Who Takes Creatine?

[TTRickeh]

For you bodybuilding/sporty types who take supplements, who takes creatine and what are your experiences with it?

 

I'm trying to get back into going to the gym. Sometimes I struggle to eat enough so would like to have a protein shake to tide me over and make sure the effort spent in the gym isn't wasted. I'd had Maximuscle Promax before but it tasted gash. Someone recommended PhD stuff so I bought their Recovery powder. It didn't say anywhere on the front that it contained creatine so I just assumed it was run of the mill whey protein (it said it had that on the front).

 

However I just looked on the back of it today and the ingredients contain creatine. Granted it's only 2g per 80g serving, which seems small when compared to the likes of Maximuscle Cyclone 5.1g per 60g serving, but it still contains creatine which i'm a little apprehensive about. I've given it a swift googling and it doesn't seem like there's any concrete evidence of side effects but I don't take going to the gym seriously enough to warrant taking any sort of risks with supplements/unwanted side effects.

 

I think i'll probably finish it off and then buy some normal whey protein stuff, but would like your opinions on whether I should just bin and buy something else now or if you think a little creatine is good for you.

 

If it makes any difference i'm 12st at the moment and usually just go for a decent mix of weights/cardio about twice a week.

 

Cheers

[dwayne]

i've only ever used a teaspoon mixed with water 30 mins before training. i found it did give me a little more energy during so i could lift more for a bit longer but i've never done the "loading, maintaining bit". i'm no expert though

[dude]

I rate creatine, it definatly has an effect which is why its now banned in Prisons.....'because the guys get too strong on it'.

 

I always use it between 'other' supplements.

 

One of the best results ive had was with a product called BSN Nitrix, put on a stone in 6 weeks. thats not far off some steroid gains.

[supra_aero]

I've used it, no doubt it works and makes you look bigger and stronger.

 

I stopped using it as it made my face look bloated. Tried many brands and they all did that so stopped.

[Septic]

I use it and it definately makes a difference. I find myself struggling to eat enough or eating the right food like you do and this really helps me.

 

I'd recommend it.

[hiten55]

im using it on and off but havent noticed any side affects as yet. so what kinds of things are people experiencing?

 

i got mine from myprotein.co.uk - they recomend 3 doses of 5gm a day for 8 weeks and then 1 week off sounds a bit extreme to me - can anyone confirm?

[Jamesy]

 

One of the best results ive had was with a product called BSN Nitrix, put on a stone in 6 weeks. thats not far off some steroid gains.

 

wow!! is it still available?

 

did u use that as well as protein etc ....

 

 

I always thought creatin was just good for immediate results but was mainly weater retention so when u stop it all turns to fat?

[TTRickeh]

I rate creatine, it definatly has an effect which is why its now banned in Prisons.....'because the guys get too strong on it'.

 

I always use it between 'other' supplements.

 

One of the best results ive had was with a product called BSN Nitrix, put on a stone in 6 weeks. thats not far off some steroid gains.

 

lol, scary, I think we have different goals I'm not sure I want to take anything that anyone feels the need to ban!

 

I used to be 13.5st and felt pretty fit/strong (for me) about a year or two ago but dissertations/exams/laziness soon saw to that.

[supra_aero]

im using it on and off but havent noticed any side affects as yet. so what kinds of things are people experiencing?

 

i got mine from myprotein.co.uk - they recomend 3 doses of 5gm a day for 8 weeks and then 1 week off sounds a bit extreme to me - can anyone confirm?

 

Sounds standard proceedure to me. Most have a bulking stage for a couple of weeks or so, then a scoop a day there after for 2-3 months then you are meant to break for a bit.

[Geo]

creatine is a good SUPPLEMENT, but thats it Supplement!!!! This supplement is found in good red meat, So get some steak down you.

 

Kre-Alkalyyn is the best creatine out there, if you want to use it? Iv used it in the past, but currently not using it at all.... Only side i found with it(powdered stuff) is it made be bloated, caps were side free as it should be.

[Luxluc]

One of the best results ive had was with a product called BSN Nitrix

 

+1 .. I only hate those huge tablets

[Brett 1]

I take Creatine but i take them as pill not liquid. There great but you need to drink loads of water (says 8-10 glasses a day) to 'super hydrate' your muscles, so you p*ss like every 20 mins

[Geo]

I take Creatine but i take them as pill not liquid. There great but you need to drink loads of water (says 8-10 glasses a day) to 'super hydrate' your muscles, so you p*ss like every 20 mins

 

you need to drink loads of water anyway dude, regardless if your taking creatine or not.

 

Most people forget this, most important thing IMO

[Fitz]

I'm using PhD Whey Protein (Vanilla Creme )). Didn't feel the need for an obscene amount of creatine as I'm happy with the small amount inside. I am adding an additional 2 small scoops of 'L-Glutamine' which has a 'salty' kick to it. But, over the past 8 weeks on the protein shake and L-Glutamine. I have started noticing the differences.

 

Oh and a daily cod liver oil tablet for good measure

[bromy]

Have a read up on No Xplode

[add heywood]

The problem with ready mixed powders is you don't know what sort of mix % you are taking in any one scoop...

 

Creatine is a naturally occuring substance used in your muscle for energy recovery. It helps in the recovery of ADP back into ATP (ATP being the energy used to contract muscle). The more ATP you can re create from ADP the more reps you can perform before failure, it theoretically should give you a feeling of more energy and more strength. The problems from the scientific studies I read up on was the transfer from actually orally taking creatine and the digestion process and transportation to the muscle tissue.

[TTRickeh]

creatine is a good SUPPLEMENT, but thats it Supplement!!!! This supplement is found in good red meat, So get some steak down you.

 

 

Just been for a big burger

 

Have a read up on No Xplode

 

I think i'll give that the swerve!

 

I'm using PhD Whey Protein (Vanilla Creme )). Didn't feel the need for an obscene amount of creatine as I'm happy with the small amount inside. I am adding an additional 2 small scoops of 'L-Glutamine' which has a 'salty' kick to it. But, over the past 8 weeks on the protein shake and L-Glutamine. I have started noticing the differences.

 

Oh and a daily cod liver oil tablet for good measure

 

Is that pharma whey? Just had a look at it I can't find any creatine in there. Looks like it has taurine though!? Which after i've just checked is in Maximuscle's Promax too.

 

Are there no whey protein powders without all this crap in it? My thinking is i'm not going to be taking creatine/whatever chemical forever so I may as well build my body to be fuelled by what I expect in the future. Kind of like having a car mapped to race gas but running on Tesco 99 instead.

 

Holland and Barrett's stuff looks fairly simple actually. Might go for that once i'm finished the PhD Recovery. Hope it tastes nice because this PhD 'Berry Blast' flavour is at the other end of the scale to Promax as it is very sweet.

[sdistc]

Creatine is quite effective, I've found - strength increases, and some size (improves cellular hydration, which makes the cell both physically bigger but also upregulates protein synthesis).

 

There are some conflicting studies out there, though - suggesting that it is linked with increased risk of tendon rupture, and cramps. However, these were all in high-dose loading regimes (20gram daily, for example), so make sure you've got a decent loading protocol (e.g. 1-2 g servings 3-5 times a day for loading phase, reduced for maintenance phase).

 

Overall, though, I think if you train hard enough and eat well, creatine will have a bigger effect. Often people rely on supplements without training hard enough to need them.

[AJI]

A guy started in the local gym that I go to about a year ago and got talking to him recently, he is now fairly bulky from taking creatine but also he is now fairly fat and spotty.

He's put a lot of weight on around the mid-rif and his face is 'podgey' and blemished.

 

He puts all this down to his creatine use.

 

So I'm guessing if you take too much (which can be vastly different for individuals), then it can have adverse effects.

 

 

I take the whey protein as a recovery aid after weights and find that to be better to keep fit and maintain steady (but slow) muscle growth.

But obviously this will depend on how hard you 'attack' the weights each session and how your diet is during the week.

[Geo]

A guy started in the local gym that I go to about a year ago and got talking to him recently, he is now fairly bulky from taking creatine but also he is now fairly fat and spotty.

He's put a lot of weight on around the mid-rif and his face is 'podgey' and blemished.

 

He puts all this down to his creatine use.

 

So I'm guessing if you take too much (which can be vastly different for individuals), then it can have adverse effects.

 

 

I take the whey protein as a recovery aid after weights and find that to be better to keep fit and maintain steady (but slow) muscle growth.

But obviously this will depend on how hard you 'attack' the weights each session and how your diet is during the week.

 

im guessing he lied through his teeth to you.

[Jamesy]

im guessing he lied through his teeth to you.

 

juice??

[Geo]

juice??

 

:rolleyes:

[Jamesy]

Have a read up on No Xplode

 

I used this for about 3 months before the gym ... this stuff was amazing - i was buzzing my nuts off and going round the gym like a thing possessed.

 

Not sure how good it really is for you though? Geo?

[Geo]

I used this for about 3 months before the gym ... this stuff was amazing - i was buzzing my nuts off and going round the gym like a thing possessed.

 

Not sure how good it really is for you though? Geo?

 

yup, tried it myself. and the pumps were amazing, although i did get used to it very very quickly, didnt have the same affect after a while.

[AlliRR]

Gaspari superpump was good for 'motivation', though I felt like I was pi55ed when I was on it. As for creatine, my exp of taking it are mostly good, though I did have an acne explosion.... put on a fair bit of weight but it was very quick to lose it... mustve been all/mostly water retention.