do you guys take creatine?

[IHateMyJob2004]

If I go to GNC after work, what should I get? Seems like too many products are creatine blends and others have too much crap in it. Someone just post me a link.

I want to spend as little as possible per unit of creatine.

Thanks!

 

[Pantlegz]

http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2133642

Or something similar

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

How about this? 500 g for $12. Claims to be 100% creatine monohydrate.

http://m.gnc.com/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5nbmMuY29tL3Byb2R1Y3QvaW5kZXguanNwP3Byb2R1Y3RJZD0zMzcwNDA1

Mix with my whey drink?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Pantz,

Thanks. Your link was the same stuff I found but in a bigger container.

I'll grab some after work.

 

[Wyndru]

Does anyone here with high blood pressure use creatine? Do you see your BP raise while you are using it? I've heard some people over on bodybuilding.com state that it raises your BP, and it makes sense since your muscles are now packing water into them further constricting veins and arteries. I have slightly elevated BP, but not high enough to justify taking meds for it (although there is a good chance I will need them by the time I'm 40 according to my doc, and my family history of it). I've also seen some claims that some BP meds mixed with creatine can cause muscle cramps, due to the 2 drugs conflicting.

 

[highland145]

Does anyone here with high blood pressure use creatine? Do you see your BP raise while you are using it? I've heard some people over on bodybuilding.com state that it raises your BP, and it makes sense since your muscles are now packing water into them further constricting veins and arteries. I have slightly elevated BP, but not high enough to justify taking meds for it (although there is a good chance I will need them by the time I'm 40 according to my doc, and my family history of it). I've also seen some claims that some BP meds mixed with creatine can cause muscle cramps, due to the 2 drugs conflicting.

I'm on an ACE inhibitor and haven't noticed a problem but YMMV. I'm getting some cardio most days, sweating a fair amount.

 

[Wyndru]

I'm on an ACE inhibitor and haven't noticed a problem but YMMV. I'm getting some cardio most days, sweating a fair amount.

Good to know. My first (small) bottle of Creatine is on it's way today (I bought the smallest of this http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/opt/crea.html).

I guess I'll just keep monitoring my bp to make sure it doesn't spike. I've been pretty good with my diet and cardio for the past year (other than 2 breaks). I just don't want to put myself into any kind of danger zone just to get bigger.

 

[QueBert]

been loading Creatine 3x a day now since Monday, I weighed myself at the gym last night and I've lost 1.5lbs this week lol. I know it takes a few weeks to kick in. But I just don't see myself getting these miracle 20lb muscle gains over the 1st 30 days I'm reading about in many of the reviews

 

[surfsatwerk]

been loading Creatine 3x a day now since Monday, I weighed myself at the gym last night and I've lost 1.5lbs this week lol. I know it takes a few weeks to kick in. But I just don't see myself getting these miracle 20lb muscle gains over the 1st 30 days I'm reading about in many of the reviews

Don't load it's a waste. Take 5grams a day.

 

[QueBert]

Don't load it's a waste. Take 5grams a day.

I'm done loading today any ways, the Creatine calculator on bodybuilding.com says I should take 12g a day. It asked for my weight and spit that out. I guess I'm suppose to 6/6 it. I probably won't do 12 a day, but it's definitely cheap enough to where I could.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/creatine_calculator.htm - url for said calculator.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I'm done loading today any ways, the Creatine calculator on bodybuilding.com says I should take 12g a day. It asked for my weight and spit that out. I guess I'm suppose to 6/6 it. I probably won't do 12 a day, but it's definitely cheap enough to where I could.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/creatine_calculator.htm - url for said calculator.

They are in the business of selling you stuff you don't need. I'm at home installing a new dishwasher atm or I would dig up links.

 

[Wyndru]

This answer may have been already posted in this thread, but I can't find it. Should I be taking creatine daily to be effective? Or can I just take 5g on lifting days and get similar results (every other day)?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Creatine ... from my reading.

You take 3-5 mg a day. 3 minimum according to waht studies said is required for it to show benefit. More than 5 starts getting into the erea of pointless amounts. studies have been shown up to 20 mg being with no health related side effects.

The only time you need to load up (OPTIONAL!) is at hte beginning. You can take up to 20 mg a day for 7 days when you start. It will build up in your body faster that way. But after the 7 days, you should jsut go to 5 mg.

I bought some and am doing 5 mg a day. Might try 10 mg for the first week.

It has to be taken every day. Not weight only days. And I think I read that you should not take it with acidic beverages like orange juice. Take with water, milk, etc. No soda though.

 

[surfsatwerk]

This answer may have been already posted in this thread, but I can't find it. Should I be taking creatine daily to be effective? Or can I just take 5g on lifting days and get similar results (every other day)?

5grams daily

 

[Remobz]

I have been developing muscles without taking anything at all. Not even vitamin tablets. However, I eat a very well balanced diet with lots of rice and beans.

Imagine my gains if I took supplements?

 

[Zivic]

I have been developing muscles without taking anything at all. Not even vitamin tablets. However, I eat a very well balanced diet with lots of rice and beans.

Imagine my gains if I took supplements?

your diet along with your genetics are the 2 most important factors.

You have me curious as as to your "developing muscles". Your strength or size could be substantially more than I consider big and strong, or be absolutely pathetic -> it's all relative.

I supplement and basically workout only 5 months out of the year. I say the same thing -> imagine if I could simply workout year round.

 

[Zivic]

Creatine ... from my reading.

You take 3-5 mg a day. 3 minimum according to waht studies said is required for it to show benefit. More than 5 starts getting into the erea of pointless amounts. studies have been shown up to 20 mg being with no health related side effects.

The only time you need to load up (OPTIONAL!) is at hte beginning. You can take up to 20 mg a day for 7 days when you start. It will build up in your body faster that way. But after the 7 days, you should jsut go to 5 mg.

I bought some and am doing 5 mg a day. Might try 10 mg for the first week.

It has to be taken every day. Not weight only days. And I think I read that you should not take it with acidic beverages like orange juice. Take with water, milk, etc. No soda though.

Take it with a simple sugar. On the days you work out. 5 grams preworkout, 5 grams after. simple as that.

 

[j.Sin]

Remember no supps are necessary and diet is key. Are you trying to bulk or cut? Supplements are whats in the name; it SUPPLEMENTS your diet. Learn how to calculate macro nutrients well and the only supps you may need: whey/casein, fish oil, multivitamins/ bcaa's.

That's all I take - I took creatine on my first bulk.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Creatine .... been using it for about 5 days now. I am fairly convinced that this tuff works. Last nights workout just seemed to be easier than normal when I got into the last reps of each set. Also took longer breaks between reps than normal but I have some confidence that I'll be geting past my last military press stall Tuesday night.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Creatine .... been using it for about 5 days now. I am fairly convinced that this tuff works. Last nights workout just seemed to be easier than normal when I got into the last reps of each set. Also took longer breaks between reps than normal but I have some confidence that I'll be geting past my last military press stall Tuesday night.

This is all your increased effort. The creatine would not create such results in five days.

 

[Awkward]

Uh, what? Please tell me you're not making irrational statements about creatine that have no proof whatsoever.

Nothing concrete, but it's not without its risks. Creatine spikes DHT, which is the #1 cause of hair loss.

http://www.creatinemonohydrate.net/creatine-side-effects

I'm not a bodybuilder, or even interested in bulking, but I never understood why people take stuff like this. Just eat more freaking food.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Nothing concrete, but it's not without its risks. Creatine spikes DHT, which is the #1 cause of hair loss.

http://www.creatinemonohydrate.net/creatine-side-effects

I'm not a bodybuilder, or even interested in bulking, but I never understood why people take stuff like this. Just eat more freaking food.

This is why you don't understand why people take supplements. Taking creatine is safer than taking aspirin.

 

[QueBert]

Nothing concrete, but it's not without its risks. Creatine spikes DHT, which is the #1 cause of hair loss.

http://www.creatinemonohydrate.net/creatine-side-effects

I'm not a bodybuilder, or even interested in bulking, but I never understood why people take stuff like this. Just eat more freaking food.

Creatine does have benefits for people who work out, and if you read up on it. It would take eating 15-18 steaks to for a person to get 5 grams of it. Eating 15 steaks a day's not possible. So outside of taking it as a supplement, you couldn't possibly get anywhere close to enough of it. While a lot of people do get some bloat from taking it, I would imagine if any of them tried to eat enough steak to get 5g, they would have much worse bloating, and probably a few lbs of weight gain a day. And I don't think you'd live long eating that much meat every day.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

And rice has more arsenic in it than any other "veggie".

Enoguh that there is risk long term with it. But do people not eat rice?

 

[Zivic]

Nothing concrete, but it's not without its risks. Creatine spikes DHT, which is the #1 cause of hair loss.

http://www.creatinemonohydrate.net/creatine-side-effects

I'm not a bodybuilder, or even interested in bulking, but I never understood why people take stuff like this. Just eat more freaking food.

I have every bit of my hair. I have two younger brothers that have no idea with creatine is, let alone have ever used it. Both are balding... Ill keep on using and enjoy my full head of hair.

Genetics > supplements