Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Daniel Rodriguez6 said:Should I still be drinking my protein on rest days?

Yeah, obviously. Your muscles actually grow while you're resting, not while you're hitting the weights.

briskjackal5 said:The term "doctor" covers a lot of ground.

Even if we set that aside for a moment, doctors tend to fall back on the standard "better safe than sorry" approach—regardless of whether they actually understand the specific topic or (more often than not) have no clue at all. It’s a way to avoid being wrong, even if it means giving useless advice.

-Steve

It is a broad term, sure, but I’m certain they grasp the mechanics of the adrenal glands better than both of us combined. If I wasn't precise enough, he can always go consult an endocrinologist...

I’m feeling a bit Naughty, and I just got a tip from a national kickboxing champion to try some Syrup after my workouts (just to clarify, I don't actually train kickboxing). How effective is it really? Honestly, any extra weight would be a win for me right now. 🙂

What are your thoughts on this product? I am currently weighing it against that one. I realize there isn't much to debate at first glance—truth be told, my budget is a bit tight right now—but the first option is certainly more cost-effective. Is the first one even remotely as good as the second?...

Syrup is total garbage, don't even bother asking about it.

Regarding the protein situation, you're looking at two completely different products here. One is straight whey, while the other is a blend of several different types. If you're on a tight budget, just stick with the whey, but honestly, I can't give you a definitive recommendation without knowing what you're actually doing. Are you hitting the gym regularly or what?

Daniel Rodriguez6 said:What’s the verdict on this product? I’m torn between this one and that one. Honestly, there isn't much to debate here, but my budget is feeling the squeeze lately. The first option is definitely more cost-effective. Is it even remotely as good as the second one?

You won't notice a difference.
Just go with whatever is cheaper or easier to find.

Hey,
I’ve got a question for anyone who knows their way around plant-based proteins or has actually used them—there’s just not enough solid info online, or at least I haven't found what I'm looking for.
I hit the bike three times a week—pretty intense sessions—and I usually grab some whey afterward. I’ve already done the math on how much I need based on my weight, plus a little bit of dextrose. But lately, I’ve been trying out hemp protein because I read it’s a healthier option. My dilemma is the dosage for post-workout... should I stick to the same amount as whey or go higher? It feels more logical to take more since it's only about 50% protein by weight. The label says two scoops a day, or three servings of three scoops for athletes, which feels like a pretty useless instruction to me. Anyone have some actual advice? Thanks! (And sorry if I got the name wrong—I'm still pretty new to all this stuff)....

Jason Campbell70, there’s actually a massive difference here; whey is a fast-acting protein

Regarding the person asking about hemp protein, look, it's a decent option, but whey is the undisputed king of proteins. Hemp just doesn't hold a candle to whey when it comes to performance.

Justin Harris12 said:Syrup is garbage—no need to even ask about it.

Regarding the proteins—these are actually two distinct products. One is pure whey, while the other is a blend of several different types. If you are working with a tight budget, I would suggest sticking with the whey... however, without knowing your specific goals, I cannot say for certain which one would serve you better. Are you training regularly, or what?

In my opinion, whey is superior—so it's quite surprising to hear you claim it's trash. You have truly thrown me off my stride...

I am just starting out at the gym—it has been about a month now...

Justin Harris12 said:Syrup is garbage—don't even bother asking about it.

Regarding the protein options—these are actually two distinct products... one is pure whey, while the other is a blended protein mix. If you are working with a tight budget, go with the whey. However, I cannot say for certain which one would suit your needs without knowing more—are you training regularly or what?...

In my opinion, whey is the superior choice—yet you insist it is junk. You have truly thrown me off my stride...

I am planning to start hitting the gym soon, and since I won't have the luxury of eating like a college student, I really need to rely on supplements like these to bridge the gap...🙂

Excuse me for the double post—my internet connection is being completely erratic...

Syrup is absolutely loaded with lactose and sugar; I honestly have no clue who convinced you that drinking Syrup is a good idea. Whatever you do, don't mix your whey with Syrup—it’s just not worth it. The protein content in that stuff is practically negligible compared to the massive amount of lactose you're going to end up consuming. If you're looking for protein, you're better off just sticking to milk. Even a liter of milk gives you about 32g of protein, 42g of carbs, and 15g of fat; it isn't perfect by any stretch, but it’s still a much better option than Syrup.

Quick question... I’m struggling with whey proteins—the syrups just mess up my digestion and leave me feeling terrible. I'm hitting the gym regularly and doing everything right, but then I found this:
Does anyone have actual experience with hemp protein or know anything specific about it? This site makes it sound great, claiming it's fast-acting and loaded with amino acids... I don't know much about the science, so some advice would be appreciated... 🙂

Justin Harris12 said:Jason Campbell70, there's a difference. Whey is a fast-acting protein.

The ingredients in those two products differ, sure. But is there really a difference in actual results? Not when you consider this is just someone starting out.

Newbie here. One week in. Looking for dietary guidance. What’s allowed, what isn't.
Is a six-day split effective?
Day 1: Chest and triceps
Day 2: Back and biceps
Day 3: Legs and shoulders
Repeat cycle, Sunday rest. Running daily.
Can I stack protein and creatine? Should I start now or wait a few months?

Seeking someone actually knowledgeable about proteins. A friend gave me a homemade recipe. Need to know if it's worth the effort or just a waste of time.

The mix:
3 servings of Syrup
A gallon of milk
A banana
3 small scoops of cocoa (for flavor)
3 small scoops of dextrose
3 egg whites

Thanks in advance.

Joseph Stewart38 said:jadedrifter2 finally caught my drift. So, what’s actually recommended—besides whey—to drink right after a workout? Should I stick with glucose, or are there better carbs to toss into a shake? If there are, what are we talking about? I guess you guys get that I’m not exactly heading to the kitchen to grill chicken and boil rice immediately after hitting the gym...

I already gave you an answer on this... anyway, making your own shakes is usually the most expensive way to go... if glucose works for you, just keep at it.

Joseph Stewart38 said:It’s not like I’m obsessing, I’m just genuinely curious about the best things to add to a post-workout shake besides protein. Chocolate milk is out of the question, though—I don't do any dairy for health reasons...

Is it an allergy or something? You’ve got rice milk, oat milk, blends, even chocolate versions of those...

Joseph Stewart38 said:he he, trust me, it's not like I'm some total newbie, I'm just digging into the ingredients of these "ready-made" mass gainers (not necessarily looking to buy one, just curious about what they actually pack inside them) and thinking about how I could whip up something similar myself. Regarding the glucose, I got that advice from more experienced lifters, but my only real concern is whether slamming such huge amounts of sugar into my system all at once—every other day, basically—is actually harmful, and if there's a better alternative to glucose.

You can't make a cheaper shake than buying the pre-made stuff on the market.

slydriver52 said:You clearly take everything literally.🤦
Of course I don't mean his stomach is literally being emptied; I mean he shouldn't be drinking glucose if he hasn't eaten, say, three hours prior, because his blood sugar could crash mid-workout—something that happened to me once a long time ago. Sure, you can consume monosaccharides during a workout, but that doesn't really make sense for a standard weightlifting session like most hobbyists do. Do you even understand how the body utilizes energy for exertion? How can you even use pro athletes like tennis players as an example when their sport and physical demands aren't even remotely comparable to what we're discussing here? And do you actually know the exact composition of those energy drinks? Most of those are mostly glucose, followed by fructose, sucrose, maltodextrin, and very vital electrolytes. Do you even know why tennis players eat things like bananas during intense matches played in high heat?
I laid out the meal plan because a solid, substantial meal after training is vital—it’s not just about slamming a shake...
Personally, I run into major issues if I drop about 80g of glucose into my system all at once; it just doesn't sit right with me, and yeah, it feels pretty heavy on the stomach.
Please, don't try to lecture me on those so-called "pre-workout shakes"—I work in the supplement industry, and it's pretty obvious you don't actually know what's inside them.
It's actually kind of wild when you think about it—nutritionists working globally with elite athletes recommend exactly what I'm talking about: basic pasta, rice, stuff like that. The whole toasted bread thing? That's advice from someone with a biotechnology degree who works alongside top-tier pro athletes. And obviously, we aren't talking about cheap white bread—the toasting is key because it lowers the glycemic index, and you can even lower it further by freezing it first. That's for people who can't stand rye bread. My advice to you is to stop scrolling through random bodybuilding blogs and actually pick up some professional literature—maybe then you'll understand my point, or perhaps you've misinterpreted some crucial details in the actual science, much like how Justin Harris12 misunderstood my posts.

You're mixing up your terms again—a strength session, a mass-building phase, and cardio are not the same thing. You keep bringing up "professional literature," but you really need to master the basics before trying to build a foundation of knowledge... you get hung up on these tiny details and wander so far into the weeds of "science" that you can't see the forest for the trees.

Joseph Stewart38 said:Well, that's just it. I drink it too, mostly because I heard from more experienced lifters that's how most of them do it—but even then, I'm not entirely sure how healthy such a massive sugar intake is for the body, specifically regarding blood sugar levels, the pancreas, or whatever else.

That’s why I started digging into gainer ingredients to see what they actually put in them. I noticed that while the carb count is huge in most gainers, the actual sugar content is surprisingly low. So, I was wondering what they're using as carbs instead of sugar, and if there's something I could use to swap out the glucose in my own shake...

Natural jams are a good source of carbs, and the carbohydrates in proteins are just the ones derived from the raw source material used to make the protein (like milk, eggs, soy, etc.).

slydriver52 said:It's a broad term, but I'm certain they understand pancreatic function better than the two of us combined. Feel free to have a chat with an endocrinologist if I wasn't being precise enough...

By your logic, people would constantly be running to doctors, getting endless tests, and hunting down specialists... you're taking this way too far and missing the point. If inmates in American prisons are just lifting weights, eating junk—only three meals a day at that—and using drugs, yet they still pack on muscle, then surely a recreational lifter here can see at least half that effect if they don't go full-blown professional bodybuilder.

Justin Harris12 said:Syrup is total garbage—honestly, don't even bother asking about it.

This guy is honestly on another level—absolute legend. 😂😂😂

Karen Collins64 said:Hey there,
I have a quick question for anyone here who actually knows their way around plant-based proteins—or at least people who have tried them—because, honestly, there’s just such a lack of decent info out there. I’ve been digging through the web, but I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for.
I’ve been hitting the bike three times a week lately—it's pretty intense work—and I usually just knock back some whey protein afterward. I actually did the math on my dosage based on my weight, throwing in some glucose too, just to keep things balanced. But then I started reading about hemp protein and how much "healthier" it supposedly is, so I decided to give it a shot. Now I'm stuck on the dosing part for post-workout... specifically, should I be treating it like whey, or do I need more? It feels like it would make sense to take more, especially since the label says it's only about 50% protein. The instructions on the tub are kind of useless—they suggest two scoops a day, or three servings of three scoops for athletes, which honestly sounds like a lot of unnecessary guesswork. Does anyone have any actual, helpful advice on this? Also, if I've totally butchered the terminology—I'm still pretty much a novice when it comes to all this supplement stuff—please let me know. Thanks!

Honestly, you can't really beat animal protein with plant-based stuff—it’s just basic biology at this point. I mean, think about it—animals are essentially built out of protein, whereas plants? They're mostly just fiber. It's a simple distinction, really.

Just check the label to see how many grams of protein are in every 100g of the product—a teaspoon is roughly five grams, so you can just use that to gauge everything. Since I can see you already know how to calculate your own daily protein requirements, this shouldn't really be an issue for you.

Justin Harris12 said:Look, if you're actually planning on drinking regular milk, just a heads-up—it’s basically a sugar and lactose bomb. I honestly don't know who gave you the idea that milk is some kind of nutritional gold mine, but please, for the love of all things holy, don't go mixing your whey protein with it. It's a waste of a good supplement. The actual protein content in milk is pretty negligible when you consider the sheer amount of lactose you're swallowing along with it. If you really want to drink something, you might as well just stick to plain milk—at least then you know what you're getting—but even then, it isn't exactly a powerhouse. You're looking at roughly 32g of protein, 42g of carbs, and 15g of fat per liter. It's better than the alternative, I guess, but let's not pretend it's a miracle drink.

Look, "Syrup" is just the term used for whey—and when we talk about proteins, we're talking about those essential amino acids—so maybe just brush up on the basic terminology before jumping in.

brightdrifter54 said:So, I’m basically a gym newbie—only been at it for about a week now... and I’m wondering what kind of diet actually works best? Like, what am I allowed to eat and what should I stay away from?
Is hitting the gym 6 days a week on this split actually a good idea?
Day 1: Chest and triceps
Day 2: Back and biceps
Day 3: Legs and shoulders
Then just repeat, with Sunday as my rest day... oh, and I'm running every single day too.
Also, can you take protein and creatine together? And should I start right away, or wait a few months until I've settled into the routine?

And if there's anyone here who really knows their stuff when it comes to protein shakes—a buddy gave me a recipe he makes, so I was hoping someone could tell me if it's actually worth anything or if I'd just be wasting my money.

Here's the breakdown:
3 oz of Syrup
A cup of milk
A banana
3 small spoonfuls of cocoa powder (just for the taste)
3 small spoonfuls of dextrose
3 egg whites

Thanks in advance!

Don't go training 6 days a week—that's way too much for a beginner. For someone just starting out, 3 days a week is pretty much the sweet spot... As for creatine, it's fine on its own, but honestly, I wouldn't recommend jumping on it just yet. Since you're only a week in, you have so much room to play around with your basic nutrition and training intensity. Once you've mastered those fundamentals, then you can look into creatine. Just take it slow with the basics and try not to listen to everyone else's noise if you want actual, lasting results. Question everything, do your own research, and hang out on the specialized bodybuilding forums. For now, skip the creatine and even the protein supplements... If you're making a shake, maybe swap the cocoa for some cinnamon or baking chocolate instead. Also, an ounce of milk is definitely not enough for those ingredients—you'll want to use at least a cup.

Thanks..
And one more thing.. any advice on cutting body fat? Best diet or something else?
I'm not overweight, just picked up a little extra padding since I stopped playing soccer.. haha

Hey there!
I could really use some advice. I’ve been hitting the gym for about a month now with the goal of putting on some solid weight and really sculpting my physique. I’m already seeing progress and I am honestly so proud of myself—I've put on about five pounds, my skin tone feels different, my muscle definition is starting to show, and my glutes are definitely shaping up in all the right places. My arms and shoulders are also starting to take shape. 😁 I’m making a real effort to eat well and stay hydrated, and my appetite has actually increased, though I’ve never really struggled with eating enough in the past. Based on your experiences, what are the best shakes for pre- and post-workout nutrition if the goal is gaining mass? Just to be clear, I don't have any intention of relying on powders or "magic" supplements; I don't mind them, but I’d much rather stick to whole, natural foods. (For context, I'm 5'9" and about 120 lbs)

@jadedrifter2/">@@jadedrifter2, let's hear those tips. 🙂

placidangler8 said:Hey there!
I need some advice. I've been hitting the gym for about a month now, aiming to pack on some weight and really sculpt my physique. I'm already seeing results and I'm pretty proud—I've put on about 5 pounds, my skin tone feels different, muscle definition is showing up, my glutes are finally lifting, and my arms and shoulders are shaping up nicely. 😁I'm trying to eat healthy and stay hydrated, though my appetite has definitely increased, even if food was never an issue before. Based on your experience, what are the best shakes for pre- and post-workout to help with mass? I don't have any intention of drinking powders or miracle cures; I don't mind them, but I'd rather stick to whole foods. (I'm 5'9" and 120 lbs)
@jadedrifter2/">@@jadedrifter2, give me your best shot with some advice. 🙂

Since you aren't looking for those powder miracles—which aren't actually much more "unnatural" than most of the junk people eat nowadays anyway—
drink something high in sugar before training, like a juice or something similar, and make sure you get protein in after the workout; milk is a good option, and chocolate milk is actually even better.
All these complicated combinations where you mix this and that are just impractical; they work better as snacks between meals.

jadedrifter2 said:Look, I already gave you my take on this... but seriously, if you’re out here trying to DIY all your own shakes, you’re basically choosing the most expensive way to do it—total money pit. If you're cool with the glucose levels and it works for you, then fine, keep doing your thing. But don't say I didn't warn you about the cost!

Wait, hold on... I honestly thought DIY shakes—you know, just tossing some whey and some carbs into a blender—was going to be way cheaper than buying those pre-made mass gainers. But now you’ve gone and completely thrown me for a loop with that comment! It’s confusing as hell. Most people I talk to always say the same thing: "Don't waste your money on commercial gainers, they're a total rip-off, just whip up your own shake at home." It's what everyone swears by!🤷

Look, when it comes to glucose, it’s not even about whether it sits well with me or not—honestly, I don't have much of a reaction at all. It doesn't wreck my stomach or anything like that, so that's not the issue here. What I’m actually getting at—and this is what's bugging me—is whether there’s something actually *better* out there. I mean, is there an option that isn't just straight-up pure sugar? There's gotta be something more efficient than just slamming plain old sugar down, right?

jadedrifter2 said:Is it an allergy or what? I mean, seriously—you’ve got rice milk, oat milk, those weird blended versions, even the chocolate ones... there's just too much stuff out there now!

Look, I’m just gonna say it—I can't touch dairy. Period. Ever since my allergies kicked in, milk is basically off-limits for me... it just doesn't sit right at all.

jadedrifter2
Look, please stop embarrassing yourself with these so-called "tips" and go pick up a textbook.
That’s my one piece of sincere advice. This debate is pointless without actual arguments, and playing semantic games with terminology isn't an argument either.
I don't claim to be an expert, but I do know the basics. You need to understand how the body actually burns energy. You should know that energy is divided into three distinct systems—something you clearly don't grasp. That is fundamental knowledge anyone needs just to design their own training program. Furthermore, Syrup isn't some magic whey. You completely misinterpreted that point, yet here you are mocking everyone else.🤦
Apparently, we shouldn't listen to doctors, nutritionists, or strength coaches because they just don't get it. You guys on this forum obviously know better than the professionals.🙂