Best Protein Supplement for Mass

What's the best protein supplement for hardgainers? What about for bodybuilders? In this article I explain how to choose a quality product to get more of what you want... MUSCLE!

There are basically 3 types of whey protein powders that immediately come to mind when it comes to gaining muscle mass:

• 100% WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE
• 100% WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
• WEIGHT GAINER (which usually includes a blend of isolate & concentrate protein powder)

A few ways to judge the overall quality of a product

How a particular protein supplement tastes seems to be the first thing people think about when choosing which brand to go with. Personally, I think that the taste is not very important and should be last on the priority list when selecting a product. Of course, in a situation where you repeatedly are unable to drink a protein shake because of its awful taste, then you should dismiss that brand and try others.

How easily it mixes with water is a clear sign of the quality of the protein powder. First of all, let me just say that it's normal for 100% whey protein isolate to dilute into water better than 100% whey protein concentrate or weight gainer. There are a few protein concentrate brands, however, that are of extremely high grade and consequently mix just as easily with water as protein isolate - I would actually recommend these types of concentrate protein powders over isolates (which are often filtered so many times that they're strickened of essential trace minerals associated with whey protein [which, for those of you who don't know, comes from the best part of the milk]).

In sum, if the protein powder you recently bought is of poor quality, one of the ways you'll know this is if it forms into clumps; This could either mean that it was not filtered properly (therefore containing high levels of fat), or that some of the quality protein was replaced by "alternative", cheap/low-quality fillings... like rice flour {The supplement industry in general is not regulated by a governing body like the FDA, so although this may sound shocking... it probably happens more often than not (sometimes even with popular brand names - I could recall one in particular being outed a few years back when a scientist [whom I believe was passionate about bodybuilding] conducted his own research on their products)}. Note: Mixing your protein powders with water isn't your only option. I only used water for the sake of this example. You can mix your best protein supplement with milk or juice if you prefer.

How well it can be digested is very important. If your protein shakes don't sit well in your stomach this is a clear sign that the particular brand is not for you. Some people have trouble digesting weight gainers as well as 100% whey protein concentrate. I sometimes suggest weight gainer for extreme hardgainers. However, if their stomach keeps turning upside down after a weight gainer shake, I recommend using 100% whey protein isolate because I know that this type of protein supplement rarely makes a person feel bloated or physically uncomfortable in any way. The carbs that are normally found in weight gainer (but not in 100% protein isolate or concentrate), and that are essential for hardgainers to gain significant muscle mass, will have to be taken in by eating high-carb, starchy foods (like oatmeal, whole wheat bread/pasta, rice, potatoes, etc) as well as fruits/vegetables.

Your best protein supplement will be the one that ultimately brings you results. Results are what everyone wants. Results are the bottom line of why anyone purchases anything for themselves. This could be summed up mainly by the quality of protein, and not simply by the percentage of protein per scoop (which is what I used to focus on until I experienced the benefits of quality over quantity). Beware of designer protein powders (and bars) marketed in a way that solely emphasize great taste without any mention of real advantages. Remember what I said earlier in this article? Taste isn't very important. Results are what you want. Results are the reason why you're on this site right now. Take my word for it. Go with the supplement company that has a proven track record of providing quality protein, while lightly taking into account the other points I've made in the article.

Best protein supplement for a 'hardgainer' vs. an 'experienced bodybuilder or strength trainer'

Hardgainers should use weight gainer if their goal is to gain weight (meaning they want to put on a lot of muscle and don't mind gaining some fat as well). They could move on to protein isolate if they cannot comfortably digest the weight gainer (but must then adjust their food intake... as I mentioned earlier in this article) or once they've reached the point where they're looking to stay lean while still wanting to put on a little more muscle. I suggest that serious bodybuilders use 100% whey protein isolate or a whey concentrate of the highest grade.

NOTE
Protein powders are meant to supplement your daily nutritional regimen. If you are a hardgainer and want to know what to eat to gain more mass click here for my Muscle Mass Diet.

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