I have concluded that CREATINE SUCKS

[Prime Rib]

Yep, thats right. I said it. Creatine sucks. Like to know why?

After recovering from a torn shoulder injury, I've been hitting the gym pretty hard the past 8 months. Started taking Creatine from the start, and "thought" Creatine was to thank for my strength and size gains. After about 6 months of supplementing with Creatine, I noticed that I started feeling bloated a LOT. I even started to form a gut from all the damn water...

After 2 months of dealing with the symptoms, I quit taking the creatine about 3 weeks ago. I IMMEDIATELY lost 10 lbs, and my stomach has went back to normal again. I was once a water retaining buffalo, and now i'm not. My strength in the gym hasn't change a bit, and my workouts are still just as intense. I do not feel any change at all.

Long story short, creatine helped me gain a shit load of water weight and build my gut, but it didn't do much of shit for me in the gym. Just thought i'd share. IMO, i'd save your money on Creatine. Religously drink Protein, develope a good diet, take your vitamins, and leave this shit to the people who believe everything they read in magazines..


Later...


Josh

 

[u4ik_RAGE]

Gee, I'm convinced...

 

[c3ntrifug3]

ummmm

Okay, a few things to note from this that you really should know about Creatine:

First, there are different brands of creatine. The simple low down is that some make you gain water weight and some don't. On a molecular/biological level I'm not sure why (I'm sure there are many people that do on these forums and I'd love the enlightenment ...I always thought it had to do with sugar content).


Second, you are supposed to cycle creatine for a reason. After a certain amount of time supplementing with it, your body loses the ability to effectively utilize creatine. Generally, I do not use creatine for more than 3 months at a time but it varies from person to person.

Creatine is an incredible supplement, for me at least, and the mass you can gain while using it is quite incredible, but you have to know HOW to use it first.

If anyone wants to elaborate/correct anything that I've said please do. I am a noob

 

[MiniColemans]

1. only so much can be digested at one time--if you take like 10grams and pound some whey and dextrose, you're gonna have bloat.

2. try effervescent creatine--no sides.

3. space out dosage, maximum about 2grams post workout--no bloat.

4. loading is BS.

5. Cycle creatine.

 

[mrzap]

Ya I definetly gain water weight on creatine, but that is expected because part of what it does is draw water into your muscles. It works for me.

 

[Stryc-9]

Yep, thats right. I said it. Creatine sucks.
Josh

Lemme guess...you were taking Cell-tech?

 

[bigstve12]

cell tech made me bloat like a fucking elephant!! Strength went thru the roof though, kept all the strength, lost the bloat. I would never use/reccomend cell tech though. What creatine do you guys reccomend for minimal bloating? Ive tried Phosphagen HP but saw no results

 

[bbock727]

i just started Prolab creatine and just finished loading.. its so cheap i dont care if i waste it.. anyway... after 1 week i already see bloating in my abdominal area and my face. Do you think its because i loaded? Do you think it will fix itself when my intake is reduced.. I hope so otherwise im gonna have to get off this, an extra 9lbs water / 1lb muscle isnt worth my abs

 

[HANSEL]

Creatine never did anything for me.

 

[satchboogie]

i'm on my 3rd week of eas creatine. i'm 8% bf but look like 12 while on this shit.

i dont know about you but for me...bloat aint a favorable 'side'. steroids or not.

 

[ASALT]

It's not a miracle supplement, but if you cycle it, eat right, and do cardio then bloat shouldn't be much of a problem. I use it 8 weeks on, then take 4 off. Overall I think it's a good supplement.

 

[buffedmama]

I'm in a maintenance phase with the Prolab...

I loaded for 5 days, taking 3g every 4 hours to the max. for my body weight (I have the math formula if anyone wants it.)

Now I'm taking 2g a day for maintenance and I plan to do this for 6-8 weeks (depending on my results) and then taking about 6 weeks off.

I haven't noticed any excess bloating... I've gained more muscle then I would if I weren't on the stuff... But I'm also drinking about 4 L of water, so that could combat the bloat.

It does work though... If you use it right!

 

[AlbinoAssassin]

Some people are responders, some people aren't. I got really strong when I first used it and gained a lot of muscle, didn't notice any bloat. I have a hard time believing you got a gut from creatine, it increases intracellular fluid not extracellular fluid. I have a friend that swore cell-tech made him fat, you don't get fat from 300 calories. A couple of days ago he revamped his statement and realized it was because he ate like a fucking pig. I could see a little bloat, but not a gut. I guess it's one of those things that doesn't work for everyone, it did work for me though. I probably put on 15 pounds.

 

[PlateheadJim]

1. only so much can be digested at one time--if you take like 10grams and pound some whey and dextrose, you're gonna have bloat.

2. try effervescent creatine--no sides.

3. space out dosage, maximum about 2grams post workout--no bloat.

4. loading is BS.

5. Cycle creatine.

I agree with #3 - I spaced out dosage at about 2-4g every 4 hours or so. While this sounded like a little anal bitch kind of thing to do it was the only time I noticed any impressive strength & size changes with creatine.

Remember, though, creatine isn't gear and won't give you mind blowing results like the ads promise. Also, some react to it better than others.

 

[madhops22]

Creatine has always worked for me...

Of course you're going to bloat while taking the stuff, but it will improve your strength. I don't know anyone who would take the stuff for 8 months!!!?? You're supposed to cycle it man...no wonder you were bloated like a mutha! Next time, do a search on this board or ask someone for the proper dosages before you start taking something. I'm positive that the creatine helped you with your strength...you don't lose your strength when you come off it either, if you did...no one would take the stuff!

Just my 2 cents...

Madhops.

 

[bbock727]

actually people would still take the stuff People do plenty of cycles where they retain only 25% after getting off of it.. but people still do it. Most people do it around competitions or during the summer months

 

[ProperlyPumped]

Yep, creatine helped me a little, but I had to throw away a few pics of myself because of the fucking balloon head look it gave me!

 

[natedog]

If you think creatine sucks, there's a 90% chance you're just using it incorrectly.

It works wonders for me. I can tell the difference in the gym. I can squeeze out extra reps, recover and have strength for extra sets, and add in extra exercises while on creatine. The pump is better and lasts longer.

I use Prolab creatine.
I do the loading phase (4x5g/day for 5 days) at the beginning of every cycle.
After that, I take 5g/day right before my workout.
Every dose is taken on an empty stomach with 50g of dextrose and at least 16oz water.
I drink a LOT of water all day long while on creatine.
I cycle creatine 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off.

I don't feel bloated while on creatine.
I don't get the shits from taking it.

I have been taking it this way (off and on) since about 1997, and I have always felt its effects, every single time.

 

[Prime Rib]

Hey guys, sorry it took me so long to reply...

I may have went a little off the deep end with the intial thread, but I am still convinced that a lot of the so-called gains you guys are seeing are in your head and coming from your own natural potential....

I have been hitting the gym just the same since I quit the creatine, and I feel stronger than ever. I'm hitting the same amount of reps, and went up about 5 lbs already from last week on all my chest excercises. After seeing how my body performs without this stuff, i'd much rather train without it. I feel great, and knowing I am getting the gains on my own feels even better.

To each his own I guess. I'll be saving my money for other stuff. Protein, good food, and lots of sex are all I need. You boys can have the rest

 

[AlbinoAssassin]

Where do you buy your sex.......I mean, where can I get some of that stuff?

 

[Scaggs]

I use effervescent creatine. i always notice a difference expecially in recovery time. i go 4 to 8 weeks on and then atleast 2 off. I never felt a bloat like you guys are talking about. I think its all about the type of creatine your taking and how your body responds to creatine. the fact is, there are tons of hyped up crap creatine out there. yea if your taking crap, it will do crap. simple as that.

Scaggs

 

[Boss101]

I never have any bloat when I take creatine. I cycle on it for 6-8 weeks then 2-4 off I us prolab's creatine every cycle I gain 7-10lbs and don't I lose much of it.

If you get bloated from creatine try V-12 or swole its good for people who get bloated and don't respone to creatine.

 

[Holz61]

SCAGGS who makes good effervescent creatine?