Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Review (2024)
In this Transparent Labs Mass Gainer review, we’ll be doing a deep dive into TL’s signature weight gain supplement. If you’re unfamiliar, mass gainers are a type of specialized high-calorie supplement for bulking, which have a higher calorie count than a standard protein powder.
Overall, for people looking to put on size, this is one of the highest-quality weight gainers out there. Below, we’ll be covering its formula, as well as some tips for how to use it. Let’s get into it!
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Review – For anybody who struggles with daily calorie intake when bulking, this supplement could be a great investment. With an all-natural formula, 730 calories, and 51g of protein per serving, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a higher-quality mass gainer than this.
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Review
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Flavors: Chocolate Glaze Donut, Sweet Vanilla
- Calories per serving: 750 KCAL
- Carbs per Serving: 110 grams
- Protein per Serving: 53 grams
- Carb-to-Protein Ratio: 2:1
- Number of Servings: 15
- Serving Size: 194 grams (2 scoops)
- Price per Serving: $5.34
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by Athletes: Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Pat Li, PAULINA
One of the common issues people have with bulking is struggling with calorie intake. If you find it difficult to eat in a consistent caloric surplus, then a mass gainer may be right for you.
The main issue with mass gainers is that they’re often chocked full of added sugars and artificial ingredients, which makes them a fairly unhealthy choice. However, this isn’t the case with Transparent Labs, which has no artificial ingredients or added sugar.
With 730 calories and 51g of protein per serving, this could be a great supplement for anybody struggling to hit their daily calorie goals.
Macronutrients Breakdown
Below we’ll be doing a deep dive into Transparent Labs Mass Gainer’s macro breakdown so you can decide if this supplement would fit well into your diet.
1. Source and Amount of Protein per Serving
First, and arguably most important is protein. If you’re trying to gain weight, we recommend aiming for 0.7-1g of protein per pound of body weight every day. For many people, this can be a struggle, so weight gainers or other protein powders can help you hit this target. Each serving of Transparent Labs’ mass gainer contains 51-53g of protein, which should cover a solid chunk of your daily protein intake.
This protein is also sourced from grass-fed whey concentrate. With grass-fed milk typically being considered healthier than regular dairy, this is a good sign of overall quality.
2. Source and Amount of Carbs per Serving
Up next are the carbs, which is where the majority of calories from this product will come. The carbs here are mainly sourced from Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, which should be an overall high-quality, easily digestible source of carbs. Each serving contains 106-110g of total carbs, which include a decent 4-6g of fiber and 12g of sugar. It’s worth noting that there is 0g of added sugar in this sugar.
3. Fats per Serving
The lowest macronutrient by far in this supplement is fat. While there is only 13-14g per serving, it’s worth noting that it does contain 11-12g of saturated fat. This is worth keeping in mind if you’re trying to limit your saturated fat intake. The fat is sourced from MCT Oil powder, which is thought to be a very easily digested form of fat.
4. Calories per Serving
All of these macronutrients add up to a total of 730-750 calories per serving. This will likely make up a significant amount of your calories for the day, although it may be exactly what you need if you regularly struggle to eat enough.
It’s worth noting that if you already eat in a consistent caloric surplus, adding an extra 700+ calories to your diet is not advisable. We recommend sticking to a moderate surplus of 250-500 calories per day to maximize muscle growth while limiting fat gain. So, aim to only use this product to help you stay within this range!
7 Key Advantages of Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Now that we’ve covered the macro breakdown of this supplement, we’ll be taking a closer look at why this is such a great mass gainer supplement. This includes things like the ratio of macros, third-party certification, and additional ingredients. Let’s get into it.
✅ Great Carb-to-Protein Ratio
First, as you can see from our macro breakdown above, Transparent Labs has a great carb-to-protein ratio. With mass gainers, it’s common for there to be way more carbs than protein. This may then make it difficult for users to hit their daily protein targets without eating in an excessive surplus.
Transparent Labs offers a solid 2:1 ratio of carbs-to-protein, which more accurately reflects the macro split found in a normal bulking diet. You can be confident you’re getting a solid amount of protein in each serving without taking in an unnecessarily high amount of carbs instead.
✅ Certified by Informed Choice!
Next, like many Transparent Labs products, this mass gainer is certified by Informed Choice. This is an organization that reviews products and ensures a high level of quality in their manufacturing process and formula. If you’re interested in learning more about Informed Choice and their process, check out their website here.
✅ Contains Creatine Monohydrate
Another pro of this product is the inclusion of Creatine Monohydrate, which is one of the most beneficial sports supplements available for performance, strength, and recovery. Each serving contains 3g of creatine, which is on the low end of the daily recommended dose for optimal effectiveness.
It’s worth noting we generally recommend taking creatine on its own instead of as part of a supplement like this. However, if you plan on using this mass gainer every day, it could be a convenient way to get your creatine in! With this being said, if you plan on using half servings, or only using this mass gainer when needed, consider investing in a standalone creatine supplement as well.
✅ Contains Plenty of Calcium and Potassium per Serving
While there aren’t a ton of added micronutrients here, each serving contains 20% of your DV for Calcium and 8% for Potassium respectively. If you plan on regularly using a mass gainer like this, we recommend prioritizing micronutrients in the rest of your diet or taking a multivitamin to ensure you’re not becoming deficient in anything.
✅ Contains 4-6g of Fiber per Serving
As mentioned above, each serving of Transparent Labs’ Mass Gainer contains 4-6g of carbs depending on the flavor. While this isn’t a huge amount, it is a decent chunk of your daily fiber. This is worth prioritizing as higher fiber intake is associated with better overall health!
✅ No Added Sugar!
Also, while this supplement does have a moderate amount of total sugar, it contains no added sugar! This is a major pro, especially compared to many other mass gainers which are full of added sugar. It’s also worth noting that it doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners either, with all of the flavoring coming from natural sources.
✅ What about Taste and Mixability?
There is no shortage of reviews raving about both the taste and texture of this mass gainer! This supplement currently has over 700 reviews with an average score of 4.6 stars! While taste is subjective, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about when it comes to the taste and texture of Transparent Labs’ products.
Does This Mass Gainer Have Significant Disadvantages?
While we do believe this is a great mass gainer, nothing’s perfect. Below we’ll be covering a couple of disadvantages associated with this product, including the sodium content and its cost.
❌ High Amount of Sodium per Serving
Each serving of this supplement contains 510-590mg of sodium, which is about 22-26% of your DV. Of course, this likely won’t be a major concern for most active people. However, if you’re trying to eat a lower-sodium diet, getting a quarter of your recommended daily intake from a single supplement may not be the best idea.
❌ High Price per Serving
As you can tell, Transparent Labs is a high-quality supplement brand, and their prices typically reflect this. Each serving of this supplement will cost you about $5.33, which is pricey, especially if you’re planning on using it every day.
However, as we’ll be covering below, we do have some tips on how to stretch this product out a bit longer.
How Do You Use Transparent Labs Mass Gainer?
While you could certainly take a full serving of TL’s mass gainer at a time, we don’t fully recommend that. Especially considering the cost and sodium content, this may not be the best idea. Instead, we recommend only using the product when necessary to hit your daily calorie targets.
For example, if you’re 300 calories away from hitting your daily target, consider taking a half serving instead! By following this strategy, your tub of mass gainer will last a lot longer, and you won’t be eating in an unnecessarily high caloric surplus – it’s a win-win!
It’s also worth noting that the recommended amount of protein per meal is ~0.2g/lb of body weight. As a result, you may also be better off taking several smaller servings throughout the day if you’re at a lower body weight!
The Final Verdict on TL’s Mass Gainer
Overall, if you’re in the market for a high-quality mass gainer supplement, you can’t go wrong with Transparent Labs. On top of having an excellent macro breakdown, it has a high-quality formula, and additional creatine, as well as being third-party certified.
It’s worth noting that the price is fairly high at over $5 per serving. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a higher-quality mass gainer than this for any cheaper. So, all things considered, we believe it’s still well worth the money.
FAQ
What Is Transparent Labs Mass Gainer?
If you’re unfamiliar with mass gainer, it’s essentially protein powder with added carbs and fats to maximize its calorie content. It’s typically used by athletes who struggle to eat enough calories throughout the day to help them put on muscle.
Is Transparent Labs Worth the Price?
Overall, this depends on your needs. If you don’t struggle with total caloric intake, you’re likely better off using a cheaper supplement like basic whey protein isolate. However, if you find it difficult to eat in a regular caloric surplus, then a mass gainer may be worth the money to you.
While this certainly isn’t a cheap product, from all our research, we don’t think there are any higher-quality mass gainers available.
Is It Ok to Drink Mass Gainer Every Day?
As long as you eat an overall healthy, whole foods-based diet, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with drinking mass gainer every day. This is especially true if you’re eating a diet otherwise rich in micronutrients, and you’re only using mass gainer in moderation to help you hit your daily calorie needs.
Conclusion
Overall, if you’re in the market for a mass gainer supplement, we believe Transparent Labs weight gainer will be your best choice. It has an excellent macro breakdown, the bonus of creatine, and solid third-party certification. While it is a bit pricey, for the right athlete, this supplement would be well worth the money.
If you struggle with gaining weight, we think Transparent Labs’ Mass Gainer could be a great investment. We hope our Transparent Labs mass gainer reviews can help you make a more informed choice!
Do you struggle to hit your daily calorie targets? Have you ever tried a mass gainer supplement before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read:
- Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate Review
- Transparent Labs Lean Pre Workout Review
- Transparent Labs Creatine Hmb Review
References:
- Everson A. Nunes, et. al, “Systematic review and meta-analysis of protein intake to support muscle mass and function in healthy adults,” Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 13, 795–810, (2022).
- Brad Heins, “Grass-fed cows produce healthier milk,” University of Minnesota Extension, https://extension.umn.edu/pasture-based-dairy/grass-fed-cows-produce-healthier-milk (Accessed February 8, 2023).
- The Nutrition Source, “Types of Fat,” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu /nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/ (Accessed February 8, 2023).
- Informed Choice Certification Process, “Informed Choice: Four Steps to Certification,” INformed Choice https://choice.wetestyoutrust.com /about/certification-process (Accessed February 4, 2023).
- Richard B. Kreider, et. al, “International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine,” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition volume 14, Article number: 18 (2017).
- Photos made by Torokhtiy Media team, photos of the Mass Gainer Transparent Labs made by transparentlabs.com
Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
The product testing process is described in more detail here
Camila has worked as a Nutritionist for 7 years. In addition to being a nutritionist, she is an amateur weightlifting athlete for 2 years. Camila has experience at Flamengo’s football base and in a food supplement company and currently provides services at a clinic. At the moment she is coursing a postgraduate study in Sports Nutrition.