Grab your cheat sheet… |
Gaining weight might sound like an open goal, but it's more challenging for some than others.
If you want to gain a decent amount of muscle bulk, you need to add body weight and a fair amount.
Gaining weight intentionally might seem like a dream to many, as it sounds like an invitation to "eat whatever you want," but in doing so—you're likely to suffer health complications if you're not mindful of exactly what you eat.
Bulking up to shred and produce lean muscle mass should be tackled with the right amount of thought and preparation. But, knowing which food to eat to add weight while at the same time burning calories is a tricky business.
Unsurprisingly, some people decide to throw caution to the wind and eat high-calorie, high-fat junk food to try and speed up the process.
If you take this route, it's not only your health that may be in danger—but you're also unlikely to achieve the desired results.
To increase weight, you need to consume more calories than you burn, and this can take a bit of practice if you're new to it all.
What are mass gainers?
Mass gainers are a way of adding weight to your body in a safe manner. A quality weight gainer will include plenty of calories and essential nutrients that will support your body on its journey.
This means plenty of protein and carbohydrates to boost your energy levels while speeding up muscle protein synthesis.
Mass gainers are hugely popular in the bodybuilding world as they can help speed up the bulking process without causing any health issues, including digestive problems and a severe lack of energy.
A mass gainer isn't a magic formula that adds muscle mass to your body. It is made to work with your body, alongside a consistent exercise schedule and a healthy diet. Taking the ‘balanced approach’ will help you build muscle and improve your fitness levels.
What ingredients are in mass gainers?
A quality mass gainer includes plenty of carbohydrates to add calories to your system and help to provide you with the energy you need to push through your workouts.
The best mass gainers also include protein, which will help support muscle growth, as well as healthy fats to support weight gain, digestion, and recovery.
A quality gainer should also contain fibre to aid digestion. If you're consuming excess calories, you need everything to be in working order in that department.
Additional nutrients such as zinc and magnesium are also beneficial as they can help bone health, mental focus, and muscle repair.
Mass gainer: The pros and cons
Mass gainers are weight gain supplements designed to help people gain muscle, bulk up, and achieve a healthier physique.
If you want to reach your goals as quickly and safely as possible, there's no denying that using a mass gainer is tempting.
Let's have a look at the pros and cons.
The pros of mass gainers
Mass gain is a serious business, and you must have your head in the game. If you use a supplement like this the right way, gaining muscle mass will become second nature, and there's no denying that mass gainers can push you hard in the right direction.
A mass gainer can help you gain muscle bulk
With added mass gainer ingredients such as whey protein, carbohydrates and fats, gainers will support your efforts in the gym while promoting muscle growth and repair.
Gaining muscle means working hard, following a balanced diet, and using mass gainers will help promote serious muscle growth.
Using a mass gainer supplement is a quick way to gain weight
As a mass gainer tends to be high in calories, it will help you increase the amount of calories you consume each day to bulk up.
Gaining mass is easier this way than trying to do it through food consumption alone.
Gainers can help you achieve muscle mass safely
If you want to increase calorie intake, it's best to do it safely. Taking mass gainers to achieve this aim is a good idea if you want to pack in the extra calories safely and efficiently.
Most mass gainers will contain plenty of calories per serving, helping you gain mass in a safe, controlled way.
Little or no side effects if used sensibly
High-quality mass gainers contain vitamins, minerals, and all-natural ingredients, which, if you take in the correct dose alongside training and a balanced diet, should produce no side effects.
Good gainers should be high in protein to promote muscle repair and add amino acids to your system. Most side effects only tend to pop up when you don’t follow the dosage instructions.
A convenient way to increase weight
Mass gainers offer a convenient way to increase body fat boost caloric intake, particularly for individuals having difficulty consuming enough calories through whole foods alone. Bonus.
The cons of mass gainers
Let’s move on to the negative aspects of taking a mass gainer. A good mass gainer is usually high in calories.
Consuming so many calories can have potential drawbacks if you don't know what you're doing.
Gainers can have side effects if not taken correctly
Remember that mass gainers will only do some of the work for you. If you take a mass gainer but don't eat a balanced diet or exercise, you'll only gain a lot of body fat. You're also likely to experience health issues like digestive upsets.
Without regular exercise and the correct nutrition, you can experience unhealthy weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes, problems with digestion, liver damage, and even kidney damage.
This is because you'll consume excess calories without burning off enough or getting your daily fill of the right nutrients.
If you want to gain mass, you must work alongside the supplement to ensure you reach your mass-boosting goals.
In summary: To avoid these side effects, it's essential to eat enough of the correct nutrients in a balanced diet and put in the hours at the gym, too.
Not all mass gainer ingredients are the same
Some cheaper versions of mass gainers don't contain the ingredients you'll need for building muscle. Instead, they have too many calories and not enough essential nutrients.
So many mass gainers focus on empty calories and overlook the bigger picture. If you're looking for mass gain, you don't just want to gain fat.
You want to be able to burn off the fat and replace it with high-quality muscle mass. Yes, you want your mass gainer to be high-calorie—but you must also ensure you get the muscle support you need to reach your goals. Some weight gainers could taste better, too. So. make sure that yours is at least palatable.
Note: It's essential to consider these potential side effects when using mass gainers and consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating mass gainers into your routine.
Should you take a mass gainer?
If you want to gain weight quickly and safely, a mass gainer will help you achieve your goal for sure.
It's important to remember that a mass gainer isn't a meal replacement. You should take any health supplement alongside a balanced diet to get your fill of body-boosting nutrients.
Always stick to the recommended dose to avoid side effects. Don't try and take more than you are advised to as this is more likely to derail the process, rather than speed it up.
Taking a mass gainer to complement your workout schedule will help to steer you in the right direction quickly, and safely. It will also support you in your journey towards a strong, chiselled, and head-turning physique.
Mass gainers are suitable for people aiming to gain weight healthily and build muscle. But, we don’t recommend them for those looking to gain only lean muscle without increasing overall body weight.
Keep in mind what you want to achieve, and set out a balanced diet and exercise plan before throwing a mass gainer into the mix.
Crazy Nutrition's MASS GAINER is packed with 488 calories, 40 grams of protein packed with essential amino acids, and 56 grams of clean carbs to help pack on gains fast without causing any unnecessary side effects. Give it a try
