How To Gain Weight?

Do weight gainers work? Do they have any known side effects? How do they compare against protein shakes for weight gain?

  • I'm 24 and extremely skinny and underweight. However I have always been an athlete and have a very fit body, and a very shapely physique. I use the gym, and have been for over 2 years with some gaps. I can lift good weight; I can bench more than my body weight. I've tried both whey and soy protein but only for a little while. I had but little luck in gaining weight (gain muscle size, but not weight). However I lose it twice as fast as I gain it, whenever I take a break from gymming. Even 3 courses of fried potatoes don't make me gain weight. Should I try weight gainers or give protein shakes more time? Or am I doomed to be skinny all my life ?

  • Answer:

    Weight gainers, the good ones, do work. Good gainers, like say- Universal's Real Gains, give you an optimal amount of clean calories which is very important while bulking. It utilizes complex carbs as its main source, which many gainers pass up on, and use simple carbs, which are cheaper, and less effective. You'll want to keenly look at the ingredients list to ensure you're getting what you paid for. Cheap gainers use sugar and stuff for their calories, stay away from them. The semi decent ones have huge serving sizes, like 300 gms, and give you around 50gms of protein. The really good ones, have a serving size of around 150gms, and give you 50gms of protein. Hence the higher price. Bottom line- yeah, weight gainers do work. They provide you with a very easy way to consume the required number of calories in a hassle free, quick manner. However, I must tell you. Mass gainers alone won't do the job. It's meant to ''supplement'' a good diet. It's for those who simply don't have the means or time to have the required number of calories per day to bulk up. Since liquid calories are far easier to consume, it makes sense investing in a weight gainer. But is your diet under control? It sounds to me like you aren't eating enough. Protein shakes can help you pack on muscle, can help you shed fat, but if you're looking to bulk up, gain some weight (and a little amount of fat which is inevitable), protein shakes won't do the trick for you. You must have a calorie surplus. Try upping your calorie intake. If you still see no progress, only then should you invest in a weight gainer. Personally, while bulking up, having whey PWO, and having a 300 calorie excess diet every day, works for me. Do you have a blender? You can make your own mass gainer shake. Skimmed milk, a scoop of whey, some steel cut oats, 2 bananas, 1tbsp peanut butter, and you're done. Calorie dense, muscle building shake. Hope I could give you a lowdown on what your plans should be.

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Weights gainers are just protein powders with more carbs and fat. Yes they work but they're really not that special. If you really have trouble gettig real food in, then a weight gainer can help just don't expect it to be a magic pill to gain muscle.

Keith Lai

This is a problem I rarely see. Most of my clients have excess weight and a range of health conditions, some associated with excess pounds, some not.   You are at an age where you will tend to be around your leanest (late teens to early 20s). I'm wondering if you are hyperthyroid or have other metabilic issues? It could be in your genes, but genes are not as fixed as most people think. Have you ever had a set of blood tests, such as a chem 22/metabolic panel with a TSH and other liver, kidney, glucose and lipid values? Or have you been diagnosed with any health conditions before?   I wish I knew more details about your normal eating patterns (frequency, food amounts, etc.), exercise, sleep and other lifestyle habits, as they all play a role.   And it does sound like you have good muscle tone and a good fitness level, probably above average. I've seen "weight gainer" shakes before but as some have said, you should be able to eat the right mix of foods to also bring you some weight gain.   I also don't know your height/weight/BMI or body fat percent. It's hard to offer good advice as I'm in the dark about some of your key issues an dlifestyle habits.

Steven Carney

To gain weight, you have to consistently increase your intake of calories. Having the occasional big serving of food will not do wonders. Have 3 meals where you take a good amount of calories (lean meats, fish, eggs, etc.) And then use a mass gainer or meal replacement for 2 meals in between. The total number of calories you take in should be more than what you burn off during the day. If you have a higher-than-normal BMR, you may lose weight more easily, so gaining will be slow. But be disciplined in your efforts and it WILL happen over time. Just don't expect it in a month or two.

Farhad Tarapore

searched via http://google.com Asking if weight gainers work is actually a vague question. If your diet is not decent, then no - expect to get nowhere by adding a weight gainer in. Remember this rule of thumb:calories in > calories out = weight gaincalories in < calories out = weight lossGiven that, if you use a weight gainer (or in fact, ANYTHING providing calories) that tips the scale in favor of weight gain, you will gain weight - no surprise. IMO, weight gainers are good for adding a small portions of calories into your diet. It's a bit like a two-edged sword; using a weight gainer effectively & reasonably will produce the effects you want, while using them without any plan or reason will not do a thing. Easy solution? Yes, pre-made weight gainers are definitely the easy solution. For a higher quality ingredient shake, consider making your own. Standard ingredients include: milk, whey/casein, peanut butter, fruit, oatmeal.my recommendation is: http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Standard-Double-Chocolate/dp/B000QSNYGI%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAINK2SM6VGBDFUFJQ%26tag%3Dolympiafitnes-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000QSNYGI

Landon Parker

searched via http://google.com/ Asking if weight gainers work is actually a vague question. If your diet is not decent, then no - expect to get nowhere by adding a weight gainer in. Remember this rule of thumb:calories in > calories out = weight gaincalories in < calories out = weight lossGiven that, if you use a weight gainer (or in fact, ANYTHING providing calories) that tips the scale in favor of weight gain, you will gain weight - no surprise. IMO, weight gainers are good for adding a small portions of calories into your diet. It's a bit like a two-edged sword; using a weight gainer effectively & reasonably will produce the effects you want, while using them without any plan or reason will not do a thing. Easy solution? Yes, pre-made weight gainers are definitely the easy solution. For a higher quality ingredient shake, consider making your own. Standard ingredients include: milk, whey/casein, peanut butter, fruit, oatmeal. my recommendation is: http://www.amazon.com/Optimum-Nutrition-Standard-Double-Chocolate/dp/B000QSNYGI%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3DAKIAINK2SM6VGBDFUFJQ%26tag%3Dolympiafitn06-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB000QSNYGI 22answer_content_text%22%2C%22show_editor%22%3Afalse%7D 1 helpful video :) enjoy -Tammie

Tammie Longworth

You can try a weight gainer. A good weight gainer is high in protein and contains clean calories. It contains both whey and casein protein alongwith good amount of healthy carbs.On the other hand, protein shake provides protein(whey or casein or soy or blend) and is low in calories (usually 120-150 calories per serving). Do weight gainers work? Well it depends from person to person. It worked in my case. I gained 2-3 kg in one month. If you add 500 calories to your daily calorie intake then you can gain weight. But, if your are not consuming enough calories, then drinking weight gainer shakes only will not help. Let say, if you are consuming 2000 calories, then try to consume at least 2500 calories daily. If your regular diet is giving you enough calories, then a weight gainer will not be required. Just focus on your total calorie intake.

Animesh Sharma

Use weight gainer and protein both. Whey Protein one scoop right after waking up. Recommended quantity of mass gainer and whey protein isolate right after gym. Half litre milk before sleeping in night. Eat a lot of potatoes and chapattis. Include egg whites in breakfast and snacks. Even after you leave gym, you need 1gm of protein per Kg of body weight for maintaining muscles.

Amit Dhakre

searched via http://google.com/ Asking if http://www.amazon.com/BSN-True-Mass-Vanilla-Cream-5-82/dp/B00S00EHXI%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJZXZUW4INV5OW2KA%26tag%3Dofitness-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00S00EHXI work is actually a vague question. If your diet is not decent, then no - expect to get nowhere by adding a weight gainer in. Remember this rule of thumb:calories in > calories out = weight gaincalories in < calories out = weight lossGiven that, if you use a weight gainer (or in fact, ANYTHING providing calories) that tips the scale in favor of weight gain, you will gain weight - no surprise. IMO, weight gainers are good for adding a small portions of calories into your diet. It's a bit like a two-edged sword; using a weight gainer effectively & reasonably will produce the effects you want, while using them without any plan or reason will not do a thing. Easy solution? Yes, pre-made weight gainers are definitely the easy solution. For a higher quality ingredient shake, consider making your own. Standard ingredients include: milk, whey/casein, peanut butter, fruit, oatmeal.my recommendation is: http://www.amazon.com/Percent-Chocolate-Standard-Optimum-Nutrition/dp/B009K6XTI0%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJZXZUW4INV5OW2KA%26tag%3Dofitness-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB009K6XTI0

Anonymous

Hello dear, Using protein to gain weight is good and effective. first of all must know few basic facts. 1. Why a person can be skinny  With no effect on muscle gain even with weight training. If a person has hyperthyroid he will not gain weight. If your metabolism is fast no weight gain. If it is in family means if your father or mother are skinny you can be. Check it out, get your thyroid checked for T3 T4 TSH levels. Secondly about protein, Our bodies does not absorb protein easily. To increase absorption first detoxify your body. (:for process Whatsapp your mail address at 09814069216.) Only protein for weight gain may not work well, you need minrals too. Most important its a slow process do not ever go for big claims, those supplements may Carry steroids. With those Weight gain or muscle gain may be quick but side effects may be life threatening and permanent. Hope you got your answer.

Jagpal Singh

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