Protein Powder - How to Choose?

[Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 18:59

Happy New Year OzBargainers!

I've finally decided it's time to bulk up a little.

However, I don't have a clue as to what kind of protein powder I should take. For example, I had a look at Chemist Warehouse, they stock 6 pages of protein powder that look identical to my untrained eyes!

Please suggest something that adds muscle mass while being suitable for beginners (don't want to try something too extreme just yet!). Thanks for taking the time to help!

Cheers

P.s. some personal stats if that would help:
4 years of continuous gym training; 6+ days a week, 1hr session per day (moderate to high intensity).
BMI: 20.1
Body fat: <6%
Motive: I recently managed to perform the elusive "one-arm chin up" after 10 months of intensive training, not the most perfect form, but still pretty cool. That's pretty much the only exercise (I'm interested in) that requires a seriously low body mass. So now, I'm just looking at bulking up somewhat (maybe by 5-10kgs, not too much) without compromising my body fat or power-to-size ratio.

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • rgr on 03/01/2017 - 19:02
    +3

    bulknutrients.com.au - whey protein concentrate unless you're lactose intolerant - get whey protein isolate instead.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 19:07

      Thanks! your recommendation looks great, but I wonder why the prices differ by so much? Your link is about $27/kg, whereas chemist warehouse is roughly twice as much?

      • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 19:22
        +3

        Convenience, branding, marketing, and exploiting the fact that people assume there is something special/better about a product if it has a higher price than an identical cheaper product.

        • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 19:26

          Am I glad I came here for advice first! Almost bought the highest % discount item from Chemist Warehouse haha, thank u

      • Diji1 on 03/01/2017 - 19:28

        Ignorance and stupidity. The kind of people that believe Chemist Warehouse 6 foot signs every 2 metres claiming they cost less than anywhere else.

    • Lockieasy on 03/01/2017 - 20:54

      Bulknutrients are great, been buying from them for a few years now. Their products are made in Australia too which is nice

      • Carpe Diem on 05/01/2017 - 13:31

        "Australian made" is a very poor description companies use to market their products, knowing the buzz word will attract people. A lot of companies import Chiense ingredients & make it in Australia. For instance BN use Chinese amino acids (As do most companies) but I'm unsure on their WPC range though, which I have enquired about.
        That to one side, BN defintiely 'appear' to be one of the better supplement providers on the market.

        • Lockieasy on 06/01/2017 - 02:18
          +1

          From their website "We source our Australian Whey Protein Concentrate from Warnambool Cheese and Butter, it is produced from grass fed cows, has a great taste and mixes well."

          So I think it's Australian made from a mix of local and imported ingredients. But I can't find any official 'Australian Made' accreditations on their website or the packaging so I'm not sure.

  • supnigs super skids on 03/01/2017 - 19:13
    +1

    Wpi for lean, Wpc or mixed for bulk.

  • Diji1 on 03/01/2017 - 19:30
    +2

    I'm surprised that someone working out as long as you is asking a question like this as if you could take a protein powder and that led to you getting larger.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 19:32

      Lol. I know right. I didn't pay much attention to working out for the first three years (more like forced to go), only ramped up my training in the past year or so

  • brokenglish on 03/01/2017 - 19:58

    Is taking protein powder really necessary to bulk up? Does it speed up muscle growth?
    If I am to just up my diet with more protein, i.e. tons of eggs, does it matter?
    I'm lactose-intolerant and I can't find a pure non-lactose protein powder.
    I've tried even the said 0% lactose whey isolate but I believe there's cross-contamination in their manufacturing process, so uh uh.

    • supnigs super skids on 03/01/2017 - 20:06
      +3

      You don't need it if you eat enough proteins and stuff. It's supplements. Most importantly it's the type of training you do.

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 20:53
      +1

      I found this a good read. Apparently most people are not protein deficient, and taking additional protein powder may adversely affect health.

      I personally would try to increase my protein intake, if that doesn't make much of a difference, I'll go back to my original routine.

      Btw, thanks everyone for the help!

      • BuyoTheCat on 03/01/2017 - 22:02

        taking it at the right time makes a big difference. You cannot alway chow down 200g of steamed chicken but you can, protein powder

  • nomoneynoproblems on 03/01/2017 - 21:19
    +1

    Sub 6% body fat? You having a giggle mate. On gold standard is my usual go to. Its the best in mixability and taste whilst having a good balance on macros.

  • sator on 03/01/2017 - 21:23
    +1

    The science behind this is very simple. There's great mystique around it due to the number of stupid muscle-heads in the industry. For the majority or individuals the following will apply.

    You kinda have to compromise bulking or being lean; that's why bodybuilders have cutting and bulking cycles.

    The most cost effective and optimised protein powder is "Sustagen Sport". Correct protein to carb ratio.
    20g of protein regularly every 3-4 hrs. 1.5g/kg/day e.g. 70kg guy needs 105g of protein daily.

    BTW, 6% very impressive. Congrats! I hope you're also focusing on other aspects of life though. Don't want a fellow OZB to be a sad gym junkie.

    Good luck!

    • [Deactivated] on 03/01/2017 - 23:15
      +1

      Thank you for your insights and encouragement!

      Don't worry, getting fit was my new year's resolution for 2016 and I'm proud of the things I've achieved! It's (thankfully) not my only focus in life.

      In one year I went from being "weak" to reasonably fit, from having no visible abs to a very solid 6 pack. But what surprised me most is how much self confidence you can gain, how much happiness exercise can bring, and not to mention the motivation to do the things you never dreamt possible.

      To me, exercising really enabled a fuller life way beyond the gym.

      Also, totally agree with you on the issue of steroids, not worth it. Never considered taking them and never will.

      Thanks again and best of luck for the future!

      • sator on 05/01/2017 - 14:39

        Excellent to hear. Best of luck!

  • chumlee on 03/01/2017 - 21:27
    +6

    i added bulk mostly with beer, pizza, fries and sweets. powder is for babies

    • Scrooge McDuck on 05/01/2017 - 13:27

      …is for babies

      When you grow up you have to drink beer.

  • sator on 03/01/2017 - 21:30
    +2

    Another thing, anabolic steroids work. I don't endorse it, but it has been categorically proven to be super effective in bulking. Naturally there are many side effects associated with using these above physiological levels.

    A steroid user who does NOT train, gains muscles at twice the rate of a person who is training their butt off w/o steroids. This is once again, contrary to all the crap idiots say at the gym

  • Scrooge McDuck on 05/01/2017 - 13:30

    Body fat: <6%

    Pics or BS?

    • sator on 05/01/2017 - 14:41

      Lol, stop being a party-pooper! Admittedly <6% is very difficult/unhealthy to achieve. Maybe his scale is off. Most healthy, great looking 6 packs are achieved in the 9-12% range.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 05/01/2017 - 14:44

        Lol, stop being a party-pooper!

        Reality poops your party?

    • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2017 - 14:08

      There's a very good chance it is BS… I've never taken a professional body fat test. Just results from the "body fat caliper" and the impedance test seem to suggest a 5.something body fat. If it helps, being super skinny with a low body fat doesn't look good at all! Wouldn't mind a higher body fat level tbh.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 06/01/2017 - 14:34

        How did you measure your body fat using the calliper?

        Bioelectrical impedance analysis is wildly inaccurate. It is also imprecise unless the conditions before measurement are strictly controlled. eg, you lost more than 1 kg of fat from the 26 to the 27th of March according to your test results.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/01/2017 - 14:42

          I use this bodybuilding.com measurement guide, which takes three measurements at chest, abdominal and thigh. I was at 4/9/9mm respectively last time I measured, which gives a 5.2% body fat.

          But then again, I've long realised neither measure is accurate. Just thought they were good enough (and free!) for my purpose, I'm by no means trying to break some body fat record here :)

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