Creatine Intake

4STRINGS · 10-Sep-04, 02:25 PM

i am done loading and i just need a definitive answer...

when is the best time to take creatine? before or after a workout?

i have read and i have searched and ive heard unclear arguments for both

if before is better...why?
if after is better...why?

thanks in advance

:

pmcgough · 10-Sep-04, 05:18 PM

before and after is best, but after is more suitable than before if you only take it once...

before, it gives you energy(the sugars in your creatine mixture)
after, it replaces glycogen stores(the sugars) as well as stunt cortisol production

**Todd** · 10-Sep-04, 05:22 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^

What he said above!

4STRINGS · 10-Sep-04, 06:00 PM

so then maybe i should take 2.5 grams before and 2.5 grams after for my maintenance...

pmcgough · 10-Sep-04, 06:35 PM

is yours mixed like cell tech aka high sugar?
if so, id do 2.5 before with some extra sugar you put in, and 2.5 after, with sugar you put in

4STRINGS · 10-Sep-04, 07:07 PM

no i dont use cell tech. i use Met-Rx Micronized Creatine.

http://allstarhealth.com/de_p_ref/50...d_Creatine.htm

i loaded with 10 grams instead of the 20 everyone says. i decided to experiment and i made the correct decision. worked out fine.

i guess im gunna mix 2.5 grams with cranberry juice before and just dump the other 2.5 with my post workout protein shake

ehh?

Lift2Live · 10-Sep-04, 07:40 PM

You know, I'm really starting to think hard about trying creatine for a short cycle to see how my body reacts. I'm not big into supps. but how do you like the met-rx so far?

4STRINGS · 10-Sep-04, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lift2Live

You know, I'm really starting to think hard about trying creatine for a short cycle to see how my body reacts. I'm not big into supps. but how do you like the met-rx so far?

believe me it took me so long to try creatine. ive heard all the hype and even all my friends have tried it and claimed wonders. i was just always iffy. i never liked the idea of water filling your muscles and then when getting off you lose alot of weight.

i just decided to give it a try. my gains were slowing down and minimal.

i just finished loading and i love it! my body reacts so well with creatine. i already feel the pumps and the endurance in the gym. recovery is improved as well. i already have a fuller look and even my weights in the gym have gone up. i have put on a couple of pounds as well.

only sided effects i have are a little bit of bearable bloating, thirst and pissing every period in school haha

go for it man, give it a try

Lift2Live · 10-Sep-04, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the positive feedback. I just may here soon. Gotta wait for next months check before I can buy any but I am probably gonna do just that. I hate being bloated but if it's small then I wouldn't be bothered I spose. We'll see I guess. I could always use fuller muscles. lol

pmcgough · 11-Sep-04, 11:26 AM

take the post workout creatine with simple sugars

Bvlgari · 11-Sep-04, 08:50 PM

Guys? I gotta question: what does creatine do for you? What does 4STRINGS mean when he says that it fills your muscles with water?

I'm thinking about getting creatine, but my goal is a long term gain that wouldn't disappear over night. For instance, were I to slow down my weightraining from 5 to 3 times a week, or to stop eating the supps, I would lose all my mass and strength.

whitelion · 13-Sep-04, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmcgough

before and after is best, but after is more suitable than before if you only take it once...

before, it gives you energy(the sugars in your creatine mixture)
after, it replaces glycogen stores(the sugars) as well as stunt cortisol production

Right before is bad. I've read a few studies that prove that. Somehow it messes up your creatine stores. After is ideal. Eat something with sugar after a workout and then take pure creatine.

whitelion · 13-Sep-04, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bvlgari

Guys? I gotta question: what does creatine do for you? What does 4STRINGS mean when he says that it fills your muscles with water?

I'm thinking about getting creatine, but my goal is a long term gain that wouldn't disappear over night. For instance, were I to slow down my weightraining from 5 to 3 times a week, or to stop eating the supps, I would lose all my mass and strength.

Filling your muscles with H20 is more of a loading side effect. It will temporarily increase the size of your muscles. Creatine is what your body uses to make ATP. ATP is the fuel for your muscles.

Creatine will work for all but about 30% of the population who metabolize creatine extraordinarily well. For the rest of us who don't already have muscles saturated with creatine, the supplement does that. Going off creatine won't have any effect on your muscle gains, but you will have less strength and muscle energy when you go off it.

Creatine isn't even bad for you except during loading phases. Those people with kidney problems shouldn't load creatine. Just take 3 mg-5 mg a day for 21 days. At that point your muscles will be saturated with creatine.

pmcgough · 15-Sep-04, 12:55 PM

people with kidney problems shouldnt take creatine in general...theyll make up stories how it screwed them up and then itll get banned like ph's are about to

**Todd** · 15-Sep-04, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelion

Right before is bad. I've read a few studies that prove that. Somehow it messes up your creatine stores. After is ideal. Eat something with sugar after a workout and then take pure creatine.

I would have to disagree. Both before AND after is ideal. Have never seen studies on where taking creatine before a workout proved to be bad or messed up creatine stores...if anything it would keep creatine stores and ATP production high throughout your workouts, which is a good thing.