This is a common question from beginner mass gainer drinkers. Many will say to drink a mass gainer post-workout to best assimilate all the calories from your shake. However, there is more to it.
You should take mass gainer after a workout if you are in a rush and can’t fit in a regular whole-food meal. You can also take a mass gainer before your workout as a meal replacement.
Wait, so you can drink a mass gainer before or after a workout? You can. And I’m going to explain why.
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Why Take Mass Gainer Before Working Out?
It may seem counterintuitive to take mass gainer before a workout. But it’s important to realize mass gainer is simply a meal in liquid form. Especially if you’re choosing weight gain supplements made from whole food sources.
Quality mass gainers will give you 500-700 calories with approximately 50 g of protein and up to 100 g of carbohydrates. This is perfect as a meal replacement and is relatively easy to digest. I don’t recommend drinking this directly before a workout. But a meal earlier in the day, such as breakfast or lunch, can provide the fuel you need for your workout.
For example, if you like to hop out of bed minutes before you need to leave the house, mass gainer would make a suitable breakfast as you drive to work. This could potentially be your pre-workout meal before a late morning gym session.
Why Take Mass Gainer After A Workout?
Taking mass gainer after a workout is a convenient way to get a high protein and carbohydrate meal without needing to cook, reheat, or sit down to eat. So, if you need to rush back to the office or sit in traffic after your workout, it is an excellent time to chug a mass gainer.
Cheaper mass gainers loaded with maltodextrin can be useful in this situation since fast-digesting carbohydrates and protein work well after a workout.
Should You Take Mass Gainer Before Or After A Workout?
Taking a mass gainer before or after a workout is really up to you. As it is simply a meal replacement, take it any time of the day you find convenient. Some people like to use it as a breakfast replacement. Others use mass gainer as a meal during a busy work day.
Others like to finish their night with mass gainer as they’ve eaten their regular meals and can sip on a shake even if they feel full. There is no right or wrong in this scenario.
Summary
Take your mass gainer before or after your workout, as it has no bearing on your gains. A mass gainer is simply a replacement for a regular whole-food meal, so you can opt not to take a mass gainer on days you’re home.