Creatine... Good Idea?

[megad]

I'm 16 yrs old (almost 17), I'm 6'5" and I am 205 lbs. I've been lifting for about 5 months now and I want to start taking creatine to get my lifts up faster. Is it a good idea? If so, which kind should I get? BTW, I'm already taking VP2 Whey Isolate for protein.

 

[AMBB4L]

i get any micronized creatine -- whatever's on sale. as for your protein, just get whole food protein except maybe for post-workout whey.

 

[spatts]

Creatine is a natural amino acid, and you take it everytime you eat steak. So it's nothing to feel apprehensive about. Just like taking any other supplement. All creatine does is provide more "P" to join with an "ADP" to make "ATP" which is what your body uses for fuel. It's not an anabolic...it won't make you grow, directly. It WILL allow you to train a lil harder and a lil longer, and THAT may make you grow more efficiently.

I agree on the protein. Get lots of good clean food sources. Otherwise, as said above, use a fast absorbing protein, like whey, post workout...and some dextrose too. Like Protein Factory's Recovery Formula.

 

[louden_swain]

Spatts is correct, just eat a sufficient amount of red meat.

 

[RusPA81]

I personally notice quite a significant difference in my lifts between when I am on and off creatine at least as far as my endurance goes. I reach muscle failure at lot quicker when I am off, thus I have been on it for quite a while now. I get my creatine from supplementsdirect.com, They have a good, check brand. I also take it with dextrose.

 

[spatts]

Well, it would take a helluva lot of read meat to equal even a moderate dose of creatine, but every little bit helps. I just don't want anyone to feel like there's some stigma attached to creatine...it's not an anabolic like alot of people think. You know the whole, "I bet that Mark McGwire guy was using that creatine!" thing.

Personally, I don't use creatine. Never felt like I got squat out of it. I know I'm alone on this, so try it for yourself.

 

[gettinlarger]

Personally, I don't use creatine. Never felt like I got squat out of it. I know I'm alone on this, so try it for yourself.

Nah, I'm with you too spatts. I never used it. Never really felt the need to.

 

[Thaibox]

Spatts, some people just don't respond at all to creatine supp.
But, its also possible that you had crappy creatine. Was it brand x? I'm on the other end of the curve and responded extremely well to it. I use it a few times a year.

 

[spatts]

I used ANSI....Andvanced Nutrient Systems International. W6 and Fitbitch use Eclipse, and I know W6 wouldn't recommend a brand that didn't work for him. I just haven't felt the need to experiment. I can't imagine having more energy in the gym.

 

[coolcolj]

Creatine tend to work better on vegeterians

and you can get cramps from em. From what I have heard, creatine when it does work usually only works for one 'cycle" after that it tends to not work as well.

When i tried loading on it, I got a huge pumped up feeling. Not sure if I helped me though - didn't jump any higher