One of the heavyweights in the weight gainer sector, one full serving of Serious Mass packs a whopping 1,250 calories and is ideal for those who are wanting to increase their muscle mass. The high-calorie protein powder comes hand-in-hand with 50g protein. It comes in different flavours: Banana, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Vanilla, Cookies and Cream & Chocolate Mint.
In this review, we’re going to be answering a few questions like its serving size, side effects, how to use it for weight training and more!
Taste
As much as we think that Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass has a great taste, that is a matter of opinion and for all you know we could be lying to promote it. So here are some reviews from Bodybuilding.com.
Dave’s review from Bodybuilding.com says “I sampled the chocolate flavor of this weight gainer. I found that it was a heavy milk chocolate taste. I felt that the taste was satisfactory but not particularly good. Therefore, for taste, I award the chocolate flavor of Serious Mass a 6/10”.
Jake from primeweightgain.com says “I’m using the Vanilla flavour and for me the product tastes great. I have found that 100g of Serious Mass mixes in well with 500ml of water in a shaker”
So, the taste may not be the best thing in the world, but mass gainers aren’t really all that tasty in general. But, when you couple the taste with science, it doesn’t really matter.
What Will Serious Mass Do For Me?
When you’re looking to increase muscle mass/muscle size, it is quite hard to hit the calories you need unless you’re eating terribly. That’s why using a 1,250 Serious Mass shake instead of a Maccies is so much better for your body & goals.
When you use Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass alongside with a good exercise routine, Optimum Nutrition claims it can be a mass gain formula that will help you build muscle mass (and/or muscle size).
Serious Mass is packed with calories, carbs and protein, but also other things. Alongside the primary sources of fuel, Serious Mass contains Creatine Monohydrate and Glutamine that help your body with that post-workout recovery after an intense workout.
When you work out, your body’s sensitivity to insulin level rises, which makes it harder for the body to gain fat. This is why Serious Mass is heavily recommended to be used alongside a heavy workout. Otherwise, you may start to see some unwanted fat.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Serious Mass is very high in carbohydrates & protein, this makes it very easy for you to hit your daily goal in these areas.
Its high carb content makes it ideal to replace your empty glycogen stores.
As previously stated, it is very hard to cleanly eat 1,250 calories per day. This shake will keep you ticking over whilst promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass contains no added sugar.
Contains 25 vitamins and minerals per serving, meaning there are no extras you have to buy to go alongside your diet.
CONS
One serving is 334g (better to use a blender for best texture).
Not suitable for some people, including vegans and people needing a free-from diet as it contains milk, eggs & wheat.
Taste has mixed Reviews.
£2.56 per serving compared to Mutant Mass’ £1.73 per serving.
Nutritional Information
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass’ main goal is to enable you to increase your calories and should not be used if you are trying to use it for weight loss. The average person should aim to consume 2,000 calories every day, based on the recommended daily intake. Serious Mass would add another 62.5% worth of calories to your daily intake, and since one pound of fat is 3,500 – you can expect to put on a pound every three days if you use Serious Mass correctly with your diet.
As mentioned in the ‘Pros & Cons’ section, Serious Mass contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. In fact, each serving contains your full recommended amount of Vitamin A. This might make it wise to avoid foods that are full of Vitamin A such as Spinach, Kale & Carrots, as you could be at risk of overconsumption which can lead to vomiting, fever and irritability.
One handy aspect of Serious Mass is that it contains Creatine, a supplement that many people in the gym take. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition says that supplementing other supplements with Creatine puts you at a higher risk of kidney failure, so best to use the Creatine that is integrated within.
SUPPLEMENT FACTS:
Serving Size: 2 Heaping Scoops of Serious Mass (334g)
Servings Per Container: 16
Amount Per Serving:
Calories 1252
Calories from Fat 40
Total Fat 4.8g 7%
Saturated Fat 1.9g 10%
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Total Carbohydrate 252 g 84%
Sugars 40 g
Protein 50 g 100%
Vitamin C 60 mg 100%,Vitamin D 200 I.U. 50%,Vitamin E 30 I.U. 100%, Thiamin 5 mg 330%,Riboflavin 5 mg 290%, Niacin 50 mg 250%, Vitamin B6 5 mg 250%, Folic Acid 400 mcg 100%, Vitamin B12 20 mcg 330%, Biotin 300 mcg 100%, Pantothenic Acid 100 mg 1000%, Calcium 730 mg 70%, Iron 6 mg 35%, Phosphorus 350 mg 35%, Iodine 75 mcg 50%, Magnesium 186 mg 45%, Zinc 30 mg 200%, Selenium 200 mcg 290%, Copper 1 mg 50%, Manganese 10 mg 500%, Chromium 600 mcg 500%, Molybdenum 150 mcg 200%, Sodium 600 mg 25%, Potassium 1230 mg 35%, Choline 250 mg, Inositol 250 mg,PABA 5 mg, Creatine Monohydrate 1 g, L-Glutamine 500 mg
Ingredients: Complex Carbohydrates, Proprietary Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Egg Albumen, L-Glutamine), Artificial Flavor, Serious Mass Vitamin & Mineral Blend (Potassium Phosphate, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Aspartate, Beta Carotene, Inositol, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Boron Amino Acid Chelate, Niacinamide, Manganese Glycinate, Kelp, d-alpha-Tocopherol Succinate, Ferrous Fumarate, Copper Gluconate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Para-Aminobenzoic Acid, Chromium Picolinate, Selenium Glycinate, Molybdenum Glycinate, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid, Biotin, Cyanocobalamin), Medium Chain Triglycerides, Creatine Monohydrate, Acesulfame Potassium. (Vanilla shown, Slight variations may occur among flavours.)
Price Breakdown
Here at SS Healthfoods, we only stock the 5.4kg bag of Serious Mass. This is because we feel that it is the best value for money. There are a recommended 16 servings in the bag, making it out to £2.26 per serving (which may seem a lot at supplement prices, but cheaper than a meal deal and a hell of a lot more calories!).
Although, if you know your diet down to the calories, then you can measure your Serious Mass to the grain. Then for 312 calories, the price works out at only 56p. That is cheaper than a chocolate bar, healthier and a lot more calories.
