honestly, why do people even use gainers?

[ARWIII]

It could be done. Sounds like a horrible time. But either way it's calories.

True. I just laugh hard thinking of someone trying to do that chit for years on end. I'd be so used to Diarrhea; I could be that guy that chits in the urnals and everyone would be cool with it cause theres no solids.

[Mr.Cooper69]

imo gainers are a quick simple solution to a problem people dont want to correct. Their loaded with cheap junk and chemicals, whole foods ALWAYS are a superior source of calories. That being said they are very convenient for some. Personally the idea of downing 125 grams of maltodextrin makes me nauseous. But OP, it comes down to ease of use and good ol marketing

This is quite the blanket statement. Many gainers use the same exact carb sources most people here consider healthy. The same "top quality" protein sources people here use. And the same healthy fats. I'd say about 80% use malto but many others do use some legit ingredients

[BULLED]

This is quite the blanket statement. Many gainers use the same exact carb sources most people here consider healthy. The same "top quality" protein sources people here use. And the same healthy fats. I'd say about 80% use malto but many others do use some legit ingredients

Do you think sugar/malto/dextro can be considered "healthy"?

[Mr.Cooper69]

Do you think sugar/malto/dextro can be considered "healthy"?

if healthy means rich in micronutrients, then no. but I'm referring to fairly well known gainers that don't use malto as the main ingredient.

i.e. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mhp/mass.html

Main carbs: barley and oats....I'm sure many "hardcore" BBers just eat oats as their carb source with every meal

[BULLED]

if healthy means rich in micronutrients, then no. but I'm referring to fairly well known gainers that don't use malto as the main ingredient.

i.e. http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/mhp/mass.html

Main carbs: barley and oats....I'm sure many "hardcore" BBers just eat oats as their carb source with every meal

Gotcha I honestly do not think a lifter or bodybuilder needs "fast acting" simple carbs pre-intra-post, nor at any time of the day. Never believed in all that insulin spiking stuff.

[Valhallabound86]

Who honestly cares?

[RebelAlliance12]

Unwillingness to be educated... They don't want to hear that milk,oats, PB, and whey are far superior to gainers. A lot of people thing they are going to help gain amazing muscle fast.. Your not.. Most are crap formulas...

[ktothewire]

Unwillingness to be educated... They don't want to hear that milk,oats, PB, and whey are far superior to gainers. A lot of people thing they are going to help gain amazing muscle fast.. Your not.. Most are crap formulas...

We got a professor over here!

[Valhallabound86]

Unwillingness to be educated... They don't want to hear that milk,oats, PB, and whey are far superior to gainers. A lot of people thing they are going to help gain amazing muscle fast.. Your not.. Most are crap formulas...

Please explain to me how they're superior.

If you're after calorie fillers, they should be more or less equivalent. And if you're micromanaging carb sources/etc while bulking, it's not really worthwhile.

[RebelAlliance12]

Superior as in whole food should always come before supplementation..

[02Sixxer]

It seems most people around here use iifym (no need to start the debate on how it is not something you "use", you get what I mean), or if they don't, they are directed to read up on the concept. With this in mind, most people are not eating a whole ton of calories even when bulking. Personally my bulk calories are around 28-3200 calories a day. This can be done more than easily through 3 meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a dessert type meal before bed. I really don't understand why people have to use gainers to get their calories in. My 3 meals are all easily around 800 calories, and my dessert which is some type of greek yogurt w/ protein powder and peanut butter and whatever else, eeeeasily gets me to where I need to be. In fact, I'm really only fully satiated throughout the day if I go OVER what I need for bulking calories; even my recommended bulking calories leave me at times in the day somewhat wanting food. I don't even consider myself a hefty eater, I think I just eat basic meals that most normal people eat. This leads me to wonder, how on earth do people honestly need a shake that contains just as much crap as they can throw in it as possible just to reach calorie goals? Only thing I can assume is that I make a similar thing sometimes but just call it a smoothie- banana, pb, milk, protein powder, spinach.

because its easy.
because its convenient.
because its cost effective.
because some people have busy lives, jobs, and or family events that keep them from stopping everything and eating a full meal.

Weight gainers are great to replace a meal when thing are hectic. Like me I am a SWAT Operator. I keep Gainer in my bag at all times. I can be called out and on a scene for 8 hours with no access to food. I have a shaker, water and gainer in my bag. Mix, drink, replenish. Calories in.

[Valhallabound86]

Superior as in whole food should always come before supplementation..

Not this tired old argument.

Everyone knows that. Gainers are fine as they are, in the same way that protein bars are. If they're used supplementally for those needing to fit calories into their diets quickly with little time to plan, then they're fine. I agree with your sentiment in regards to people who utilize them in lieu of whole food when they have time to prepare meals/etc. But we can't demonize them as a whole due to this fact.

[ricardomg93]

Easy calories + protein

[xStevenx]

a lot of people think there are something magic. It will put muscle on you, but not fat!

I thought that 8 years ago. LOL I gained some weight...and a few inches on my waist lol

[dwill094]

^^ My mass gainer

[Rob1882]

^^ My mass gainer

haha

Winning!

[xLGx]

^^ My mass gainer

A whopping 4-6g of protein, cool.

[xavengedx23]

^^ My mass gainer

Chipotle is probably the best "mass gainer"

[G Diesel]

When my goal was to pack on size, I just used a gainer to take in calories when I didn't feel like eating a meal.

When you aren't hungry, it is way easier to drink 12 ounces of fluid than it is to have to chew and swallow a whole food meal.

It is a cheap and easy way to "sneak in" an extra 1000 "clean" calories.

Peace, G

[Rob1882]

A whopping 4-6g of protein, cool.

Could be Vanilla Cupcake Batter Pronom Ice cream tho ;p

[DASBUNKER]

The only issue is people think they'll instantly gain weight/muscle taking them, there are some with solid profiles. Same with fat burners... can't beat the logic of using both a gainer and burner for lean gains body recomp.

[chemo29]

The only issue is people think they'll instantly gain weight/muscle taking them, there are some with solid profiles. Same with fat burners... can't beat the logic of using both a gainer and burner for lean gains body recomp.

had to reread your post twice
at first I tought you said some mass gainers are marketed as mass gainers+fat burner lol
(I guess it's a matter of time before some smart ass sprinkles some CLA and green coffee bean to a gainer and market it as a fat burning mass gainer)

[AMeyer9]

A whopping 4-6g of protein, cool.

beat me to it lol

[Always89Clutch]

There is so many ways you could logically use a gainer. We all know eating more food is the answer to growth, but come on really? I dont know how many times I drank a gainer with my meal cause I wanted the extra calories, or didnt have time to eat, or just was too full to eat.

[XCriticalBenchX]

I use my mass gainz all the time. Sometimes, I don't have time to cook, or I am not in the mood to eat. Also, for some reason, gainers settle in my stomach much better than whole foods.

Mike

[xStevenx]

^^ My mass gainer

inducing diabetic keto acidosis lol

[Michaelmhmhmh]

Good question I could gain weight without even trying.

[Farley1324]

Because they haven't heard of milk or chocolate milk.

[XCriticalBenchX]

inducing diabetic keto acidosis lol

Mehh.. go for it!!!! Nothing an insulin drip can't reverse!!!!

Mike

[cumminslifter]

had to reread your post twice
at first I tought you said some mass gainers are marketed as mass gainers+fat burner lol
(I guess it's a matter of time before some smart ass sprinkles some CLA and green coffee bean to a gainer and market it as a fat burning mass gainer)

now your onto something