Best protein powders for muscle gain?

velvetmoose9 said:Which amino acid source is "faster" for the human body to utilize—whey or egg? (A careful, attentive reader would have caught which two sources I was comparing in my previous post; honestly, I could have mentioned casein too).
I previously asked you, quite politely and civilly, to provide an answer to @Ashley Baker34/">@@Ashley Baker34 regarding some other, third type of four-component protein powder. You ignored me, and now you’re pivoting back to four-component powders, citing whey. So, tell me: which specific product are we talking about, and what are those four whey components?
Where, exactly, did I insult American products? It's difficult to make sweeping nationalistic claims these days about who owns what, but explain this to me: by your "traditional-nationalist" logic, whose product is Weider ProteinPlus80? The fact remains that it is manufactured and packaged in Germany under their standards. And that is exactly the product I recommend. You're being contradictory. Explaining the difference between an "American" product made in the States versus that same "American" product manufactured in Germany is easy enough for anyone familiar with the regulatory differences between the USA and the EU/Germany.
Feel free to enlighten us all on how Germans don't produce high-quality goods (and again: quote where I ever claimed that Germany produces the " highest quality" products), and tell us who actually does—this community will be eternally grateful for your insight.

You still haven't mentioned what you actually do for a living to justify being such a "genius."
Frankly, everything said above isn't even worth a response because I have zero interest in debating you. I don't understand why you feel the need to jump into my comments when they have nothing to do with you. My point was that Weider is expensive; if you calculate the cost per gram of those 500g tubs, just imagine the price of a 2.5kg bulk bag. Inkospor is also overpriced. We could argue for days about which brand is superior and reach absolutely nowhere, because neither you nor I know exactly where these manufacturers source their raw materials or the precise methods they use to process them.
"Fast" or "slow" is a relative term. When I first started training, the go-to supplement for amino acid sources was strictly egg whites post-workout, though manufacturers eventually pivoted toward whey, likely because it's cheaper to produce.

slydriver52 said:You still haven't mentioned what you actually do for a living to justify being so "brilliant."
I honestly don't think there's any point in even addressing what was said above because I really have zero interest in getting into an argument with you. I'm not sure why you're even bothering to jump on my comments when they have nothing to do with you personally. My point about Weider being pricey is pretty straightforward—if you look at the cost per gram for those 500g tubs, you can easily see how expensive it gets if you were to buy, say, 5 lbs of Weider protein. And yeah, Inkospor is overkill on the price tag too. We could go back and forth for days debating which one is better and we won't get anywhere, mostly because neither of us actually knows where these specific manufacturers source their raw ingredients or the exact specifics of how they process them.
The whole "fast vs. slow" thing is pretty subjective. Back when I first started hitting the gym, the go-to supplements were almost exclusively egg white protein as the main amino acid source post-workout, but eventually, manufacturers probably pivoted to whey just because it’s way cheaper to produce at scale.

I'm just some random guy hanging out on a forum, nothing more. 😁 Just like everyone else here, really. 😁
I'm still waiting on those suggestions from you for a four-component whey blend that’s actually cheaper than Weider. Also, what's your beef with Inkospor and Weider specifically? Is it just competition, or something else? Did you Google whose Weider is? And honestly, where did I ever claim or compare one specific product against another brand-for-brand? Come on, put a little effort into it. 😁 You could definitely do better than that. 😍
I get that you don't know where certain brands source their materials, but what exactly are you basing your logic on if you also don't know how they process them? It's not like we were hanging out in Germany together or anything!
I agree that using terms like "fast" or "slow" is a simplification, but it's just how you make products accessible to the general public. Realistically, it isn't that simple; it's highly individual and depends on a ton of different factors. The cost difference between whey and egg protein is just one part of the puzzle, among many others... By the way, have you ever tried KIF?

velvetmoose9 said:Look, I’m just a regular forum user, nothing more. 😁 Just like everyone else here, really. 😁
I’m still waiting for those suggestions you promised—a four-component whey blend that actually undercuts Weider's pricing. And what's the deal with your obsession with Inkospor and Weider? Is it pure competition, or is there something else at play? Did you even bother to check whose Weider we're talking about? Also, where did I ever claim one specific product was superior to another in a head-to-head comparison? Come on, put some actual effort into your argument. 😁 You can do better than this. 😍
I don't expect you to know exactly where specific manufacturers source their raw materials, but what exactly are you basing your theory on? It's not like I have any insight into their proprietary processing methods. Remember how much we spent back in Germany?!
I'll give you this: calling something "fast" or "slow" is a simplification. But it's a necessary one to make products understandable to the average consumer. Reality is messy; it depends on a massive range of variables. The cost difference between whey and egg protein is just one example among many. By the way, have you ever even stepped foot in a KIF?

There are plenty of four-component blends out there if you actually look. I don't know why you're fixating on that. I never mentioned it, and I'm certainly not going to spend my time answering your questions. Arguing over supplement quality is a waste of breath when you consider that even companies in Germany source their raw materials from outside the European Union—supposedly from China. Regardless, the price tag on Weider and Inkospor is unjustifiably high, and even Germans would tell you that. I'm done with this...

slydriver52;41721049[B I can't even begin to describe how much I hate being told what to do by some random guy on the internet, especially when he thinks he's an expert on everything under the sun. It’s like, okay, thanks for the input, but maybe sit this one out? Honestly, it's just exhausting dealing with that kind of attitude all the time.
]Honestly, you can find four-component blends everywhere these days if you look hard enough. I really don't get why everyone gets so hung up on that specific detail like it's some holy grail or something.[/BLook, I didn't bring this up, and honestly, I’m not really interested in playing Q&A with you. Arguing about supplement quality feels like a total waste of breath when you already know that even over in Germany, they’re sourcing their raw materials from outside the European Union—supposedly straight out of China. At the end of the day, the price tags on stuff from Weider or Inkospor are just plain ridiculous, and if you ask any German, they'll tell you the exact same thing. I'm done wasting my energy on this...

Look, I feel like I need to give you a little refresher on how this whole thing actually kicked off. To set the scene, one of our regular forum members, Ashley Baker34, originally hopped on here with a question about... Protein80PlusLook, I laid out my whole take on that supplement, and then you just swoop in to complain about how overpriced it is. You keep harping on the price tag without ever actually suggesting a comparable four-component alternative that won't break the bank. To me, this forum has always been about people sharing knowledge and real-world experiences in good faith—that’s at least how I see it. But honestly, the way you talk to people (and yeah, it's not just me) doesn't exactly scream "good intentions." I’m not really feeling like you’re frustrated because I’m challenging your points—I don't even view our back-and-forth as an argument—but you basically just jumped into Ashley Baker34's thread specifically to tell her the stuff was too expensive. And then you just stopped there. That's it.

Chloe Ruiz15 said:Hey everyone, I could really use some advice. I put on about 22 pounds during my pregnancy :-) and now I’ve finally picked up an elliptical to start fighting back. My plan is to tighten up my diet and hit the machine for 45 minutes almost every single day (5 or 6 days a week). I’m looking for suggestions on a good protein powder I can just order online to use as a post-workout meal. Since I don't have any weights at home, I'm worried about losing muscle mass while trying to slim down—I know you have to feed those muscles protein to keep them. Because I struggle to get enough protein during the day, I need something I can drink in the evening since that's the only time I can squeeze in my workout. That way, I don't have to eat a heavy dinner so late, and it still serves as fuel for my muscles. If anyone knows of a high-quality option that won't break the bank, please let me know! :-)

Anyone out there? :-(

Chloe Ruiz15 said:Anyone? :-(

1. An elliptical alone isn't going to cut it—plus, it's mind-numbingly boring.
2. Honestly, any decent meal replacement shake should do the trick, like:
http://www.gnc.com/syntha-2290g-p-519.html
http://www.vitaminshopper.com/katalog_popup.php?proizvod=522
3. If you ask me, pair that elliptical with an actual workout program—like P90X, check the forum threads—just balance out your diet properly. You won't even need the protein supplements, though they won't hurt.

Look, I know Orbit isn't going to cut it, but honestly, where am I supposed to find an extra hour and a half or two every single day to actually work out? :-( Between dealing with a newborn, my schedule is a mess. Plus, I don't exactly have all the gear needed for
P90X. I’m at a total loss on how to make this work. My goal is to drop at least 20 pounds in three or four months, if possible.

Chloe Ruiz15 said:Look, I get that Orbit isn't enough, but where am I supposed to find 1.5 to 2 hours a day to work out? I have a newborn. Plus, I don't have all the gear needed for
P90. I have no clue how to balance it all. I really want to drop at least 20 pounds in 3 or 4 months.

a) Anything is better than nothing. 😉
b) You don't need two hours.
c) For P90, you barely need any equipment; you can get by with just a few basics (you might actually be thinking of P90X). 🤷

Yeah, I didn't realize that X was even an option. Honestly, I’m dreading trying to download P90 because with my internet speeds, it feels like it would take a month just to get the file. How many times a week am I supposed to run P90 to actually see results? And if I’m doing that alongside Orbi, how much time am I looking at per session? Is those 45-minute Orbi days enough, or do I need to grind more if I want to actually burn through this weight? Look, I know Orbi is boring as hell, but what choice do I have? :-(
p.s. Thanks for looking out for me.

The most important thing is just getting off the couch and actually moving.
Start with the elliptical, and maybe ask someone with better high-speed internet to download something like P90X for you in the meantime.
As far as timing goes, P90X comes with a daily workout schedule built right in. It’s a 90-day program, which is plenty of time to see some real, undeniable progress. But look, whenever you decide to pull the trigger, you have to fix your diet too. 😉
There are plenty of calculators online—some of which have already been mentioned on this forum—that can help you figure out your ideal calorie intake. Honestly, just spend some time reading through the archives here. 🙂

Thanks a ton. I’m going to try to track down someone to help me run through P90X. How long does a typical session last? And what do I actually need to get started? Dumbbells? If so, how heavy should they be? Also, how many minutes of cardio would I need to pull off alongside P90X—or even without it—to actually see some results?

So, I recently decided to get back into a gym routine after a pretty long stretch of being sedentary.
I’m spending about two hours there, three times a week. I usually kick things off and wind down with ten minutes on the stationary bike, but the bulk of my time is spent on strength training—right now, I'm focusing heavily on chest and arms since my legs are already pretty well-developed from previous years.
I’ve noticed there’s a massive variety of supplements out there, everything from mass gainers and casein to standard whey protein.
Given my workout intensity—basically pushing until my energy reserves are completely tapped out—I'm wondering what would be the most optimal choice for supplementation.
My diet is generally clean and I stay away from junk food; I can't even remember the last time I stepped foot in a McDonald's or something similar.
The gym where I train sells a brand called Inkorpor X-Treme. Is that actually any good, or should I look elsewhere?
Since I'm a bit out of my element here, what specific type of protein should I be looking for?

Thanks in advance for the help.

getting started - full body workout

most protein on the market is actually decent... just seems pretty overpriced here in the States. what they've got is fine, I guess
when people say junk food, I'm not talking about McDonald's. mostly thinking more along the lines of candy, pastries, and all that sugar

I'm working on everything
I set aside about 15 to 20 minutes for legs and 10 for abs
but honestly, that's still nothing compared to the hour I spend grinding away at arms and chest

Doing arms and chest for an hour straight??? You using those 5 lb dumbbells? What's the end goal here... cutting fat

20 min cardio
10-15 min core
15-20 min legs
40-50 min chest, arms, and back
High volume approach (doing 2-3 sets of various leg movements followed by 2-3 sets for arms)
I just rounded it up to 2 hours to save myself the headache of typing out "1 hour and 43 minutes" and all that nonsense
It really fluctuates based on my energy levels; some days I’m hitting the 2-hour mark, while other times I burn out faster and wrap things up in about an hour and a half
I’m not exactly tossing around 10-pound dumbbells, but I don’t have the mass yet to handle anything heavy either. For now, until I build some real momentum, I’d rather grind through more sets with lighter weight than struggle through a few reps with heavy weight
I’m still waiting on an answer to my main question. My whole point is that I’m not looking to spend the next six months doing light, easy exercises. I want to be ready in a few weeks or a month to tackle what you’d probably consider a standard workout

By the way, I don't have much definition yet, though I am working on it. Right now, I'm focused on building the primary muscle groups

wiredangler2 said:20 mins cardio
10-15 mins abs
15-20 mins legs
40-50 mins chest, arms, back
shredded style (doing 2-3 sets of something for legs then 2-3 sets of something for arms)
I rounded it up to 2 hours just so I wouldn't have to write "1 hour and 43 minutes" or whatever
It depends on my energy levels; some days I hit the full 2 hours, other times I burn out faster and wrap it up in an hour and a half
I’m not tossing around 10-pound dumbbells, but I don't have the mass for anything heavy yet either. So, until I bulk up, I’d rather hammer out more sets with lighter weight than struggle through a few heavy ones
I still haven't gotten a straight answer to my question. My whole point is that I'm not looking to spend the next six months doing light, easy movements. I want to be able to handle what you probably consider a "normal" workout in a few weeks or a month

Btw, I don't care much about abs, even though I work them; my primary focus is muscle mass

Do your own homework... basically everything you're doing is wrong😉

Jack Ward82 said:maybe do a little more homework... everything you're doing is fundamentally flawed 😉

I’d be happy to get informed, really. But on this forum, whenever someone posts a legitimate question backed by actual reasoning, they rarely get an answer or even a simple clarification—even if they happen to be wrong. Yet, the second someone drops a mindless headline like "How can I gain 10 pounds in a month?", people jump in with lightning speed.
instead of just being dismissive, you could have actually pointed out where the error lies.

Man, this forum... you can find way better info elsewhere. Just use Google. Focus on one muscle group per day.
Day one: chest and triceps...
Day two: back and biceps...
Day three: legs and core...
Keep at it until you hit failure, but watch out for injuries.
Rest is key. Don't skip the warm-ups or stretching either. You'll feel the lactic acid buildup, but you can work through it by hitting that group again later—say, if you did chest and triceps on Monday, hit them again Thursday.

Try throwing in some kettlebell work, TRX, or other gear once in a while—gets the whole body moving at once.
Don't forget swimming, cycling, or running...

Post-workout, just grab a mix of whey, some grape sugar, and creatine.

Sam Roberts said:Man... this forum. You can find much more useful info anywhere else—Google is your best friend here. Just pick one muscle group to focus on every day.
Day one: chest and triceps...
Day two: back and biceps...
Day three: legs and core...
Keep at it until you hit failure, but watch out for injuries.
Rest is vital, and don't skip the warm-ups and stretching. You'll feel the lactic acid burning, but that clears up once you get back to training—meaning if you hit chest and triceps on Monday, say you'd jump back into them on Thursday.

Try incorporating some kettlebell work, TRX, or other gear every few days—it gets the whole body working at once.
Don't forget about swimming, cycling, or running...

Post-workout, try mixing whey protein with some grape sugar and creatine.

Thanks for the reply.
I'm just looking for a reliable brand, the price point, and where I can pick up some high-quality whey that isn't overpriced (so, nothing top-shelf luxury stuff).