If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best mass gainer for skinny guys is, then I’d recommend a stack of Performance Lab® SPORT Protein and Performance Lab® SPORT Carb as the best ones.
If you struggle to put on mass or keep weight on then a mass gainer may be something to consider.
Like many supplements, however, some are more effective than others.
When choosing the best mass gainer for skinny guys there are lots of benefits to getting a quality supplement, but it takes a little know-how.
No worries though, because I’m going to lay it all out for you.
Here are the top mass gainer for skinny guys we’ll be reviewing:
- OPTIMUM NUTRITION Serious Mass Weight Gainer Protein Powder
- Dymatize Super Mass Gainer Protein Powder
- BSN True-Mass Weight Gainer
- Naked Mass
- Universal Nutrition Real Gains Weight Gainer
- #1 Recommendation – Performance Lab® SPORT Protein & Performance Lab® SPORT Carb stack
How to Choose the Best Mass Gainer for Skinny Guys?
Macros Matter
Macros, or macronutrients, are important pieces of information, especially when you’re trying to change your body composition.
Macronutrients are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
When choosing the best mass gainer for skinny guys you may want to focus on the carbs and protein specifically, as they have the greatest effect on protein synthesis, the process your body goes through to build muscle.
A good mass gainer will have a lot of carbs because they have been shown to help with recovery, which is when you make the most gains.
Plus, when you ingest protein and carbs right after working out it can prevent muscle breakdown and promote muscle building.
Whey Protein Isolate is King
Whey protein isolate is the most bioavailable form of protein, which means that your body will readily absorb most of it.
So when you’re looking for the best mass gainer for skinny guys you may want to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth by choosing something your body will actually use.
The next most bioavailable source of protein is whey protein concentrate, followed by whole eggs.
Read Ingredient Labels
The first thing you need to do when you pick up a protein powder that you’re thinking about buying is turn it over and look at the ingredients list.
This will tell you everything you need to know in order to make an informed decision about whether or not it’s a quality product and worth your money.
Keep an eye out for the first few ingredients which will tell you what the product is mostly made up of.
If the first ingredient isn’t some kind of protein, then you may want to be wary and do a little more research.
What Are the Benefits of Mass Gainers?
Minimal Food Prep
Prepping and cooking food is great if you have the time. But if you’re busy with life then you may not have extra time to spend on food preparation.
Mass gainers are a quick and convenient option for getting in a lot of calories, and beneficial protein and carbs if you’re short on time.
More Gains
Protein supplements promote growth, so if you’re trying to gain muscle and get bigger than protein powder can be advantageous.
Weight gainers make this easier because all you have to do is throw some powder into a shaker and you can be on your way.
Are There Any Mass Gainer Side Effects?
If you’re worried about mass gainer side effects, there are a few you should consider. Because mass gainers consist of protein, carbs, and some artificial sweeteners depending on which you choose to go with, it can lead to things like unhealthy weight gain or stomach problems if your stomach has problems digesting them.
Things to Look for When Choosing the Best Mass Gainer for Skinny Guys
Calories
Mass gainers come in a variety of caloric densities ranging from 600 calories at the lower end, up to a couple thousand calories per serving.
When choosing a mass gainer you may want to consider the number of calories you’ll be getting from food and then use protein powder to fill in the gaps with the extra calories you’ll need to create a calorie surplus.
Basically, if you’re getting 3000 calories from food and you need to be consuming 4000 calories to put on size, then a 2000 calorie mass gainer may be overkill.
Protein
This is an important macronutrient to pay attention to when choosing the appropriate mass gainer for your goals because protein is what will ultimately get your muscles to grow and prevent them from being broken down.
The average amount of protein per serving in most mass gainers is about 50g, but that’s about 3-4 scoops worth.
Mixing your mass gainer with milk is an option for adding in some extra protein. If you’re trying to put on mass then you’ll need about 1.4g-1.7g per kg of body weight.
Carbs
The main macronutrient in mass gainer protein powders is actually carbohydrates.
Studies have shown that when you take carbs with protein it produces a greater muscle building signal.
Carbs are also really helpful in putting on weight. If you’re trying to build muscle, then you want to try to be in a caloric surplus, which means taking in more calories than you’re burning.
You’ll want your diet to be at least 50 percent carbs to contribute to weight gain.
Serving Size
Mass gainers are fantastic for getting in a lot of calories quickly and easily.
However, when you look at the servings size of 2-4 scoops and then see the giant cup with a handle, referred to as a scoop, it can be a little daunting.
Mass gainers generally recommend consuming 2-4 scoops per serving, depending on the specific product.
You are not required to take all 4 scoops since it’s just a recommendation.
But it’s something to keep in mind as far as determining how long the product will last you and how many extra calories you need.
Additives
These are fillers that are added to products to create more bulk, help with flavor, and add carbs.
Some mass gainers are full of fillers and not-so-healthy ingredients that can wreak havoc on your digestion and just make you miserable.
You may want to check the ingredients list and look to see how high up on the list the additives are.
If they’re in the first 2 or 3 ingredients, then it’s probably not a quality product.
What’s the Best Way to Use Mass Gainer
Throughout the Day
Weight gainers can be extremely filling due to their calorie density so it may behoove you to consume it throughout the day.
Otherwise, you may lose your appetite for real food and not be able to fit enough in or go into a carb coma and just want to sleep the day away.
This obviously isn’t ideal if you are in school or at work and need to be awake and alert.
Take It At Night
When you consume protein before you go to sleep your body continues to absorb it and use it throughout the night which promotes muscle growth.
The high amount of carbs that weight gainers provide will also help you to get better rest by allowing you to go into REM more often.
Precautions
- may want to consider taking a probiotic with it to help with absorption and digestion
- lactose intolerance will make consuming whey protein very uncomfortable so aim for whey protein isolate
- can cause bloating and make you feel super full
- toxic flatulence or horrendous farts
Bess Mass Gainer Product Showdown
OPTIMUM NUTRITION Serious Mass Weight Gainer Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition is a well-known brand in the supplement industry that’s gained a reputation for producing quality products.
Their mass gainer, Serious Mass, is no exception.
Providing about 1250 calories, and 253g of carbs per serving, supplementing with this protein powder will make it a lot easier to put some more meat on your bones.
Serious Mass contains milk, egg, wheat, and soy so it may not be appropriate for you if you’re lactose intolerant, vegetarian or vegan.
However, there are 25 vitamins and minerals, and a serving includes 1g of creatine and about 500mg of glutamine to help with recovery.
They have 5 flavors to choose from including banana, chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, and strawberry. This company makes pretty delicious protein powders, but be aware that there are about 20g of sugar per serving which can add up quickly and contribute to fat gain.
Pros
- the high amount of carbs really gives you a lot of energy to fuel your workouts
- more affordable than other brands
- good taste with multiple flavor options
Cons
- very thick consistency, may be hard to get down
- may elevate liver enzymes which could be markers for fatty liver
- lots of sugar and maltodextrin which can cause stomach upset and unwanted symptoms
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer Protein Powder
Dymatize is another powerhouse name in the protein game.
A reasonably priced product that provides 1230 calories and 242g of carbs, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth as far as calorie density per serving.
This product also contains about 1g of creatine monohydrate to help with muscle growth and strength.
You’ll get 17g of BCAAs per serving which also help with recovery and prevent muscle breakdown.
There are 22g of sugar per serving which probably makes it taste phenomenal. Dymatize usually makes pretty palatable protein powders.
There are 6 flavors to choose from including chocolate cake batter, cookies and cream, rich chocolate, gourmet vanilla, and strawberry.
You also have the option of getting this product in a 6lb or 12lb container.
Pros
- if you break the serving size into 4 portions it’s a lot easier to get in
- this product definitely helps you to gain weight
- tastes good
Cons
- includes maltodextrin, carrageenan, and sucralose which have all been linked to gut inflammation
- rich chocolate may be the worst flavor
- may trigger acid reflux
BSN True-Mass Weight Gainer
BSN True-Mass Weight Gainer is a quality product that won’t bleed you dry financially, which is always nice especially if you’re on a budget.
It has lower calories per serving than many other weight gainers, offering about 700cal. However, it’s also not packed full of fillers which can bump the calories up.
The first ingredient is protein, which is a really good sign that you’re getting a quality product.
The protein sources include whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, micellar casein, hydrolyzed whey protein, and egg whites.
You can choose from a 5lb or 10lb bag, and have 4 different flavor options consisting of chocolate milkshake, cookies and cream, strawberry milkshake, and vanilla ice cream.
With 19g of sugar per serving, it’s highly likely that the flavors taste pretty good.
Pros
- not as many fillers and additives as other products
- one of the best-tasting mass gainers overall
- great consistency if you use a blender
Cons
- can be a little grainy at the bottom of the shaker
- may have changed the formulation recently
- chunky if not blended very well
Naked Mass
Naked Mass is one of the cleanest protein powders on the list with only 3 ingredients: naked whey, naked casein and organic maltodextrin from gluten-free organic tapioca.
Yes, there’s maltodextrin but it’s organic and at the bottom of the list which means the product still has a legitimate amount of protein.
Like most Naked products it’s non-GMO, hormone-free, soy-free, and gluten-free which should make it suitable for sensitive stomachs.
This mass gainer has considerably less sugar than the other brands on this list, with only 5g total. It also has the lowest amount of fat, 2.5g.
Naked Mass Gainer costs a little more than other mass gainers, but it’s a higher quality product made from grass-fed cows which adds more nutrient density and protein quality.
There are 3 flavors to choose from chocolate, unflavored, and vanilla. However, this protein powder can only be purchased in an 8lb container.
Pros
- a great option if you have a sensitive stomach
- the chocolate flavor is pretty good
- seems like you get more than 11 servings, lasts longer than expected
Cons
- still has maltodextrin which is an additive that isn’t particularly healthy
- customer service isn’t so great about responding to questions and complaints
Universal Nutrition Real Gains Weight Gainer
Universal Nutrition Real Gains Weight Gainer has the most flavors of all the products reviewed!
So if you’re into flavors you’re in luck. You can choose from banana, banana ice cream, chocolate ice cream, chocolate mint, cookies and cream, strawberry ice cream, and vanilla ice cream.
You also have the option of a 3lb or 10lb container, which is nice if you’re not trying to have a giant tub just sitting around taking up space.
This product offers the lowest calories per serving at 602cal but has the most protein per serving which is phenomenal. You’ll get about 53g per 3.5 scoops.
One of the perks of this mass gainer is that it has both fast and slow digesting carbs to keep your muscles fueled.
It also has healthy fats from MCTs or medium chain triglycerides like those found in coconut oil.
Pros
- one of the cleanest products when it comes to sugar and fat content
- cleaner protein that will help you add muscle instead of packing on fat
- tastes better than other “budget” weight gainers
Cons
- maltodextrin is the first ingredient, which is a filler that adds carbs
- the mint chocolate flavor isn’t popular, doesn’t taste great
- lactose intolerant people may not be able to stomach it
Performance Lab® SPORT Carb + Performance Lab® SPORT Protein Stack
Performance Lab® SPORT Protein is the only rice protein on the market to be shown to be as effective as whey. It’s naturally flavored and sweetened, with minimal processing.
If you are looking for a clean, great-tasting protein powder that enhances strength, growth, and athletic performance, then you definitely want to check this protein powder out.
You will want to use Performance Lab® SPORT Protein previously mentioned in conjunction with Performance Lab® SPORT Carb for maximum effect.
If you’re looking for a fast-acting, long-lasting muscle fuel supplement, then simply don’t look anywhere else.
This carb supplement lasts longer and absorbs faster than other carb supplements out there. To top it off?
It’s naturally sweetened and bioengineered for enhanced carbohydrate fueling to keep you in the gym longer so you can push yourself.
Pros
- Clean
- Naturally Sweetened
- Commercial grade supplements backed by science
Cons
- Have to purchase each individually
- High quality supplements with higher price tags
- Can only be purchased on website
Mass Gainer Showdown Winner
Taking all of the prerequisite criteria into account, the winner of the roundup looks like it’s going to be the Performance Lab® SPORT Protein & Performance Lab® SPORT Carb stack because of its clean formula and superior quality.
While not a mass gainer found in a single bottle, per se, the combination of both works like the other mass gainers listed above, but to a higher effect due to its pharmaceutical grade manufacturing.
Overall, what you get is a cleaner, more effective formula that provides a good source of protein and carbohydrates for muscle growth and recovery.
