Quite frankly, I am unfamiliar with the over the counter products you refer to. If you would write back with the nutrient analysis on the packages and ingredient declaration on each package, I could give you feedback.
Weight training doesn’t require any magic nutritional formula to increase muscle mass. Basically, muscles will increase in size when muscles are asked to do more work (more weight) alternating with more often (more lifting/reps). Remember to get adequate rest (no weight lifting) and sleep (minimum 8 hours per night) to allow muscles time to recover. Typically weight lifting should alternate every other day to be effective. Protein requirements (63 grams for males 25+ years of age, 50 grams for females 25+ years of age) don’t increase. All other nutrient needs (vitamins and minerals) don’t increase either, except for energy-related nutrients (thiamin, vitamin B1, riboflavin, vitamin B2 and niacin, vitamin B3) as calorie needs increase. If you were to follow the recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid and choose a variety of foods, you would probably be eating a balanced diet. If you think you need a nutritional supplement, a daily multivitamin that provided 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances would be sufficient.
