Who uses creatine?

[RottenWillow]

All I have seen from it is temporary strength gains apparently due to the increase in glycogen storage. Thats fine but Im not a powerlifter so Im wondering if there is any reason to continue paying out each month for it.

Does anyone feel based on personal experience there is any longterm hypertrophy because of the creatine?

 

[Liftbig]

as a direct result of creatine, id have to say no. the only thing i ever notice is i hold more water than usual.

 

[pwr_machine]

In simplified terms, let's say it gets you one extra rep that you couldn't do without it. That extra rep means you're stonger. Being stronger means you're probably on the right track to getting bigger. Creatine isn't a miracle supplement, but it can be a small piece to a big puzzle. It might seem like a small gain, but that depends on your personal goals.

 

[jerkbox]

bigger wieghts = bigger gains

 

[RottenWillow]

let's say it gets you one extra rep that you couldn't do without it. That extra rep means you're stonger.

Hit the nail on the head. That's exactly the performance gain I get. One, perhaps two reps extra. Clearly such an almost immediate strength gain isnt due to bigger muscles but to more fuel packed into the muscle permitting extra performance. But cycling off creatine after 2-3 months on I see a performance loss over the course of a few weeks. If all I'm going to get from CM is some temporary strength gains and no real hypertrophy as a result I cant see any reason to stay on it.

But I've heard the theory that if a lifter can pack extra nutrients into a muscle over a long enough period of time (i.e. by using creatine) then they could encourage some extra muscle growth. The logic behind this I never heard clearly explained, seems kind of fuzzy. But I want to know if anyone has ever tested this and seen longterm permanent results that have persisted while off creatine and which they felt were due to having used the stuff.

 

[pwr_machine]

Hit the nail on the head. That's exactly the performance gain I get. One, perhaps two reps extra. Clearly such an almost immediate strength gain isnt due to bigger muscles but to more fuel packed into the muscle permitting extra performance. But cycling off creatine after 2-3 months on I see a performance loss over the course of a few weeks. If all I'm going to get from CM is some temporary strength gains and no real hypertrophy as a result I cant see any reason to stay on it.

But I've heard the theory that if a lifter can pack extra nutrients into a muscle over a long enough period of time (i.e. by using creatine) then they could encourage some extra muscle growth. The logic behind this I never heard clearly explained, seems kind of fuzzy. But I want to know if anyone has ever tested this and seen longterm permanent results that have persisted while off creatine and which they felt were due to having used the stuff.

You're right, not necessarily due to bigger muscles but more availability of creatine or "fuel" if you will. Stronger workouts provide a better potential for muscle growth. I really don't see the loss in performance being associated with cycling off of creatine. I and lifters that I have worked with have never lost these strength gains.

I'm very unsure about this packing extra nutrients theory that you've heard. I'd have to investigate that a bit more.

 

[casualbb]

Me!

It's not a miracle supplement, but it's so cheap and has no negative side-effects, so to me it just makes sense. I've seen good results from it.

 

[crayonofdoom]

And I've read studies that conclude it helps fight fatigue of the brain during tests and what not if you will, good for those students during finals week!

 

[ffknight84]

i like using it when i go lift heavy for a few weeks ( usually 2 months ), gives me that extra UMPHHHH to go on. Other than that i dont use it, although im considering using it in season next spring to see how it helps my muscular endurance during practice.

 

[crayonofdoom]

what u practicin' for?