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Post by chancey on Oct 25, 2006 18:09:24 GMT -5
I don’t know much about Creatine but hear lots of guys at the gym say they gained weight and got bloated but it definitely worked. Say if I knew this fat lifter who was trying to make weight for a contest and wanted to try something like this would it be a good idea?
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Post by toolpod on Oct 26, 2006 9:03:30 GMT -5
Chancey,
Creatine definitely works to increase your work capacity...you'll get longer, better workouts before you hit the wall...although my experience has been that you need a spotter more than ever, because with creatine, you hit the wall fast and hard. I.e.: you'll be going strong on a set, blow out one rep and then stall on the next.
Effectiveness is highly brand/formula dependent. Good old EAS phosphagen, Muscletech Cell-Tech, and MHP NO-Trac have all worked very well for me. No loading cycle, just 1 scoop a day after breakfast.
The first two led to some water retention, but nothing you couldn't sweat out before a meet. The MHP didn't give me any water retention, but seemed to be better as a workout booster than a steady supplement. I may try combining the two, say Phosphagen or Cell-Tech daily, combined with a scoop of MHP right before a heavy workout.
The "bloating" that most people experience is probably gassiness from intestinal churn...that will pass after a while ( no pun intended)
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Post by chancey on Oct 26, 2006 11:28:06 GMT -5
Thanks Toolpod. I'm pretty much out of the loop on supps. I read these thread and think you guys are talking a different language. I need to drop a little less than 15 pounds to make 275. I can't afford to gain weight but I am coming to the reality that it may not happen. At the same time if there is something out there that is legal, safe, and effective I would like to try it and Creatine is the one common thing I hear that works.
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Post by 3speed on Oct 26, 2006 15:54:29 GMT -5
The bloating is experienced primarily by the users of creatine monohydrate. CEE (creatine ethyl esther) works very well for most lifters without the bloat.
Just a note: Do not buy CEE powder. It is the worst tasting stuff on the planet.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2007 13:08:21 GMT -5
Creaform by Scivation is good, i cant swallow it though taste ok but its like swallowing dirt to me. Swole V3 by Syntrax is awesome, they have it in Fruit punch and orange flavor.
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Post by isbell on Jan 4, 2007 18:30:43 GMT -5
I am not so sure about creatine being safe for older people.
I only use 5 grams daily.
I have a friend that had problems with his kidneys. He is 61. I told him to listen to his doctor and get off it totally.
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fatty
Full Member
Posts: 130
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Post by fatty on May 20, 2007 21:52:38 GMT -5
It can be alittle hard on your kidneys at any age and can effect your libido to some extent. Regardless of your age, drink more water then usual when on suppliments. I do see a pop in weight, maybe 5 pounds, and alittle gain in strength, but quite minimal.
Fatty
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lance
Junior Member
Posts: 66
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Post by lance on May 23, 2007 23:56:10 GMT -5
I agree that the water retention depends on the person and the type of creatine. Muscle Tech definitely made me retain a little water weight. I've felt less or none with several others. The frustrating thing about trying to really lose weight while powerlifting is...........it's hard to maintain your strength as the pounds are falling off. At least that has been my experience.
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Post by dj on May 30, 2007 13:44:52 GMT -5
I agree with pretty much everything stated above. I know for me, the creatine monohydrate is what leads to added weight (water retention) whereas the CEE does not. I always take mine after the workout with some 100% grape juice, never use any acidic type juice. The other thing is with Cell-Tech and some of the others like that, they are loaded with sugar. After working out that is fine, but other times of the day that can lead to some big weight and fat gain.
As far as cutting, you can maintain most of your strength if you just change your diet around, as far as the makeup of protein, carbs, fats, etc. and when they are taken in.
D.J.
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Post by chancey on May 30, 2007 19:08:08 GMT -5
...as if lifting the weight isn't hard enough. Thanks DJ.
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Post by dj on Jun 1, 2007 7:47:31 GMT -5
Chancey,
Ha Ha Boy if that isn't the truth, sometimes I think the eating part is harder than the lifting.
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Post by Bulldawg on Jun 1, 2007 20:15:11 GMT -5
Fatty,
what do you mean by, "it can be a little hard on your kidneys"?
Bulldawg
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fatty
Full Member
Posts: 130
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Post by fatty on Jun 1, 2007 21:08:58 GMT -5
Creatine is classified as a nutritional supplement, it is not regulated by the FDA. Although short-term health effects appear minimal for most users, there is some evidence that taking creatine may be harmful for diabetic people and others with kidney problems. Being as it is a "newer" supplement, the long term effects are unknown.
That doesn't stop me from taking it, but I have had several of the documented side-effects. Personally being stomach bloating, cramps in the calves and weight gain. With your mucles only able to use maybe 40% of the supplement the rest is pushed to the kidneys and flushed as urine. That means that creatine still remain an extra load on the renal filtration process and should be used by any lifter with kidney issues. That is what i meant by it can be alittle hard on the kidneys..
fatty
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lance
Junior Member
Posts: 66
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Post by lance on Jun 1, 2007 21:18:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply fatty.....I was wondering about your comment myself.
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Post by Bulldawg on Jun 1, 2007 23:03:57 GMT -5
Fatty,
yeah, thanks for the quick reply, I also have had the same side effects but have never heard
about the kidney thing, hmmm so are you saying that by drinking alot of water help with this kidney thing by flushing it? Also, does creatine work only for lifting, or does it help for other sports such as running, soccer etc.....? Thanks again
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Post by biglifter on Jun 2, 2007 0:02:11 GMT -5
Creatine affects the ATP/PC system, so it is mainly useful for very short duration, high intensity efforts. That is why you see it primarily pitched to power sports athletes. Probably not as effective for soccer, as that runs along mostly anaerobic lines (granted, this is for MOST positions). As for running, the type would need to be as described above. 100M sprints - yup. Marathon - nope.
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Post by dj on Jun 4, 2007 8:58:36 GMT -5
There were alot of reports, earlier on, that creatine monohydrate use could cause dehydration. That is why you want to keep your water intake up.
As with taking any supplements, keep your water intake up to keep things hydrated and flushed.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2007 16:28:55 GMT -5
you dont need to go off or cycle creatine.And you dont have to "load "it either".It stays in your system 3 weeks after dicontinued use.Its one of those things thats in your system all the time.I take it on training days only.I only go off when I diet(to avoid water retention).Its the best legal supplement availible and has been for 0ver 15 years.Better pumps,strength gains,quicker recovery,etc.
Cell tech,cell mass,phosphagen,or plain old monohydrate w/ grape juice.
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Post by toolpod on Jun 15, 2007 13:00:37 GMT -5
I've had my best results with regular EAs Phosphagen and Muscletech Celltec. No "loading phase"...just one scoop a day, along with upping my water intake to 100oz+ daily
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Post by matthewcurbstomp on Mar 15, 2008 20:07:35 GMT -5
Bulldawg: biglifter is right that creatine affects the ATP-PC system which is any high intensity burst of energy lasting 10 seconds or under. The extra intake of water will help the kidneys flush out the excess creatine, but it will still have a long-term affect on them if taken for long enough. I'm currently drinking around 2 gallons of water a day to keep up my hydration level, but anything more than a gallon is adequet.
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