choosing a brand

[Kitara]

What brand of creatine do you guys use? Does it matter as long as it's the 100% creatine monohydrate powder? The reason I ask is because they sell 200g for $7 at my gym (don't know the brand), but I found ANSI brand online for $20/1000g.

Am I allowed to ask where you guys shop online??

Also, what's the difference between creatine powder and "micronized" creatine powder?

[YellowJ]

Prolabs 100% Creapure. 1000mgs for $20.

[HowHigh]

I went with that ANSI stuff.

[ebon00]

If you're just going to use regular creatine monohydrate, not any 'micronized' whatever, then there's very little difference. There are very few companies in the world that actually make most of the ingredients that go into sports supplements. Twinlab do make their own but just about everyone else buy their raw materials elsewhere. A few years ago there was an article covering this on one online mag (unfortunately I can't remember which one) that claimed that there are in fact only four companies that supply creatine for the world. Incidentally, 3 of them operated out of Germany at the time. So, creatine quality from the manufacturer differs little. If the reseller (read: brand) decides to mix it out to make more profit, that's another story. I use a local brand that gets its creatine from one of the German manufacturers.

[Kitara]

what's the difference between creatine powder and "micronized" creatine powder?

[bsenka]

Micronized is just crushed into a finer powder. The theory is that it could be absorbed better. It's just a theory, it's never been proven. IMO, all you have to do is mix the regular stuff in warm water to make sure it disolves (it won't disolve in cold water!).

I would also like to echo what others here have said: almost everyone gets their creatine from the same suppliers. There is no difference from brand to brand. Buy whichever one gives you the best price.

[galileo]

I agree with YellowJ. CreaPure creatine is great and so are Optimum's prices!

Check online stores for best value (dpsnutrion.net is a good one!)

[Kitara]

Thanks guys . I did order from dpsnutrition and bought egg protein too since they don't have it here for less than a fortune at GNC (my gym only has whey).

Anyway, thanks for the advice.

[slipper]

Originally posted by ebon00
Twinlab do make their own

OMG please save your money and dont buy twinlab cretine. i bought a bottle several months ago and it has the consistency of the grit of sand! very hard to mix. kitara, i recently started taking syntrax swole which uses a different form of creatine(tricreatine malate) that doesnt require loading and doesnt have the usual side effect that creatine monohydrate has such as bloating and water retention. ive been on it for a week and definately notice the improvement. PM me if you want a link for a web site with the cheapest syntrax swole(that ive seen).

[Jock]

Prolab it's the best.

[pflumitch]

This is what I have . Can't beat it for the price, orderless, tastless. Plus I got it in 3 days with UPS ground for $4.90. www.dpsnutrition.com

[askjoe]

Be very careful of the brand of creatine you're buying. Not all creatine is created equal - the worst being Chinese creatine. Stick with brand name products and avoid "fly-by-night" companies that offer few products altogether. Always check to be sure it's german creatine you're buying and investigate the source. You work hard for your money, don't waste it.

Askjoe
http://www.onelastrep.com

[galileo]

Originally posted by Jock
Prolab it's the best.

Not to call you a douche or anything, but Prolab is CreaPure is Optimum. Douche.

(dpsnutrition.com)
Prolab 1000g creatine [creaPure] - $20.99
Optimum 2000g creatine [creaPure] - $35.95

ProLab - $.021/g
Optimum - $.018/g

Not much of a difference in price. It's the same product and Optimum happens to be cheaper at this particular site.

Don't say something is "the best" without any real comparison. Unless of course it is, in fact, the best. Then you'd have no problem backing the opinion,

[Kitara]

Originally posted by askjoe
Be very careful of the brand of creatine you're buying. Not all creatine is created equal - the worst being Chinese creatine. Stick with brand name products and avoid "fly-by-night" companies that offer few products altogether. Always check to be sure it's german creatine you're buying and investigate the source. You work hard for your money, don't waste it.

Askjoe
http://www.onelastrep.com

Now I'm nervous. This is what I bought. Comments??

http://www.dpsnutrition.net/product_...1005&last=1005