
Which Mass Gainer is Best for Your Body Type? An In-Depth Analysis
, by Sandesh Prasannakumar, 6 min reading time
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, by Sandesh Prasannakumar, 6 min reading time
Mass gainers are dietary supplements that help you build muscles and bulk up in a sustainable manner in tandem with exercising and working out. It is therefore important to know which mass gainer is best for your individual needs. Our normal diet could be balanced but it is often incapable of providing the huge surge of calories you need to build muscles in a matter of months instead of it happening naturally in years. That is where weight gainers help you. They are high-calorie supplements that give you about 1000 calories in each serving, releasing energy slowly throughout the day and replenishing the calories you burnt during your training and exercise sessions.
Mass gainers are made of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, branched-chain amino acids, and fibre in various different formulations and compositions. But the basic ratios remain the same with carbohydrates and fats being on the higher side than protein. The reason why they are formulated this way is because carbohydrates and fats are energy dense nutrients that help you gain weight faster, which in turn later form muscles.
There are essentially two types of carbohydrates - simple and complex.
Simple carbohydrates directly break down to form glucose, which is the basic form of sugar that is then absorbed by the body. Carbohydrates are categorised as simple and complex depending on the time they take to break down to glucose. Some weight gainer supplements use simple carbs to give you a surge of energy instantly upon drinking. However, complex carbohydrates release energy in a more sustained manner because it takes more time to break down.
Though proteins are the building blocks of muscles, they are in lesser quantities in mass gainer powders because ultimately it is the glycogen, a complex form of carbohydrates that stores glucose in our muscles, that helps in building, repairing and restoring muscles. A lot of gainers contain whey protein, while others might have peas, soy, casein or hemp protein. Some also have BCAA, which is branched-chain amino acids that assist in building muscles.
Mass gainers are made with high fat contents because fats help you in gaining weight faster, which is a well-known fact. However, when you are following a heavy-duty gym regime, this fat can then break down quickly to release energy and get absorbed by the body.
To begin understanding what mass gainer you should take to get a muscular body, you need to first understand your body type. These depend on various factors like genetic, age, lifestyle, and activity level. Especially for men there are three broad categories:
Endomorph: This body type gains weight faster. People with this particular body type are not necessarily obese or fat but they have a tendency to gain unnecessary weight. They usually have a lot of fat and muscles in their body.
Mesomorph: People with this body type are usually quite lean and athletic. They have strong muscle presence but are not bulky or muscular.
Ectomorph: People who have ectomorph bodies find it quite difficult to gain weight. They are usually all bones with minimal fat and muscles.
To determine what nutrients and vitamins you need to gain a muscular body depends on many factors in addition to your body type. Your metabolism rate, age, any other underlying health factors also affect the way your body builds muscles.
Most mass gainers have high-calorie output. It is important to decide on the dosage according to your calorie requirements, which in turn depend on your body type.
Ectomorphs: Characterised by a slim, lean physique with a fast metabolism, ectomorphs often struggle to gain weight. For these individuals, mass gainers with a higher calorie content, typically around 800-1000 calories per serving, are beneficial. Opt for products that contain a blend of carbohydrates and proteins, such as whey or casein, to ensure steady muscle growth. Brands like Labrada Muscle Mass Gainer or Ultimate Nutrition Prostar cater well to this body type by providing substantial calorie intake and protein levels.
Mesomorphs: With a naturally muscular build and an easier time gaining muscle mass, mesomorphs benefit from balanced mass gainers that offer moderate calorie content, typically around 500-800 calories per serving. A mix of protein (whey, casein) and complex carbohydrates helps enhance muscle growth without excessive fat gain. Products such as Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass and MuscleBlaze Super Gainer are well-suited for mesomorphs, providing a good balance of protein, carbs, and essential nutrients.
Endomorphs: Endomorphs tend to gain weight easily and may struggle with excess body fat. For these individuals, mass gainers with lower calorie counts, around 300-500 calories per serving, and a higher protein-to-carb ratio are ideal. They should focus on products that help in muscle gain without contributing to significant fat accumulation. Dymatize Nutrition Super Mass Gainer and Myprotein Impact Whey Protein offer such formulations, combining proteins with controlled carb levels to support lean muscle development.
There are different compositions of mass gainer supplements available in the market for different body types. This article helps you in understanding two fundamental factors that determine the brand and the composition of mass gainer you need to build a muscular and healthy body in a sustainable manner. First step is to understand what your body type is. Not every individual gains weight and muscles at the same rate, it depends on your metabolism rate and many other factors. The second is checking the composition of the mass gainer you are going to consume. Certain body types require a carbohydrate rich supplement, while the other kind might need a protein rich formulation. Assess your needs according to the information provided above and gain muscle mass appropriate for your body type. For all your protein and supplements needs, visit Genetic Nutrition!