Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Give it another read

wiredpilot30 said:Read it again.

Look, I actually read what he wrote. The guy is asking for examples of fast-acting carbs, and you respond with bread, sugar, rice, candy, pasta, and cereal.

Jonathan James7 said:So, I read it, and the guy asks what fast carbs are, and you just hit him with bread, sugar, rice, candy, pasta, cereal.

Look, alright, I was just listing things that actually matter for blood glucose levels post-workout (you know, the ongoing battle against those clones who just gorge themselves on glucose from Walmart)... besides, the end of my reply pretty much points him toward what he should actually do if he’s interested in the actual definitions of simple vs. complex carbs. I'm sure a whole constellation of saccharides will make his day and somehow elevate his life to a whole new level. 🙄

But fine, mea culpa. 😳

I picked up a Champ protein shake at Walmart, and the instructions suggest mixing it with 1.5% milk. Since my goal is actually to put on some weight, would it be alright to use whole milk instead, or is sticking to the 1.5% fat content really that critical?

Go ahead and go full throttle.

I'm standing at 6'4" and weighing about 207 lbs. My goal is to pack on some muscle in my chest and arms, nothing crazy, just looking to fill out. Which supplements from Optimum Nutrition or MuscleTech would you recommend for that? I've previously used Weider Mega Mass 2000 and standard protein powders. Please let me know your thoughts. Also, since I have a home gym setup, how many times a week should I be training?

Melissa Ross35 said:I bought a Champ protein shake at Muller, and the label says to mix it with 1.5% fat milk. Since I'm actually trying to gain weight, can I just use whole milk, or is that 1.5% requirement strictly necessary?

Of course you can. You could probably use 2.5% too if you wanted.

Daniel Hill86 said:I'm about 6'4" and 207 lbs, and I'm looking to bulk up my chest and arms—nothing crazy, just some solid mass. Which supplements from brands like Optimum Nutrition or MuscleTech should I go with? I've used Weider Mega Mass 2000 and basic proteins before. Any advice would be appreciated... also, how many times a week should I be hitting the gym since I've got a home setup?

I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but there isn't some magic protein powder that’s going to target your chest and arms specifically to build them up... if that's what you're thinking. If you're just asking which protein is worth buying, honestly, just go with whatever is easiest on your wallet—most of them are pretty much the same stuff in different tubs (though I'd steer clear of those random brands you find at Walmart or similar stores, which are usually total junk). As for the training side of things, it really depends on what kind of program you're running, but generally, 3 to 4 times a week is the sweet spot... if you're planning on focusing strictly on those two muscle groups, just make sure you give them at least 48 hours of recovery between sessions...

Hey there!
Does anyone happen to have this protein up for grabs? Also, what's the going rate for Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey

Hey everyone,
Could someone give me some actual, sensible advice on which Whey protein to buy and from which brand? I've seen meal replacements too, but I'm really not sure what I actually need.

The thing is, I'm on a very strict diet right now and I don't want to lose my muscle mass. I do a bit of cycling, swimming, and walking, though nothing super intense—just more for recreation.

I want to use protein:
- To prevent muscle breakdown while on this strict diet
- As my primary meal replacement once a day, no more than that

I've read a ton online, but honestly, it just left me even more confused.

1. What would you recommend?

2. When should I take it (in the morning, or just after working out?)

3. Mix it with water or milk (dairy or soy)?

4. Is it mandatory to add dextrose or bananas? (Some people claim it's pointless without them because the protein won't absorb into the muscles?)

5. Which brands are actually decent so I don't waste money on junk?

If anyone who knows their stuff is willing to explain, I'd be super grateful :-)

1) Honestly, most Whey proteins are basically the exact same thing—it’s all just marketing fluff—so you might as well grab the big tubs; personally, I stick to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey or Twinlab most of the time
2 & 3) If you’re tossing it in with breakfast, go ahead and mix it with milk and some oats, but if you’re slamming it right after a workout, just stick to water
4) It’s totally up to you, man—you don't need anything fancy, you can just drink the whey straight
5) My go-tos are Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, Twinlab, Dymatize, or MVP

Once you figure out which brand you actually like, you'll see plenty of people on this forum and other fitness boards, or even sites like Craigslist, selling protein—usually brand new and sealed—so you might get a way better deal if you're looking at those massive 5lb or 10lb tubs

Thanks. You didn't exactly clear things up, but you gave me an answer. Thanks. 😁

Sophia Cook36 said:Hi everyone,
could someone please give me some sensible advice on which Whey protein to buy and from which manufacturer? I've seen meal replacements too, but I'm not quite sure what would actually suit my needs.

The thing is, I'm currently on a very strict diet and I really don't want to lose muscle mass. I do a bit of cycling, swimming, and walking, though I wouldn't call it systematic—it's more just recreational.

I'm looking to take protein:
- to prevent muscle breakdown due to this super strict diet
- as my primary meal replacement once a day, no more than that

I've read plenty online, but it's honestly left me even more confused.

1. What would you recommend? - To stop muscle wasting, lifting weights would actually help you much more than proteins alone, and it would boost your diet results at the same time! (The more muscle you have, the faster fat is burned.)

2. When should I drink it (in the morning, or just after physical activity?) -> If it's only once a day, then do it after physical activity.

3. With water or milk (cow's or soy?) -> If you are on a strict diet, go with water because milk is higher in calories.

4. Is it mandatory to add dextrose or bananas? (Some say without it, it's all pointless because proteins can't be absorbed into the muscles?) -> That isn't nonsense; proteins are absorbed much better when sugar is present, which you need anyway after working out, so having a banana, grapes, or dextrose with your protein is a good idea.

5. Which manufacturers are decent so I don't waste money on junk? -> Personally, I think Twinlab or Nutrabolics are the best, while Scietec is the worst.

If anyone understands this stuff and is willing to explain, I would be very grateful! :-)

If there is anything else you're curious about, feel free to ask...

And also, regarding this strict diet—I don't know how much you're exercising or exactly how intense the restriction is, but diets in general aren't great and shouldn't be maintained over the long term!

Hey everyone, I need some advice here. Does anyone know if there are any actual stimulants or protein tablets out there specifically designed to boost speed and explosiveness? Also, where can I actually find them?

So, here’s my situation... I’ve been using standard whey protein—specifically MuscleTech Nitro-Tech which is about 75% protein with some vitamins added—for roughly nine or ten months now. During that period, I managed to pack on about seven or eight pounds, which I honestly consider quite a successful result. My routine was pretty intense; I was hitting the gym six days a week and absolutely pushing myself to the limit. The only thing I skipped was leg day, mostly because they feel sufficiently strong already from cycling all over town every single day, and so on.
Now, since we're in the middle of winter, I've had to step away from the gym to focus on other responsibilities, specifically keeping up with my college coursework. This has me wondering about this MusclePharm Whey I recently picked up. What is the primary difference between the two? I've been reading various online forums suggesting that this specific type of protein is designed to accelerate muscle synthesis and such.

I would truly appreciate it if someone could offer some guidance or advice regarding this transition.
LP

John Johnson16 said:So here's the deal... I was using standard whey (MuscleTech Nitro-Tech with 75% protein plus vitamins) for about 9 or 11 months and managed to pack on 3-4 pounds. Honestly, the results were pretty solid! I was hitting the gym 6 days a week, absolutely killing it. I did everything except legs since mine are already pretty strong from biking all over town every day, you know?
Now, since it's winter, I've had to take a break from the gym to focus on other stuff (college work), but I just picked up this MusclePharm Whey... what's the big difference? I've been reading some other online forums saying this specific type of protein speeds up muscle growth and all that jazz...

I'd love it if someone could give me some advice on this!
LP

Get real and train your whole body, man. Saying you don't need leg day because you carry groceries is like saying you don't need arm day because you carry shopping bags. I've heard hundreds of guys claim they have killer legs just from soccer or cycling. At the end of the day, any whey protein is basically the same crap. You drink it after your workout, and boom—done. Simple as that. It’s not even strictly necessary, really; having a killer training routine and a solid high-protein diet is way more important.

Plus, hitting those legs hard really kicks your growth hormone production into high gear. In plain English, that just means your body recovers way faster and your muscles grow much more effectively after heavy squatting session. You’re honestly never going to see those kinds of results just by riding a bike or going for a stroll.

Alexander Peterson8 said:Guys, I need some advice. Are there any stimulants or protein tablets out there designed to boost speed and explosiveness? Also, where can I actually find them?

Viagra. You can pick it up at any decent pharmacy.

Matthew Richardson81 said:You really need to take this seriously and train every single muscle group. It’s a bit like saying you don't need to work on your arms just because you carry groceries home from the store. I've encountered hundreds of people who ended up with incredibly strong legs simply from playing soccer or cycling. Honestly, any whey protein will do; they're all pretty much the same thing. You just drink it after your workout and call it a day. It's as simple as that. While it isn't strictly mandatory, focusing on a solid training routine and a high-protein diet is far more important.

Actually, I have to disagree—it's definitely not the same thing. Over a span of three to nine months of cycling, I managed to cover about 3,000 miles... I was riding roughly 40-31 miles...

Paul Baker29 said:Additionally, I find that pushing yourself through some truly heavy leg days really helps stimulate growth hormone release. In plain English, it means your body recovers more efficiently and your muscles grow much more effectively following a heavy squatting session. You simply can't replicate those kinds of physiological benefits by just riding a bike or going for a walk.

I was wondering, are you referring to using MusclePharm Whey for that purpose?