guess I didn't quite catch whether I should start sipping on whey right now as I start hitting the weights, or if I should wait until the fat is gone before I focus on bulking up?
As for the mass, my main goal is to make my torso look a bit more "filled out." My arms are pretty thin since there isn't much fat there and the muscles aren't huge yet, haha. I also have somewhat broader shoulders, so I'd love to fill those out a bit more. I'm hoping I haven't totally confused the idea of gaining weight with specifically gaining muscle.

I’d say go with whey right after you finish your workout if you want your muscles to actually recover... I mean, unless you're being super, incredibly strict about your diet, otherwise you might end up losing muscle instead of building it up, which would suck. There are other supplements out there specifically for bulking up, but I guess I'm just not really a big fan of those kinds of things.

As for your arms—and honestly, for pretty much everything else too—I really recommend getting some kettlebells. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I haven't found anything else that provides such a solid foundation for serious training.

briskbison55 said:I usually knock back some whey right after my workout to help with muscle recovery; otherwise, if you aren't being incredibly strict about your diet, you might actually end up losing muscle mass instead of building it. There are plenty of other supplements out there if your main goal is just packing on bulk, though I’ve never really been much of a fan of that stuff.

As for your arms—and honestly, pretty much everything else—I’d highly recommend getting some kettlebells. I haven't found anything else that provides such a solid foundation for serious training.

Thanks for the advice, man. I think I have a much better idea of what to do now. 😉

Hey everyone—quick question for the group—can anyone point me toward some solid protein sources if I'm trying to actually put on some muscle mass?

Chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, even canned tuna or some low-fat cottage cheese... honestly, all of that is way cheaper than trying to hunt down high-quality whey protein here in the States.

Everything that actually makes whey worth drinking is overpriced in our local shops. You’re better off just sticking to real food... or maybe see if you can find someone online selling direct, or check Amazon or eBay... even with customs and taxes factored in, it'll still end up being a better deal (sadly).

P.S. If you're even asking this question, you probably don't need supplements; you need a solid meal plan and a decent training program.

P.S.S. And don't think I'm trying to act like a know-it-all... other people on the forum have already tackled this exact topic. It's all been said before; you just need to actually read the threads.

Has anyone here actually tried supplements from that guy on Craigslist? I think his shop was called Protoshop.

Paul Garcia3 said:Chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, tuna, low-fat cottage cheese... honestly, all of this is cheaper than trying to buy high-quality whey protein here in the States.

Everything that actually qualifies as decent whey in our country is overpriced; you are much better off just buying real food... or perhaps find someone online selling it under the table, or check Amazon, eBay, or some direct-to-consumer sites... even after you factor in shipping and taxes, it will still be cheaper (unfortunately).

P.S. if you even have to ask a question like this, you don't need whey—you need a solid diet and a proper training program.

P.P.S. don't go thinking I'm trying to act superior... other members have already answered these kinds of questions; it’s all written here somewhere, you just need to actually read it.

Oh, come on now, does this imply that brands like Optimum Nutrition or Dymatize aren't any good either...? 🙂

Maybe I should’ve just kept my mouth shut...

You're totally right, Rebecca Myers38...my bad.

Let me fix that...honestly, protein powder like Optimum Nutrition or Dymatize is probably a better bet than actual food.

Paul Garcia3 said:I probably should have just kept my mouth shut...

You’re absolutely right, Rebecca Myers38... I stepped in it there.

Let me correct myself properly... an Inkospor shake or some Dymatize protein is actually better than actual food.

And by "actual food," I assume you mean the list you provided above? I don't touch any of that stuff, except maybe some low-fat cottage cheese 🤷 so, yes, I'd take an Inkospor tub or Dymatize over those options any day. 😉

Paul Garcia3 said:Honestly, chicken, turkey, veal, lamb, even tuna or low-fat cottage cheese... I mean, all of that stuff is cheaper than trying to pick up any decent quality whey protein here in the States.

Actually, nope, it’s definitely more expensive.

-Joe

briskjackal5 said:Nah, it’s actually way more expensive.

-Joe

Totally agree. Plus, you really have to wonder if the quality is even any good.

Lisa Rogers94 said:I'm right there with you. Honestly, even the build quality seems kind of iffy.

Yeah, totally.



😁

-Joe

Arthur Sanchez79 said:Has anyone here actually tried supplements from that guy on Craigslist selling under the name Protoshop?

I’ve been wondering about this myself.🙂 This individual claims to offer Dymatize Elite Whey at the "lowest prices in the United States,"😁 but can we really trust it?

By the way, is this any good? Would I be better off grabbing that specific blend or just sticking to standard whey?😕

Feel free to go ahead and order. There’s a guy over at Bodybuilder.com named Cvetko—just check him out there... 🙂
A lot of people pick up their stuff from him, and even some competitive athletes I know from the forums have given him the thumbs up, so you shouldn't have any issues!

Rebecca Myers38 said:I'm curious about this too 🙂 this guy claims he's selling Dymatize Elite Whey 'at the lowest price in America' 😁

By the way, is this any good? Would I be better off grabbing that blend or just sticking with straight whey? 😕

Stick to standard whey. That specific blend contains casein, which slows down absorption—something you definitely don't want immediately after a workout. Casein is better suited for right before bed or as a meal replacement, which you can also achieve with regular whey. For a casual lifter, the difference might be negligible since the big picture matters more, but if you have the choice, I'd recommend going with the whey.
🙂