do you guys take creatine?

[Semidevil]

so I lift weights M/W/F, and post workout, I always have 20 grams of whey protein.


What do you guys think of creatine? So as far as I know, whey protein helps build muscle, but creatine pre workout helps gives me the energy to lift more. Is that correct?

So what if I do pre workout creatine, post workout whey protein?

I'm 135lbs, 5'4, trying to gain size. I"m eating more, lifting more, but want to see what else I can do to maximize results

If creatine is good, any brands and how do you take it? just like I said?

 

[HNNstyle]

I actually wanted to start a similar topic and ask what supplements people are taking. I don't take any protein shakes but I purchased my first Omega 3 fish oil. I use it on the days that i don't eat salmon.

 

[Pantlegz]

Creatine is good. Stick to a high quality monohydrate. No need to load or cycle. 5g a day. timing doesn't really matter. I normally do pre-workout.

 

[brikis98]

I don't use supplements, but if I did, creatine would be on the short list. It has been studied extensively (see this beautiful table of results) and generally shown to be safe and effective.

 

[QueBert]

It's expensive and the "research" behind it could well be a good deal of just hype. But I take Con-Cret, which is a more costly designer Creatine. I looooove the Pineapple flavor, damn it's delicious. And even if it is overkill, it's definitely top notch. If you want more energy while lifting you should look into a Pre Work Out. I take Muscle Pharm Assault, it actually has a medium amount of Con-Cret in it. DS Sports Craze is another PWO people love. Assault gives me a nice boost of energy and some focus.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

IMO creatine does work. However, I stopped taking it a few years ago because of water retention and suspicion that it was accelerating my hair loss.

 

[marmasatt]

Creatine works quite well. There is no doubt about it. If you are looking to build muscle or "put on size" so to speak, it's a no brainer to add to your supplements with whey protein. It's so dang cheap. I may be in the minority, but I kind of tend to think Creatine is Creatine. Sort of like if you take Ibuprofen at Sams Club or you buy a bottle of Motrin. As long as it's not made in someone's basement, you can't really go wrong with somewhat of a brand name I don't think. But I'm not as up on this stuff anymore.

It definitely makes you retain water. I tend to gain as much as 5-7 lbs in the first few weeks. But oddly enough, I sort of lose it all when I'm done. Not sure it that's just a personal reaction. It will make you stronger though. Also, if you are looking for "energy" per se, you may wish to get creatine combined with energy inducers/caffeine in a "pre workout"' supplement as others have said.

On a side note, I just started taking Jacked and I am less than impressed. Been taking it for like 2 weeks. I enjoy the way a good 2 cups of coffee or strong pre workout supplement make me fell (focused, high-energy, intense) so I was expecting to basically feel like I was on Meth or something after all that I had heard. But it's just not doing anything for me. Not even compared to my last one NO xplode.

 

[Sixguns]

My pre workout is Jack3d. I love the stuff. As for creatine, I started taking it back in October. I only used it for a few months. I didnt like the weight that I put on and I didnt seem to get any other results but I plan on trying it again this summer.

 

[Awkward]

no thanks i enjoy having hair

 

[surfsatwerk]

no thanks i enjoy having hair

Pls post links, i need lulz.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

no thanks i enjoy having hair

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

 

[Semidevil]

so it seems like Creatine is a good choice, but most every one mentioned 'bloating.' I"m kind of in the middle of gaining muscle, but at the same time, trying to achieve a flat stomach, will creatine give me my belly back? how do you over come it?

 

[Sixguns]

so it seems like Creatine is a good choice, but most every one mentioned 'bloating.' I"m kind of in the middle of gaining muscle, but at the same time, trying to achieve a flat stomach, will creatine give me my belly back? how do you over come it?

When I took it I never noticed a bloating affect just overall weight gain. I was concerned because I am in the same boat as you. Trying to flatten the belly while putting some muscle on.

 

[marmasatt]

so it seems like Creatine is a good choice, but most every one mentioned 'bloating.' I"m kind of in the middle of gaining muscle, but at the same time, trying to achieve a flat stomach, will creatine give me my belly back? how do you over come it?

Well you can live by that old (albeit stupid and cliched) bodybuilding mantra: "You've got to build the wall, before you can paint it." In other words, do your bulking up, put on you 10/15 lbs of muscle, then start running, up your cardio, watch your diet more and remove the fat around it later on...I've always found it kind of hard to do both at once personally (put on muscle yet stay lean). The two are kind of counterintuitive (sp). The MMA guys can do it (and they even have to cut later), but everyone else seems to have to really fuel up and eat and eat to put on muscle. And at the same time, it's kind of hard to stay lean when you use the phrase "eat and eat"....

 

[Sixguns]

Well you can live by that old (albeit stupid and cliched) bodybuilding mantra: "You've got to build the wall, before you can paint it." In other words, do your bulking up, put on you 10/15 lbs of muscle, then start running, up your cardio, watch your diet more and remove the fat around it later on...I've always found it kind of hard to do both at once personally (put on muscle yet stay lean). The two are kind of counterintuitive (sp). The MMA guys can do it (and they even have to cut later), but everyone else seems to have to really fuel up and eat and eat to put on muscle. And at the same time, it's kind of hard to stay lean when you use the phrase "eat and eat"....

I always word that wrong. I dont really want to get huge in anyway I just want to get cut and be strong. There is one guy that goes to my gym that is super huge but he doesnt seem that strong and I dont understand that. I really just want to be lean and cut and I guess that just comes from years of being a fatty

 

[Pia]

My ready-made exercise drink mix has a 1:1 split of protein and carbs plus small amounts of other stuff including creatine. I've read it has no bad effects and speeds up recovery, sounds good.

 

[elitejp]

Creatine can cause bloating but thats a good thing. Creatines strength is in the fact that it helps your muscles take in more water. Whethor your trying to gain muscle mass or lose weight having a bunch of water in your bodys cells is a really really good thing. As long as its 100% pure creatine monohydrate than just get whatever one you want. Dont get the one that has added sugar to it or helps your body absorb it 500x better blah blah blah. For some people it has litle effect on strength but others it works great. Its cheap so give it a try.

As for other suplements fish oil, flax oil and olive oil are all really really good to take. Do your research though, it needs to be cold pressed refrigerated and stored in a dark bottle.
Whey protein I guess is good. i know most people recommend it without a thought, but I gain more by sticking to just whole foods than by adding any protein powder to my diet.
I also drink coffee before workouts but normally dont drink it at other times.

HMB always always worked for me but I think I was taking 15g a day and now live oversees where Im concerned about both quality/not fake and also the price is outrageous.

If your really want to put on muscle you just got to eat big and lift big. Keep a record of what you eat. I can get away with alot of junk food even when bulking but I still must force myself to get all the food down. If i didnt have a record of what i ate last week and where my body weight or strength was then i wouldnt know if i needed to eat more or less. Others need to eat really clean and may be able to wing it and grow but the vast majority of people asking how to put on size need to have a journal and figure out those macro nutrient ratios along with calorie amount

 

[HNNstyle]

Is there a difference between Creatine and real food? Is Creatine just protein?

 

[Pantlegz]

Is Creatine just protein?

no

 

[Pantlegz]

A high quality monohydrate really wont cause any bloating, you might retain a little bit of water but in reality most people wouldn't notice unless you're trying to cut water weight or are very low bf%. You're not going to get GH gut or anything taking creatine...

 

[elitejp]

^ya no need to worry about that. You will probably just put on a few pounds of water weight and that is actually a very good thing. When you go off you will just piss the water away.

 

[QueBert]

Is there a B&M I'll find Creatine at besides GNC? My Con-Cret samples are all gone and I'm too cheap to order some offline (expensive) and I'm too impatient to order some Optimum Nutrition and wait for it to be delivered. I'm working out this evening and would like to start my loading today.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

I think walmart has creatine for cheap. Or definitely check Vitamin Shoppe if you have on nearby. GNC is only good online when they have a buy 2 get 1 free deal or some crazy price error that everone takes advantage of.

Amazon prime would probably be the fastest option if you buy online.

 

[marmasatt]

I think walmart has creatine for cheap. Or definitely check Vitamin Shoppe

This.

Also, believe it or not CVS even has some now. If you go to a big enough one, you could get 300grams for like 12 bucks. Not great for price, but not bad and easy enough to find.

 

[Pantlegz]

I would avoid walmart or CVS because they probably aren't stocking high quality products and most of them are a mix of tons of stuff. True Nutrition has a good selection, maybe too many if you don't know what you're looking for. bodybuilding.com also has a decent online store. GNC is pretty meh too honestly, I wouldn't buy anything from them unless it was massively discounted. I'd say if you're looking for B&M stores go to something more local with a decent selection if you get a salesman that says "brah" and tries to push every product they have on you, go somewhere else...