What kind of creatine works best?

[Hellbore]

Do any of you guys use creatine?

Does it help enough to be worth using?

What kind works best? I know there is simple creatine monohydrate, then there's all these other variations. It's enough to make a guy confused. Back when I used to lift there was only 1 kind. Now I'm back lifting and we've been going for about a month and a half, and I am starting to see some results that are making me happy, but I'd like to step it up more if creatine will help.

Any advice? If creatine will help me build up faster I would like to use it.

 

[musketeer]

I use Cell Tech because of the delivery system: 75g of carbs and the ALA and all that stuff. I take it post workout with about 50g of whey. Cell Tech costs 80GBP or about $143 US here in England for a 7lb tub. I don't pay that - I wait for a sale, or pick up two tubs whenever I visit the states.

There are lots of new kinds of creatine, and I've heard that the serum is really effective. I just prefer to stick with the Cell Tech because of the delivery system; there are 10 grams of creatine per serving. Do you guys believe that 10g of Cell Tech creatine is as effective as using a few grams of the newer types of creatine?

 

[Forced Negative]

I use Cell Tech because of the delivery system: 75g of carbs and the ALA and all that stuff. I take it post workout with about 50g of whey. Cell Tech costs 80GBP or about $143 US here in England for a 7lb tub. I don't pay that - I wait for a sale, or pick up two tubs whenever I visit the states.

There are lots of new kinds of creatine, and I've heard that the serum is really effective. I just prefer to stick with the Cell Tech because of the delivery system; there are 10 grams of creatine per serving. Do you guys believe that 10g of Cell Tech creatine is as effective as using a few grams of the newer types of creatine?

I knew about the 10g of creatine, but does cell tech still use sugar to load?

 

[blut wump]

I've only ever used creatine monohydrate but I've been cycling it for over a year. It definitely works: makes you a bit stronger and gives you more energy in the gym. I just take it with meals or in a PWO drink. It's pretty cheap if you get just the straight powder.

I always load for five days with 4x5g servings and then I run it for a further month at 5g per day spread over two or three doses. I then take two to four weeks off before loading again. I feel it kicking in at the gym by around the end of the loading phase.

Some guys complain of bloat but I've never noticed it myself. It's recommended to drink lots of water while supplementing with creatine.

 

[musketeer]

hold on I'll get the box (I am 100% sure but I'll go look at it):

Cell-Tech 7lb
MuscleTech
Flavor:
Fruit Punch

Please note: Nutritional content may vary between Cell Tech flavors.

Serving Size: 2 Scoops (99g)
Servings Per Container: - 35


% Daily Value*
Calories - 320

Total Carbohydrate - 75g 25%*



Sugars - 75g


Vitamin C - 250mg
(as ascorbic acid) 417%


Phosphorus - 180mg
(as dipotassium, dicalcium & magnesium phosphate) 18%


Magnesium - 70mg
(as magnesium phosphate) 18%


Chromium - 250mcg
(as chromium polynicotinate) 208%


Sodium - 140mg
(as disodium phosphate) 6%


Potassium - 150mg
(as dipotassium phosphate) 4%


Crea-Edge™ - 10g
Creatine monohydrate, creatine anhydrous, dicreatine malate, Creatine alpha-ketoglutarate †


SMG™ - 2.5g
Taurine, Betaine HCI, L-Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate †


Lipoic-Tech™ - 200mg
Alpha lipoic acid †


Ingredients: Dextrose, natural and artificial flavors, citric acid, calcium silicate (as anticaking agent), gum blend (modified food starch, gum, acacia, titanium dioxide, tricalcium phosphate, xanthan gum, citric acid), red color flecks (gum arabic , FD&C Red no. 40), FD&C Red No 40.
*Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

†Daily Value not established.



OK, that's a YES - lots of sugar!

 

[rbtrout]

There's many types and forms of creatine. Powdered, liquid, etc. Lots of guys will give lots of different answers to the question as to which one works best. Some people get stomach problems from creatine (I am one of them), some don't. Most creatines have a loading phase - 1 week - where you literally load your system up with it. Usually double the normal dosages and then after the first week, just the normal dosages. That's typical with any creatine monohydrate. Creatine is supposed to 'load your muscles with water', which I find interesting since your body is about 70% water, what does it matter? Most users see significant gains in size and some in strength. I've used several of them over the last few years. I had decent results from Cell-Tech, but it made my stomach quite upset; so much so that I gave about 85% of it away.
The new kid on the block is CEE - creatine ethyl ester (I think I got that right). It is supposed to be absorbed into the system much faster and easier than monohydrate, thus no loading phase is necessary. EF pushes CEE as being a step better than regular creatine monohydrate. Users have reported gains like using monohydrate, but with no loading phase (the product will last longer). CEE is also not supposed to have any excess bloating from water. I haven't used it yet, but many here have.
If anything, I'd try one of the 99% pure creatines (mono) on the market or try one of the CEE's on the market. I'd be careful about using Cell-Tech or many or the others, as they're not pure.
Hope this helps.

 

[KOArtist]

Anafit has their pure CEE on hold due to the hot weather at the moment. Just a heads up.

 

[HaZaRDouZ]

i personally use stuff called Kre-Alkalyn. I have only used creatine for the longest time, 2-3months on, then off for a while. This is the best that i have ever used. No loading phase needed, and i take it post-workout with my shake. As for pre-workout i take a pill called volumize and some powerade i sip on throughout the workout as told to me by the guy who sold me this stuff (NOT A STUPID GNC SHOP). The volumize has r-ala in it and some magnesium and other htings, but Kre-Alkalyn is the best in my opinion.