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  3. Understanding Weight Gainer Products: Insights into their benefits, should you take one and how to consume.
Nutrition

Understanding Weight Gainer Products: Insights into their benefits, should you take one and how to consume.

By Dr. Crionna Tobin, Phd, Optimum Nutrition, Head of Nutrition & Education

Key Learnings

  • What is a weight gainer supplement. Weight gainer products are specifically designed to help individuals seeking a convenient option to boost calories and for those who struggle consume the calories required to gain weight or muscle mass, through food alone. These products are formulated with a combination of essential nutrients that support healthy weight gain and aid in muscle recovery and growth.

  • The benefits of a weight gainer supplement. These high calorie products are formulated with a combination of essential nutrients, to boost calorie intake, support muscle growth, recovery, performance and in some instances provide enhanced nourishment with additional vitamins and minerals.

  • Who should use a weight gainer? They are particularly beneficial for athletes, bodybuilders, and individuals who have a performance goal of increasing muscle mass but find it difficult to reach their daily calorie goals through food alone.

  • How to integrate weight gainers. It is recommended to take them during periods of high energy expenditure, such as after intense workouts or in between meals to boost total daily calories.

Contents

1. What is a weight gainer supplement.
2. The benefits of a weight gainer supplement.
3. Who should use a weight gainer?
4. How to integrate weight gainers.

If you’re looking to gain weight and build muscle, these products can be a valuable addition to your nutrition strategy. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive understanding of weight gainer products, their benefits, and how to incorporate them into your fitness regime.

What are Weight Gainer Products?

Weight gainer products are specifically designed to help individuals, with a goal of increasing muscle mass and bulk, to conveniently boost calories, as they struggle to hit daily calorie targets through food alone. These products are formulated with a combination of essential nutrients that support healthy weight gain and aid in muscle recovery and growth.

A typical weight gainer product consists of several main components. Firstly, carbohydrates are a significant part of these products as they provide a quick source of energy. Complex carbohydrates like maltodextrin and oats are commonly used to fuel intense workouts and replenish glycogen stores.

Protein is another vital component found in weight gainer products. It helps in repairing and rebuilding muscle tissue damaged during intense exercise. Whey protein, casein, and soy protein are commonly used sources of protein in these products.

Fats are also included in weight gainer products to provide a concentrated source of calories. Fats like MCT oil, flaxseed oil, and coconut oil may be used to support weight gain while considering overall health.

Moreover, weight gainer products often contain additional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. These nutrients help to enhance overall health, support immune function, and promote optimal muscle recovery.

What are the benefits of consuming a weight gainer product?

There are several benefits of consuming a weight gainer.

High in calories. Building muscle and gaining weight is an energy expensive process and requires an increase of at least 500 calories to your daily diet. Although it is always advisable to achieve this increase in calories through food, sometimes it is not always possible. In fact, to gain a significant amount of muscle some may find their calorie targets increasing to well over 3000-4000 kcal daily.  In these instances, weight gainers are a convenient option to help boost daily calorie intakes, with Serious Mass providing a whopping 1, 263 kcal per serving!

Muscle growth. Proteins are the building blocks of muscle tissue and are crucial for muscle repair and growth. Weight gainers often contain high-quality protein sources like whey protein, casein, or a blend of different proteins to ensure a steady supply of amino acids for muscle synthesis. Serious mass contains 50 grams of high-quality whey protein per serving to support this exact process.

Supports Muscle Recovery. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for the body and are the muscles main fuel source during high intensity training, such as gym sessions. Fuelling the muscles with carbohydrate before training guarantees you can maintain your training intensity throughout your session. While, consuming them after training ensures glycogen levels or stored carbohydrate in the muscle is replaced, promoting muscle recovery. Serious Mass contains 251 grams of carbohydrate per serving, ensuring all your recovery needs are supported*.

Muscle Performance. Many weight gainers also contain additional amino acids to further support muscle performance. Serious Mass, contains 3 grams of creatine, which increases the muscle’s capacity to remake ATP, the energy currency of the muscle cell. This increase in energy capacity allows you to train harder during successive bursts of high intensity exercise, supporting an increase in muscle mass and power.

Nourishment.  Finally, many weight gainers also contain an array of vitamins and minerals for extra nourishment. Serious Mass contains 25 vitamins and minerals which help support, energy*, and immunity*, further supporting your nutrition to help you reach your performance goals.nge, but it’s far from impossible. Vegan and plant-based protein supplements are also available for individuals who follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. High quality vegan protein sources, such as ON Gold Standard 100% Plant Protein, provides all of the essential amino acids to support muscle grown and repair, when combined with an appropriate resistance training program.

Should you consume a weight gainer?

In the world of nutrition and fitness, weight gainer products play a crucial role for those looking to increase their calorie intake and meet their nutritional needs. They are particularly beneficial for athletes, bodybuilders, and individuals with high metabolic rates, who have a performance goal of increasing muscle mass but find it difficult to reach their daily calorie goals through food alone.

Integrating Weight Gainer Products into Your Fitness Regime

When it comes to achieving your fitness goals, incorporating weight gainer products, such as Serious Mass, into your routine can be a game-changer. These supplements are designed to provide you with the necessary nutrients and calories to support muscle growth and weight gain. To make the most of your weight gainer products, here are some key factors to consider.

Timing is crucial when consuming weight gainer products. It is recommended to take them during periods of high energy expenditure, such as after intense workouts or in between meals. This allows your body to efficiently utilise the extra calories and nutrients, aiding in muscle recovery and growth.

Combining weight gainer products with regular meals and workouts is essential for optimal results. These supplements should not replace your meals but rather be used as a supplement to supplement your regular diet. They can be mixed with water, milk, or even added to smoothies and shakes to provide a convenient and tasty way to boost your calorie intake.

While weight gainer products can be beneficial, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects and take necessary precautions. Some individuals may experience digestive issues, such as bloating or discomfort, due to the high calorie load. It is advisable to start with smaller serving sizes and gradually increase as tolerated. Additionally, consulting with a healthcare professional or nutritionist before incorporating weight gainer products into your fitness regime is recommended, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns.

Conclusion

When considering a weight gainer product, it is essential to choose one that aligns with your specific goals and dietary requirements. They are a convenient option to boost calorie intake when combined with a balanced diet, particularly when calorie needs are high to support muscle building and recovery goals. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a nutritionist to determine the most suitable weight gainer product for you.

* Protein contributes to growth and maintenance of muscle mass with regular weights resistance training. Carbohydrates contribute to the recovery of normal muscle function after highly intensive and/or long-lasting physical exercise leading to muscle fatigue and the depletion of glycogen stores in skeletal muscle. This benefit is observed with an intake of total carbohydrates at 4 g per kg body weight, at doses, within the first 4-6 hours. Zinc and vitamin C contribute to the normal function of the immune system. B-Vitamins contribute to normal energy yielding metabolism.

References

  1. Slater, G. J., et al (2019). Is an Energy Surplus Required to Maximize Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy Associated With Resistance Training. Frontiers in nutrition, 6, 131. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00131

  2. Phillips, S. (2011). The science of muscle hypertrophy: Making dietary protein count. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 70(1), 100-103. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21092368/

  3. Camera D. M. (2022). Evaluating the Effects of Increased Protein Intake on Muscle Strength, Hypertrophy and Power Adaptations with Concurrent Training: A Narrative Review. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52(3), 441–461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01585-9

  4. Morton, R.W., et al., (2018) A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. Br J Sports Med, 52(6):376–84