Weight gainers can pack on mass but how often should you use it?
You may have heard of a weight gainer, and unlike many supplements, are not sure if you can take a weight gainer before and after a workout. Our supplement shelves are filled with so many supplements, sometimes we lose track of when to take what. Between protein powders, creatine, BCAAs, and a now a weight gainer, it can seem like a lot. But a weight gainer should really be used sparingly as this is one of those supplements that can be easily abused. With so many calories and the extreme amounts of macronutrients, taking a weight gainer too much can lead to unwanted weight gain, not the real bulking you are looking for.
Knowing exactly what comes in your weight gainer can make or break these gains as well for you want to be sure you are getting the best in terms of ingredients. Plus, ensuring there are digestive enzymes is vital for a supplement this loaded may be hard to digest. For the most efficient progress, fiber and these enzymes are key.
Let’s take a look at weight gainers and see when its best to take. Taking a weight gainer before and after a workout may be too much and you don’t want to neglect whole foods, but we’ll explore this thoroughly so you leave with an answer on what is best to do.
What Is A Weight Gainer?
Weight gainers, often times seen as mass gainers, are a supplement packed with protein, carbs, and fat designed to increase your muscle mass, put on healthy weight, and really boost overall size (1). For those bodybuilders in the offseason, those powerlifters looking for the best results, or those everyday folks seeing how big they can get, weight gainers have the ability to pump you with high amounts of protein and carbs for all those bulking needs. The nice part is that many of them contain digestive enzymes so you can actually digest and absorb these nutrients for more efficiently.
Benefits Of A Weight Gainer
The benefits of a weight gainer can be great for your bulking needs and for those serious about putting on strength, size, and mass, a weight gainer can make a difference.
Benefits of weight gainers include:
- Pack on healthy weight by taking in all of the valuable ingredients the supplement has to offer.
- Increase strength, size, and mass as a result of the amount of protein and carbs included (2).
- Reach caloric intake for those struggling to hit a high number with whole foods (3).
- Fiber and digestive enzymes so you can digest and absorb these nutrients without stomach discomfort.
- Convenient bulking for those who want an easy supplement with tons of benefits.
Taking It Before A Workout
For those wanting to take a weight gainer before a workout, you can, but know this supplement is incredibly thick and filling and may not be the absolute best thing to take right before a workout. If you do, it is best to give yourself ample time to let this shake digest all the way so you not only don’t puke in your workouts, but also actually digest and retain these nutrients. While the thought of taking a weight gainer before a workout is understood and makes some sense, really think about if you want something like that in your stomach before you dive into your grueling training session. You might be better off with whole foods and getting those nutrients the natural way.
Taking It After A Workout
Taking a weight gainer after a workout makes more sense than before because your muscles are depleted, your body is exhausted, and it just needs a load of nutrients to feel restored. Plus, for those wanting to bulk, this is the perfect time to do so for your body will need those nutrients right away and will eat them up. This would be like taking a protein powder just with way more carbs and way more protein (4). So, if you want to take a mass gainer around your workout, after seems to be best.
Before & After?
It certainly seems that taking a weight gainer before and after a workout would be way too much. At that point, you wouldn’t really need to take it before and are better off getting those nutrients from whole foods. Plus, it will sit in your stomach and you will feel terribly full, most definitely hindering your workout. After does make a lot more sense given that this is the prime time for those muscles to eat and take in those vital nutrients for recovery and repair, while also bulking up in size. It seems that taking a weight gainer before and after is overkill and may hurt you in the long run with just too many calories and macronutrients so prioritize one time in the day to take it and make it a part of your regular bulking schedule.
Other Supplements To Consider For Gains
Along with a weight gainer to seriously boost your gains, knowing what other supplements are out there can be a game changer for your goals. Let’s start with a protein powder for this will pump you with protein for increased growth, enhanced recovery, and a better ability to lose and manage weight. Creatine can increase strength and size and replenish those lost stores while casein protein is what you need for that overnight repair. When it comes down to it, a weight gainer is a great to use for those building up size and mass, but other supplements do exist so use them as well.
Wrap Up
Taking a weight gainer before and after a workout isn’t the right move. With so many other supplements out there to help, it just doesn’t make sense to pump yourself with a weight gainer twice a day. Look into what your goals are, what supplements can help get you there, and what you need to succeed in the long run for serious gains.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
- Houston, M. E. (1999). “Gaining weight: the scientific basis of increasing skeletal muscle mass”. (source)
- Pasiakos, Stefan M.; McLellan, Tom M.; Lieberman, Harris R. (2015). “The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review”. (source)
- Howell, Scott; Kones, Richard (2017). “‘Calories in, calories out’ and macronutrient intake: the hope, hype, and science of calories”. (source)
- Stark, M.; et al. (2012). “Protein timing and its effect on muscular hypertrophy and strength in individuals engaged in weight-training”. (source)