Gainers are quite controversial supplements, made famous by the famous ex-culturist Filip Grznár, who described them as "overpriced powdered sugars" and many exercisers still hold on to this. While some gainers are really just expensive and ineffective money grabbers, this is not true of all of them. Distinguishing quality carbohydrate supplements from poor quality ones can sometimes be very difficult even for the more experienced exercisers, which is why we've decided to compile the following ranking of the best and highest quality gainers on the market.
The 10 best gainers based on testing
| Ranking | Image | Product | Main advantages | Price | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
|
Reflex One Stop XTREME | 536 kcal per serving, 55g protein, 3 great flavours | $33,96 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 2. |
|
Pentha Pro Complete | 188 kcal per serving, 22 g protein, 2 flavours | $58,13 | Best price More information Reviews |
| 3. |
|
Redcon1 MRE | 75 g of carbohydrates, 47 g protein, 4 flavours | Best price More information | |
| 4. |
|
Kaged Muscle - Clean Meal | 240 kcal, 3 flavours, 28 g protein | Best price More information | |
| 5. |
|
Reflex Nutrition Instant Mass Heavyweight | 1160 kcal per serving, 60g protein, 20 different vitamins and minerals | $51,96 | Best price More information |
| 6. |
|
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass | 1250 kcal per serving, 50g protein, Mixture of 25 different vitamins and minerals | $59,96 | Best price More information |
| 7. |
|
MyoTec Royal Mass | 370 kcal per serving, 20.4g protein, 4 great flavours | $59,96 | Best price More information |
| 8. |
|
Kevin Levrone LevroLegendary Mass | 771 kcal per serving, 42g protein, 6 amazing flavours | $45,96 | Best price More information |
| 9. |
|
Extrifit Go Pro 30 | 170 kcal per serving, 14g protein, Contains digestive enzymes | $39,16 | Best price More information |
| 10. |
|
Prom-IN Lean Mass 25 | 106 kcal per serving, 7.5g protein, Contains both glutamine and creatine | $23,96 | Best price More information |
| 11. |
|
Amix Nutrition CarboJet Gain | 185 kcal per serving, 7.5g protein, Contains a multi-enzyme complex | $31,96 | Best price More information |
| 12. |
|
Extrifit Hardcore Gain 21 | 170 kcal per serving, 9.5g protein, 4 flavours available | $32,76 | Best price More information |
| 13. |
|
Nutrend Compress B.I.G. | 274 kcal per serving, 18 proteins, 4 flavours available | $81,72 | Best price More information |
Detailed comparison of gainers
The rightful winner of our ranking of the best gainers is One Stop Extreme from Reflex Nutrition.
In one 145g serving you'll find just 2g of simple carbohydrates and 55g of protein, which is a combination of bioactive whey protein and micellar casein.
Benefits:
- Unrivalled ingredients
- High quality protein
- Minimum simple carbohydrates
- Plenty of vitamins and minerals
- Excellent taste and solubility
Disadvantages:
- Higher price
- Only 14 or 30 servings per pack (if you follow the manufacturer's DD)
Who makes it:
Reflex Nutrition has been on the market since 1996, and from the very beginning they have built all of their supplements on quality first. All supplements undergo independent testing for banned substances and the actual protein content of each batch.
All of the company's manufacturing technologies and pharmaceutical facilities are of the highest standard and therefore can be it is no exaggeration to say that Reflex Nutrition is the absolute top among sports nutrition manufacturers.
In one serving (145g) you will find:
- 70g of complex carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 55g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
- Vitamins A, D, E, C and B for proper metabolic functioning, immune system and better digestion
- Digestive enzymes and lactobacilli for better digestibility
- 5g of creatine to help you gain muscle mass and improve performance
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Reflex One Stop XTREME.
Dosage:
The manufacturer states that one serving of One Stop Extreme is 145g.
However, we would recommend reducing the dosage and taking only half the dose for some time. Should you not gain weight even when taking this dose, the dosage can be additionally adjusted to suit your own needs.
Final summary:
In our opinion, One Stop Extreme is the best gainer on the market and contains exactly what an ideal gainer should contain.
The downside may be the slightly higher price and the few doses in the package. However, if you want to gain mass and you really want to buy a carbohydrate supplement, it is definitely worth investing in a quality one.
Edit 06.01.2020 - We have just released a separate review on Reflex One Stop Xtreme.
The best gainer on the market? Definitely Pentha Pro Complete Natural - the supplement that busts the myth that gainer is de facto just powdered sugar. A blend of several types of protein combined with dried sweet potato powder as the main source of carbohydrates weighsThis product can easily replace a solid diet in situations where you are not able to eat from time to time.
Benefits:
- Five types of protein with great absorption
- Great natural taste
- Protein makes up almost 50% of the product
- Easy to prepare
- Well-fed
Disadvantages:
- Higher price compared to competitors
Who makes it:
Behind this product is the well-known Czech company Prom-In, which is especially famous for its great products available at a relatively reasonable price. That's why their products regularly end up at the top of our independent comparisons - you can see for yourselfyou can see for example in our ranking of the best whey proteins or in our comparison of pre-workout products without stimulants.
In one serving (50 grams) you will find:
- 15 grams of carbohydrates, which consist primarily of sweet potato powder, maltodextrin, waxy corn starch and glucose
- 23 grams of protein from five different sources ranging from CFM whey concentrateand isolate to hydrolyzed whey protein, egg albumin and micellar casein
- Opti-7-Digest enzyme blend
- Added vitamins, minerals, amino acids and probiotic cultures
Dosage:
The manufacturer recommends the use of 50 grams of product per dose, thus a large packet of product contains 50 doses. The Gainer is also equipped with a 25 gram measuring cup, so that the dose can be freely adjusted according to your own caloric preferences. However, considering that in the recommended fifty grams you will find nearly 200 kcal and 23 grams of protein, we think this is quite sufficient for many people.
Final assessment:
If you're looking for a somewhat unconventional gainer that features a great formula, easy preparation, and good taste, we definitely recommend reaching for Pentha Pro Complete Natural. However, the minor drawbacks are that only the strawberry flavor is currently available and you'll also have to pay a little extra for this product (as with all really good quality gainers).
A supplement called MRE from the popular American supplement manufacturer Redcon1 undoubtedly deserves its place in this selection. Again, this is a product that is made up of real foods and offers very good nutritional values. After a slight adjustment of the dosage, it also comes out relatively pleasantly priced. It is also interesting to note that the product does not contain any whey, but relies on a combination of other plant and animal proteins.
Benefits:
- 6 different protein sources
- A range of honest ingredients
- Relatively reasonable price
Disadvantages:
- Taste-wise, it doesn't impress too much
- Not everyone is looking for protein from chicken, cattle or salmon
If you're tempted by a non-traditional supplement containing real food, MRE is a really good choice. Its base consists of 75 grams of carbohydrates (among others. from oat flour and sweet potato powder) and 47 grams of protein from sources such as chicken protein, pea protein or the not-so-traditional salmon protein. The taste of the product, however, despite the atypical composition is not bad at all, the gainer is easily dissolves without any problems and if you adjust the dosage to half, the price of the product is also very pleasant. So, MRE definitely makes a good impression on us and we recommend trying it out.
Who makes it:
The company behind this product is the American company Redcon1, which is not very popular here, but in the United States it is really popular. In their repertoire you can find a variety of quality supplements from pre-workouts to proteins to various fat burners. At our site you might have come across, for example, a review of the Redcon1 Total War pre-workout, which we also included in our comparison of the best pre-workouts on the market after trying it out.
In one dose (130 grams) you will find:
- 75 grams of carbohydrates, of which only 5 grams are simple carbohydrates. These include oat flour, sweet potato powder and pea starch, among others.
- 47 grams of protein, with the main sources being beef protein isolate, pea protein, protein from brownrice protein, chicken protein, egg albumin, and not-so-traditional salmon protein
- The addition of vitamins, dried fruit as well as MCT powder and coconut water powder
Dosage:
In this case, we dare say that the dosage recommended by the manufacturer is slightly exaggerated, as 130 grams of the product is equivalent to about 510 kilocalories. This is the serving size to think about if you are looking for a substitute for a largelarge meal because, for example, you can't keep up at work or can't eat lunch. However, it doesn't make much sense to have such a large portion of calories after a workout, for example, so we think it's sufficient reduce the recommended 4 scoops of the product to only 1.5 to 2 scoops, which will also save you money.
Final assessment:
A relatively unusual product that relies on an interesting combination of plant and animal proteins and offers a rather interesting taste (which is not too bad considering the protein sources in the product). If the recommended dosage is followed, a single serving could come out to well over 60 crowns, which of course would be really high. However, since we consider even less than half a dose to be sufficient, we dare say that even the price in this case the product is not bad and if you want to try it, we can definitely recommend it.
Among the best gainers on the market, the carbohydrate supplement Clean Meal from Kaged Muscle undoubtedly deserves its place. Similarly to Pentha Pro Complete Natural, you can enjoy a sophisticated formula, good taste and a great satiating effect.
Benefits:
- Sophisticated formula
- Use of quality ingredients
- Seamlessly replaces a full meal
- Great taste
- Wide choice of flavours
Disadvantages:
- Quite high price
- Only 20 servings per pack
Clean Meal is a bit more price-conscious supplement, but definitely worth a try from our perspective. It's available in a few different flavors, all of which taste good, and we also have to appreciate that this gainer is wonderfully filling. One serving contains 18 grams of carbohydrates (from both quinoa and Swedish oats) and 28 grams of protein from a high-quality protein isolate. If you don't mind paying extra for a quality gainer, Clean Meal is a great choice.
Who Makes It:
Kaged is a great supplement manufacturer that prides itself on healthy yet quality products where functionality is an absolute priority. You can choose from a whole repertoire of different supplements from hydration products to fat burners and pre-workouts to quality gainers or excellent proteins.
In one serving (63.3 grams) you will find:
- 18 grams of carbohydrates, of which only one gram is accounted for by simple carbohydrates. The carbohydrate sources are high-quality quinoa and Swedish oats.
- 28 grams of protein represented by whey protein isolate
- 4.5 grams of fat represented by, among others, medium chain triglycerides from coconut oil
- 21 organic vitamins and minerals derived from real fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, chlorella or sunflower seeds
Dosage:
Clean Meal is available in three different flavors and each is soldThe Snickerdoodle flavor comes in a different size package (1172 grams).whereas Chocolate and Peanut Butter come in a 1266 gram pack) and accordingly the recommended dose varies, which is either 58.6 grams or 63.3 grams. Either way, this should always be represented by two scoops. Meanwhile, one serving contains 240 kilocalories with the above macronutrient values, which for us is also for us and for many ordinary athletes there is no need to adjust this dosage.
Final assessment:
The only downside to this product is probably the higher price. One pack contains only 20 doses and at the time of writing this review it costs . This means that one dose costs over 40 crowns, which is really a lot in our opinion. While you do get a high quality isolate enriched with quality carbohydrates from quinoa and oats, buying such a product is still not exactly cheap. If you don't mind paying extra for quality, this is definitely a good choice. However, when you factor in the price, other products may work out a little better.
We will stay with Reflex Nutrition supplements for a while.
The fifth place in our opinion belongs to Instant Mass Heavy Weight, which has the sameminimal simple carbohydrates and a mix of four different types of protein (rawhydrolysate, whey hydrolysate with a high degree of hydrolysis, whey hydrolysate with a lowm hydrolysis, bioactive whey concentrate and ultrafiltration micellar casein).
Benefits:
- High quality gainer
- Minimum of simple sugars
- Excellent amino acid profile
- 20 minerals and vitamins
- Good price
Disadvantages:
- Only 18 servings per pack (if you follow the manufacturer's DD)
- Too many calories per serving for the average exerciser
- Minimum fiber and creatine
Who makes it:
Reflex Nutrition has been on the market since 1996, and from the very beginning they have built all of their supplements on quality first. All supplements undergo independent testing for banned substances and the actual protein content of each batch.
All of the company's manufacturing technologies and pharmaceutical facilities are of the highest standard and therefore can be it is no exaggeration to say that Reflex Nutrition is the absolute top among sports nutrition manufacturers.
In one serving (300g) you will find:
- 219g of complex carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 60g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
- 3g of creatine to help you gain muscle mass and improve performance
- 1g of glutamine, which improves immune system function and muscle recovery after training
- High levels of minerals and vitamins that are essential for metabolic processes in the body
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Reflex Nutrition Instant Mass Heavyweight.
Dosage:
The manufacturer states that one serving of Instant Mass Heavyweight is 300g. Due to the excessively high calorie content, we would recommend (especially for natural exercisers) to reduce the dose to a third.
Should you still not gain weight while taking this dose, the dosage can be additionally adjusted to suit individual needs.
Final summary:
Instant Mass Heavy Weight is considerably cheaper than the winner of our ranking, but unfortunately this can be seen in the quality of the product.
The benefit remains the low simple carbohydrate content, but 1g of glutamine and 3g of creatine in a 300g serving is already doesn't sound too good, because ultimately you won't feel the effects of such small doses.
Still, this gainer is a great choice for all exercisers who want to save money on supplementsbut at the same time don't want to fill up on something with too much simple sugars.
The third place in our ranking belongs to the Serious Mass supplement from the popular company Optimum Nutrition.
The Gainer contains high quality nutrients and in addition, you will find a mixture of 25 different vitamins and minerals.
Benefits:
- High in complex carbohydrates and quality protein
- Contains both creatine and glutamine
- Relatively well priced
Disadvantages:
- Only 16 servings per pack (if you follow the manufacturer's recommended dosage)
- 20g of simple sugars per serving
- Only one pack size
Who makes it:
Optimum Nutrition is one of the most trusted and popular supplement manufacturers in the world.
Since the company's inception in 1986, they have based their products on the highest quality Their products have been recognized with many prestigious awards.
In one serving (334g) you will find:
- 252g of complex carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 50g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
- 1g of creatine to help you gain muscle mass and improve performance
- 0.5g of glutamine, which improves immune function and muscle recovery after training
- Vitamins and minerals that are essential for metabolic processes in the body
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalog at Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass.
Dosage:
The manufacturer states that one serving of Serious Mass is 345g. Due to the excessively high calorie content, we would (especially for natural exercisers) recommend reducing the dose to a third.
Should you still not gain weight while taking this dose, the dosage can be additionally adjusted to suit individual needs.
Final summary:
Gainer Serious Mass offers a good formula at a good price.
It contains high amounts of complex carbohydrates, quality protein, vitamins and minerals. It is available in 4 different flavors that are really well balanced in taste.
So if you are looking for an effective top gainer that you will enjoy, Serious Mass is the right solution.
Royal Mass is a truly functional gainer with minimal ballast or non-functional ingredients.
It contains no artificial sweeteners, the protein source is mainly bioactive whey isolate and you will find almost no lactose in it.
Benefits:
- Gainer made from quality ingredients
- Contains no artificial sweeteners or inactive ingredients
- One serving is only 100g (others have a serving size of 300g or more, which we consider unnecessary)
- It is available in 4 great flavours
Disadvantages:
- Contains over 25g of simple sugars per serving
- Only 20g of protein per serving
- Zero fibre content
Who makes it:
MyoTec was formed by the merger of a leading German sports nutrition distributor with a spand their main credo is quality, precision and honesty.
More than 200 qualified professionals and employees are involved in the development and production of each product.
In one serving (100g) you will find:
- 68g of complex carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed more slowly into the body.
- 20g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
- The 10 most important vitamins and minerals that are essential for the metabolic processes in the body
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at MyoTec Royal Mass.
Dosage:
In the case of the Royal Mass gainer, we recommend following the dosage specified by the manufacturer. So take 100g of the product in one dose.
Final summary:
Royal Mass is finally a gainer created by its composition for the average exerciser who wants to gain weight.
You will not get over 1000 kcal, but "only" 370 kcal, which I personally consider to be the optimal post-workout dose for a natural exerciser. The disadvantage is the relatively high content of simple sugars, which is however negated by the absence of artificial sweeteners.
At the same time, it also contains a minimum of lactose, so for those of you who want to avoid it, Royal Mass is an ideal choice.
LevroLegendary Mass is a high quality gainer with the best ingredients - carefully selected carbohydrates and proteins mixed in the most ideal ratio.
If you want to give your muscles exactly what they need to grow after a hard workout, treat them to LevroLegendary Mass.
Benefits:
- High-quality nutrients
- Excellent value for money
- Amazing flavours
Disadvantages:
- Contains thickeners and flavorings
Who makes it:
LevroLegendary Mass is made by a company very closely associated with one of the best bodybuilders in history - Kevin Levron.
They specialize primarily in powerful gainers, effective fat burners as well as premium pre-workout stimulants. The most important criterion is, of course, quality, which is why you won't find any ineffective products in this company's offer.
In one serving (200g) you will find:
- 138g of complex carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 42g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalog at Kevin Levrone LevroLegendary Mass.
Dosage:
The manufacturer recommends taking 200g of product in a single dose, which is optimal for more advanced and heavier exercisers.
If you are just starting to exercise or are under 80kg, we recommend taking half the dose.
Final summary:
LevroLegendary Mass is a really high quality gainer that contains the ideal amount of protein and compex carbohydrates and only a minimal amount of simple ones.
If you are looking for the best volume gainer, LevroLegendary Mass is the right choice.
Our ranking should not miss the popular gainer Go Pro 30 from Extrifit.
One dose here is only 45g, which is optimal for a natural exerciser. In addition, in the ratio of price and number of doses you get a really very well acceptable supplement. The basis of the gainer is isomaltulose, which is a sports carbohydrate with a low glycemic index.
Benefits:
- Over 66 servings per pack
- Great value for money
- Premium digestibility
Disadvantages:
- High in simple sugars
- Only 14g of protein per serving
- Flavours are very oversweetened
Who makes it:
Extrifit has been on the market since 2007, and in that time has grown to become the leading sports nutrition manufacturer in the country. All of the supplements offered are specifically tailored for all strength athletes and bodybuilders. The company's vision is to produce supplements that will effectively support the growth of muscle mass and strength and effectively fight subcutaneous fat.
All the supplements are tested by sponsored athletes - the absolute top of the sport - before they are launched. Vojtěch Koritenský, Tomáš Kašpar, Vlastimil Kužel and others.
In one dose (45g) you will find:
- 25g of carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 14g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Extrifit Go Pro.
Dosage:
When taking the Go Pro 30 supplement, we recommend sticking to the dosage specified by the manufacturer - that is 45g. This dose will provide you with all the necessary nutrients after your workout and does not contain unnecessarily high amounts of calories.
Final assessment:
Despite the high content of simple carbohydrates, Go Pro 30 is a very digestible gainer suitable for gaining muscle mass and volume. Its price is very good if you consider that the gainer lasts for 66 servings.
We would therefore recommend it especially to students who do not have enough money for a high qualitymore expensive supplements, but at the same time want quality.
Lean Mass is a quality gainer from the seasoned Prom-in company that creates great supplements at unbeatable prices.
It combines an effective protein complex with functional carbohydrate ingredients to create the ideal product for gaining muscle mass.
Benefits:
- Quality ingredients
- Good price
- 50 servings per pack
- 3 delicious flavours
Disadvantages:
- Only 7.5g of protein per serving
- Manufacturer does not list simple carbohydrate content
Who makes it:
Lean Mass is manufactured by the seasoned company Prom-IN, which has been on the Czech market since 1976.
Their products have undergone many reforms to suit all athletes and contain no unnecessary or ineffective substances. In the sales you can get all the products of this company for really great prices.
In one dose (30g) you will find:
- 20g of carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 7.5g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
- 0.9g of creatine to help you gain muscle mass and improve performance
- 0.6g of glutamine, which improves immune function and muscle recovery after training
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Prom-IN Lean Mass 25.
Dosage:
The prescribed dosage from the manufacturer is 30g. However, for Lean Mass (unlike the other products in this ranking) we recommend to increase the dosage. The caloric value of one dose of the gainer is roughly the same as that of one scoop of CFM Evolution protein.
So if you are looking for the right gainer for volume, you need to double the dosage.
Final assessment:
Lean Mass is a great gainer at a good price, you just need to adjust the dosage as we mentioned above.
Reviewers of this product especially praise the smooth digestibility, excellent flavors and quick dissolving and we can't help but agree.
CarboJet Gain by Amix has also earned its place in our ranking of the best gainers.
This carbohydrate-protein concentrate contains high quality protein, high molecular weight starch Vitargo and gradually releasing isomaltulose.
Benefits:
- High-quality ingredients
- Good value for money
- Great flavours
- Good solubility and absorption
- Does not contain aspartame
Disadvantages:
- Protein content in a 50g serving is only 7.5g
- Relatively high amount of simple sugars
Who makes it:
Amix is one of Europe's most respected sports nutrition companies.
Amix is one of the world's most renowned sports nutritionists, and one of the most popular brands in the world, building all its products on quality, which has earned the trust of many professional and amateur athletes. Amix also sponsors the leading Czech bodybuilder Milan Šádek and the great Slovak bikini Timea Trajtelová.
In one serving (50g) you will find:
- 34g of carbohydrates for optimal post-workout recovery and replenishment of glycogen stores.
- 7.5g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
- 75mg of DigeZyme® multi-enzyme complex for better digestion of the product
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Amix Nutrition CarboJet Gain.
Dosage:
If you weigh between 60-80kg, we recommend you stick to the manufacturer's recommended dosage of 50g.
If you are a heavier athlete, the dosage can be doubled.
Final assessment:
The overall impression of CarboJet Gain is perhaps only spoiled by the low protein content, because 7.5g of protein after a hard workout is really not enough.
Otherwise, the product has perfect digestibility, flawless solubility and amazing flavours.
Another gainer from Extrifit should not be missing in our ranking , this time Hardcore Gain 21, which contains a very solid 21% protein processed by the CFM method. The carbohydrate component here consists mainly of dextrose and maltodextrin.
Benefits:
- Great price
- High quality ingredients
- 66 servings per pack
Disadvantages:
- Artificial flavors
Who makes it:
Extrifit has been on the market since 2007, and in that time has grown to become the leading sports nutrition manufacturer in the country. All of the supplements offered are specifically tailored for all strength athletes and bodybuilders. The company's vision is to produce supplements that will effectively support the growth of muscle mass and strength and effectively fight subcutaneous fat.
All the supplements are tested by sponsored athletes - the absolute top of the sport - before they are launched. Vojtěch Koritenský, Tomáš Kašpar, Vlastimil Kužel and others.
In one dose (45g) you will find:
- 30g of carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 9.5g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training.
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Extrifit Hardcore Gain 21.
Dosage:
When taking Hardcore Gain 21 , we recommend sticking to the dosage specified by the manufacturer- 45g.
This dose will provide you with all the necessary nutrients after your workout and does not contain unnecessarily high amounts of calories.
Final assessment:
Gainer Hardcore Gain 21 is an ideal choice as it contains quality ingredients and doesn't cost too much money.
Unfortunately, the big downside is the artificial and over-sweetened flavors that leave a worse impression of the gainer.
Our ranking of the best gainers is closed by Compress B.I.G from Nutrend.
This gainer has a very high quality formula, is available in 4 different flavours and does not contain too many simple sugars.
Benefits:
- Good composition
- Minimal simple sugars
- Good tasting flavours
Disadvantages:
- High price
- Low protein content per serving
Who makes it:
Nutrend is one of the largest Czech manufacturers of supplements and sports nutrition. It is also a proud sponsor of Czech Olympians - Martina Sáblíková, Jaromír Jágr and others.
Unlike most companies, it does not specialize only in bodybuilding and strength sports, but also in endurance sports. Just from the size and popularity of this company, it can be concluded that it produces supplements of first-class quality.
In one serving (70g) you will find:
- 46g of complex carbohydrates, which have a low glycemic index and are therefore absorbed into the body more slowly.
- 18g of easily digestible protein, which is very important for building muscle mass after training
And many other active ingredients that you will find in our catalogue at Nutrend Compress B.I.G..
Dosage:
When taking Compress B.I.G, we recommend sticking to the dosage specified by the manufacturer- 70g.
This dose will provide you with all the necessary nutrients after your workout and does not contain unnecessarily high amounts of calories.
Final assessment:
Gainer Compress B.I.G is definitely one of the better quality supplements on the market.
You won't find too many simple sugars in it and the flavours are very good. On the other hand, it contains relatively little protein and the price is quite steep.
So if you are hesitant about buying it, we would recommend another product from our ranking.
What is a gainer?
Gainer is a carbohydrate-protein concentrate used to increase body weight and maximize recovery.Thanks to the fast-absorbing nutrients, you will encourage your body to increase muscle mass and replenish muscle glycogen, which acts as fuel for our muscles.
Gainer can be used:
- To increase energy intake
- To increase muscle mass and improve recovery
- To replenish muscle glycogen for better performance
Test and reviews of gainers
We take great care in reviewing the best gainers and try to create the most objective review for you. comparison of the best products on the market so that you can be 100% sure that you will be satisfied with the product you choose. We have tested the most used and most popular gainers for you so that we can include only the really good and high quality ones in our ranking.
We focused on criteria that are important to every consumer:
- Ingredients
- price
- taste
- number of servings per pack
- and more...
At the end of this process, there is a completely objective ranking that should help you make your decision. We don't have our own supplements to recommend, nor are we sponsored by any sports nutrition manufacturer, so we can afford to be completely objective.
What should the ideal gainer composition look like?
The ideal gainer should be composed of complex carbohydrates and contain only a minimum of simple ones - as is the case with the winner of our ranking One Stop Xtreme.
Another ingredient is protein, which should come from whey, as this is the most digestible and usable - This is also why products from our whey protein comparison, for example, are so popular . However, it's worth noting that early absorption is often not as much of a priority with gainers, which is why themanufacturers often use several different protein sources, not just whey. For example, the MRE we recommend contains meat protein, and while the absorption may be a little slower, it's still a great product.
Vitamins and minerals are also a good component of a gainer. It's not always the case that the more the better. What is more important is just the binding in which the minerals are contained. The best is of course the chelated one, such as the vitamins and minerals in Nexgen PRO, which we consider to be one of the best multivitamins on the market.
Other ingredients such as creatine are not necessary. If you want to take creatine, it is better to take it separately, as carbohydrate supplements usually contain minimal amounts of it. However, there are exceptions, as the already mentioned One Stop Xtreme contains 5 grams of it, which is the commonly recommended dose. However, we recommend reading more about creatine, for example in our article Creatine under the microscope or in our comparison of the best creatines.
If you are not interested in any of our recommended supplements, you should knowyou can also prepare a homemade gainer from 9 natural ingredients.
So which gainer to choose?
When choosing the ideal gainer, it is recommended to follow the advice mentioned in the previous paragraph. If you don't want to spend a lot of time on the internet and browse through dozens of products offered on many websitesYou can definitely stick to our rankings, which are designed for this very purpose.
Which lactose-free gainer?
Choosing a gainer that will be 100% lactose-free can be a superhuman task. In fact, most gainers contain lactose. But the amount contained is so small that you don't have to worry about it at all, unless you suffer from lactose intolerance.
A gainer for gaining weight and bulk
Even if you want to gain weight, don't choose gainers with a high content of simple carbohydrates. It's always better to go for complex carbohydrates, as simple sugars can becan be dangerous in higher doses, as we discussed in our article on the dangers of sugar. And don't worry at all, you'll gain weight anyway.
Who is the gainer suitable for?
Clearly, due to its high calorie content, the gainer is not suitable for everyone.
We recommend it especially to the following groups of people:
- All fitness enthusiasts who are unable to gain weight (typically ectomorphs)
- People with a fast metabolism
- Endurance and professional athletes
- Men and women who are trying to gain weight
Does the gainer have any side effects?
A Gainer is a classic dietary supplement that goes through many professional checks before they are ever put on the market. Therefore, you don't have to worry about any serious side effects that would harm your health .
The only exception may be fat gain, which we should look at a little more closely.
Fat gain
You can never blame fat gain on gainer alone. In fact, the most important role in it is the total caloric intake. If you're taking in 2000 kilocalories per day from food, it's clear that another 1000 taken in from a gainer will most likely lead to fat gain.
But if you don't eat enough or have similar problems with regular food intake, a gainer is the right choice for you.
How and when to take the gainer?
Let's take a closer look at how and when a gainer should be used properly:
Before training, after training or at night?
Most people think that if they use a gainer at night, they will gain fat. But at the basic level of things, there is no difference at all.
Your body pretty much doesn't care if it gets 500 kilocalories in the morning or at night. It's the total intake that matters most.
But the biggest reason to take a gainer after a workoutwhen it will replenish lost glycogen, promote recovery and ensure muscle mass gain.
With milk or with water?
Gainer contains whey protein and therefore we do not recommend putting it in milk, just as you (probably) do not put classic protein in milk. The reason is simple, due to the lactose in milk, the digestibility and usability of the protein would be much worse. That is why we recommend taking the gainer with water.
Protein vs. Gainer
Protein is a source of protein and contains only minimal amounts of carbohydrates. We therefore recommend it to be used especially by those of you who want to to gain lean muscle mass and have no problem with weight gain. Protein should only serve as a supplement for you to provide your body with easily absorbed nutrients after a workout.
Gainer is a source of several nutrients, of which carbohydrates predominate. It should be used especially by people who have a weight gain problem and need toneed to supplement nutrients from supplements because they are unable to get the necessary calories from regular foods.
You can read more about this in our separate article called Protein or gainer? where we address, among other things, which of these supplements is better after a workout.
Sources of text
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ROUBÍK, Lukáš. Modern nutrition in fitness and strength sports. Prague: Erasport, [2018]. ISBN 978-80-905685-5-6.
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CLARK, Nancy. Sports nutrition: Diet plan, nutritional supplements, pre- and post-performance diet, specific nutritional needs, weight loss without starvation, recipes. 4th ed. Translated by René SOUČEK, translated by Monika SOUČKOVÁ. Prague: Grada Publishing, 2020. ISBN 978-80-271-1030-8.
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The 6 Best Supplements to Gain Muscle. Healthline: Medical information and health advice you can trust [online]. Copyright © 2005. Available from: https: //www.healthline.com/nutrition/supplements-for-muscle-gain
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