creatine or no?

[caratemymoney]

does anyone here use it? does it help or is it a waste?

[HeadlessNorseman]

ive had it recomended to me from several successful weight lifters. I have never tried it myself. I was told to take 5g when i wake up and 5g after your workout. Will prob pick some up this weekend

[WildBillyT]

Yes, it works. Yes, you need to drink a lot of water. Yes, there are side effects. Do not buy Cell-Tech. Do not take it lightly like you are taking a new vitamin.

[Camvill]

yes it works and you can definitely tell when you are on it. It is pointless to take it though if you are going to be consuming lots of alcohol.

[WildBillyT]

yes it works and you can definitely tell when you are on it. It is pointless to take it though if you are going to be consuming lots of alcohol.

Alcohol and weightlifting never go together. Been proven many times.

[caratemymoney]

do you lose the strength you put on if you stop taking creatine but keep up with your normal workout?

[Camvill]

no creatine just superhydrates your muscles. They will look bigger and you will recover alot faster but you wont lose strength when you come off of it.

[WildBillyT]

do you lose the strength you put on if you stop taking creatine but keep up with your normal workout?

Technically no?

But it boosts strength and fatigue resistance by boosting ATP levels.

[caratemymoney]

so if i add 20 or 30 pounds to my bench or squat or whatever, and i stop creatine, ill keep it if i keep up my normal workout?

[WildBillyT]

so if i add 20 or 30 pounds to my bench or squat or whatever, and i stop creatine, ill keep it if i keep up my normal workout?

Not necessarily. You will keep some of the strength but your performance will be different.

[madness410]

ive heard of people taking the biggest craps of their lives taking creatine

[WildBillyT]

ive heard of people taking the biggest craps of their lives taking creatine

That's very helpful.

You will get mud butt and cramping if you don't hydrate.

[madness410]

i would try to help him out but ive never read into creatine lol

[LTb1ow]

What are some negative effects?

[HeadlessNorseman]

What are some negative effects?

i would also like to know. Ive heard about the water thing. I drink a ton already, i average at least a gallon and a half a day, and sometimes more on hardcore workout days. Would suck if i had to add more, but you gotta do what you gotta do!

[procamaroz28]

you really dont need it... its effects dont last long its really just for some quick size...
i stopped it long ago and my strength is even better...

[LTb1ow]

Suppose it can't hurt to try it at least for one cycle.

[91chevywt]

I've used it before, and it does what it is supposed to. Quicker bulking up, faster recovery. There aren't any big drawbacks like using steriods...it doesn't shrink your balls, make you impotent, give you acne, or make you kick the dog when you come home. The only thing bad about it is you will gain a bunch of water weight. I seemed to be hungry all the time when I was using creatine also.

[B4C]

How would you ues creatine with whey protien? Is it a good idea to?

[HardcoreZ28]

I'm surprised several of you guys have had positive results with creatine...especially you Bill. I've tried it numerous times and never saw any appreciable gains or aide in recovery. Had the original monohydrate, tried the effervescient stuff, CEE, and liquid. None did a thing for me as far as I could tell.

No problems using it in conjunction with whey protein. And if you're looking to help recover I'd suggest a good quality glutamine powder.

[WildBillyT]

I'm surprised several of you guys have had positive results with creatine...especially you Bill. I've tried it numerous times and never saw any appreciable gains or aide in recovery. Had the original monohydrate, tried the effervescient stuff, CEE, and liquid. None did a thing for me as far as I could tell.

No problems using it in conjunction with whey protein. And if you're looking to help recover I'd suggest a good quality glutamine powder.

They say that people's bodies react differently to it. I'm not saying I got an earth shattering change but I did notice extra fatigue resistance which is what I was looking for. The stuff I take is a mono+ some form of sugar blend. Glutamine is great stuff, I know that's in a lot of the protein powders now.

SNM: Are you serious? Did you not read the label of your Superpump? :shock:

There have not been any long term use studies but in the short term it's safe if you cycle it and keep your fluid intake up. During this time I always make sure to take a good multivitamin to make sure that I'm replacing the nutrients I may have flushed out with all of the water. Side effects are (and aren't limited to) cramping, bloating, diarrhea, raised liver enzymes, dehydration, anxiety, and a few other things.

[LTb1ow]

Serious in?

I was just curious about it, when I was in high school I am pretty sure a guy took to much and his body stopped producing it naturally.. not sure if thats possible...

[WildBillyT]

Serious in?

I was just curious about it, when I was in high school I am pretty sure a guy took to much and his body stopped producing it naturally.. not sure if thats possible...

Superpump has creatine mono in it already.

[LTb1ow]

Yea, I thought its a negligible amount though?

Either way, I pound my water so I think I am ok.

[WildBillyT]

Yea, I thought its a negligible amount though?

Either way, I pound my water so I think I am ok.

If it was negligible they wouldn't put it in there at all. I think it's 1-2g per scoop? I think a regular pre-workout dose of SP is 5g of creatine.

[bubba428]

whats a better alternative to creatine? I used to just keep up a high protein diet and lift 4 days a week. doing that I went from 225lbs to 295lbs in 8 months. started at a 185 dead lift and by the 8th month I was putting up 485. Problem is now I don't have the time at home to cook my meals so i've been eating a lot of salad with chicken to keep my fat intake down, but I'm losing my muscle mass. next week i'm starting back up power lifting like I used to. what should I take to aid in fat burn/muscle build?

[LTb1ow]

Out of 40g, 40,000mg have some creatine mono in it. Not very specific on the bottle...

And Bill you should merge the two lifting threads... LOL

[bubba428]

40g = 40,000mg

math FTW

[WildBillyT]

70 pounds in 8 months sounds like it was not all muscle. No offense.

I'd concentrate on one thing- muscle building or fat loss. Personally I've only had "OK" results when trying to do both. If you are over probably 18% bodyfat I'd concentrate on losing fat before building muscle or power.

[bubba428]

it definitely wasn't all muscle, i tried doing low weight with a high rep number but it didn't do anything for me. running is outta the question because of my legs. (when I was in that accident with my T/A my shins were crushed in 2 places and 3 places, not broken though so I didn't know till later). So I mean my main concentration is the gut, my arms and legs are lean, I just gotta get the gut taken care of. I always had best results when I was on a high protein diet. would I be best off with a whey protein, creatine, or just the regular old fatty shake?

[WildBillyT]

Bubba,

I hate asking this since I think BMI is ********. But I don't know if you have an accurate number for your body fat.

If you are trying to lose weight, skip the creatine.

What is your BMI? We can take it to PM's if you want to keep it private.

[bubba428]

h/o and i'll give you a % the way the army did it

[HeadlessNorseman]

yeah i would say just concetrate on one or the other. my best diet results have been when i just avoid sugar like the plauge. Its in everything so you have to get creative. and high protein is good but you also need carbs and fat. chicken turkey, beef and eggs should be your main source of protein, just use the whey products after your workout. I also drink about 10g/20g carb (gatorade powder) at breakfast sometimes, as it makes a good energy drink for work

[usp55]

Ive been taking the gnc mono and yes it does work. All of my weights went up and i put on 10 pounds in the past 2 months. water weight yes but its nice to feel swol. now i sweat like pig now if im out working on the car or something so that sux. drink a ton of water and as far not taking it when if ur drinking - ive gona out pretty hard a few nights in the past month and I thought I was in for a horrible hangover/cotton mouth/etc the next day but i woke up great each time. I guess i was so hydrated from my body storing h20 and the fact that my water intake is through the roof right now, kind of nice.

Take momo,high cal diet, animal pack, protein shake each day and im getting there-6'7" 242 this morning

[WildBillyT]

yeah i would say just concetrate on one or the other. my best diet results have been when i just avoid sugar like the plauge. Its in everything so you have to get creative. and high protein is good but you also need carbs and fat. chicken turkey, beef and eggs should be your main source of protein, just use the whey products after your workout. I also drink about 10g/20g carb (gatorade powder) at breakfast sometimes, as it makes a good energy drink for work

Try a 3 or 4:1 carb to protein recovery drink after your workout. Good stuff.

[Bcozzi71]

iv taken it for years it really does help. Dont expect to be able to bench 300lbs its not steroids. It will help get a extra rep or 2 which helps build up over time. I would do a loading phase of 15grams then after 2 weeks cut to 5 grams.

Drink LOTS of water. Also expect to gain 6-10lbs

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

Definately works...adds strenght and size...been using it on and off since it got big in the mid 90's. Studies have shown it also helps in reducing fat.

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

iv taken it for years it really does help. Dont expect to be able to bench 300lbs its not steroids. It will help get a extra rep or 2 which helps build up over time. I would do a loading phase of 15grams then after 2 weeks cut to 5 grams.

Drink LOTS of water. Also expect to gain 6-10lbs

Theres no need for a loading phase..thats what companies tell u so they can sell more product...5-10 grams is all u need a day....

[Bcozzi71]

Theres no need for a loading phase..thats what companies tell u so they can sell more product...5-10 grams is all u need a day....

there are mixed reviews on the loading phase..... I have gone with and without the loading phase. The times I have done the loading phase i feel better. Its cheap enough idc..

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

there are mixed reviews on the loading phase..... I have gone with and without the loading phase. The times I have done the loading phase i feel better. Its cheap enough idc..

Cheap? All depends on what brand your using...cant beat ON. To the op I usually cycle off a week if I feel like I hit a wall w/ it. Ive always had better results taking it a half hour or so before training...plus it gives you a nice pump during your workout as opposed to taking it after...Stay away from that walmart body fortress crap though lol. I think its the only creatine I ever tried that did absolutely nothing.

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

whats a better alternative to creatine? Quality food and rest. Maybe throw some Glutamine in there as well.

[98tadriver]

ive heard of people taking the biggest craps of their lives taking creatine

thats because theyre retarded and take more than 5g. they go on a loading phase which is stupid. they wind up pooping so much bc the human body can only handle 5g.

[bubba428]

ROIDS!!!!!!!!

[Bcozzi71]

Cheap? All depends on what brand your using...cant beat ON. To the op I usually cycle off a week if I feel like I hit a wall w/ it. Ive always had better results taking it a half hour or so before training...plus it gives you a nice pump during your workout as opposed to taking it after...Stay away from that walmart body fortress crap though lol. I think its the only creatine I ever tried that did absolutely nothing.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nb/crea.html

thats what i take. Lasts a pretty long time. One of the cheaper sups I take, Besides Beta Alanine that stuff is awesome and dirt cheap.

[Bcozzi71]

70 pounds in 8 months sounds like it was not all muscle. No offense.

I'd concentrate on one thing- muscle building or fat loss. Personally I've only had "OK" results when trying to do both. If you are over probably 18% bodyfat I'd concentrate on losing fat before building muscle or power.

agreed .....you should be cutting or bulking. Its hard to do both.

[S.J.SLEEPER]

sust to cut or d-bol to mass!!! ha ha ha
or just work your ass off, low carb high protein, lots of cardio to burn fat.
do some hello-dollys and you will burn good amount of fat and it is good cardio w/out the trauma to the legs from running/jogging.
just quarterdeck yourself 3 -4 times a day and you will see great results, 1-2 gal of water/day

i use muscle milk, great for muscle recovery after workout, also is a god shot of protein if drank in the morn for a good start on your day

[oh one ls1 SS]

can you mix creatine with other pre workout supplements like N.O. shotgun or N.O. explode?

[Bcozzi71]

can you mix creatine with other pre workout supplements like N.O. shotgun or N.O. explode?

yea you can its fine......

although i would suggest white flood or super pump 250 instead of No explode... just my 2 cents

[HeadlessNorseman]

whats a better alternative to creatine?

hard work and scarafice!

[Squirrel]

creatine is one of my staples, been taking about 3 grams/day for years...if i stop/run out for a week or so i lose about 5 pounds of water weight (this is on mono by you), only time i stop creatine is when i take it out for cutting or stop altogether and hold off on it till pct (unless i get nasty back pumps then i keep it)

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/nb/crea.html

thats what i take. Lasts a pretty long time. One of the cheaper sups I take, Besides Beta Alanine that stuff is awesome and dirt cheap.

Yea that companys been around awhile...

[LS1Hawk]

What's the best form of creatine to take: the powder, capsules, or wafers that you chew?

[Squirrel]

never seen wafers, but i find the powder the easiest, the caps are an unneeded extra expense, as long as you dont use CEE creatine really doesnt taste like anything

[Bcozzi71]

yea I like the power as well. I have made my own caps though using this machine thing my friend let me play around with.

[WildBillyT]

What's the best form of creatine to take: the powder, capsules, or wafers that you chew?

For what it's worth, I've always believed that a liquid is more easily assimilated than pills, so I always went/go powder.

[jims69camaro]

whats a better alternative to creatine?
what should I take to aid in fat burn/muscle build?

creatine is found naturally in red meat.

i used ephedrine hydrochloride in combination with caffeine and aspirin. the ratio is 1:12:10, ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin. that's if you can find E HCI on the market. i used to buy it by the box at 7-11, since those bastards could give a ***** if you killed yourself. other, more compassionate people, probably wouldn't sell it (perhaps for fear of a lawsuit). it's not for the faint of heart - it's very strong stuff. staying hydrated is almost impossible when taking it, but if you don't try (2+ gallons of water per day) then you could end up a statistic instead of cutting weight.

as far as building muscle, there is no pill that will do that. this is why people abuse steroids, since it is really the only way to trick your body into making more muscle. the only tried and true method is: workout, eat, rest; repeat. nothing else will make muscle for you. sure, there are more things out there that claim to help, and you might even find anecdotal evidence to support that, but working the muscle is the only way to make it grow.

[LS1Hawk]

Yeah, I saw at GNC they have a chewable form of creatine http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=41912&catid=39213
(http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=41912&catid=39213)

[LTb1ow]

creatine is found naturally in red meat.

i used ephedrine hydrochloride in combination with caffeine and aspirin. the ratio is 1:12:10, ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin. that's if you can find E HCI on the market. i used to buy it by the box at 7-11, since those bastards could give a ***** if you killed yourself. other, more compassionate people, probably wouldn't sell it (perhaps for fear of a lawsuit). it's not for the faint of heart - it's very strong stuff. staying hydrated is almost impossible when taking it, but if you don't try (2+ gallons of water per day) then you could end up a statistic instead of cutting weight.

as far as building muscle, there is no pill that will do that. this is why people abuse steroids, since it is really the only way to trick your body into making more muscle. the only tried and true method is: workout, eat, rest; repeat. nothing else will make muscle for you. sure, there are more things out there that claim to help, and you might even find anecdotal evidence to support that, but working the muscle is the only way to make it grow.


Yuck... thats a bad combo Jim.... your heart probably loves you.... :shock:

[Squirrel]

Yuck... thats a bad combo Jim.... your heart probably loves you.... :shock:

eh... the ECA stack is a proven way to shed some weight, clen is better though ;)

[LS1Hawk]

If you take the normal 5g of creatine a day, how much water should you drink?

[WildBillyT]

If you take the normal 5g of creatine a day, how much water should you drink?

1 gallon minimum.

[LS1Hawk]

1 gallon minimum.

Wow, who has time to drink 128 ounces of water a day? Not to mention the time that you'll be spending peeing it all out.

[LTb1ow]

Wow, who has time to drink 128 ounces of water a day? Not to mention the time that you'll be spending peeing it all out.

I do, nalgene bottle is 38oz, shoot for at least four of them throughout the day minimum.

[WildBillyT]

I do, nalgene bottle is 38oz, shoot for at least four of them throughout the day minimum.

I do too. Two during the day, one during my workout, one at night. And this doesn't count other drinks during the day.

[Squirrel]

Wow, who has time to drink 128 ounces of water a day? Not to mention the time that you'll be spending peeing it all out.

you serious?... i drink a half gallon jug during my workout and refill it before im done...

[jims69camaro]

you serious?... i drink a half gallon jug during my workout and refill it before im done...

yeah, a half a gallon during workout is a good amount.

you need a gallon per day just to stay hydrated. you are probably taking in a gallon of various liquids anyway, so just trade that can of soda for a quart of water. with the amount you sweat because of the heat, you'd need an extra half to a full gallon.

have you ever been really hot, then drank a gatorade or quart of water and started sweating bullets? it's because you are dehydrated and your body was saving what little extra water you had for internal functions. as soon as your body realizes that the drought is over, it knows it's ok to use some for the sweat glands.

fooling around with not drinking enough fluids in a heat wave is one sure way to eff up your body. it can cause problems with your kidneys and bladder (lack of water to piss several times a day is an invitation to a urinary tract infection) and has been linked to deaths (serious dehydration by pro bodybuilders right before a show, using diuretics).

it's not something to fool around with and is so easy to get right that you'd be stupid to ignore it. now, who's having trouble finding the time to drink 128 ounces of water...?

[LTb1ow]

yeah, a half a gallon during workout is a good amount.

you need a gallon per day just to stay hydrated. you are probably taking in a gallon of various liquids anyway, so just trade that can of soda for a quart of water. with the amount you sweat because of the heat, you'd need an extra half to a full gallon.

have you ever been really hot, then drank a gatorade or quart of water and started sweating bullets? it's because you are dehydrated and your body was saving what little extra water you had for internal functions. as soon as your body realizes that the drought is over, it knows it's ok to use some for the sweat glands.

fooling around with not drinking enough fluids in a heat wave is one sure way to eff up your body. it can cause problems with your kidneys and bladder (lack of water to piss several times a day is an invitation to a urinary tract infection) and has been linked to deaths (serious dehydration by pro bodybuilders right before a show, using diuretics).

it's not something to fool around with and is so easy to get right that you'd be stupid to ignore it. now, who's having trouble finding the time to drink 128 ounces of water...?

Which only retains more salt and decrease muscle mass... bad move to stop drinking water... water is good. :nod:

[bubba428]

creatine is found naturally in red meat.

i used ephedrine hydrochloride in combination with caffeine and aspirin. the ratio is 1:12:10, ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin. that's if you can find E HCI on the market. i used to buy it by the box at 7-11, since those bastards could give a ***** if you killed yourself. other, more compassionate people, probably wouldn't sell it (perhaps for fear of a lawsuit). it's not for the faint of heart - it's very strong stuff. staying hydrated is almost impossible when taking it, but if you don't try (2+ gallons of water per day) then you could end up a statistic instead of cutting weight.

as far as building muscle, there is no pill that will do that. this is why people abuse steroids, since it is really the only way to trick your body into making more muscle. the only tried and true method is: workout, eat, rest; repeat. nothing else will make muscle for you. sure, there are more things out there that claim to help, and you might even find anecdotal evidence to support that, but working the muscle is the only way to make it grow.

no no no...I'm not that retarded to think I can just take some stuff and sit on my ass and it'll work. I'm just looking for faster results. I've already started lifting again, and my diets has been readjusted for months.

[LTb1ow]

no no no...I'm not that retarded to think I can just take some stuff and sit on my ass and it'll work. I'm just looking for faster results. I've already started lifting again, and my diets has been readjusted for months.


IMO, fast results = not good for your body.

[bubba428]

IMO, fast results = not good for your body.

Again I don't mean overnight changes...when I was younger I used to do very high weight lifts at very medium reps, and eat TONS of protien based foods (basically steak and salad every night) my shoulders, biceps, triceps, neck thighs and waist ended up building faster than they should have. actually stretched my skin so fast I was waking up with purple stretches and getting sunburn in matters of 10min exposure. Not to ecstatic on doing that again.

[LTb1ow]

Exercise, diet, and sleep. Simple.

;)

[WildBillyT]

Again I don't mean overnight changes...when I was younger I used to do very high weight lifts at very medium reps, and eat TONS of protien based foods (basically steak and salad every night) my shoulders, biceps, triceps, neck thighs and waist ended up building faster than they should have. actually stretched my skin so fast I was waking up with purple stretches and getting sunburn in matters of 10min exposure. Not to ecstatic on doing that again.

Stretch marks in places other than your gut are badges of honor.

[LS1Hawk]

you serious?... i drink a half gallon jug during my workout and refill it before im done...


you need a gallon per day just to stay hydrated. you are probably taking in a gallon of various liquids anyway, so just trade that can of soda for a quart of water. with the amount you sweat because of the heat, you'd need an extra half to a full gallon.

Yes. I realize that I'm probably taking in a gallon or so normally through out the day. I guess my question was more in addition to what you normally drink. I don't drink any soda, just water and juices. Normally, I drink about 32oz of water during a workout and I'm fine. So if I take 5g of creatine, it sounds like I would need to take an extra gallon of water throughout the day in addition to what i normally drink.

[bubba428]

Stretch marks in places other than your gut are badges of honor.

:rofl: um ok?

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

Yuck... thats a bad combo Jim.... your heart probably loves you.... :shock:

Straight from someone that has no clue what there talking about...eca is fine, though theres really no need for the aspirin. When not abused its safe and effective.

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

creatine is found naturally in red meat.

i used ephedrine hydrochloride in combination with caffeine and aspirin. the ratio is 1:12:10, ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin. that's if you can find E HCI on the market. i used to buy it by the box at 7-11, since those bastards could give a ***** if you killed yourself. other, more compassionate people, probably wouldn't sell it (perhaps for fear of a lawsuit). it's not for the faint of heart - it's very strong stuff. staying hydrated is almost impossible when taking it, but if you don't try (2+ gallons of water per day) then you could end up a statistic instead of cutting weight.

as far as building muscle, there is no pill that will do that. this is why people abuse steroids, since it is really the only way to trick your body into making more muscle. the only tried and true method is: workout, eat, rest; repeat. nothing else will make muscle for you. sure, there are more things out there that claim to help, and you might even find anecdotal evidence to support that, but working the muscle is the only way to make it grow.
6 dollar box of bronkaid from cvs and some caffeine and your good to go...10x better then all that expensive garbage you'll find at gnc. God i miss the old exenidrine and hydroxycut from the mid 90's :cry:

[Squirrel]

you can pick up a big bottle of research clen for 40 bucks if you find the right website ;)