Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Tyler Scott8 said:As far as I know, putting more than 30g of whey in a shake is just wasting money, since that’s the max the body can actually break down and use at once. I guess I'd love for someone who knows more to weigh in on this.
+ personally, I usually throw in a double scoop of glucose, so like, maybe 30g of whey plus 60g of glucose... sometimes even more glucose depending on how I'm feeling.

You've got a point. Adding extra scoops seems wasteful since the body can only handle about 35g of protein per sitting.
p.s. You've definitely bulked up, man. Looking pretty jacked now.😁

Thomas Cook54 said:You make a valid point; consuming extra servings really is just throwing money down the drain, considering the body can only effectively process about 35 grams of protein in a single sitting.
p.s. Look at you growing, man—you’re turning into a total beast now.😁

That guy from my old neighborhood reached out to me. 😁

Tyler Scott8 said:Some random dude from the outskirts just hit me up. 😁

Go push those shipping containers, man!😁☕

Thomas Cook54 said:You've got a point there; consuming extra servings is basically just throwing money down the drain since the body can only process about 35 grams of protein per sitting.
p.s. Look at you growing, buddy—you're turning into a total beast now.😁

Actually, regarding MIT—that’s been debunked. We actually discussed this right here on the forum a while back and even posted a link somewhere. There isn't some hard ceiling on how much protein the body can utilize; it really varies from one person to the next.

I can't seem to track down the exact link at this moment, but give this a read:
http://www.building-body.com/pregled...-treninga.html

Power System Whey Protein 80, 650g per 100g

• 80g protein
  7.5g carbs
  including 2.9g sugar

Protein 90 Shake Plus L-Carnitine—Casein based

Quote:

steeleagle37 says: Power System Whey Protein 80 (per 100g: 650g) Protein: 80g Carbs: 7.5g of which sugar is 2.9g Protein 90 Shake Plus L-Carnitine - Casein

Morgan Richardson said:They both serve their purpose—it just depends on timing. The first one is essentially your post-workout fuel, whereas the second is more of a steady, slow-release option meant for sipping throughout the day... so, really, it comes down to what your specific goals require...

Fair enough,$37 I suppose I'll pay

I was looking at the label for Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, and it mentions you should probably check in with a doctor if you plan on using it long-term. That caught my attention because I’m already halfway through my second 5lb tub, and honestly, I haven't seen that kind of medical disclaimer on any other protein brand I've tried. Is anyone else seeing this, or is it just me?

Ronald Cox96 said:The label on the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey mentions consulting a doctor if used long-term. It caught my eye since I'm already halfway through my second 5lb tub. None of my other supplements ever mention needing medical advice?

I assume that's only relevant if you have kidney issues or something... if you're healthy, don't sweat it.

Weight gainer, which one should I pick? I am looking to bump my weight from roughly 165 up to about 168 lbs 🙂
I intend to order from this specific selection, so please provide your recommendations. I have no interest in engaging in any tedious, long-winded debates over trivialities, thank you 😁

edit: and ensure the quantity is sufficient to last at least a full month 😬

Jeremy Bennett57 said:The pursuit of mass often leads individuals down a path of nutritional excess that is as inefficient as it is unappealing. One might be tempted to believe that simply consuming more calories—regardless of their source—is the silver bullet for hypertrophy. However, much like trying to fuel a high-performance engine with low-grade kerosene, flooding the system with empty sugars and poor-quality fats serves little purpose beyond unnecessary bloating. If one’s goal is legitimate weight gain, the focus should remain steadfastly on caloric density paired with high biological value. It is a matter of precision rather than sheer volume. For those struggling to meet their daily requirements through whole foods alone, a supplement can act as a necessary bridge, provided it isn't merely a bag of powdered sugar. A quality approach requires a balance of complex carbohydrates and a reliable protein foundation. In my view, if you aren't looking at the macronutrient profile first, you aren't gaining muscle; you're just adding layers of unwanted insulation.Which one? I’ve gone from about 155 to roughly 167 pounds. 🙂
I am planning to place an order from this selection, so I would appreciate your recommendations. Please keep the suggestions practical—I have no desire for any heated theological debates. Thank you. 😁

I should also ensure that the quantity is sufficient to last at least a month. 😬

Eat with intention. To get this right, calculate your caloric needs based on a protein intake of 2 to 3 grams per kilogram of body weight, filling the remainder of your macros with carbohydrates. For your final two meals before sleep, focus exclusively on proteins and fats. Aim for a slight surplus—roughly 250 calories above your maintenance level—and closely monitor your progress through muscle gain and any shifts in scale weight. Avoid those cheap mass gainers at all costs; they are nothing more than glorified sugar water. If you want the truth, just ask any professional athlete; they will tell you exactly the same thing.

Look, I’m standing at 6'1" and weighing in around 215 lbs. I’ve definitely let myself go a bit lately since my job shifted to being almost entirely desk-bound, staring at a monitor all day. Now that I actually have some breathing room in my schedule, I want to get serious about my physique. I already have a decent amount of mass on me, so the goal is to flip the script and turn that weight into actual muscle. My plan is to lean on protein supplementation and hit a workout for about 30 minutes every single day. So, I need some straight talk here: is this even realistic? And do proteins actually work for that kind of body recomposition, or am I just wasting my time? THANKS!!!

hiddenlynx21 said:I’m about 6'1" and roughly 215 lbs. I’ve put on a little extra weight since I started spending more time sitting at my desk, and now that I have some free time, I want to focus on my physique. As I mentioned, I already have decent mass, and I want to turn that into muscle using protein supplements and daily workouts of about 30 minutes. Does this work? Is that even what protein is for? THANKS!!!

Look, buddy, maybe try browsing the forum a bit first. To answer your question, the answer is essentially one hundred and fifty times: 😁 😁

I’ll just give you a quick summary here, but you should really dig through the archives—we have specific threads dedicated to weight loss and others focused on bulking up, so pick whichever fits your goal better!

1. You cannot actually convert fat into muscle. It isn't biologically possible. What you *can* do is burn off the fat while maintaining or building up the muscle you already have.

2. Protein doesn't serve that purpose (converting fat into muscle, 😁)! Its primary role is the construction and repair of all cells in our bodies, including the muscle fibers that get damaged during training. Through consistent training, you create repeated cycles of damage and repair, which leads to muscle hypertrophy—or, in layman's terms, increasing the actual size of the muscle. 😁

3. Working out for 30 minutes every day (with rest days included, perhaps every third day) is pretty much the baseline for seeing results. Since you're just starting out, that should be plenty for you, though you might eventually need to increase the duration 😁 --> provided those 30 minutes are high-quality, like an intense circuit training session!

Alright, thanks... there are just way too many posts here to sift through. I just wanted to ask one more thing: am I actually going to pack on more fat if I start taking these proteins? I have some buddies who use them specifically to bulk up, but my goal is totally different. I want them to give me an extra boost of energy during my workouts so I can finally knock off those 15–20 pounds.

Now, I’m not delusional—I don't think protein acts like some magic weight-loss pill or anything. I'm just hoping they might help facilitate fat burning while I'm training. If protein isn't really designed for that purpose, are there actual supplements out there that are meant to do exactly that?

hiddenlynx21 said:Alright, thanks... there are just so many posts here to dig through. I just wanted to ask if taking these proteins will actually cause me to gain weight? Some of my buddies use them specifically to bulk up, but my goal is to get more energy during my workouts so I can finally drop about 15-20 lbs. I don't think they work like some magic pill for weight loss, I was just hoping they might help facilitate fat burning while I'm training. If they aren't meant for that, are there other supplements that actually serve that purpose?

You definitely won't get fat from protein alone. It’s highly likely those friends of yours are using mass gainers, which are basically just protein mixed with a massive amount of sugar, maybe some creatine, and extra glutamine. Pure protein, if you take it after a workout, is strictly for recovery and building lean muscle mass.

As for energy for your workouts, what you really need is a solid meal about two hours before you hit the gym. Stick to something like brown rice or whole-wheat pasta paired with chicken, turkey, or lean beef. Then, grab a banana about 20 minutes before you start—you'll see a real difference in your energy levels. 😁

Regarding weight loss supplements, I'm not entirely sure how much scientific evidence supports their effectiveness, but you might want to look up Liquid I.V. online to see what people say. 👍

Anyone who actually knows anything about fitness will tell you that weight is lost or gained in the kitchen by managing your diet. Supplements only provide maybe an extra 5-10% boost—that's just my personal estimate.

1. Diet
2. Training
3. Rest
4. Supplements

Look, my job is such a grind that staying on top of my nutrition is basically impossible. It’s one of those constant struggles. When you're out on a construction site all day, you grab your lunch at 10:00 AM, and you have to eat something heavy just to survive, because if you don't, you'll run completely out of gas before you finish the shift at 6:00 PM. Then, by the time I finally roll through my front door around 8:00 PM—sometimes even earlier—I am absolutely famished. Since I haven't had a decent meal since mid-morning, I end up overeating just to satisfy the hunger. How am I supposed to manage a strict diet under these conditions? I really need some advice on supplements, whether it's protein powders or anything else that can help me bridge the gap.

hiddenlynx21 said:My job makes it nearly impossible to stick to a diet, which is my main struggle. When you're working a construction site, you eat lunch around 10:00 AM, and you have to eat something substantial because if you don't, you just won't have the energy to push through until 6:00 PM. Then you get home around 8:00 PM—sometimes earlier—and you end up overeating because you haven't had a real meal since mid-morning. It’s hard to stay disciplined like that. I honestly think I could use some help from supplements, maybe some protein or something similar.

Look, I don't want to lecture you, especially since I'm just a student and have much more control over my schedule than you do, so I'm hardly in a position to judge. 😁 But theoretically speaking, you could try having a solid breakfast before heading out. For lunch, you could prep something at home and just bring it in a container. You could even make your own protein bars to carry around. Then, once you finally get home, you just have to make a conscious effort to eat something high-quality. It really just comes down to how much effort you're willing to put in. Personally, when I have classes running from 8:00 to 4:00, I usually pack a Tupperware with chicken, rice, and a salad. I know it sounds like a hassle, but it's manageable, especially since your goal is weight loss. From a caloric standpoint, losing weight is actually easier to manage than trying to bulk up in terms of food volume and frequency.

As for helping with the weight loss—Liquid I.V. might be useful alongside a regular workout routine.😁

"Look, don't just go out and buy plain old protein powder. Get yourself some meal replacements instead—you know, those blends packed with protein, creatine, glutamine, and a full spectrum of amino acids. When you're at the store, just ask for a protein shake or a meal substitute. It’s basically a bucket of nutrition in a single serving. You drink one first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, another around 2:00 or 3:00 PM, and then a third one right after your workout. And for heaven's sake, take every opportunity you get to actually eat! Eat big, eat often. Load up on pasta, meat, rice, oatmeal, yogurt—just stay away from the greasy junk as much as possible. Just mix one scoop of powder with about half a liter of water and knock it back." This was some advice handed to me by an acquaintance who’s been sculpting his physique for years now. So, I have to ask: is this actually effective, or is he just talking nonsense?!!!

hiddenlynx21 said:"Instead of just buying pure protein, get those meal replacement shakes—they’re basically a mix of protein, creatine, glutamine, and amino acids. When you're at the store, just ask for a meal replacement; it's like a bucket of powder you can drink once in the morning on an empty stomach, again around 2 or 3 PM, and a third time after your workout. Just take every chance you get to eat something. Eat plenty, eat hearty. Go for pasta, meat, rice, oatmeal, yogurt... just try to stay away from greasy foods as much as possible. Just mix one scoop of powder with half a liter of water and drink up." This was suggested to me by an acquaintance who's been training for quite some time now, so I'm wondering if this is actually effective or if there's any merit to it!

Well, you certainly could try that, though I wouldn't call it the healthiest route. Supplements should really remain just that—supplements or dietary additions, not total meal replacements. Maybe once a day at most. Honestly, if you aren't ready to overhaul your entire lifestyle, then using a shake is probably better than grabbing a greasy slice of pizza or a deli sandwich at work. If you want to see real progress, try cutting out sodas and alcohol, white bread, sweets, and chips. Doing that alone would slash your calorie intake significantly, so combined with your workouts, the weight should start dropping off pretty easily. 😁

I just pulled the trigger on some Liquid I.V. to see what all the fuss is about. I’ve set a pretty ambitious goal for myself: I want to drop at least 10 to 17 pounds within the next two months. Is that actually doable? We'll see! If I start seeing real progress, I’ll definitely jump back in here to share my results and give you guys a full breakdown of whether it's worth your money or not.