Shop Weight Gainers at Myprotein
Weight gainers are calorie-dense formulas designed to help you increase your daily calorie intake when building muscle mass. These high-carbohydrate, high-protein powders combine quality protein sources with a blend of carbohydrates to deliver substantial calories in each serving, making them practical for anyone struggling to eat enough through whole foods alone.
Whether you're looking to add size, break through a plateau, or simply need a convenient way to hit your calorie targets, weight gainers offer a straightforward solution. Available in a range of flavours and formulations, they're built to mix easily into shakes and can be tailored to your specific calorie needs throughout your training cycle.
Who Weight Gainers Are For
Weight gainers suit anyone with high calorie requirements who finds it challenging to consume enough food throughout the day. This includes athletes in heavy training phases, individuals with naturally fast metabolisms, and those returning to training after time away who want to regain muscle mass efficiently.
They're particularly useful for people with demanding schedules who need quick, portable nutrition between meals. If you're consistently falling short of your calorie targets despite eating regular meals, a weight gainer can bridge that gap without requiring you to prepare additional food.
When to Use Weight Gainers
Many people use weight gainers between main meals or as a post-workout shake when their appetite might be suppressed but calorie needs remain high. They work well first thing in the morning for those who struggle with large breakfasts, or later in the evening as a final calorie boost before bed.
Timing depends entirely on your daily routine and when you find it hardest to eat solid food. Some split their serving across multiple smaller shakes throughout the day, whilst others prefer a single larger shake at a strategic time. The key is consistency in hitting your overall daily calorie target.
Weight Gainers Benefits
High Calorie Content
Weight gainers deliver substantial calories in a single serving, typically ranging from 400 to over 1,000 calories per shake. This concentrated calorie source makes it far easier to achieve the surplus needed for muscle growth without spending hours eating.
Protein for Muscle Support
Each serving provides a significant protein dose alongside the carbohydrates. Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass1, making weight gainers a practical way to meet both your calorie and protein requirements simultaneously.
Convenient and Portable
Weight gainers mix quickly with water or milk, requiring no preparation or cooking. You can take them to work, the gym, or anywhere you need nutrition on the go, making them ideal for busy lifestyles where meal prep isn't always practical.
Customisable Serving Sizes
You can adjust the serving size based on your specific needs, using a full scoop for maximum calories or a smaller amount when you need a lighter option. This flexibility lets you fine-tune your intake as your training phase or appetite changes.
Popular Picks
Looking for serious calorie density? Impact Whey Gainer offers a food-based alternative with 34g of protein per serving. Mix with water or milk for high-protein pancakes that can fit into your calorie-dense meal plan as a breakfast or snack option.
FAQs
What are weight gainers?
Weight gainers are high-calorie powder supplements that combine protein with carbohydrates to help you increase your daily calorie intake. They're formulated to provide substantial energy in each serving, typically ranging from 400 to over 1,000 calories, making them practical for anyone who struggles to eat enough whole food to meet their calorie targets.
How do weight gainers differ from protein powders?
Weight gainers contain significantly more carbohydrates and total calories than standard protein powders. Whilst protein powders focus primarily on delivering protein with minimal additional calories, weight gainers are designed to provide both protein and a substantial carbohydrate content to create a calorie surplus.
Protein powders typically contain 20-30g protein per serving with around 100-150 calories total, whilst weight gainers might deliver 30-50g protein alongside 50-250g carbohydrates for 400-1,000+ calories per serving.
How should I use weight gainers in my diet?
Mix the powder with water or milk according to the serving instructions on the label. You can consume weight gainers between meals, post-workout, or at any time when you need additional calories but find it difficult to eat solid food.
Start with a smaller serving to assess tolerance, then adjust based on your calorie requirements and how the product sits with you. Many people find it easier to split larger servings across multiple shakes throughout the day rather than consuming all at once.
Can I use weight gainers if I'm already eating large meals?
Weight gainers work best as a supplement to your regular diet when you're consistently falling short of your calorie targets. If you're already eating substantial meals but still not hitting your required intake, a weight gainer can bridge that gap without requiring you to force down more solid food.
However, if you're meeting your calorie needs through whole foods alone, additional weight gainer shakes would push you into an unnecessarily large surplus. Always calculate your total daily intake to ensure the weight gainer fits your specific requirements.
What's the difference between different weight gainer formulas?
Weight gainers vary primarily in their calorie content per serving, protein-to-carbohydrate ratio, and carbohydrate sources used. Some formulas provide moderate calories (400-600 per serving) with a higher protein ratio, whilst others deliver extreme calorie density (900-1,200 per serving) with more carbohydrates.
The carbohydrate sources also differ between products, with some using simple sugars for quick energy and others incorporating complex carbohydrates for sustained release. Choose based on your specific calorie needs, training schedule, and how your body responds to different carbohydrate types.
How do I choose the right weight gainer serving size?
Calculate your daily calorie target first, then determine how many calories you're realistically getting from whole foods. The gap between these numbers indicates how many calories you need from your weight gainer.
If you need 500 additional calories daily, you might use a full serving of a moderate-calorie formula, or a half serving of a higher-calorie product. You can always adjust serving sizes based on your appetite, training phase, and progress over time.
Can I mix weight gainers with other supplements?
Weight gainers mix well with additional ingredients to customise your shake. You can add creatine monohydrate for performance support, or blend in oats, nut butter, or banana to increase calories further and improve taste.
Just account for any additional calories from extra ingredients when tracking your total daily intake. Some people prepare weight gainer shakes in advance and store them in the fridge, though texture may change slightly after sitting.
Who developed Myprotein's weight gainer formulas?
Myprotein's expert nutritionists developed these formulas to deliver optimal calorie density whilst maintaining quality protein content. Each product is formulated based on the nutritional requirements of those looking to increase their calorie intake efficiently, with various options to suit different needs and preferences.
How quickly should I expect to see results from using weight gainers?
Results depend entirely on whether you're creating a consistent calorie surplus through your total daily intake, including the weight gainer. If you're successfully consuming more calories than you burn each day, you should notice changes in your body composition within several weeks.
Weight gainers are simply a tool to help you hit your calorie targets more easily. They don't produce results on their own – your overall diet, training programme, and consistency determine your progress. Track your weight and measurements weekly to monitor whether your calorie intake is appropriate for your goals.
What's the best way to make weight gainer shakes taste better?
Experiment with the liquid base first – some people prefer milk for a creamier texture and additional calories, whilst others use water for a lighter shake. Blending with ice creates a thicker, more satisfying consistency.
You can also add flavour enhancers like cocoa powder, instant coffee, cinnamon, or vanilla extract. Frozen fruit, nut butter, or a handful of oats can improve both taste and texture whilst adding extra nutrients and calories. A blender produces better results than a shaker for thicker, more complex shakes.
1. Protein contributes to a growth in muscle mass.