To gain muscle mass, you need to eat numerous calories. The Serious Mass gainer from the reputable American manufacturer Optimum Nutrition will help supplement the main nutrition. The 5.44 kg package of the carbohydrate-protein mixture in comparison with other packaging options (1.36 and 2.72 kg) provides savings in terms of one serving.

Various flavors are available, including chocolate, banana, strawberry, vanilla.

The main components of the gainer are a combination of various carbohydrates (polysaccharides with fast, medium and slow absorption rates), as well as a mixture of quality proteins (whey concentrate, casein, egg albumin). With them, the body receives the necessary energy and building material for the muscles.

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass also contains additional components that promote muscle growth. These are creatine (1 g per serving), anabolic amino acids (glutamine and its peptides), vitamins and minerals. With their help, the supplement will provide a more balanced diet and can partially replace the main meals.

Serious Mass has one of the highest calories per serving (1250 kcal). However there was some exaggeration on the part of the manufacturer. So, each serving contains 334 grams, of which 250 grams are carbohydrates and 50 grams are proteins. This amount of micronutrients is simply not absorbed by the body at a time. Similarly, recommendations for admission are overestimated in Dymatize Nutrition Super Mass Gainer 5.4 kg Price from 4 055 up to 4 866 ₴.

It is more advisable to break one serving into 2-4 times, taking the mixture immediately after training, as well as between meals or instead of them. It is also allowed to gradually increase the amount of the mixture for a single dose.

You can dilute the gainer with water or milk in a sports shaker.

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass 5.44 kg is a must-have supplement for ectomorphs who have a hard time gaining weight. Also, this product is recommended for people with frequent and intense cardio loads (runners, football players, basketball players), those who do not have enough time for timely and regular meals.

Protein is the backbone of muscles. In order to increase muscle mass, you need to consume more protein foods and include special supplements in the diet. Whey protein Impact Whey Protein 2.5 kg from the British brand Myprotein is one of those that can provide the desired result with the best combination of quality and price.

The basis of the mixture is whey concentrate. The percentage of protein is comparable to some isolates. For example, a 25-gram serving of Myprotein Impact Whey Protein contains 84% protein (21 g). Of this amount, almost 40% are anabolic amino acids — BCAA (4.5 g) and glutamine (3.6 g).

Carbohydrates (including sugar) and fats in the supplement amount to less than 3 grams per serving, and the total calorie content is 103 kcal.

The quality of the product is confirmed by the highest rating given to the protein by the international research laboratory Labdoor in 2015.

Myprotein Impact Whey Protein 2.5 kg comes in a large bag that takes up less space than a can and is easy to transport. The customer can choose the appropriate protein flavors from over 20 options (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, tiramisu, various fruit flavors). Organic ingredients are used as flavorings. There is also an unflavored option: you can use it when cooking homemade dishes.

As noted in the reviews, the protein is easily mixed in milk, water or juice, but it foams quite strongly, which is why you have to wait before drinking a cocktail.

A small calorie content allows you to combine Myprotein Impact Whey Protein 2.5 kg with a gainer for those who are not gaining muscle mass well, or to take it without carbohydrate-protein mixtures for people prone to fullness.

The price per serving also speaks in favor of this protein. It turns out to be lower than that of such a low-cost option as OstroVit Standard WPC80.eu 2.3 kg .

Sports supplement 100% Creatine Monohydrate 500 g of the famous American brand BioTech is one of the most popular creatine on the market. It is recommended for mass gain, as it improves energy metabolism in muscle tissues, retains water in the muscles, making them bigger, which also has a positive effect on the intensity and strength of training.

The main and only component of this product is pharmaceutical grade creatine monohydrate. This type of supplement has undergone numerous tests and studies, and has the highest quality evidence base for effectiveness.

BioTech 100% Creatine Monohydrate 500 g does not contain any additives, including dyes or flavors, making it well combined with other sports nutrition, such as protein shakes or weight gainers.

You can also use creatine alone. It is advisable to dissolve the powder in juice or sweet water, which will act as a transport system and quickly deliver creatine to the muscles.

One serving of BioTech 100% Creatine Monohydrate 500 g contains 5 grams of creatine. Regardless of the intake regimen (read more in the article “Get Mass and Get Stronger: A Life Hack for Taking Creatine”), a 500-gram package will last at least 2 months, or even for the entire period of mass gain. At the same time, the price of the additive is lower than, for example, Universal Nutrition Creatine Powder 500 g Price from 1 323 up to 1 748 ₴.

The manufacturer packs a sports supplement both in a jar and in a package, which allows you to choose the best option. In some cases, according to buyers, there is no measuring spoon inside, which makes the dosage process somewhat difficult. In general, given the availability and reputation of the manufacturer, BioTech creatine can be recommended to anyone who wants to gain muscle mass.

The Amino X amino acid complex from the American company BSN will become a source of energy during intense strength training, protect muscles from destruction and reduce the recovery period after sports.

A 435 gram can contains 30 servings of amino acids.

The product is considered the world's first effervescent amino acids. They do not need to be vigorously stirred or shaken, they dissolve almost independently in water or any other drink, leaving no lumps.

BSN Amino X 435 g is distinguished by pleasant and varied flavors (including grape, pineapple, strawberry, apple, raspberry, fruit mix), easy to digest, and does not cause side effects.

Each serving of the dietary supplement contains 10 grams of micronized amino acids. First of all, there are BCAAs that have an anti-catabolic effect on the muscles (prevent their destruction). The composition also includes other amino acids: citrulline (promotes pumping and muscle nutrition); alanine (protects muscle tissue from acidification); taurine (tones the body and improves metabolic processes).

One 14.5-gram serving of BSN Amino X also provides vitamin D, sodium, a mixture of malic and citric acid, and no sugar.

BSN Effervescent Complex Amino Acids primarily protect muscles and help the body recover faster after a training process, as they contain BCAAs.

According to users, they also add energy and can partially or completely replace pre-workout complexes. The latter aspect makes these amino acids the preferred choice for bulking over regular BCAAs, which are available for less per serving.

Compared to similar amino acid complexes (e.g. Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy 270 g Price from 799 up to 2 094 ₴ or Scivation Xtend BCAAs 384 g Price from 1 099 up to 1 468 ₴) BSN Amino X 435 g is more affordable.

It is worth taking them before, during and after training, as well as immediately after waking up.

The period of gaining muscle mass is not complete without hard training, and they deplete the body and lead to a deficiency of nutrients. The Animal Pak vitamin-mineral complex from the American company Universal Nutrition will help to replenish it, boost immunity and improve the absorption of sports nutrition taken.

This product is one of the most popular sports supplements and the top seller in its category in the world according to Bodybuilding.com's Supplement Awards.

Animal Pak contains all the essential vitamins and minerals, including A, members of the B group (B1, B2, B6) C, E, D, as well as calcium, fluorine, zinc, manganese, etc. The dosage exceeds the daily allowance for the average person, but below the permissible maximum, so taking the complex will not cause hypervitaminosis or other side effects.

The emphasis is on B vitamins, which are directly involved in the formation of muscle mass: they affect the absorption of protein, slow down catabolism, replenish energy and have a tonic effect.

Animal Pak contains amino acid and antioxidant complexes, digestive enzymes and performance enhancing supplements. According to user reviews, the latter provide a feeling of cheerfulness, help to progress in training.

Antioxidants prevent oxidation processes, increase endurance, and amino acids additionally feed the muscles.

The task of digestive enzymes is to improve the absorption of vitamins and minerals, as well as the sports nutrition taken, for example, gainers or protein.

The disadvantages of Animal Pak include the high price, especially in terms of one daily dose (1 package for amateurs and two packages for professional athletes). The second disadvantage is the large size of the tablets (difficult to swallow) and their large number in one serving (11 pcs). Initially, you will have to spend a lot of time on the admission procedure.

Overall, Animal Pak is one of the best sources of vitamins and minerals for bodybuilders looking to gain muscle mass. It is worth considering that taking the complex by itself will not give a noticeable increase in strength indicators or muscles, but is effective in tandem with other sports nutrition for mass gain.