Should Skinny Guys Use Mass Gainers?
Short Summary:
This video discusses the effectiveness and suitability of mass gainers for skinny guys looking to bulk up. The speaker, Shane, explores the composition of mass gainers (protein, carbs, additives), their potential benefits (muscle gain, calorie surplus management), and drawbacks (processed ingredients, potential for excessive fat gain if not used carefully). He details his personal experience using commercial and homemade gainers, highlighting the importance of mindful calorie consumption and the eventual transition to whole foods as his dietary needs changed. The overall implication is that mass gainers can be a helpful tool for bulking, but they shouldn't be the sole focus and should be used judiciously alongside a balanced diet. Shane describes his process of creating a homemade gainer shake, using whey protein, maltodextrin, spirulina, and creatine.
Detailed Summary:
The video is structured around Shane's personal experience and exploration of mass gainers.
Section 1: Introduction and the Promise of Mass Gainers: Shane introduces the topic, highlighting the appeal of mass gainers as a convenient way for skinny individuals to gain weight and muscle. He acknowledges the tempting promise but also raises concerns about their heavily processed nature.
Section 2: Composition and Nutritional Aspects: Shane breaks down the typical components of mass gainers: protein powder (e.g., whey protein concentrate), starchy carbs (e.g., maltodextrin, waxy maize, oats), and additives for flavor and texture. He explains that mass gainers are often low in dietary fat by design, emphasizing that while the body can store protein and carbs as fat, it's a less efficient process than storing dietary fat. He cites a study showing that weight gainers can lead to muscle gain without fat gain, provided calorie surplus isn't excessive.
Section 3: Potential Drawbacks and Misuse: Shane addresses the common concern of fat gain associated with mass gainers. He clarifies that this is usually due to overconsumption of calories, not the gainer itself. He stresses the importance of careful portion control due to the large serving sizes of these products.
Section 4: Personal Experience with Commercial and Homemade Gainers: Shane shares his experiences with various commercial mass gainers (Quick Mass, Serious Mass, Mutant Mass, Myoplex), expressing dissatisfaction with their taste and texture and the lethargy he experienced. He then describes his transition to making his own gainer shakes, detailing the ingredients (60g whey protein, 90g maltodextrin, 5g spirulina, 5g creatine) and his consumption method (sipping during workouts and finishing afterward). He notes that while this was still a "filling awful sludge," it provided sustained energy during his workouts and helped him manage his calorie intake.
Section 5: Long-Term Perspective and Recommendations: Shane explains that the gainers primarily helped him avoid calorie deficits after intense workouts. He emphasizes that his success was partly due to a generally healthy diet and that his needs changed as he gained weight and experience. He now prefers whole foods for calorie surplus and only uses gainers occasionally if needed. He advises viewers to prioritize whole foods for their nutritional benefits and use gainers sparingly as a supplementary tool. He concludes by suggesting alternatives like smoothies or trail mix for extra calories. A notable quote is his recommendation to "try to get more of your extra calories from real foods."