I'm old school on the matter. I would stick to just proteins after and between workouts. And not just in shake form, I am also talking meats like lean chicken and lean turkey. http://www.intense-workout.com/protein_diet.html is a good place to start. You public library will have a lot of books on the subject of how to prepare these high protein foods so you will not tire of the same things day after day. http://www.heartspring.net/list_of_high_protein_foods.html is a even better list. Muscles do the growing as they heal between workouts, that is when they need the protein. During the workout your muscle tissue is being "shredded" literally it is being torn a part. Muscle soreness is a combination of the purposeful injury of the muscles and the build up of dead tissues cells in the area. Thus it is always recommended to do a cardio or slight cardio after weight training to keep the blood flowing to flush out the dead cells. High amounts of water also help to flush. Before ones work out one needs energy - that comes in the form of carbohydrates. Carbs convert to sugars which are released slowly into the blood stream. Sugars are the gasoline for the body, they provide energy. The more energy you have available for the workout the more reps you can push out, or the more mass you can lift. I would supplement with a one a day type vitamin that would address trace elements and vitamins in the proper doses. Weight gainers is for people who can not gain weight no matter how much they eat. Most people do not have that problem. Further weight gainers pack on fat pounds if your training program is not well suited for your calorie intake. Many protein shakes have a high calorie content compared to the number of proteins. Sugar content is higher in many than others. http://lowcarb4life.sugarbane.com/lowcarbshakes.htm may make for an interesting read about sugar and protein shakes. http://www.dinewise.com/snacks-and-shakes/vanilla-pleasure-protein-shake1.html is a near sugar free protein (soy based). Supplements should be used on top of a well balanced healthy diet not as a replacement. Each individual is different, no two people react the same way to a program. Body type plays a roll so too genetics. You need to figure out what works best for you. If you are prone to fat, or already gain weight easily, do not use a weight gainer. If you are perpetually slender and can eat anything and not gain an ounce, then a weight gainer may help. Again genetics plays a roll. Not everyone is able to make impressive muscle gains - strength yes, muscle mass no. I see too many people who are not able to gain muscle mass spend a lot of money and time on these weight gainer products assuming that they can change their genetic make-up. A weight trainer will be able to help you out in figuring out if you have the genes for impressive muscles or not. on Body type: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/becker3.htm There are many other sites out there on the subject, most have a basic "test" or Q&A format for helping you to find your body type, however they are not perfectly accurate real measurements need to be taken in order to fine tune the results.

9-15-2017 You need to read some books about nutrition and learn how to eat right. Protein shakes are made of powdered milk, soy flour, sugar, and flavor. They cost about $1.25 for the amount of protein you get in a quarter's worth of milk. Your body needs 4/10 gram of complete protein per pound of weight, about 65 grams for a female and 90 grams for a male. You do not need more because you exercise or less because you loaf. For convenience you only count 6 grams per egg, 12 grams per glass of milk, and 24 grams per quarter pound of meat. If you eat more than the body needs, the excess is burned as ordinary but expensive calories. If you really think you need more protein, get powdered milk and mix it into your food. Or just eat more eggs. Or jerky.