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People use supplements called mass gainers to help increase their muscle mass. They help people get the extra calories they need to build muscle.
Over 1,000 calories per serving
- Best for natural ingredients: Naked Nutrition Chocolate Naked Mass | Skip to review
- Best for extra vitamins and minerals: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Chocolate | Skip to review
- Best for vegans: Naked Nutrition Vegan Naked Mass | Skip to review
- Best for medium-chain triglycerides and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): BSN True-Mass 1200 | Skip to review
- Best for high protein content: Dymatize Super Mass Gainer | Skip to review
Under 1,000 calories per serving
- Best for natural complex carbohydrates: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer | Skip to review
- Best for high protein content: Optimum Nutrition GS Pro Gainer Weight Gainer Protein Powder | Skip to review
- Best lower calorie option: Rival Nutrition Clean Gainer Chocolate | Skip to review
- Best for plant-based ingredients: Iron Vegan Athlete’s Gainer | Skip to review
- Best for beef protein: MuscleMeds Carnivore Mass | Skip to review
- Best for oxidative stress prevention: Muscle Milk Pro Series Protein Supplement | Skip to review
Males and females often benefit from differing vitamin and mineral types, quantities, and combinations. With this in mind, some companies develop specific formulas of supplements, vitamins, shakes, and health bars. A person should discuss their options with a doctor or healthcare professional who can help them decide, and choose the product they feel works best for them and their needs.
All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
Below are five mass gainers offering over 1,000 calories per serving.
Best for natural ingredients: Naked Nutrition Chocolate Naked Mass
- Price: from around $66.49
- Price per serving: around $6 per serving
- Protein source: whey and micellar casein
- Carb source: organic tapioca maltodextrin
- Sugar source: no information available
- Calories per serving: 1,250
The three main ingredients used to make Naked Nutrition mass gainers include grass-fed whey, casein, and organic tapioca maltodextrin. It is gluten-, soy-, and GMO-free. This mass gainer does not contain hormones or artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors.
Nutritional profile
Per 321-gram (g) serving, this unflavored powder contains:
- 1,250 calories
- 50 g protein and 11.5 g BCAAs
- 252 g total carbohydrates
Each serving also gives a person 38% of their daily value (DV) of calcium, 4% of their daily potassium, and 2% of their daily iron. These values derive from a diet of 2,000 calories daily.
Pros
- no artificial ingredients
- provides calcium and BCAAs
- unflavored, so is mixable in drinks
- available in various flavors
- contains organic tapioca maltodextrin for a cleaner source of complex carbohydrates
Cons
- expensive
- high price per serving
- too many carbs for those building muscle with a 1-to-2 or 1-to-4 ratio of protein to carbs
- contains milk
Best for extra vitamins and minerals: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Chocolate
- Price: from around $75.99
- Price per serving: around $4 per serving
- Protein source: whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, egg whites, whey powder
- Carb source: maltodextrin
- Sugar source: sucralose
- Calories per serving: 1,260
This chocolate-flavored product may appeal to people wanting to gain weight and add essential vitamins and minerals to their diet. The protein-to-carbohydrate ratio is 1 to 5, so it may not suit people who want more protein and fewer calories.
Key ingredients include whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, and egg whites.
Nutritional profile
The nutritional profile per 340-g serving is as follows:
- 1,260 calories
- 50 g protein
- 254 g carbohydrates
- creatine, glutamine, and glutamic acid
- 25 vitamins and essential minerals
Pros
- this product is recombinant bovine somatotropin-free, meaning cows have not undergone treatment with the hormone-recombinant bovine somatotropin
- provides 25 extra vitamins and minerals
- has a high number of positive reviews online
Cons
- contains artificial flavors
- expensive
- contains allergens such as dairy, corn, egg, wheat, and soy
Best for vegans: Naked Nutrition Vegan Naked Mass
- Price: around $64.99
- Price per serving: around $6 per serving
- Protein source: yellow pea protein and organic brown rice protein
- Carb source: organic tapioca maltodextrin
- Calories per serving: 1,230
This product combines pea and rice protein with organic tapioca maltodextrin, so it may suit people with plant-based diets. Like other Naked Nutrition products, it is free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, GMOs, soy, and gluten.
This gainer also provides calcium, iron, and potassium. A person can get 36% of their DV of iron in one serving, which may be useful for vegans.
The company recommends people use this product in shakes or with fruit.
Nutritional profile
To ensure a complete amino acid profile, the ratio of pea-to-rice protein is 2 to 1. Per 315-g serving of vanilla supplement, the product contains:
- 1,230 calories
- 50 g protein
- 245 g total carbohydrates
- four essential minerals
The sugar, sodium, and calorie content varies between flavors.
Pros
- suitable for vegans
- free from major allergens
- contains a complete amino acid profile
- provides high amounts of three essential nutrients
Cons
- contains a high amount of sodium
- low number of servings
- sugar, sodium, and calorie content different for each flavor
Best for medium-chain triglycerides and BCAAs: BSN True-Mass 1200
- Price: around $74
- Price per serving: around $5
- Protein source: whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, micellar casein, egg whites, hydrolyzed whey protein, and glutamine peptides
- Carb source: rolled oats, maltodextrin
- Sugar source: sucralose
- Calories per serving: 1,220
True-Mass 1200 features a 4-to-1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein and also contains healthy fats. Key ingredients in the chocolate flavor include whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, and egg albumin.
There are 12 g of naturally occurring BCAAs per serving, along with medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) powder, to complete its nutritional value.
It uses a wide range of protein sources and primarily rolled oats for carbs.
It also includes 40% and 35% of a person’s DV of calcium and iron, respectively.
Nutritional profile
Per 314-g serving, this supplement provides:
- 1,220 calories
- 50 g protein
- 215 g total carbohydrates
Pros
- uses a wide range of protein sources
- one serving can provide 40% of a person’s calcium DV
- many positive reviews online
- a higher number of servings than other brands
Cons
- contains allergens such as egg, milk, and sunflower
- expensive
- reviewers report it has a strong, chalky chemical aftertaste and tastes like wheat as opposed to chocolate
- other reviewers report it does not mix well with any beverage
Best for high protein content: Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
- Price: from around $37.03
- Price per serving: around $4
- Protein source: whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate, micellar casein
- Carb source: maltodextrin
- Sugar source: sucralose
- Calories per serving: 1,280
Dymatize says this supplement is ideal for “hard gainers,” which describes people who do not have the metabolism or the time to build major muscle mass.
Along with 52 g of fast-, medium-, and slow-digesting proteins, this product contains 17 vitamins and minerals selected to support muscle recovery, healthy muscles, and balanced nutrition.
It is available in Rich Chocolate and Gourmet Vanilla.
Nutritional profile
Each 333-g serving of this supplement provides:
- 1,280 calories
- 52 g protein
- 245 g total carbohydrates
- 10.7 g BCAAs
- 17 vitamins and minerals
Pros
- reportedly suitable for those without the metabolism or time to build major muscle mass
- contains a range of essential nutrients
- high source of vitamins E and A
Cons
- low number of servings
- provides over 100% of a person’s DV of many nutrients
- contains allergens such as egg, sunflower, and soy
Below are five mass gainers that offer under 1,000 calories per serving.
Best for natural complex carbohydrates: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Price: $79.99
- Price per serving: around $5 per serving
- Protein source: whey concentrate and creatine monohydrate
- Carb source: organic tapioca maltodextrin
- Sugar source: stevia
- Calories per serving: 790
The whey protein concentrate in this mass gainer is 100% grass-fed, and the carbohydrates include organic oats, tapioca, and sweet potato. The product also contains creatine monohydrate and natural sweeteners. It comes in two flavors: sweet vanilla and chocolate glaze donut.
Nutritional profile
Per 196.7-g serving, this product provides:
- 790 calories
- 53 g protein
- 114 g total carbohydrates
- 10% of the DV of potassium and 30% of the DV of calcium, based on a 2,000-calorie daily diet
Our tester’s experience
“[An] easy to mix product that has a great flavor profile. Sweet Vanilla was as advertised very sweet, at times can be overbearing if shake was taken early in the morning. However, one of the best-tasting mass gainer shakes I’ve taken for an extended period of time.
“[I used] two scoops as directed, mixed with a directed amount of water instead of milk, which is my personal favorite. Easy for on the go or as a filling replacement for a pre-workout meal.
“Yes, [I would recommend this product]. There are no artificial ingredients, and Transparent Labs holds itself to a high standard of being transparent about what’s in their products. Readers can feel confident they are getting a quality product.”
– JaTory Reid, Senior Business Analyst
Pros
- provides 10% and 30% DV of potassium and calcium, respectively
- no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
- the company is transparent about its ingredients
Cons
- limited range of flavors
- expensive
- does not offer a wide range of vitamins or minerals
- contains coconut, which is an allergen for some
Best for high protein content: Optimum Nutrition GS Pro Gainer Weight Gainer Protein Powder
- Price: from around $90.24
- Price per serving: around $3 per serving
- Protein source: whey protein isolate and concentrate, and calcium caseinate
- Carb source: maltodextrin
- Sugar source: sucralose
- Calories per serving: 650
This offering from Optimum Nutrition is a high protein, low calorie formula that provides a balanced quantity of carbs, vitamins, and minerals to help with post-workout recovery. The company states that people can also take it as a high protein snack between meals.
It comes in two flavors: Double Chocolate and Vanilla Custard. Both are available in 5-lb tubs or 10-lb bags.
Nutritional profile
Per 165 g serving, this product provides:
- 650 calories
- 60 g protein
- 82 g carbs
- 29 vitamins and minerals
- Vitamin C and Zinc
- Vitamin E
- 8 g of sugar
Pros
- provides 60 g of protein per serving
- provides 29 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and zinc to support the immune system
- although expensive, serving costs are relatively inexpensive compared to some other brands
Cons
- contains 8 g of sugar
- reviews state that the product does not blend well and forms chunks
- customers report the product gave them sugar spikes and then lows
- unsuitable for those with a gluten intolerance
- contains whey protein, so is unsuitable for people with milk allergies or intolerances or vegans
Best lower calorie option: Rival Nutrition Clean Gainer Chocolate
- Price: around $57
- Price per serving: around $2
- Protein source: dairy blend
- Carb source: complex carbohydrate blend from eight sources, including organic quinoa, blueberry powder, ginger root powder, rice bran, and oat fiber
- Sugar source: sucralose and stevia leaf extract
- Calories per serving:560
This is a lower-calorie option for people who do not want to consume many calories from one serving of Gainer.
The manufacturer states that it can be helpful for mass gain, workout recovery, sports performance, and athletic training.
It contains 60% of a person’s recommended daily protein, six complex carbohydrates, and essential fats from avocado, sunflower, and flax. The company writes it does not contain banned substances, making it a suitable choice for competitive athletes.
This product comes in seven flavors, including chocolate, campfire s’mores, two cinnamon toast cereal options, cookies and cream, vanilla, and chocolate peanut butter. A 5-pound container provides 15 servings.
Nutritional profile
Each 149-g serving provides:
- 560 calories
- 30 g protein
- 99 g total carbohydrates
Pros
- contains healthy fats from avocado, flax, and sunflower
- a lower calorie option
- comes in a wide range of flavors
- cheaper per serving than many other brands
- people can consume this product as a mass gainer, to enhance sports performance, as an aid for athletic training, and as a workout recovery drink
Cons
- contains allergens such as sunflower and milk
- provides 18% of a person’s saturated fat DV
- includes added sugar
Best for plant-based ingredients: Iron Vegan Athlete’s Gainer
- Price: around $50
- Price per serving: around $4
- Protein source: non-GMO fermented peas and organic brown rice
- Carb source: organic spirulina, quinoa, spinach, kale, millet, and sea vegetables
- Sugar source: organic stevia leaf extract
- Calories per serving:720
The manufacturer describes this vegan supplement as functional food-based fuel. It provides 42 g of protein from non-GMO plant ingredients. It also provides 12 g of fiber, a wide range of amino acids, and just 1 g of sugar.
The supplement comprises whole grains, organic greens, sprouted grains and seeds, and sea vegetables. The 8 g of fat it contains comes from organic coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and flaxseed oil.
It is another lower calorie option and has undergone testing for banned substances.
It is available in chocolate and vanilla flavors.
Nutritional profile
Each 190-g serving contains:
- 720 calories
- 42 g protein
- 120 g total carbohydrates
Pros
- vegan
- contains a wide range of organic, natural ingredients
- low sugar content
- lower calorie option
Cons
- limited flavor range
- contains some allergens such as coconut and sunflower
- high sodium content
Best for beef protein: MuscleMeds Carnivore Mass
- Price: around $69.99
- Price per serving: around $5
- Protein source: hydrolyzed CARNIVOR Beef Protein Isolate (BPI)
- Carb source: surface area enhanced carbohydrates
- Sugar source: sucralose
- Calories per serving:710
This supplement features a formulation to support muscle mass, strength, and recovery while being easier on the stomach than some mass gainer products. Made from the manufacturer’s proprietary hydrolyzed Beef Protein Isolate (BPI), this product is free of lactose, sugar, dairy, and gluten.
The company recommends using this supplement post-workout to speed up recovery, upon waking to suppress catabolism and restore anabolism, or between meals. Anabolism is a biological process where small, simple molecules build into complex molecules. The body builds and maintains muscle mass during anabolism.
A 5.79-pound container provides 14 servings. It is available in four flavors: Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, and Vanilla Caramel.
Nutritional profile
Each 196-g serving provides:
- 710 calories
- 50 g protein
- 125 g total carbohydrates
Pros
- lactose-free
- may encourage anabolism
- may be gentler on the stomach than some other brands as it contains hydrolyzed beef protein isolate
Cons
- unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans
- contains peanuts and soy
- relatively expensive per dose
Best for oxidative stress prevention: Muscle Milk Pro Series Protein Supplement
- Price: around $66.79
- Price per serving: around $2 per serving
- Protein source: milk protein isolate, calcium caseinate, whey protein concentrate
- Carb source: maltodextrin
- Sugar source: sucralose
- Calories per serving: 320
This offering from Muscle Milk contains lactoferrin, which may help with inflammation and the
This product also contains 60% of the daily value of calcium, 40% of the daily value of magnesium, and 20 vitamins and minerals.
The company states that this blend of high quality slow-releasing and fast-releasing proteins helps increase amino acid levels, which help with muscle growth and muscle mass maintenance.
This product is available in three flavors: Intense Vanilla, Knockout Chocolate, and Slammin’ Strawberry.
Nutritional profile
Each 82 g serving provides:
- 320 calories
- 50 g protein
- 18 g carbs
Pros
- contains lactoferrin to help prevent oxidative stress in the body
- contains a high level of magnesium and calcium
- reviewers say the product is easily mixable into different hot or cold beverages
- customers state that the product has a pleasant taste
- gluten-free
Cons
- the low carb and low calorie content may not help people gain mass as fast as other products
- some reviewers report that the strawberry version tastes very synthetic
- others report that the product becomes too foamy when mixed with milk
- contains whey protein and is therefore unsuitable for vegans
The following table provides an overview of the mass gainers in this article.
| Carb dose (g) | Protein dose (g) | Number of servings | Gluten-free | Lactose-free | Vegan | Subscriptions available | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naked Nutrition | 252 | 50 | 11 | yes | no | no | yes | from around$66.49 |
| Optimum Nutrition | 254 | 50 | 16 | no | no | no | yes | from around $75.99 |
| Naked Nutrition Vegan | 245 | 50 | 11 | yes | yes | yes | yes | around $64.99 |
| BSN True-Mass | 215 | 50 | 15 | no | no | no | yes | around $74.32 |
| Dymatize | 245 | 52 | 8 | yes | no | no | yes | from around $37.03 |
| Transparent Labs | 114 | 53 | 15 | yes | no | no | yes | around $77 |
| Optimum Nutrition | 82 | 60 | 28 | no | no | no | yes | from around $90.24 |
| Rival Nutrition | 99 | 30 | 15 | no | no | no | no | around $57 |
| Iron Vegan | 120 | 42 | 13 or 23 | yes | yes | yes | yes | around $50 |
| MuscleMeds | 125 | 50 | 14 | yes | yes | no | yes | around $70 |
| Muscle Milk | 18 | 50 | 28 | yes | no | no | yes | around $66.79 |
Medical News Today’s methodology
Medical News Today chooses products that meet the following criteria:
- Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe and high quality ingredients that are clearly labeled. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
- Dosage: MNTchooses products that must clearly state the supplement dosage.
- Serving size: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a safe dosage.
- Third-party testing: MNTchooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
- Available certificate of analysis: MNTchooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results.
Intense physical training often requires consuming more food for additional nutrients. A supplement containing extra protein and carbohydrates is a convenient way to get more calories into the diet.
People often take mass gainers as a shake-style drink. They have varying amounts of macronutrients and sometimes have other ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, and creatine.
People can choose products with fewer calories to gain lean muscle rather than weight.
This article looks at supplements for building muscle mass and their nutritional contents.
People with an intolerance to certain foods may find that mass gainers cause digestive upset. Anyone trying them for the first time should start with a small dose and increase it gradually.
People who consume mass gainer supplements without regularly working out may gain fat rather than muscle. Therefore, some people may benefit more from increasing the amount of lean protein in their diet.
Using that muscle group during exercise is the primary way to build and strengthen muscles. By working that muscle group, the muscle fibers break down and repair, strengthening over time.
A
However, diet also plays a role in muscle building. People should aim to eat a nutritious, balanced diet while exercising to increase muscle mass.
Research suggests that additional protein may help build muscle. Consuming
Mass-gaining products typically contain calories, protein, and carbohydrates that may help restore and build muscle during exercise. Researchers have found that mass gainers and exercise can help improve muscle strength and size.
A
Below are answers to common questions about mass gainer supplements.
Yes, people can naturally gain muscle mass.
Exercise, such as resistance training, can help build muscle mass in combination with a nutritious, balanced diet.
Mass gainers can contain high amounts of sugar and carbohydrates. These products may not suit people with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Anyone with health conditions who may experience worsening symptoms with additional sugar in their diet need to contact a healthcare professional before buying supplements.
Although there is a link between taking in amino acids and building muscle, scientific research has not yet determined the most effective proportions of amino acids and nutrients.
In combination with consistent resistance exercise training, mass gainers can work, although more research is necessary.
There is no clear data to establish the type of protein, blend of amino acids, and other nutrients that would make the most effective supplement. Individual characteristics, including a person’s baseline fitness, exercise type, and desired results, would also affect supplement selection.
Research indicates that a person taking a mass gainer while pursuing a sustained resistance exercise training program can see benefits in muscle strength and size, although more research is necessary.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate mass gainer products, so it can be difficult to tell whether a product contains what is on its label.
However, people who require extra protein and calories to build muscle during intense training may find mass gainers helpful. A person may choose a product based on its ingredients, taste, and value for money.
Once a person settles on a supplement, they can change their shake’s taste, texture, and nutritional content by adding ingredients such as nut butter, fruit, or oatmeal.