Creatine: how effective is it?

ApolytonGP · Post by **ApolytonGP** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:21 pm

My gut feel was that it wouldn't do anything since your body can make it anyway, since it is not an RDA type of nutrient. But reading up on the net seems like there may be some small effect. Am I missing the boat by not using this stuff?

frigginwizard · Post by **frigginwizard** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 3:28 pm

its results will very based upon your diet. Once you have enough in your system, more wont help, so if you eat a lot beef/salmon you likely wont get any results, whereas if you are a vegetarian, the result could be huge.

Nevage · Post by **Nevage** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:48 pm

People respond better than others, I don't really notice anything whether I'm on it or not. But it's so cheap I carry on taking it.

hoosegow · Post by **hoosegow** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 8:41 pm

It is the one supplement that has been proven to work. It can help but is completely uneccessary.

Post by **Ironman** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 12:25 am

It works. It's not a dramatic difference, but it's just enough to notice.

NightFaLL · Post by **NightFaLL** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 4:55 pm

The quality of the supplement effects it quite a bit from what I've seen.

Using different brands of simply pure creatine monohydrate Inoticed quite a large difference in my response. Some I felt it helped and others i couldn't even tell.

ApolytonGP · Post by **ApolytonGP** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:41 pm

What if I took an approach of blowing it off since I've been making consistent beginner gains for eight months and last few weeks have been continued progress? Would that be radical or not that unusual to just not bother?

Post by **Jungledoc** » Sat Jan 30, 2010 10:46 pm

You sound as though there is some obligation to take it. Supplements are over-rated, and many people recognize that. I would bet that most lifters don't take it.

Kenny Croxdale · Post by **Kenny Croxdale** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:32 am

TCO wrote:What if I took an approach of blowing it off since I've been making consistent beginner gains for eight months and last few weeks have been continued progress? Would that be radical or not that unusual to just not bother?

TCO,

Creatine is a supplement that produces some dramatic increases inm performance for most individuals. I've seen it with others but not for me.

A few individuals, such as myself, are Non-Reponders.

I'd certainly seriously consider taking it, even if you progress has been good. Wny would you opt for good results when you can have even greater results?

However, it comes down to what you want to do not me, since it your life...:)

Kenny Croxdale

Post by **Jungledoc** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:56 pm

There was some discussion here some months ago about some research that showed some benefit in the elderly. That got me thinking that I should try it. I'm feeling particularly old today. And it's deadlift day. Ugh.

hoosegow · Post by **hoosegow** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:13 am

Um Doc, err, huh, I'm not sure exactly how to say this. You might be feeling particulary old today because you are... oh never mind!

<---- Smileys make it okay to tease on the net!

jason81 · Post by **jason81** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:04 am

I have used it one time and it worked for me. But the problem is I am not sure if the gains are due to water effects!

ApolytonGP · Post by **ApolytonGP** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:28 am

I don't really track a weight gain as a muscle gain. Too easy for it to be from fat or water. For small changes bf% is not accurate enough to resolve the difference. I just go by strength increases. (Sure some might be neuro...but the mirror also helps ensure that guns are getting larger).

pdellorto · Post by **pdellorto** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:42 am

Jungledoc wrote:There was some discussion here some months ago about some research that showed some benefit in the elderly. That got me thinking that I should try it. I'm feeling particularly old today. And it's deadlift day. Ugh.

I don't notice much of a response with creatine. I did have initial water weight gain the first time, but not since. I'm not even sure if it improves my strength or endurance. It seemed to, but it's hard to tell if +1 rep here or there is creatine or improvements in strength and technique.

However, it's cheap enough. I pay about $10 for 500g, and take 5g a day. So a 100 day supply is $10, or $0.10 a day. I can afford that, and since it has been shown in studies to have effects other than strength gains, I use it.

ApolytonGP · Post by **ApolytonGP** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:01 am

Any unpleasant effects? Bloating or anything? Or is it pretty much just non-noticeable?