Anyone here use Creatine?

[bleedamerica19]

I use it only for working out. Do you guys use it and how much and often do you take it?

[joeyp2003]

how bout you do a search im pretty sure theres a couple threads on creatine, suppliments, etc

[GCHSLax04]

I'm sure that those posts won't answer specifically what he is asking. All the other posts for have been for feedback as to what it does, if it works and the like, not actual people who take it, so his post is valid, and yours is not. Its the annoying things like that that made me take a break from here. Sorry if I'm exploding on you it just gets to me. And there is a guy on my team who takes it every time he lifts and he says that hes only seen minor improvements that are probably just from the continued lifting. I don't know the dose amount though, sorry.

[joeyp2003]

k fine i was wrong to jump so fast at him, i use just straight protien power and i use pump tech...gives u more pump when your lifting its like creatine but i think it gets better results

[Longest]

I have never used Creatine, just whey protein powder. Therefore I cannot offer any firsthand advice. However, I advise caution when using it, especially if you have not consulted a physician, dietician, nutritionist, etc regarding its use. Important thing to know is, you don't take creatine like you would whey protein, you must cycle it, meaning you build its store up in the body so it is always present for a couple weeks, then take a maintenance dose throughout the next several weeks. Following links have good information.

http://www.creatinefacts.com/creatine_monohydrate1.htm
http://www.mdausa.org/research/creatine.html
http://www.bla.net/opul/crfaq.htm
http://www.raysahelian.com/creatine.html

Dan

[MClothier]

yea like longest said- its not really a supplement u can take whenever. u need to take consistantly for a while, and have a consistant workout routine as well. if u take creatine and do not work out- it will turn into fat (that no good...)but yea, check it out first with say a GNC employee or someone has been taking it for a while.

[the wister]

I started taking creatine about four years ago and have been using it every now and then. The usual is 5 grams a serving, and depending on your weight, you should take about 10-20 grams a day, but 20 is a little high. The maximum you should ever take is 25g, though more than this isn't going to dangerously harm your body (unless you do this everyday for more than a few months). Loading phases, the recommended way to take creatine, constitute about 2 weeks time in which you are supposed to take about 20 grams a day so that your body becomes accustomed to it. I take it twice a day, 5 grams dissolved in a gatorade. I think what longest meant by cycle was that you have to use a loading phase, but once you start taking it, there isn't a certain time when you must stop for at least X number of weeks, like a pro-hormone cycle.

[Longest]

You're correct on what I meant, the articles and you explained it better than I did.

Dan

[bleedamerica19]

thanks a lot

[BTlaxripper]

I just bought some today. Do I really need a loading phase? Or can I just take 2 servings a day?

[Longest]

I just bought some today. Do I really need a loading phase? Or can I just take 2 servings a day?

If you're a licensed nutritonist, dietician, or physician, feel free to do what you want. If not, I suggest following the suggestions in the links I posted.

Dan

[the wister]

Hmmm, I've always pondered this same question. To me, it always seemed like a loading phase was just a scam so that companies could make a few extra bucks when you run out early. From my experience, you will see results if you just do 2 scoops a day, no load. But, you will see better results sooner if you do load, so, more or less, you get similar results with the same amount of creatine, whether you load and use it for 1 month, or no load and use it for 2. I'd say go with a loading phase though, the manufacturer is usually the one who knows the product best.

[dominance]

This is my first post. I just been reading this forum for a bit cause I'm starting lacrosse this season.

I don't know a whole lot about lacrosse but I do know an alright amount about supplements. I'am a member of Steroidology.com. They have a great supplement forum. If you have any questions about training, or supplements of any sort I'd suggest you check that site out.

Anyways, the reason I'm posting.

Creatine is a naturaly accuring substance in your body, you usually make or get about 2 grams a day through manufacturing, or meat.

By supplementing it all your doing is giving your body excess amounts of it. The only danger in taking to much is your liver will have a tough time dealing with it. So if you supplement with creatine, make sure to drink lots of water.

The loading phase is contraversal. I find it to be pointless. Take 5 grams before a work out and you should be fine. About a half an hour ahead will be fine. If I'm not being lazy I usually do 5 grams before, 5 after. Try to take it with something that has a lot of sugar. Sugar helps drive it in to where its going. Along with others like taurine.

[BTlaxripper]

quality post dominance.

I don't know why people are buying flavored creatine such as muscle-tech and whatever.

I just got a bottle of "Nature's Best, 100% pure creatine monohydrate"
It looks like more crystalline sugar, just pour it into some water and shake it up and you can barely see it and there is no taste at all.

I finished first in sprints that night too, and I'm usually slow, would creatine be a factor in that?

[Longest]

I finished first in sprints that night too, and I'm usually slow, would creatine be a factor in that?

I'm going to wager an emphatic no on that one. Even anabolic steroids don't work that quickly.

Dan

[the wister]

Although it's questionable how much a role creatine would have played, I doubt that it would affect you that much, depending on how slow you usually are, but creatine does have an aerobic effect as well as an anerobic one, meaning it will help you with cardio in addition to weight lifting.

[dominance]

Creatine is a substance your body uses to contract your muscles. So in theory, yea it could have helped you. By perhaps running longer at your best speed. But in all practicality it probobly did not play a major role. Although I don't doubt it had some physical effect on you.

Also, we cannot forget the placebo/mental effect of creatine on boosting performance.

[laxtime24]

How old should you be before you start using creatine? im 15 , I go to a fitness camp every monday and friday. Would their be any benefits in taking creatine before I go to this?

[layingthelumber]

I dont lift very often, but would it help if I took a supplement before practice? If so what supplement??

[ex-lax]

whats wrong with protein

[dominance]

Laxtime / Layingthelumber - It's mainly used for lifting, but from what I hear it should help I suppose. You can try taking some and seeing if its worth it or not.

Some people are just not creatine responders. The majority of people do respond to it though.

15 should be fine, just make sure to get lots of protein and all that good stuff. and plenty of water. There is no real age problem with creatine.

Ex-lax - who said there was anything wrong with protien?