Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Noah Ramos said:So what would happen if you just took protein without actually doing anything? Would it have any effect on you?

You'd likely just end up putting on unnecessary fat. If you’re one of those people who thinks—or heard somewhere—that just drinking shakes will make you look like a Greek god out of nowhere, you're mistaken. I heard plenty of idiots claiming stuff like that back in high school. xD
The whole point of protein intake is to speed up the repair of micro-tears in your muscle fibers. Those tears are caused by training, specifically the intense strain put on the muscles. Of course, protein isn't some magic elixir; it's just a supplement to a proper diet. I usually just think of them as "patch kits."😁

I’m switching back to an All-Stars blend of four different proteins—about half a pound each of $47 plus some new option featuring dried fruit. Though, honestly, those HyPro powders are easily the most delicious proteins I've ever had the displeasure of tasting... if you mix them with milk and let them sit in the fridge for a bit, you end up with this incredibly healthy, tasty pudding.😁

The only issue is the price point, which is a bit $47 half a pound at GNC... feels a little steep. I'll probably just end up mixing it with some standard whey to offset the cost.

Can anyone recommend a solid, reliable whey protein? I’m looking for something decent—not cheap junk, but nothing crazy expensive either. Honestly, I don't have the energy to scroll through a hundred pages of reviews, and as a total newbie in this massive supplement industry, I'm pretty lost when it comes to brands and quality...

So, I'm 5'8", about 136 lbs, and my goal is to pack on some muscle. I'm hitting the gym for about 45-60 minutes a few times a week, though I'm aiming to tighten that up to at least five days a week. I've always been the skinny guy, and it's finally time to change that now that I actually have the motivation to train. From what I can tell, getting enough protein is key to putting on weight, right?
I'm based out of Seattle, so maybe someone could suggest a good brand available around here? I don't need more than a small tub—maybe just a pound or so—to start testing things out.
If you guys have any other tips & tricks for gaining weight, I'm all ears. 😉

Cheers 👍👍

Check out that pharmacy right at the start of Ruiz Street—you know, the one right by the intersection before you head deep into the neighborhood (near where the CVS is)—it’s got a solid selection. They usually carry a bunch of different brands, so just grab whatever fits your budget or tastes best (personally, I’m a huge fan of Optimum or Twinlab).
Later on, if you're looking to stock up on those massive 2, 3, or even 5kg tubs, don't bother with the retail stuff. You can just score them through this forum or check out sites like Bodybuilding.com. People there basically just flip what they import from overseas for a tiny markup, so you end up getting everything way cheaper than the big stores.

Charles Wood57 said:it looks like you're banking heavily on protein to put on some mass

Your diet is everything here. If you're treating whey protein like it's the holy grail of your nutrition, you aren't going to get very far. A solid, clean diet without any supplements will do way more for you than a trash diet supplemented with tons of whey. You really have to realize that whey isn't some magic potion that creates results out of thin air. I'd suggest looking at it as nothing more than a quick fix or first aid for your macros. It’s really just that and nothing more.

Does anyone know what the sweet spot is for mixing whey with milk? I'm using Twinlab—if that matters—and I'm planning on hitting it both before and after my workouts

Just grab one 30g scoop and mix it with about a cup or so of water or milk

I’m assuming you’re planning to take it first thing in the morning, and then again right after your workout, right?

I read somewhere that I should take it both about thirty minutes before my workout and again right after?
BTW—should I be doing 30g twice a day, or just one 30g serving split into two doses?

Look, how much protein you need to shove down your throat every day really just comes down to how much you weigh.
Ideally, you should be aiming for at least 2 grams of protein per kilo of body weight—it’s basically the golden rule if you actually want to see results. I found this guide that breaks down exactly how much you should be hitting based on your specific weight CLICK

As for my own routine, I usually toss about 30g of protein into a shake with some oats every single morning, and then I'll knock back another 30g right after a workout, provided I actually hit the gym that day.

Larry Morgan said:It really boils down to your body weight—that’s what dictates how much protein you need to aim for daily.
I'd say you should be hitting at least 2g of protein per kilogram of body weight. For instance, there's a great breakdown right here showing exactly how much you should be aiming for based on your specific weight: CLICK

As for me, I usually toss about 30g into my oats every morning—and if I've hit the gym that day, I'll grab another 30g right after my workout.

Got it, thanks! I think I'll try doing something similar myself.😉

Frank White75 said:I read somewhere about taking it both before and after training?
BTW, should I do 30g twice, or just one 30g serving split into two parts?

I also read that Elvis is still alive... I’m still out there looking for him to get an autograph. 😁

Don't sweat the small stuff. If you're using whey, you can drink it before, during, or after your workout... mix it with water or milk, it really doesn't matter.

Generally speaking, you don't need more than one scoop of whey. Honestly, if you're already using it after a workout, you'll get more benefit by pairing it with some "fast" carbs.

So, what exactly are we talking about when people mention "fast carbs"? 😁

So, I just started hitting the gym and I'm wondering which protein powders are actually worth the hype? Also, does any of this stuff have side effects? I deal with acne issues, and I’m curious if supplements will make it worse since I'm supposed to stay away from dairy products.
Thanks for the help

Frank White75 said:What even counts as fast carbs? 😁

Bread, sugar, rice, candy, pasta, cereal... just Google "fast carbohydrates" or "simple carbohydrates."

For example, if Kim Kardashian had a handful of candy in her pocket, those would be some seriously fast carbs. 😬

wiredpilot30 said:Bread, sugar, rice, candy, pasta, cereals... just Google "fast carbs" or "simple carbohydrates"

For instance—if Kim Kardashian had a handful of candy in her pocket, those would be super fast-acting carbs! 😬

hehe, thanks! 😁
But wait—wouldn't things like candy actually be worse if you're already watching your diet?

The "badness" of certain foods (😁) doesn't actually stem from the food itself, but rather from how much of it you're consuming.

Look, I’m not trying to pack on a bunch of extra fat here—I just want to actually strengthen my abs and get them looking solid. How do I pull that off?

Richard Carter33 said:I don't want to get fat, I just want to strengthen my abs. How do I do that?

deadlift 👍
Building muscle won't make you fat. Drop 10kg of fat and add 10kg of muscle and you'll actually look smaller.👍

Nicole Fisher3 said:I just started working out, so I'm wondering which proteins are actually the best and if they cause any side effects. I struggle with acne and want to know if this will make it worse since I'm supposed to avoid dairy products.
Thanks for the help

The best ones are whatever you're getting enough of.👍
Eat tuna, chicken, turkey, eggs...
If you have some Whey Protein, go for 50g after training with some Whey Protein, but honestly, fixing your diet is the most important part!
Cheers

wiredpilot30 said:Bread, sugar, rice, candy, pasta, cereal... just Google "fast carbs" or "simple carbohydrates"

Like, if Kim Kardashian had a candy bar in Michael Schumacher's pocket, that’d be some seriously ultra-fast carbs 😬

Wait, am I reading this right? Rice, pasta, AND cereal are all considered simple carbs?