does anyone here like creatine?

[babushka]

I'm curious when people say basic monohydrate didn't work for them if they understand what it actually does or whether they literally got no effect from it.

On creatine I am typically 5-8lbs heavier from the extra water in the muscles. I typically see this on the scale within 2 days of starting creatine. My weight will dramatically shoot up.

Extra water in the muscles by itself is anabolic.

Within the first workout or 2 I really notice it mainly on very heavy lifts and when nearing failure for reps on a lift. I "feel" like I can grind that last rep or 2 quite abit better whereas when off the creatine it's like bam, sets over. The strength just cuts off.

That's my experience with it.

All I can say none of that happend to me no weight or strength increase.
Done it for 6weeks with a week of loading phase with 20g a day, then 5g aday

 

[the_alcatraz]

Only Consume creatine post training. take immediatley after training with 40gms dextrose. drink 20 - 40oz water over next 30 minutes, then consume post workout shake.
Creatine is very insulin dependent and post training is the ldeal time to take.

5 gms creatine is sufficient. If you are using a formula that contains sugar, make sure and shake and roll the container because creatine is heavier than dextose
and it settles on the bottom.

There is no need to "cycle" creatine. Cycling creatine offers no advantages over continuous use.

There's several university studies and published double blind studies that support creatines efficacy in building lean mass. It's effect on ATP is undeniable and when
used properly and consistently, it is in my opinion, the best legal supp out there.

there are pretty much two reasons why people take creatine: recovery and energy/strength...taking it only post training illiminates the second reason, which is not a very good way to take creatine.

5 before and 5 after for a total of 10 a day is best practice.

 

[legendz]

My experience with creatine monohydrate is that it's quite effective. The muscles quickly retain a lot of water (and I must, therefore, increase my daily water intake accordingly) and I gain water weight, but I do feel it helps me in my workouts when I'm on it. Mono is the only variation of creatine I tried that seemed to truly work. I tried a couple brands of CEE a few years ago but it didn't seems to do much if anything for me.

I do definitely get a bloat from the mono and there is a four or five day loading phase with the brand I use (Optimum Nutrition, which I like), as is the case with pretty much all brands of mono. I've noticed that my skin sometimes breaks out with some bumps when I'm on, but that could be something else. Despite all that, it can be beneficial.

You don't have to cycle creatine, though I find that, whenever I want to cut fat, it's best to cut the creatine since I can then lose the waterweight (and the bloat). It's best to stack on a bulk cycle.

 

[layinback]

there are pretty much two reasons why people take creatine: recovery and energy/strength...taking it only post training illiminates the second reason, which is not a very good way to take creatine.

5 before and 5 after for a total of 10 a day is best practice.

Timing Of Creatine Is Important


Creatine research continues, and yet another study shows it augments gains in muscle when used during a resistance training regimen. However, this study suggests that taking creatine after your workout may have benefits over taking it some other time. Subjects in this study performed single-limb training (arm and leg) with one side of the body twice per week, immediately after which creatine was ingested (0.2 g/kg body weight). On two other days of the week, exercise was performed with the opposite limbs and a placebo was ingested. Muscle thickness of the arms was assessed using ultrasound before and after 6 weeks of training and supplementation. After 6 weeks, the muscle thickness of the arm trained on days creatine was taken increased by 9.2%, whereas muscle thickness of the arm trained on days placebo was taken increased by 6.2%. Lean tissue of the arm assessed from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry trained with creatine was greater compared to the arm trained with placebo. The most likely explanation for this effect is the increased blood flow to muscles which enhances creatine uptake into the active tissues. This is one of few studies that suggests timing of creatine after a workout is important to maximize training adaptations.

Chilibeck PD, Stride D, Farthing JP, Burke DG. Effects of creatine ingestion after exercise on muscle thickness in males and females. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 36(10):1781-1788.

Creatine has no immediate effect on energy or strength.Furthermore, Taking creatine pre
workout would be counter productive in that it scavenges fluid from
the intestinal tract and could contribute to dehydration or stomach upset.
Research shows that 2.5 - 5.0 gms a day is sufficient after the muscles
have been "loaded." I can't find evidence in the literature to indicate that
10 grams a day has any advantage over 5.


However, i'd be open to any medical study indicating an advantage to
creatine consumption pre exercise. I always steer clear of anecdotal
reporting.

 

[the_alcatraz]

Seriosuly? You're arguing whether or not creatine gives energy and strength gains?

 

[layinback]

Seriosuly? You're arguing whether or not creatine gives energy and strength gains?

No. The better question is how did you percieve my post as an arguement
against creatines ability to energize and build strength?

I clearly stated that creatine does not have an immediate effect on energy
and strength. In other words, if you take 5 grams of creatine an hour or
even several hours pre training, you will not feel the effects during
training. It doesn't work that way. Consuming creatine after your
muscles have been loaded serves the purpose of maintaining levels.

Creatine has a direct effect on ATP synthesis. ATP is the source of
energy production and without it, you couldn't develop enough torque
to move your eyes.

My arguement was in response to your saying that post creatine
supplementation was inefficient and you asserted that pre and post
supplementation was more effective. You also said that you couldn't
benefit from its strength / energy characteristics unless you consume
pre exercise. I posted a medical reference to the conrary and i can post
more if you'd like. You have made no compelling arguement thus far.

 

[wootoom]

I think for my body Creatine works well...great recovery and strength!

 

[the_alcatraz]

No. The better question is how did you percieve my post as an arguement
against creatines ability to energize and build strength?

I clearly stated that creatine does not have an immediate effect on energy
and strength. In other words, if you take 5 grams of creatine an hour or
even several hours pre training, you will not feel the effects during
training. It doesn't work that way. Consuming creatine after your
muscles have been loaded serves the purpose of maintaining levels.

Creatine has a direct effect on ATP synthesis. ATP is the source of
energy production and without it, you couldn't develop enough torque
to move your eyes.

My arguement was in response to your saying that post creatine
supplementation was inefficient and you asserted that pre and post
supplementation was more effective. You also said that you couldn't
benefit from its strength / energy characteristics unless you consume
pre exercise. I posted a medical reference to the conrary and i can post
more if you'd like. You have made no compelling arguement thus far.

I know what you said. I read it twice to make sure I'm not arguing for nothing. Creatine, I feel works in synergy with arginine which I also take pre and post workout. Yes, you will get benefit from creatine if you take it post workout, but when you take it pre workout it gives you energy.

Bodybuilders do it. Wrestlers do it. Fighters do it. I took it during wrestling season. I've taken it all my life. I don't need to read some dork's research lab essay to know how a supplement works in my body. I can just try it.

 

[Sub-Zero]

No. The better question is how did you percieve my post as an arguement
against creatines ability to energize and build strength?

I clearly stated that creatine does not have an immediate effect on energy
and strength. In other words, if you take 5 grams of creatine an hour or
even several hours pre training, you will not feel the effects during
training. It doesn't work that way. Consuming creatine after your
muscles have been loaded serves the purpose of maintaining levels.

Creatine has a direct effect on ATP synthesis. ATP is the source of
energy production and without it, you couldn't develop enough torque
to move your eyes.

My arguement was in response to your saying that post creatine
supplementation was inefficient and you asserted that pre and post
supplementation was more effective. You also said that you couldn't
benefit from its strength / energy characteristics unless you consume
pre exercise. I posted a medical reference to the conrary and i can post
more if you'd like. You have made no compelling arguement thus far.

id think that if you had creatine in the blood along with some glucose that having it available to your body during a workout would serve to actively replinish the stores in your muscles, but havnt looked up any info on how creatine is used on the molecular level in the body so im just theorizing lol

id assume its the same as sipping some simple carbs during a workout, and loading the muscles with alot in your Post workout shake

 

[layinback]

I know what you said. I read it twice to make sure I'm not arguing for nothing. Creatine, I feel works in synergy with arginine which I also take pre and post workout. Yes, you will get benefit from creatine if you take it post workout, but when you take it pre workout it gives you energy.

Bodybuilders do it. Wrestlers do it. Fighters do it. I took it during wrestling season. I've taken it all my life. I don't need to read some dork's research lab essay to know how a supplement works in my body. I can just try it.

So you're ok if your Doctor says, " I'm going to operate on you, but I'm not
going to follow the dictates of medical research. Those dorks that write
the medical books don't know your body like I do. I'm gonna use a procedure
that worked on a couple guys that i play poker with."

To each his own. I'll stick to medical research.