Mass Gainer Powder vs Homemade Shakes: Which Builds Muscle Faster?

Bulking up but not sure whether to trust mass gainer powders or stick to homemade shakes?

I’ve been there—and so have many of my clients.

While store-bought gainers promise fast weight gain, they often come with bloating, fat gain, and wasted money.

Homemade shakes, however, let you build lean muscle with clean ingredients, customizable calories, and zero unnecessary fillers.

Here’s the real-world verdict from my years of training and coaching experience.

Which Is Better for Muscle Growth?

If you’re serious about clean bulking and building lean muscle, homemade shakes usually beat commercial mass gainer powders.

I’ve tried both during my own bulking phases and while coaching dozens of clients. Mass gainers can pack in calories fast, but they often lead to unnecessary fat gain and digestive issues.

Homemade shakes, on the other hand, are cleaner, customizable, and give you better control over nutrients for sustainable muscle growth. (See also: Whey vs Mass Gainer Bulking Guide)

What Is a Mass Gainer Powder?

Mass gainer powders are high-calorie supplements designed to help people gain weight quickly. They typically combine whey protein, fast-digesting carbs like maltodextrin, sugars, and sometimes added fats.

Pros:

• Convenient and quick to prepare
• High calories for hardgainers
• Often fortified with vitamins and minerals

Cons:

• Can cause bloating or stomach cramps (Mass Gainer Bloating Guide)
• High sugar and low-quality carb sources
• Expensive compared to homemade options (Mass Gainer on a Budget)

When I first tried a chocolate-flavored mass gainer, I gained weight fast. But a big chunk of it was belly fat.

Many clients have told me similar stories. For example, Elena, one of my clients, had constant nausea after using a commercial gainer.

What Is a Homemade Mass Gainer Shake?

A homemade shake is something you blend yourself using whole foods like oats, bananas, nut butters, milk, honey, and whey protein.

Pros:

• Fully customizable for calories and macros
• Uses natural, whole ingredients
• Easier on digestion
• More cost-effective

Cons:

• Requires a blender and prep time
• Less portable than powder

My go-to homemade shake packs 600–700 calories:

• 2 scoops whey protein
• 80 g oats
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 300 ml milk or almond milk
• 1 banana

This shake has fueled my personal bulks and countless clients’ transformations. You can also try this mass gainer oats and peanut butter recipe.

Nutritional Comparison

Mass gainers deliver quick calories but often rely on low-quality carbs and sugar. Homemade shakes let you control every ingredient, balancing protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats.

When Lucas, a 22-year-old client, used a commercial gainer for three months, he gained 7 kg. But much of it was fat.

Once we switched him to homemade shakes and proper training, he dropped fat and gained another 3 kg of pure muscle in just six weeks.

For high-calorie needs, check my guide on mass gainers for athletes.

Cost and Customization

Commercial gainers can cost up to 40% more than making your own shakes. A month’s supply of oats, whey, and nut butter usually costs far less and lasts longer.

My client Ravi saved over $100 in three months by switching to homemade shakes while still hitting his calorie targets and gaining lean muscle.

If you’re on a tight budget, this resource might help: Mass Gainer on a Budget.

Best Choice for Bulking and Muscle Gain

• Use Mass Gainer Powder: If you’re extremely busy, have zero time to prep, or struggle to eat enough solid food.
• Choose Homemade Shakes: If you want cleaner ingredients, better digestion, customizable macros, and cost savings.

From my experience coaching beginners to advanced lifters, homemade shakes deliver more sustainable, high-quality gains.

You can also check how long it takes to see progress here: Mass Gainer Results Timeline.

Trainer’s Recommendation

As a fitness trainer who’s bulked multiple times and helped others do the same, I strongly recommend making your own shakes.

Start with my proven recipe and adjust oats, nut butter, and whey to fit your body type. If you’re a hardgainer, increase carbs. If you gain fat easily, use Greek yogurt and keep carbs moderate.

For women aiming for healthy curves, see my guide: Mass Gainer for Women.

Building muscle shouldn’t mean packing on unnecessary fat. With homemade shakes, you’ll have full control, save money, and build lean muscle in a healthier way.