Does creatine actually work?!

[glance]

I've been using creatine for a couple of weeks and haven't noticed any changes?! How long does this stuff take to work? Also, is it meant to make you sweat so much or is this a side effect? Any help would be great. Also, is anyone else noticing this?

Creatine works! One of the best natural supplements for bulking up. One of the things that you need to keep in mind when using it is to drink A LOT of water. Over a gallon per day or more if you can. What it does is help your cells retain water (volumization) so protein systhesis can take place, which means greater muscle size and strength. In anabolic states, muscle hydration or water retention always occurs -- you can't grow without it.

[denny411]

I was talking to a guy in the gym the other night,who told me that you shouldn`t take creatine all of the time. He said to take a month off every so often.Does this sound correct or has he been smokin too much happy grass? His reasoning is that, you build up a resistance to it. To look at him, I wouldn`t put much weight in what he says about muscle building,but he does work there.:confused:

[Ah-nold]

creatine should be cycled. taking a few weeks off every 6 to 8 weeks is a good idea.

A good link for info on this subject:

Creatine

[denny411]

Thanks for the info. It`s not only good for you to cycle ,it also saves some cash What about glutamine? Should this also be cycled?

Steve made a great post on the benefits of glutamine. Check it out: Anyone here use glutamine? I have never heard of cycling it, so it probably isn't necessary. Glutamine and creatine are used differently by the body, which is probably why you should cycle the creatine.

[Steve]

I take Creatine every day as well as Glutamine. Take my word bro, this stuff kicks ass. I can't imagine working out without it.
As for cycling....uh... I don't. Period. The only thing I cycle is my bike and AS.

[maxwell0]

I took creatine for a while; to answer your question it does work, adn works well. My experiance with it was not pleasant though. I used to take about 4g a day split into 2 does: after the gym and before i when to sleep. I did not notice anything special though, my bench kept going in terms of weight, at the time i remember going from about 180 to 225 in a matter of a week and a half which was great for me at the time. I stopped taking creatine for 2 days, and tried to work out like i did before. I couldn't lift ****, i could barely bench what i did before i started creatine.

Creatine also gave me a lot of water gain, i got size off it and strength while i was on it, but once i stopped i lost the strength almost instantaniously and the size and volume soon after.

I don't think its a bad suppliment, i just don't think it is a viable one for the long term.

[Symzie]

Ignore me I'm an Eeejit

[Jackal]

Originally Posted by Symzie

I don't understand, you're saying you took creatine and it works, but it made you gain 45Ibs in a week and a half, what do you think happened there then?

How much of that 45Ibs was muscle?

I think if I took something and then suddenly I'm 45Ibs heavier, I'd probably go to hospital

He was talking about his bench press not his actually weight, i think.

[Symzie]

LMAO, sorry mate my mistake