Bodybuilding Forums

Hey,

Need to change proteins for a cycle or two, as I'm really tired of the Isopure flavors.

Based on the input of others on this board, I've pretty much narrowed it down to the ON products.

My question is, which specific product line is best for my situation?

Hydro Builder: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?pr ... cp=3703232

Hydro Whey: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?pr ... cp=3703232

Gold Standard Whey: http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?pr ... cp=3703232

I'm following the dietary recommendations outlined in TSPA, as I still have some cutting to do.

I currently have tubs of supplemental glutamine, creatine, and BCAA, and am taking my multivites and ZMA.

It seems as though the Hydro Whey and Hydro Builder are combination proteins marketed more as "all-in-one" supplements and Hydro Builder is clearly a staged blend, whereas the 100% Whey has fewer additives. But the labels are confusing.

Am I missing something, or just getting confused over the marketing hype? The cost difference is pretty extreme, so if the main difference is that the Hydros have additives that I can easily (and cheaply!) add myself, then I will. If there's something more substantial in them that I could be missing out on, I'll consider dropping the extra cash.

Any input?

Thanks, as always!

Always deal with labels by flipping them around and looking at the one on the back.

I'd go with the Platinum Hydro. Lowest carb count, straight-up hydrolized isolate for protein so it should have the highest bio-availability, and it's got your BCAAs and glutamine in it, so one less supplement to buy if you're not a fan of having a multitude of them.

As to the main difference... it's the protein used. If you look at the ingredients, the Gold Standard 100% Whey product is a blend of whey isolate, concentrate, and peptides. Well-rounded pretty standard issue mix, good bio-availability, and the concentrate while the inferior of the three holds the costs down. The Platinum Hydro Builder is not whey - it's a blend of whey, casein, and albumin (egg whites). This doesn't make it a bad product at all - there's actually compelling research surrounding using casein and whey together as your post-workout shake. And this powder does contain a good balance of aminos, and contains creatine, so if you're buying and taking creatine separately now, at least in your post-workout shake you could spare yourself from adding it separately. No glutamine, but that's cheap as hell to buy an add separately. The consideration in terms of diet needs for you following TSPA is the slightly higher carb count and the 40 extra calories because of the way that protein blend works. If you can fit it, go ahead, but it's calories and carbs you'll have to count for no additional protein. The Platinum Hydro is just whey isolate - which is good in terms of quality and bio-availability, but is bad in terms of price, since the concentrate is way cheaper and would hold the price down like you see with the Gold Standard product. It does contain both glutamine and BCAAs (and not creatine like the Builder product, though creatine is cheap and you're likely buying it separately already anyway). BCAAs and Glutamine are pretty cheap - I pay about $15 for a half-pound container, which unfortunately is your price difference listed between these products at GNC.

Oh and about the price... there's always Amazon!

As always, JoH, you go above and beyond. Thanks for the thorough and informative response!

LombieHerc wrote:As always, JoH, you go above and beyond. Thanks for the thorough and informative response!

No prob, boss. Leave the buying and trying of all the garbage products to me, God knows I do that plenty, I just don't tell y'all about it!