Creatine

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Im now contemplating on now taking supplements, and the most likely one that i can think of is Creatine Monohydrate.

 

From my understanding Creatine phophate exists in the muscles tissues around our body, and during the first intense 10 seconds of intensive excercise it comes in to use by donating its phophate group as a source of energy without the need of respiration. That is pretty much all i know about it and if that is the case why is it so important for muscle building when it only exists as being something as a quick remedy in the beginning??. Ive heard from testimonies from other users that its puts on fat and that you get a dependency upon it, and once you stop using it, you loose the muscle mass gained.

 

I was wondering whether any of the users hear have had experience in using creatine and could give me advice on the pros and cons of it.

 

Thanx

[WolverineGuy]

The short answer: creatine gives you somewhat of an energy boost, which helps you in your work out. However, what it's really doing is filling your muscles with water so they look a little bigger. It's basically cosmetic.

[Ironberg]

Not to mention the utter temporariness of Creatine.

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what do you mean by temporariness of creatine?,

[WolverineGuy]

When you stop taking it, you lose some size. You won't lose muscle, but all the water leaves from the muscles.

[SevenStar]

exactly.

[White Warlock]

Having never taken supplements (other than vitamins) during my workouts, i would definitely like to hear from some of you on what things are recommended for muscle build / fat burn.

[WolverineGuy]

For fat burn: Xenadrine

 

Building Muscle: Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein (Chocoloate Mint Flavor), GNC Creatine Monohydrate, Multivitamin (I take Solotron), Flax Seed Oil, and ZMA.

 

None of those actually build muscle per se, but you will get most of your essential Aminos and fats. Plus, the ZMA will replenish your testosterone levels at the end of the day if you've worked out (ZMA is not a steroid or a prohormone, it simply helps to get your levels back to normal).

[Rich67]

Creatine is great stuff. It helps you recover faster after workouts, and helps your ability to sustain muscular workload over a given period in time. Basically, it HYDRATES the muscle by forcing water into the muscle cells. This gives them the appearance of being fuller. When you stop taking it, the muscle does lose some of it's size. But, by enhancing your workout, it can help you gain ACTUAL size. I have to agree with Wolverine on his supplement choices. Although Creatine is good, it's not the best stuff you can get. The best is a good, high quality WHEY PROTEIN. Met Rx is one of the better ones, as is Designer Whey (both available at GNC or Vitamin Barn). Protein powders are long-term muscle builders. Creatine can actually make you fatter unless you are careful using it. Why? Well, most people mix creatine powder with fruit juice to enhance it's uptake. Fruit juice is pure sugar, and when you LOAD on creatine, you're drinking at least 5 glasses of juice a day to take your "C". Thats 600-700 calories of pure sugar in addition to your regular diet. If you don't account for that, your new found "muscle" will be around your waistline! I like creatine when I am in a bulking phase, but I never use it to cut up. I always gain too much weight on it. Plus, I also have some serious gas when I get on it. It tears up my stomach. I'll use it to hit new one rep maxes in the bench, or when I want to up my weight quick in the squats. But I found that whey protein keeps me lean, keeps my muscle on, and helps me stay strong all year 'round.

[Rich67]

Oh yeah...fat burners.. I have to disagree with supplements on that subject. I've used most of the stuff on the market: Xenadrine, Ripped Fuel, Dymetradrine 25, Stackers, blah blah blah. They don't work. The best fat burner is aerobic work. 30-40 minutes, 3-5 times a week. In our day and age, people think taking a pill for everything is a cure all. Don't get lured into that mentality. I used to be 5'11" and 215 pounds. Fat. 21% bodyfat. I am now 185. 10% bodyfat. No pills, no tricks. Just hard work and aerobics. It works.

 

Multivitamins, however, are a must.