Unlike the traditional perception that mass gainers are solely for male bodybuilders, many women are recognizing the unique benefits these supplements offer in order to gain weight. Weight gainers are designed to help individuals increase their caloric intake in a convenient way, which is particularly beneficial for women who struggle to meet their goals through food, who are looking to put on muscle mass, or who want to gain weight.

For women who do resistance training, a mass gainer can provide the necessary nutrients to support muscle growth and repair. Additionally, women with fast metabolisms or who are starting their journey to building lean muscle mass might find it challenging to consume enough calories through regular meals. In these scenarios, a mass gainer offers a practical and effective means to ensure they are meeting their body's demands.

It doesn't have to be a challenge to figure out what the best weight gainer for women is. We did all the work for you, so all you have to do is pick which is best for your needs.

What is a Weight Gainer?

A weight gainer supplement is a dietary supplement meant for individuals who want to increase their macronutrient intake and gain weight. They vary from traditional protein supplements in that they are packed with protein, fat, carbohydrates, and sometimes vitamins and minerals, making them an efficient solution for those aiming to eat more calories, gain muscle, gain weight enhance muscle recovery, and boost protein intake.

They are commonly consumed by bodybuilders, athletes, and individuals who have a hard time gaining or maintaining their body weight. Although a goal of weight gain may seem ludicrous to some, it is an imperative supplement for many people. They are often consumed in place of meals, but some people will incorporate them as a staple in their diet as a post-gym recovery shake to increase their daily intake of calories to increase weight gain.

The most commonly way people consume mass gainer is through a protein shake. Some people drink their mass gainer straight with either water or milk, but there are many online recipes that utilize ingredients like banana, Greek yogurt, whole milk, skim milk, peanut butter, and oats. It's an easy and efficient way to support weight gain, increase muscle growth, and consume even more calories.

Consuming enough energy dense foods to keep up with a resistance training program can be an extremely difficult task. In order to avoid weight loss, women may find it beneficial to consume their extra macros through mass gainers, as it is an efficient way to increase their energy intake, which in turn makes it even easier to crush intense workouts so they can gain mass and put on more weight.

How is a Mass Gainer Different from a Protein Powder?

Protein powder is one of the most widely consumed supplements for gym enthusiasts, athletes, and those trying to boost their daily protein intake. Although protein powder delivers a high amount of protein per serving, it generally lacks high quantities of other macronutrients which are imperative for weight gain. Whey protein is a great option if all you care about is getting your protein count in daily. However, in order to gain weight, you'll need more than high protein counts. This is where mass gainers come in to play.

Mass gainers pack on the calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fat that are necessary in order to build muscle and gain weight. You must be in a caloric surplus if your desired goal is gain weight. Weight gainers, or mass gainers, provide a distinct macronutrient profile making it the perfect solution to getting in your additional caloric needs.

Of course, you can always make a protein shake and add in your extra ingredients to bump the calorie count to assist your weight gain. You can also do this with mass gainers. The difference is that it isn't necessary to add anything to mass gainers in order to boost the macro profile. This makes mass gainers a really effective and easy solution for anyone needing a quick meal replacement on the go, an extra stacked snack to help you reach your goals, or a tasty way to consume many calories in one sitting.

So, what is the best weight gainer?

#1 Mass Gainer - Transparent Labs

If you're looking for the best mass gainers on the market, look no further. Coming for the number one spot is Transparent Labs Mass Gainer. Known for their use of high-quality, scientifically-backed ingredients in their products, Transparent Labs didn't drop the ball when it came to creating a mass gainer packed with everything you'll need for weight gain.

What's In It?

This mass gainer comes in two delicious flavors. Each flavor boasts three grams of pure creatine monohydrate, Grass-Fed whey protein concentrate, slow- and fast-digesting carbohydrates in form of tapioca maltodextrin, sweet potato flour, and VitaFiber®. This is the perfect formula to support weight gain, assist energy intake, and build muscle.

The Breakdown:

In every 2-scoop (194 grams) serving of the Chocolate Glaze Donut formula, you’ll get: 

• Calories: 750

• Protein: 53 grams

• Carbs: 110 grams

• Fat: 14 grams

• Dietary Fiber: 6 grams

How It Compares:

As with all Transparent Labs products, there are no artificial sweeteners, flavors, coloring, and the mass gainer is gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO. Something that also stands out about Transparent Labs is their dedication to third-party testing, ensuring you get exactly what the label promises, the Mass Gainer is the ultimate protein supplement for women for effective weight gain and to build lean muscle mass. 

Aside from their amazing artificial-free formulation, a standout feature of Transparent Labs Mass Gainer formula is having such high calories with very little sugar (12 g sugar per 110 g carbs). This is an important factor for weight gainers because excessive sugar consumption has been found to be linked to lower muscle strength in adolescents.

There is also 20 percent of the required daily intake of fiber, per serving of mass gainer. This is helpful for improving digestion and reducing symptoms of bloating or gastrointestinal discomfort some experience from consuming protein supplements. For many reasons, this is the best of the best mass gainers and one of the easiest ways to initiate weight gain.

This comes in two different flavors, mentioned above is Chocolate Glaze Donut, but it also comes in a Sweet Vanilla flavor offering the opportunity to indulge in a gourmet vanilla-based treat without the excess fat and sugars or empty calories from tradition treats.

It's worth noting that Transparent Labs has a Vegan Mass Gainer as well if you're looking for protein supplements that boost overall macro intake while straying from traditional whey protein or dairy-based mass gainers for weight gain.

The cost of Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is $5.33 per serving and each tub comes with 15 servings.

 #2 Pro Gainer - Optimum Nutrition

Coming in second place is Optimum Nutrition's Pro Gainer. Optimum Nutrition has become one of the most well-known brands in the fitness industry. This weight gainer is designed to help individuals build muscle and achieve healthy weight gain, the Pro Gainer formula is packed with high-quality ingredients to help you recover from your workouts.

What's In It?

This Pro Gainer is formulated with over 20 different micronutrients including 30 percent of your daily Vitamin c needs, 45 percent of your daily calcium, and 40 percent of daily folate needs. It's a whey protein blend consisting of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, and hydrolyzed whey protein.

The Breakdown:

In every single scoop (165 grams) serving of the Double Chocolate formula, you’ll get: 

• Calories: 650

• Protein: 60 grams

• Carbs: 81 grams

• Fat: 9 grams

• Dietary Fiber: 5 grams

How It Compares

This weight gainer is good for those who are looking to get high protein intake, but with a lower calorie intake. It is also good for women who want a bit less carbohydrates in their gainer as this has almost 30 less grams of carbohydrates compared to the top pick. This pick is high in micronutrients, setting it apart from other weight gainers.

Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer is banned-substance tested, ensuring the mass gainer does not contain any substances that are banned by various sports organizations. It is worth noting that the formula does include artificial flavors, and is sweetened with sucralose.

Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer comes in Double Chocolate and Vanilla Custard flavors, making it the perfect way to gain muscle while having a tasty treat to curb your sweet tooth. You can add either flavor to a protein shake and pretend you're eating chocolate or vanilla ice cream without it taking away from your fitness goals.

The cost of Optimum Nutrition's Pro Gainer is $5.42 per serving for the five pound tub, or $4.14 per serving for the ten pound tub.

#3 Vegan Mass Gainer - Naked Nutrition

Striving for optimal health and well-being, Naked Nutrition has formulated an impressive mass gainer supplement free from preservatives, artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors, delivering you all-natural through and through. It's also the only unflavored pick on our list to assist you with weight gain.

What's In It?

With five various vegan flavors to choose from, this plant-based protein blend includes a combination of pea protein and brown rice protein. It is gluten-free, organic, and made with complex carbs. The formula contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors.

The Breakdown:

In each 4-scoop (315 grams) serving of the Mass Vegan Unflavored formula, you’ll get:

• Calories: 1,230

• Protein: 50 grams

• Carbs: 248 grams

• Fat: 4 grams

• Dietary Fiber: 4 grams

How It Compares:

This vegan pick is impressive with it's 50 grams of protein. For women with vegan dietary habits, it can be harder to enter a calorie surplus, even while eating calorie dense foods, in order to gain weight. This formula packs in the protein, has more calories than the top two picks, and includes 90 percent of your daily carbohydrate intake. It is worth consider the 24 grams of sugar in the unflavored option, making it a less appealing option for women who are trying to keep their sugar intake limited to natural foods like fresh or frozen fruits.

It's a great option for any women who experience bloating of uncomfortable digestion from traditional whey protein or protein concentrate supplements. Vegan protein can be a great alternative, as the discomfort usually occurs from the dairy whey protein is derived from.

It is important to be in a calorie surplus if you are a woman looking to gain weight and add muscle mass, and this pick is packed with 1,230 calories, making it easier to hit your daily calorie intake. Besides the Unflavored option, you'll also find vegan flavors in Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate PB, and Double Chocolate, making it a great way to gain weight while feeling like you're drinking a chocolate milkshake.

The price of Vegan Mass Gainer is $5.90 per serving and each eight pound tub comes with 11 servings.

#4 Natural Gainer - True Athlete

This mass gainer is a good option for those who want a mass gainer that still provides enough protein to boost your muscle gain and provide serious mass, but has fewer calories and macronutrient content than other options on the list.

What's In It?

True Athlete's Mass Gainer formula is free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners, and it is formulated with dairy that is free from rBGH Bovine growth hormones. Natural Gainer contains healthy fats like sunflower seeds and flax seeds and a stage-released blend of carbohydrates. It's a great option for women who are looking for an impressive marco profile without taking away from their regular eating patterns.

It has a protein blend that includes hormone-free whey protein concentrate, protein from whey isolate, and includes a fast and slow carbohydrate blend as well as a healthy fats blend. If you struggle to consume enough energy dense foods, this may be a great solution as it contains a decent macro and micronutrient profile.

The Breakdown:

In each 4-scoop (135.5 grams) serving of the Chocolate flavored Natural Gainer, you’ll get:

• Calories: 510

• Protein: 35 grams

• Carbs: 70 grams

• Fat: 8 grams

• Dietary Fiber: 3 grams

How It Compares:

While it still pushes impressive numbers, there is less of each macronutrient profile in this formula. It has enough protein to make a significant dent in your daily intake and beats your average whey protein. This mass gainer keeps a decent fat content, while providing a nice amount of carbohydrates, protein, and calories to your diet. This is a great option for women who aren't looking for weight loss or significant weight gain, but who want to maintain calorie intake and increase their lean muscle mass.

This weight gainer has a lower calorie content, while maintaining a high carbohydrate and protein profile. The calorie content is also significantly lower than other options on the list making it a great addition after resistance training in order to hit your protein goals quickly without it having to replace a meal.

If you're hoping for something more dense in calories, you can turn it into a shake by adding peanut butter, Greek yogurt, or oats. This will help bump your calorie, fat, protein, and carb intake to help you put on extra weight.

This formula also boasts 17 percent of your daily needs in both iron and calcium which can be especially important for women. Not all weight gainers contain a micronutrient profile, so that's an added bonus to this weight gainer.

The price of Natural Gainer is $3.13 per serving, making it an affordable way to get in the extra calories for muscle growth without it being overkill.

#5 Carnivor Mass - MuscleMeds

Coming in at number five, we have the MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass supplement. Made with hydrolyzed beef protein and higher quantities of creatine monohydrate, this weight gainer is designed to boost weight gain and muscle mass in a hurry. 

What's In It:

This weight gainer is different because it doesn't contain any dairy, which makes it a great pick for any women that follow a lactose-free diet. This weight gainer is formulated with 99 percent pure beef isolate and has a high concentration of amino acids. Their formula is a solid alternative for those who experience bloating and water retention from regular whey protein powder.

The Breakdown:

In each 4-scoop (194 grams) serving of the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor, you’ll get:

• Calories: 720

• Protein: 50 grams

• Carbs: 125 grams

• Fat: 2 grams

• Dietary Fiber: 3 grams

How It Compares:

Although this weight gainer is a solid option for those seeking to consume enough calories to gain serious mass, it is still lighter on its macronutrient profile. The calorie, protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber content are less than many of the other picks on the list, however, it's a great high quality protein pick for those seeking to build muscle and keep their lactose levels down. This is a low fat option as it contains the least amount of fat from the top picks.

It comes in Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Fudge, Vanilla Caramel, and Strawberry flavors, providing a delicious way to consume extra calories when you are experiencing low appetite, weight loss and looking to support weight gain and an increase in lean muscle mass. Not to mention, having 5 grams of creatine offers additional strength benefits to give athletes more power and endurance during higher-intensity workouts.

The price of Carnivor Mass is $5.09 per serving, and each six pound tub comes with 14 servings.

How Women's Needs Differ:

Women have unique needs when it comes to gaining weight and gaining muscle. While the beauty industry pushes a narrative that women should have low body weight, body mass index (BMI), and push a weight loss agenda, we see an industry shift that is leading more women to switch from decreasing weight and being skinny to strong and increasing muscle mass.

For some women, the shift to eating more calories within a balanced diet can be difficult. The only way to actually gain weight is to consume more calories than you are burning in a day (calories in versus calories out) and a weight gainer is an incredible way to intake many calories without adding too much body fat. It can be taken in addition to calorie dense foods, or as a meal replacement shake.

Women also have different micronutrient needs as compared to men. Some of the main needs women have as compared to men:

1. Iron

• Needs: Essential for the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood.

• Women’s Needs: Women of reproductive age have higher iron requirements (18 mg/day) compared to men (8 mg/day) due to menstrual blood losses.

• Natural Sources: Red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, spinach, and fortified cereals.

2. Calcium

• Needs: Vital for bone health, muscle function, and nerve transmission.

• Women’s Needs: Women, especially postmenopausal women, need more calcium (1,200 mg/day) to prevent osteoporosis due to a decrease in estrogen levels, which can lead to bone loss.

• Natural Sources: Dairy products, leafy green vegetables, fortified plant-based milks, and calcium-fortified foods.

3. Vitamin D

• Needs: Aids in calcium absorption, supports immune function, and is crucial for bone health.

• Women’s Needs: Women nee adequate vitamin D (600 IU/day, increasing to 800 IU/day after age 70) to support bone health, particularly during and after menopause.

• Natural Sources: Sunlight exposure, fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and supplements.

4. Folate (Vitamin B9)

• Needs: Essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation; crucial during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

• Women’s Needs: Women of childbearing age need more folate (400 mcg/day, increasing to 600 mcg/day during pregnancy) to support reproductive health and fetal development.

• Natural Sources: Leafy greens, legumes, nuts, and fortified cereals.

Other Thoughts on Women's Needs & Considerations:

Psychological Factors:

• Body Image: Women may face societal pressures and body image concerns that can affect their approach to weight and muscle gain. Focusing on performance and health rather than appearance can be beneficial. Women are also often the victims of diet culture, so it is best to remember to focus on how your body feels after you consume foods rather than prescribing to a new diet trend.

• Support and Motivation: Having a supportive environment, whether through friends, family, or fitness communities, can help women stay motivated and committed to their goals. Shifting conversations away from weight, and instead focusing on the capabilities of your body can be a fun way to engage with community.

• Mental Health: How you feel about yourself will always be more important than what you weigh, or what your aesthetics are. Make sure that whether you are starting your weight gain journey, or you've been on the grind to gain weight for a while, that it can be a challenge to mental health as your body makes changes. This is especially true for gaining weight. Remember the best weight is the weight that you feel your best at.

Health Considerations:

• Menstrual Cycle: Tracking the menstrual cycle can help women optimize their training and nutrition around different phases, leveraging times of higher energy and strength. This is called cycle syncing and may help women achieve their weight gain goals and help them in optimizing their resistance training. Women also burn more calories during their menstruation phase, so it will be important to monitor intake of extra calories when you're in that phase of your cycle.

• Bone Health: Weight-bearing exercises are essential for maintaining bone density, which is particularly important for women as they age.

• Aging: As we age, it can be more difficult to gain weight as appetites slow down, activity levels slowly change, and metabolisms shift to a slower pace. Maintaining healthy weight gain will be harder with age.

• Body Mass Index: Although BMI isn't the official indicator of overall health, it can be a useful tool when observing body composition and health. Paying close attention to body fat percentages as you increase calorie intake and gain weight will help you maintain overall health and wellness as you aim to gain mass.

• Hormones: progesterone and estrogen both play a major role in women's health and can influence muscle growth and fat distribution within the body. Especially during menstruation, women may experience variations in their strength, energy levels, recovery times, and maintaining a balanced diet.

• Basil Metabolic Rate: Women also typically require fewer calories than men due to generally having a lower basal metabolic rate (BMR). However, they still need to boost their caloric intake to create a surplus for increase in muscle. This can come in form of whey protein powder, weight gainers, of consuming more energy dense foods.

• Dietary Changes: It's also a great option for women with any newer dietary changes. Whether you're finding you have an allergy and need a soy free protein powder, or you need to go a low fat route, there are plenty of options to allow you to meet your needs without compromising your diet. There are vegan and dairy free options as well in order to assist your intake on any diet you prescribe to.

• Blood pressure: As you gain weight, your body will have to work harder to move blood through your system. As you get closer to your desired weight, be mindful of monitoring your blood pressure.

As always when switching up any dietary habits or adding supplements into your routine, it may be best to look at your medical history and connect with your health care provider to ensure that a weight gainer is the right option for you. Even if you are already taking a whey protein supplement, a mass gainer differs in many ways.

Although there is limited data specifically addressing how women's needs may differ from men's needs with a weight gainer, it is important to address any concerns or questions you may have. This is especially important to do if the necessity for gaining weight is for medical purposes.

Weight gain can also be an uncomfortable topic socially and personally. There are many services including mental health care if you are struggling with body image issues, body dysmorphia, or any other type of self-confidence issues linked to your perception of your body.

Picking the Correct Weight Gainer:

Weight gainers are not all created equally. When adding a weight gainer to your supplement regiment you'll want to keep a few things in mind:

Nutritional Content: Check the macronutrient breakdown (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) to ensure it aligns with your weight gain goals and needs. Some weight gainers are high in sugars and unhealthy fats, which may not be suitable for everyone.

Caloric Intake: Monitor your overall daily caloric intake. Weight gainers are designed to provide a high number of calories in a single serving, which can contribute significantly to your daily intake. Adjust your diet accordingly to avoid excessive calorie consumption.

Quality of Ingredients: Look for weight gainers with high-quality ingredients, such as complex carbohydrates and high-quality protein sources. Avoid those with excessive artificial additives, fillers, and low-quality ingredients.

Digestive Tolerance: Some weight gainers can cause digestive discomfort due to their high-calorie and nutrient density. Start with smaller servings to assess your tolerance and gradually increase as needed. You want to make sure you gain weight in the right ways, not from digestive issues.

Timing and Usage: Use weight gainers strategically, such as after workouts to aid recovery or as a meal replacement when you cannot consume whole foods. Avoid relying solely on weight gainers for your nutritional needs. They are meant to help with weight gain and energy intake, they are not meant to be your sole food source.

Hydration: Ensure adequate hydration, as high protein and carbohydrate intake can increase your water needs.

Conclusion

Gaining weight is a no nonsense commitment. It becomes a full-time job for women to consume enough calorie dense foods to hit their macronutrient goals for gaining weight, keeping body fat low, and increasing muscle mass. A weight gainer is a perfect solution for women who need more calories and can't hit their other goals with a traditional protein powder supplement.

The right weight gainer can be a game-changer for women. This comprehensive guide highlights a variety of mass gainers, each tailored to meet different nutritional needs and preferences, from high-calorie options for maximum muscle gain to specialized formulas for those with dietary restrictions. Whether you're a bodybuilder, an athlete, or simply someone struggling to consume enough calories through regular meals, there's a weight gainer out there that fits your lifestyle and dietary requirements.

By considering factors such as ingredient quality, flavor, and nutritional content, you can select a mass gainer that not only supports your fitness goals but also aligns with your health priorities. Empowered with the right supplement, achieving your weight and muscle gain goals can become a more attainable and fulfilling journey.