What does it do for you?
Curiosity - no other reason..
I'm here to save you
- Thread starter Steve
- Start date
Curiosity - no other reason..
Jeez, does that video ever end? There's at least 5 parts that are nearly 10 minutes each!
James2
New member
/seconded
I've been off of it for the past few years, but I'm probably going to get back into it in the next month... that damn protein thread is making me question my protein intake, so I'm prolly gonna go grab some whey, and while I'm there, grab some creatin too.
My big thing is, I REALLY liked the ahydrous creatin of this small place in St. Louis (where I would visit frequently). I never found this brand anywhere else. I can order it online, but it was more expensive, and I'm a tightass. Tripro. Not a big fan of CellTech... that shit burns too much, and you pay premium for their name. Now that I'm in NC, I got to find a new brand that I like. Too bad a trial is at least $50 a pop.
Good question.
For starters, it's probably the only supplement I'd ever consider taking, assuming you don't consider protein powder and fish oils supps.
In the short-term, it draws water into the muscles, which makes you stronger as CSA (cross-sectional area) increases.
Long term, creatine helps gains because it allows you to train more with a given load, due to faster turn around of short-term energy. For those looking for a deeper explanation, creatine leads to increased creatine phosphate in the muscles, which provides quick replenishment to AMP/ADP (adenosine mono and di-phosphate), allowing it to be ATP (adenosine triphosphate). If you don't know what ATP is, look it up. Pretty important little bugger.
Some people, myself included, don't realize any benefits upon use of creatine supplementation. The reason for this is they most likely have a high starting level of creatine in their muscles, assuming their training is structured correctly. If your training programming is shitty, creating won't magically make you better is what I'm saying.
Side effects? People claim liver damage, but that's unfounded. It could get technical as to the whys.... so we won't go there.
Who's it for? Really anyone looking for increased performance; have it be sport or in the gym. I know a lot of people who think creatine is only for those looking to pack on some muscle. It's not a supplement that directly builds muscle though. It's a supplement that gives you the capacity to do more work in a given time, which indirectly, assuming calories are positioned correctly, can lead to hypertrophy.
What about those who are dieting? Well most here would die if they took it, lol. Reason being, most around these parts have the incessant need to step on a stupid square every single day to find out how much water and glycogen has shifted in the acute time period (i.e., they like to weigh themselves a lot).
Creatine, as I said before, will draw water into the muscles, which will play out as more total body weight. You didn't get fatter, but I'm sure it would freak out a good many people around here.
I know a lot of bodybuilders and powerlifters who use it while dieting down and love it as it allows performance to remain high while energetically the body is at a deficit.
Understand I'm not sitting here claiming everyone and their grandmas should go out to GNC and pick themselves up some Creatine. I'm simply saying it's one of the few supps out there with a proven efficacy.
Hmmm, did you try typing the brand you're looking for into pricegrabber or something.... see if there are any low cost providers out there anywhere. I don't use it. Used it back in the day, but can't even remember what brand, probably celltech.
thanks -good expanation -
I have no need for it and the scale has little to do with it -it's just interesting to see what certain things are used for -
I have no need for it and the scale has little to do with it -it's just interesting to see what certain things are used for -
That's a much better screenname.
Learning is fun.
I don't disagree... I try to learn at least one thing new every day and preferably not creative new ways to curse
James2
New member
Quick clarification. I thought (and am going to go dumpster diving for some reads on it) that the phosphocreatine was a was of anaerobically charging that ADP back to ATP due to the loose association between the creatin and the phosphate.
I don't know if I would recommend using it as a performance enhancer in anything but activities that are full on short burst (20 sec max) with periods of rest.
As far as gains based off of it, I used to be an idiot and stack that with a 6x recommended dose of ephedrine (when it got dropped, I went out and bought $1000 worth of the old hydroxicut before it left the shelves), and 6-8 advil for my different injuries and I'd be so hyped up and charged when I hit the gym that I could crank out 3-4 extra reps than I could if I went in without anythine else on board. That bolded statement above is a first person view on the matter.
Looking back, I don't think that that was the BEST idea to do that, but I saw major results. Of course, I had problems sleeping when I wanted to sleep, and staying awake when I wanted to stay awake, and I was constantly on edge. Not the best idea ever.
However, I am eager to try out the creatine again with a more jaded view on it to see if I still experience even a fraction of that gain, or if it was all a placebo. If nothing else, the muscular water retention should be fun.
I was just thinkin' that -this topic has drifted from the absolute inane -and morphed into interesting stuff...
Correct, did I insinuate otherwise?
Oh, maybe I should have said for elite athletes who focus on anaerobic activity.
Most likely not, considering the nature of what the supplement does.
I've never researched it's impact on endurance athletes.... not sure if anything is out there.
You crazy bastard.
Ephedrine stacked with caffeine is still heavily used amongst the physique-minded athletes.
S
SweatPea
Guest
Well I heard you are supposed to have lots of color in your diet, so I started eating an XXL bag of M&M's everyday, and I've seen no change whatsoevah!
Ha! Anywho, you guys are cracking me up - Now I know why the Answer is GLUTTONY!
Ha! Anywho, you guys are cracking me up - Now I know why the Answer is GLUTTONY!
the peanut m&ms are far better for you - got that added bit of fiber plus the good fat that'sin peanuts..