Healthy weight gain and muscle building don't come easy to everyone. There's a whole market of hard-gainers out there who struggle to pile on slabs of muscle. Of course, they're not the only ones exploring the vast world of nutritional supplements to speed up their progress.
As a result there are thousands of weight gain supplements, each promising to be the key to substantial, healthy growth.
But do they work?
Intriguingly, a meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine found that protein supplementation significantly enhances muscle and strength gains from resistance training in healthy adults.
This underscores the pivotal role supplements, particularly protein, play in muscle development and weight gain when paired with consistent exercise.
But where to begin? No worries – we’ll walk you through the best 11 weight gain supplements, from whey to creatine to some excellent support products.
Whether you’re a seasoned bodybuilder or trying to get your physique building up and running, this article aims to demystify the world of weight gain supplements, guiding you toward making informed and beneficial choices.
Protein Weight Gain Supplements
#1: Nitro-Tech
Whey protein is a staple supplement for a reason. And Nitro-Tech is a renowned whey protein powder that has garnered the trust of pro athletes, bodybuilding professionals, and fitness enthusiasts in 130 countries.
This supplement is not just a typical protein powder; it's engineered to deliver a potent protein punch, providing 30 grams per serving, which includes whey protein isolate and peptides. Your body will absorb them ultra-fast, supporting swift muscle recovery and growth.
Additionally, Nitro-Tech is infused with 3g of creatine in each scoop. This is key for hard gainers, as creatine helps deliver gains in size and strength and is the most tested supplement of them all.
With it’s unique protein and creatine combination Nitro-Tech isn’t only about hitting your protein macros – it’s legitimately engineered to improve your overall muscle performance and recovery.
#2: 100% Mass Gainer
Embark on a transformative muscle-building journey with 100% Mass Gainer, meticulously crafted for those aspiring to get their bulk on. This mass formula is not merely a weight gain powder; it's a powerhouse of nutrients designed to facilitate substantial gains in size and strength.
100% Mass Gainer is packed with protein and mass-producing calories, plus muscle-fueling creatine. Delivering key ingredients supported by numerous scientific studies, this superior formula will help you get bigger and stronger – quicker.
#3: Mass-Tech Extreme 2000
Mass-Tech Extreme 2000 delivers more protein per serving than most other mass gainers available on the market. With a whopping 80g of premium protein (when mixed with 20 oz. of skim milk), your body will have all the building blocks it needs to build the size and muscle you’re looking for.
In addition, unlike many other mass gainer formulas, Mass-Tech Extreme 2000 contains only high-quality, milk-derived protein sources with the highest biological value.
This formula delivers over 2,000 calories (when mixed with 20 oz. of skim milk) and delivers high-quality whey protein and easy-to-digest complex carbohydrates.
In a university study, subjects consuming 2,000 calories in addition to a high-protein diet and a weightlifting program gained 6.8 lbs. of mass (vs. 1.3 lbs. in the control group). This formula is so powerful you only need one serving a day!
Check out the study: Rozenek et al., 2002. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 42(3):340-7.
#4: Nitro Tech 100% Whey Gold
Nitro Tech 100% Whey Gold is a stellar choice for those who seek to enhance lean muscle, strength, and recovery through a pure whey protein source. This supplement provides 24g of high-quality whey per serving, ensuring your muscles are adequately fueled to optimize growth and recovery.
Notably, it features whey protein peptides and isolates, known for their rapid absorption and digestion, ensuring that your muscles are promptly supplied with the nourishment they need.
Moreover, it is fortified with 5.5g of BCAAs and 4g of glutamine, which are crucial for muscle recovery and maintaining performance. Nitro Tech 100% Whey Gold supports muscle development and ensures an efficient post-workout recovery, enabling you to keep your gains and consistently perform at your peak.
Creatine for Performance
#5: Cell-Tech
Protein supplements are great fuel for growth, but you need to put in consistent performances in the gym to ensure you utilize them fully. That’s where creatine comes in: it’s a well-known muscle performance enhancer.
Cell-Tech is a hardcore creatine supplement. It's been scientifically engineered for hard gainers who have trouble putting on size and strength. This patent-protected formula contains core ingredients supported by numerous clinical trials.
Cell-Tech is a genuine third-generation creatine supplement that harnesses the anabolic power of insulin to help shuttle creatine into muscle and dramatically improve your growth and strength.
Notably, it's not just about muscle. Cell-Tech also supports improved recovery after intense workouts, ensuring that you gain and maintain the mass and strength you’ve worked for. Cell-Tech provides the tools needed to support optimum growth.
#6: Platinum 100% Creatine
Platinum 100% Creatine is a phenomenal supplement that gives your muscles a clinically researched form of micronized creatine, one of the most potent available. It amplifies strength, power, and performance by enhancing ATP regen, the body's primary energy source. This elevated ATP level allows for more vigorous training and expedited recovery.
Remarkably, one clinical study showcased subjects gaining an impressive 6 lbs. of muscle in just 6 weeks using a creatine dose found in Platinum 100% Creatine. Another study highlighted an 18.6% increase in bench press strength in merely 10 days!
This ultra-pure, HPLC-tested creatine promises enhanced power and lean muscle gains. It assures quality and performance, making it a stellar choice for those serious about weight gain.
#7: Cell-Tech Creactor
Specially formulated and science backed, every serving of Cell-Tech Creactor delivers the ideal 1:1 ratio of creatine hydrochloride (HCI) plus free-acid creatine, the purest form available.
This formula rapidly enhances your muscle cells’ ability to regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – their primary source of anaerobic energy – so you can recover faster between sets. Faster recovery between sets means you can lift more and build more muscle size and strength.
Also Read: What Does Post Workout Mean?
Amino and EAA Products
#8: Amino Build
Amino Build is a scientifically advanced pre- and intra-workout amino acid formula to improve performance and muscle endurance.
It’s not your typical amino acid product; it has a precise dose of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and other ingredients backed by clinical research to build more muscle!
In a clinical study, subjects using the dose of betaine found in Amino Build® built 3.75 lbs. of lean muscle in 6 weeks compared to 0.66 lbs. by the placebo group.
Amino Build also has the same 4g dose of leucine shown in a research study (conducted at a leading international university) to help subjects increase their 5-rep max strength by 40%!
#9: Platinum EAA+
This new cutting-edge essential amino acid formula was formulated based on research done MuscleTech Research & Sports Science Lab located at the University of Toronto. It’s a unique ratio of EAAs to support protein synthesis and recovery!
Platinum EAA+ also contains a precise dose of leucine, shown in a clinical study conducted at a leading university to help athletes increase their 5-rep max strength on bench press by over 40% in 12 weeks!
Lastly, it’s the only EAA to utilize MuscleLyte™ – a new unique hydration blend custom-built to replace what is lost during exercise.
#10: Clear Muscle
Clear Muscle is a revolutionary supplement designed to significantly enhance protein synthesis, reduce muscle breakdown, and reduce recovery time. It’s a muscle builder, yes.
But it's formulated with a unique, cutting-edge free-acid derivative of HMB (a metabolite of leucine), which is known to amplify protein synthesis while combating muscle breakdown. Clear Muscle rests upon a decade of research and 15 clinical studies on its core ingredient, BetaTOR®.
Remarkably, subjects who combined BetaTOR® with exercise experienced a gain of 16.3 lbs. of lean muscle, compared to the 4.6 lbs. gained by the placebo group, showcasing 3.5 times more muscle growth.
Additionally, another study highlighted an increase in protein synthesis by over 70% and a reduction in muscle breakdown by 58%. Clear Muscle doesn’t just support muscle growth; it helps your muscles recover – fast. Enabling you to maintain your gains and return to the gym ASAP.
Protein for Growth, Creatine for Power, and Support for Sustained Effort
Let’s face it – size is king! Nothing tells people that you’re a bodybuilder more than a hulking frame complete with wide shoulders, big arms, a powerful chest and back, and a set of tree-trunk legs.
Bodybuilders, powerlifters and weightlifters alike are always looking for a supplement to help them blow the doors off the size game. Whether you’re stuck in a frustrating growth plateau or just have a hard time packing on mass, you now have help breaking through your roadblock with these supplements!
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Want to know how you can improve your fitness journey? Check out some widely read of our blogs!
- The 7 Best Protein Powders for Athletes
- 19 Time Tested Workout Supplements for Men
- A-Z Guide on the Best Plant Based Protein
- Slow vs Fast Absorbing Protein and When to Take Each
- Post-Workout Nutrition: What to Eat After a Workout?
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Pre-Workout for Women: All You Need to Know
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References:
- Hall, M., & Trojian, T. H. (2013). Creatine supplementation. Current sports medicine reports, 12(4), 240–244. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829cdff2
- Pasiakos, S. M., McLellan, T. M., & Lieberman, H. R. (2015). The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: a systematic review. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 45(1), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0242-2
