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After weighing the mass gainer pros and cons, you’re questioning if Dymatize’s ISO 100 protein powder meets your nutritional needs. Your attention shifts to its high-calorie counterpart, but is it more suitable for your muscle gains and fitness goals?
In this Dymatize Super Mass Gainer review, join me, a dietitian, in evaluating whether the 1,000+ calorie formula aligns with your dietary needs and preferences. Colin, a fitness enthusiast and friend of the GGR team, shares his first-hand insights on this mass gainer. Let’s scoop right in and discover what it may offer you!
RELATED: Best Mass Gainer
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Massive Expert Insight Behind Every Product Analysis
GGR’s expert testing team—composed of personal trainers, nutritionists, dietitians, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, and USA Weightlifting coaches—radiates massive knowledge and experience. We rigorously test products according to our extensive GGR supplement testing methodology, using a scale of 1 to 5 to rate each product on a variety of factors, including:
- Flavor
- Formulation
- Solubility
- Customer reviews
- Price per serving
- Customer service
Our in-depth review of Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is a testament to this thorough approach.
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Product Highlights
- Formulated with fast- and slow-absorbing, high-quality protein blends
- Each serving provides 1,200-1,310 calories (depending on flavor)
- Each serving contains 52 g of protein, 245 g of carbs, and 14 vitamins and minerals
- Can be used to bake with
- Banned substance-tested
- Formulated to gain mass quickly
- Available in two flavors: Rich Chocolate and Gourmet Vanilla
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Banned substance-tested
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Fast- and slow-absorbing protein blends
- Tastes good
- Includes BCAAs
Cons
- Requires 2.5 cups of powder for one serving
- Thick
- High sugar content
- Contains sucralose
Bottom Line
High in calories, carbohydrates, and protein, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer could be a choice for those who do not mind large servings or artificial ingredients.
A Quick Look at Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Dymatize is well-known for ISO 100, an easily digestible protein powder in classic and nostalgic flavors. In fact, Dymatize ISO 100 won the title “Best Chocolate Protein Powder” in our best protein powder roundup.
Although Dymatize’s mass gainer is limited to chocolate and vanilla flavors, its nutritional profile excels. Each 2.5-cup serving packs nearly 1,300 calories, comprising 52 grams of protein, 250 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of fat. But before investing in Dymatize, there are aspects to consider.
Before You Buy
- Dymatize products are exclusively sold by third-party retailers at variable prices, so it’s wise to shop around for the best deal.
- Despite being milk-based, Dymatize includes soy, a common allergen.
- It contains added vitamins and minerals, so be mindful of overall supplement intake to prevent excess intake and toxicity risks.
Is Dymatize Super Mass Gainer Worth It?
Costing about $5.20 per 1,280-calorie serving, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer appears costly compared to other mass gainers. However, when stacked against competitors like Naked Nutrition ($6.36 per 1,250 calorie serving) and Optimum Nutrition ($6.12 for 1,250 calorie serving), Dymatize is a more economical option.
Cost aside, Dymatize may be worth the spend for some more than others.
Great for:
- Those looking to gain muscle mass and weight, such as “hard gainers” and bodybuilders
- People with low appetites that may benefit from weight gain
- Consumers who prioritize third-party-tested products, especially competitive athletes subject to drug testing
Not recommended for:
- Those avoiding artificial ingredients
- Anyone allergic or sensitive to milk, soy, and artificial sweeteners
- People managing weight or blood sugars
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer Specs
| Price per serving | $5.20 |
| Serving Size | 2.5 cups or 333 g (Gourmet Vanilla) |
| Type of Protein | Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Micellar Casein |
| Protein Content | 52 g |
| Carb Content | 245 g |
| Fat Content | 10-11 g (depending on flavor) |
| Notable Ingredients | Maltodextrin, Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Micellar Casein), Sunflower Creamer, Creatine Monohydrate, Vitamin & Mineral Blend |
| Flavors | Gourmet Vanilla and Rich Chocolate |
| Third-Party Tested? | Yes |
Experience Using Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Colin, a fitness enthusiast and friend of GGR Head of Content Kate Meier, recently tried Dymatize Super Mass Gainer in the Rich Chocolate flavor. He tells us, “I like this a lot—it’s very tasty, and I have no digestive issues with it. I’m also a fan of Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Weight Gainer, which I usually use, and I like this about the same as that one. I would definitely use it again, especially if I see improvement with my weight gain over time.”
Price Per Serving
An eight-serving Dymatize Super Mass Gainer container costs $41.47 on Amazon, equating to $5.20 per serving before tax. Opting for the larger 16-serving size reduces the cost to $4.12 per serving—quite the savings!
Other pricing options include:
- GNC and The Vitamin Shoppe: $6.87 per serving
- Walmart: $5.00 per serving (currently marked down)
Because costs differ across retailers, it’s worth searching for the best deal. Moreover, some retailers—such as Amazon, GNC, and The Vitamin Shoppe—offer subscription options, while GNC recently had a “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” promotion.
Formulation
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer’s lengthy ingredients list appears overwhelming, but here’s an approachable overview.
Main Ingredients
The mass gainer’s calories and macronutrients can primarily be attributed to:
- Maltodextrin: Supplies fast-digesting carbs and calories, benefiting weight gain and athletes. Research1 supports that taking the carb pre-workout helps enhance glycogen stores for increased anaerobic power, while pairing maltodextrin2 with protein post-exercise aids glycogen recovery and muscle protein synthesis.
- Protein blend: Provides fast and slow-absorbing proteins, including whey protein concentrate, whey protein and milk protein isolates, whey protein hydrolysate, and micellar casein. The blend provides essential amino acids (EAAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), including 5.1 grams of leucine, to support muscle recovery and growth.
- Sunflower creamer: Serves as the primary fat source and combines sunflower oil, natural tocopherols, tricalcium phosphate, and additives to improve texture and prolong shelf life.
Additional Ingredients
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is also formulated with less than 2% of:
- Creatine monohydrate: Provides 1 gram per serving, below the 3 to 5 gram evidence-based daily dose.
- Vitamin and mineral blend: Includes 14 micronutrients like riboflavin, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6).
- Gum blend: Gums, like cellulose gum, help enhance solubility and texture.
- Soy lecithin and sunflower lecithin: Helps emulsify (mix) foods that often separate when combined, like oils (fat) and water.
- Sweeteners: Contains natural (fructose) and artificial (sucralose and acesulfame potassium) sweeteners.
- Natural and artificial flavors
Taste and Solubility
Let’s begin with Colin’s less favorable feedback on the consistency of Dymatize Super Mass Gainer. He comments, “It was thin with milk, not what I expected, especially with peanut butter and bananas. I wish it was a bit thicker, but not too thick to complicate digesting. I wish it was like a milkshake, not more like a smoothie. I tried it once with water, and it was so thin, I didn’t like it at all.”
Colin finds its mixability slightly above average: “When mixed in a shaker cup, it’s lumpy and doesn’t mix in the product as well as a blender. If it’s in a blender, it gets a 4 out of 5 on solubility. In a shaker cup, just a 3 out of 5.”
To end on a high note: “I tried the Rich Chocolate flavor. It was very true to its name; very chocolate-y and not too sweet. I really enjoyed it.” Colin’s final score? “I’d give it a 4.8/5 on taste!”
Side Effects
Colin experienced no side effects from the Dymatize Super Mass Gainer. However, if you’re sensitive or allergic to dairy, soy, or artificial sweeteners, opt for an alternative to prevent adverse risks like digestive distress.
Third-Party Testing
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is Informed Choice-certified, ensuring it meets purity standards and is free from banned substances.
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer vs Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Transparent
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Product Highlights
- 760 calories per serving
- Each serving provides 53 grams of protein, 13 grams of fat, and 109 grams of carbs
- Formulated to support lean muscle mass
- Carbohydrates are derived from tapioca, oat, and sweet potato sources
- Available in Sweet Vanilla and Chocolate Donut flavors
- Sweetened with Stevia and monk fruit
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Contains creatine monohydrate
- Free from artificial ingredients
- Derived from nature-based sources
- No added sugar
- Gluten-free and non-GMO
- Completely transparent list of ingredients
- Taste
Cons
- High saturated fat count
- Expensive
- Shipping takes a long time
- 1:2 ratio of protein to carb may not be enough for some
Bottom Line
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is one of the more expensive mass gainer supplements, but it offers high-quality, naturally occurring, and clean ingredients that taste good.
The GGR team favors Transparent Labs for its clear labeling and high-quality, clinically-backed ingredients. Although similar to Dymatize in some ways, like being Informed Choice-certified and offering similar amounts of protein, Transparent Labs stands out in various ways:
- Cost for calories: Appears marginally cheaper ($5.13 vs. $5.20 per serving) but offers 550 fewer calories than Dymatize.
- Carb content and sourcing: It contains half the carbs of Dymatize, using maltodextrin and natural sources like oat and sweet potato flours.
- Fat content and sourcing: Higher in total fat, primarily sourced from MCT oil.
- Protein source: Uses 100% grass-fed whey concentrate.
- Added fiber: Includes VitaFiber for a fiber boost.
- Research-based creatine dosage: Provides 3 grams per serving, aligning with the research-backed 3-5 grams recommendation.
- Natural sweeteners: Uses natural sweeteners, unlike Dymatize’s artificial sweeteners.
- Ease of intake: The GGR testers love how easy it is to consume.
- Allergens: Gluten-free but contains tree nuts.
Check out the comparison table below and our Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Review for more details.
| Dymatize Super Mass Gainer | Transparent Labs Mass Gainer | |
| Price per serving | $5.20 | $5.13 |
| Serving Size | 2.5 cups or 333 g (Gourmet Vanilla) | 2 scoops or 194 g (Chocolate Glaze Donut) |
| Type of Protein | Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Micellar Casein | 100% Grass-Fed Whey Concentrate |
| Protein Content | 52 g | 53 g |
| Carb Content | 245 g | 114 g |
| Fat Content | 10-11 g (depending on flavor) | 14 g |
| Notable Ingredients | Maltodextrin, Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Micellar Casein), Sunflower Creamer, Creatine Monohydrate, Vitamin & Mineral Blend | Organic Tapioca Maltodextrin, Whey Concentrate, Coconut milk Powder, Medium Chain Triglycerides, vitafiber, Creatine Monohydrate, Oat Flour, Sweet Potato Flour, Stevia, Monk Fruit |
| Flavors | Gourmet Vanilla, Rich Chocolate | Chocolate Glaze Donut, Sweet Vanilla |
| Third-Party Tested? | Yes | Yes |
Customer Experience
The Dymatize website offers recipes (if you’re tired of a typical protein shake!), nutrition tips, and contact details, but third-party retailers exclusively sell its supplements. For a better experience with Dymatize products, including return policies, consider reviewing retailer information and contacting them directly for tailored advice.
Ordering Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Since Dymatize products are not sold directly on their website, purchasing the mass gainer involves additional steps. I used the “Where to Buy” feature on the Dymatize site, but only Amazon appeared for my Missouri-based zipcode. Yet, a more thorough online search indicated availability at other retailers like Target, Walmart, GNC, and The Vitamin Shoppe.
While this process broadens purchase options, it can be inconvenient for buyers (like myself) who prefer a more straightforward method with consistent pricing.
Customer Reviews
At the time of writing, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer boasts an average rating of 4.5 out of 5, with almost 12,000 (!!) verified reviews on Amazon. Most reviewers rave about the flavor, although they note that the 2.5-cup serving can be challenging to mix and consume.
But what I appreciated seeing the most? Dymatize fans weren’t exclusive to bodybuilders—some were restoring weight after medical treatments, assisting growth as a picky-eating teenager, and increasing calorie intake as a hard gainer.
Final Verdict of Our Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is a high protein, carbohydrate, and calorie powder with positive reviews on its two classic flavors. If your protein powder isn’t enough to support your calorie intake and leverage your body composition goals, consider these final thoughts on why you might want to add this mass gainer to your supplement stack:
- Contains nearly 1,300 calories, 52 grams of protein, 245 grams of carbs, and 11 grams of fat per 2.5-cup serving.
- Provides slow and fast-digesting proteins with a comprehensive amino acid profile.
- Supplies creatine (albeit not a research-supported dose) and vitamin and mineral blend.
- Banned-substance tested through Informed Choice.
Full Rating
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
High in calories, carbohydrates, and protein, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer could be a choice for those who do not mind large servings or artificial ingredients.
Product Brand: Dymatize
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 39.94
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.16
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer: FAQs
What does Dymatize Super Mass Gainer do?
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer supports muscle growth and weight gain due to its high protein, carbohydrate, and calorie content.
Is Dymatize protein good for weight gain?
The best Dymatize protein for weight gain depends on your individual calorie needs, although its high-calorie mass gainer is typically more suitable for this purpose.
Should a skinny guy take mass gainer or whey protein?
Whether to take a mass gainer or whey protein, regardless of weight, varies based on experience level, body composition goals, and other factors. However, a mass gainer could benefit someone struggling to gain weight through diet and whey protein.
What are the side effects of mass gainers?
The side effects of mass gainers can vary individually, but they may cause unwanted fat gain, nutritional deficiencies, and digestive issues. To mitigate these risks, aim to stay within your daily caloric targets, prioritize nutrient-dense foods, and choose a mass gainer you can tolerate.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Khorshidi-Hosseini M, Nakhostin-Roohi B. Effect of glutamine and maltodextrin acute supplementation on anaerobic power. Asian J Sports Med. 2013;4(2):131-136. doi:10.5812/asjsm.34495
- Hofman DL, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJ. Nutrition, Health, and Regulatory Aspects of Digestible Maltodextrins. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(12):2091-2100. doi:10.1080/10408398.2014.940415
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