It all started with the release of USN Muscle Fuel Anabolic. Sales were absolutely storming; a new genre of weight-gainers had hit the industry by storm. It was inevitable that other rival competitors would follow suit. And now, after an influx of new additions to the market, we decided to single it down to four of our favourites that deliver fantastic results time after time, and put them to the sword.

With the all-in-one weight gainer style supplements looking set to take a firm strangehold on the market, it'sm important you are able to make an informed, educated choice to these cost efficient solutions to adding mass. We go over the pro's and cons of some of the supplement industries finest.

USN Muscle Fuel Anabolic

Pure Innovation: Undoubtedly, this product started it all.

Core Ingredients

Per 150g

Protein: 50g

Carbohydrates: 78g (11g sugar)

Fat: 2g

Hyperbolic Stack: 14300mg - Creabolic stack (monohydrate and di-creatine malate), mTOR activator (BCAAs, HMB, Taurine), Hyper Volumax (L-Glycine, Beta-alanine), Glutacell Tri-Stack (Glutamine AKG, L-Glutamine & peptide Bonded Glutamine) Testo-Elevator (Avena Sativa)

Pros: This was the product that started it all. Muscle Fuel Anabolic contains a 6 various forms of protein for timed release and rapid release, including potent forms of whey concentrate and milk isolate, alongside casein and soy for a full spectrum of amino's. The carb selection has been made adjusted to contain low sugar content, and the fat content is minimal. The additional all-in-one style ingredients contain a hefty 7000mg dosage of creatine to assist muscular growth and explosive strength, along with additional amino's and glutamine for recovery. There is also a nice performance aspect to the stack with a solid dosage of taurine and beta-alanine to buffer lactic acid and bust out more reps / increase endurance, whilst the avena sativa may help mildly with test production. On top of all this, the formula also includes decent amounts of vitamins which is a ncie addition to anyone's diet trying to add muscle mass. Also contains added enzymes to help assimilate the milk in the protein.

Cons:  Muscle Fuel Anabolic's taste seems to be a bit disputed: many people say it's great, others struggle to stomach the formula (which is often the case with these style of supplements). Although people initially thought these supplements were expensive, people have come to appreciate how cost efficient MFA is and the benefits it provides. Criticism has been aimed at the test boosting property of the stack in line with its competitors. Another drawback has been poined out in that the sodium content is over 700mg per serving which may be a consideration for those who are trying to limit it in their diet. Overall, it remains a powerful product with limited criticism.

Garnell Nutrition Anabolic Mass II

Core Ingredients

 Per 150g (with skimmed milk)

Total Calories: 556
Protein: 61g
Carbohydrates: 67.2g
-Sugars: 14g
-Dietary Fibre: 2.6g
Fat: 3.3g
-Saturates: 2.0g

Also included: 11.7g additional glutamine, 4.5g creatine, 2.6g arginine, 2.4g glycine, 1.8g taurine, 630mg beta-alanine (also contains additional zinc, avena sativa & magnesium)

Pros: A nice, smooth sailing, does what it says on the tin addition to this range of products - Anabolic Mass 2 certainly provides an influx of additional amino cids that may constitute towards enhanced recovery and repair. It's nice to see a sterling dose of creatine included alongside a very respectable 2.4g of growth hormone promoting glycine and 1.8g taurine. Emphasises whey protein as the key protein source.

Cons: Nutrition guru Chris Aceto praised Garnell for their recent all-in-one made of lower calories "As-One40" in a recent addition of Flex magazine for their comprehensive formula. But where that product exceeded, Anabolic Mass 2 seems to fall short. Criticism has been aimed at the too small amounts of beta-alanine for serious performance enhancement and despite the additional amino acids which are impressive, nothing really sets Anabolic Mass out from the competition in terms of price, composition or unique ingredients. The majority of carbs also come from maltodextrin which many people are growing to dislike lightly too. All-in-all, it'll work effectively, but may not offer the full works some have come to expect.

Sci-MX Omni-MX Hardcore

Core Ingredients

Per 145g

Calories: 563kcal

Protein: 45g

Carbohydrates:80g

Fat: 4g

Additional ingredients per serving: 1.5g HMB, 8g BCAA's, 4g glutamine, 2g taurine, aminogen & bioperine, 5g creatine monohydrate and pyruvate, 1.5g beta-alanine, 2g AKG, additional ZMA, avena sativa & Nettle root extract.

Pros: Sci-MX quickly established themselves in the UK as an industry leader of sports supplements and Omni-MX Hardcore initially appears to steal one up on its fierce rivals USN. You can tell Sci-MX are a popular brand for rugby players; their products tend to emphasise performance strongly and Omni packs a huge punch of quality ingredients on the performance side of things: good daily doses of beta-alanine, plenty of testosterone support and growth hormone boosters and also potent dosages of creatine, recovery agents and absorption factors formaximum utilisation. It realy is great stuff. The taste also comes very well recommended. 

Cons: The formula's carbohydrate composition was definitely designed for those solely seeking mass and their may have been a bit of compromise we suspect in getting the formula to taste nice with all these ingredients. Regardless, Omni-MX definitely is one of the strongest products in the market in this regard. The mainstray of the nutrients from protein sources to carbohydrates may not be spectacular, but the performance enhancing side and hormonal support is second to none. They have found their niche. 

Reflex One Stop Xtreme

Core Ingredients

Total Calories: 570

Protein: 55g
Total Carbohydrates: 72g

-Sugars: 9.6g
-Dietary Fibre: 3.9g

Fat: 6g

-Saturates: 3.6g

Additional ingredients: 1.8g beta-alanine, 2.5g glycine, 5g creapure monohydrate, 10g glutamine peptides, 10.5g BCAA's, 3g free-form L-Leucine, 1.5g taurine, ZMA & Avena Sativa & extra vitamins, digestive enzymes and minerals. 

Pros: Rarely do Reflex follow suite in an industry they are renowned for innovation in, but there was an air of inevitability about this product following on from their successful One Stop formula. Driven by a prestige desire to be pioneers of the most pure, ethical supplements, One Stop Xtreme hit our shelves. & the initial reports are that it's just as good as hoped. It contains an unparalleled source of regular nutrients as their protein is as pure as it gets: 55g of ultra and cross-flow filtered whey isolate and hydrolyzed whey, One Stop Xtreme certaily lives up to the credbility of Reflex being the king of protein. The rest of the formula follows the trend: research proven dosages of beta-alanine, creatine and amino's for performance, explosive strength and recovery; hand-picked amino acids to upregulate growth & repair; testosterone & hormonal support to compete with its rivals; and additional digestive aids and vitamins to support athletic performance. Superb. 

Cons: As usual, Reflex have come into criticism for their taste. One Stop Xtreme is however a vast improvement on past formulations from the brand, and Reflex maintain they won't jeapordise the quality of ther products for taste to keep the purity of protein ethical and the selection of carbs only low G.I.

 Have Your Say

Still unsure as to which to pick? See what our forum members think or you can register your vote for the best all in one weight gainer here. You deserve to have a voice in the matter: let your noise be heard and help us settle this debate and help others make the best choice when choosing their supplementation.

The all-in-one weight gainer market is now fiercely competitive. & with Boditronics owner Simon Phillips claiming he has a new beast in the wings called "Mass Attack Juggernaut", one suspects this is going to be a very interesting battle for customers. Stay tuned.