Mass gainer or whey? Which one you actually need

When the focus shifts to building size, a lot of people assume that means buying a mass gainer. Before you do, it’s worth knowing what one actually is and whether it’s the right fit for you, because for a lot of people a simpler setup does the same job.

What a mass gainer is

A mass gainer is protein with a large amount of carbs and calories added, all in one scoop. The idea is to make it easier to eat a lot when you’re aiming to put size on, so a single serving can be a big chunk of your daily calories in one go.

That suits some people well. If you find it hard to eat enough, or you’re training a lot and struggling to keep your calories up with food, a gainer is a straightforward way to top them up.

The other way to do it

If you can hit your calories through food, you don’t necessarily need a gainer. The alternative is to use a whey to cover your protein, then add a carb source alongside it when you want more calories. It gives you more control over how much you’re having and what’s in it, and you can adjust it as your training and appetite change through the season.

Most people getting into a building phase do well on that setup. It’s flexible, it’s easy to live with, and it works out good value.

Where to start

A whey protein is an easy place to begin, your protein covered in a scoop. Add cream of rice when you want to push the calories up. It’s fast-digesting and sits well around training, so it’s a simple way to get more in without it feeling heavy.

From there, creatine is worth staying consistent with, and keeping on top of your recovery and everyday basics helps you keep training through the heavier months.

If you do want a mass gainer

Some people prefer the all-in-one, and that’s fair. We keep our mass gainers in the Morris Park store rather than online. They’re heavy, so posting them adds a fair bit of cost, and we’d rather that money went on your actual supplements. Pop in and the team will sort you out.

Mass gainer or whey: which one you actually need

When the focus shifts to building size, a lot of people assume that means buying a mass gainer. Before you do, it’s worth knowing what one actually is and whether it’s the right fit for you, because for a lot of people a simpler setup does the same job.

What a mass gainer is

A mass gainer is protein with a large amount of carbs and calories added, all in one scoop. The idea is to make it easier to eat a lot when you’re aiming to put size on, so a single serving can be a big chunk of your daily calories in one go.

That suits some people well. If you find it hard to eat enough, or you’re training a lot and struggling to keep your calories up with food, a gainer is a straightforward way to top them up.

The other way to do it

If you can hit your calories through food, you don’t necessarily need a gainer. The alternative is to use a whey to cover your protein, then add a carb source alongside it when you want more calories. It gives you more control over how much you’re having and what’s in it, and you can adjust it as your training and appetite change through the season.

Most people getting into a building phase do well on that setup. It’s flexible, it’s easy to live with, and it works out good value.

Where to start

A whey protein is an easy place to begin, your protein covered in a scoop. Add cream of rice when you want to push the calories up. It’s fast-digesting and sits well around training, so it’s a simple way to get more in without it feeling heavy.

From there, creatine is worth staying consistent with, and keeping on top of your recovery and everyday basics helps you keep training through the heavier months.

If you do want a mass gainer

Some people prefer the all-in-one, and that’s fair. We keep our mass gainers in the Morris Park store rather than online. They’re heavy, so posting them adds a fair bit of cost, and we’d rather that money went on your actual supplements. Pop in and the team will sort you out.