The Right Way to Use Creatine Supplements
With creatine being the most popular body building supplement ever, it only makes sense that a lot of people would have questions on how to use it. But honestly you'll get different answers from different sources! Let's go over a few of the different theories that are out there about how to use creatine supplements.
Creatine Loading and Cycling
If you've ever heard anything about using creatine supplements before then you've probably heard about the 'loading phase.' The idea behind loading is to saturate your muscles with a bunch of extra creatine and then try to maintain that saturation with the rest of the cycle. Typically, the standard loading phase would usually be to take up to 20g of creatine a day for 5 days, then move into a maintenance dose of 5g a day. These amounts depend on your body weight.
The common question is if it is really necessary. I'm sure supplement companies love the loading phase approach because by the time you're done with your loading phase you've pretty much gone through your first bottle of creatine!
A lot of people will tell you that it really isn't necessary. I've read articles before (I'd source them here, but I can't remember where I read them!) that suggest that if you use creatine supplements long term you will get the same benefit as loading. A lot of users have also found that it probably isn't necessary either.
I found another interesting twist on the creatine loading cycle idea from MuscleHack.com. He tried a technique that involved loading for 3 days, abstaining for 3 days, and repeating that cycle over and over again. The idea being that if you cycle in this way you will maintain a higher level of creatine concentration in the muscles over time.
In the end, I don't really know which way is best. This is one area where you should experiment and see which method reacts the best with your body. Try a few things and stick with what works for you.
When to Take Your Creatine Supplements
Another area of concern is when creatine supplements should be taken. This was a big question that I had when I very first started taking creatine. The standard suggestion has often been to take creatine soon after your workout (unless you are doing a standard loading phase, then you would take it throughout the day).
But there are variations to this standard approach as well. For example, if you're going with the 3 days on 3 days off approach suggested by MuscleHack Mark McManus, you would take creatine before your workout, after your workout, and then at least 2 other times throughout the day. You really have to load up on a cycle like that.
Once again, it would seem that you will need to experiment and see what works best for you and your body.
Concluding Thoughts
My intent in writing this article was not to come out with some kind of decisive solution as to what is the best way to get all the benefits out of using creatine supplements. As you can see, there are several different approaches that different people have found to work. In the end you really do have to test and see how your body reacts to the different approaches. - 17269
Creatine Loading and Cycling
If you've ever heard anything about using creatine supplements before then you've probably heard about the 'loading phase.' The idea behind loading is to saturate your muscles with a bunch of extra creatine and then try to maintain that saturation with the rest of the cycle. Typically, the standard loading phase would usually be to take up to 20g of creatine a day for 5 days, then move into a maintenance dose of 5g a day. These amounts depend on your body weight.
The common question is if it is really necessary. I'm sure supplement companies love the loading phase approach because by the time you're done with your loading phase you've pretty much gone through your first bottle of creatine!
A lot of people will tell you that it really isn't necessary. I've read articles before (I'd source them here, but I can't remember where I read them!) that suggest that if you use creatine supplements long term you will get the same benefit as loading. A lot of users have also found that it probably isn't necessary either.
I found another interesting twist on the creatine loading cycle idea from MuscleHack.com. He tried a technique that involved loading for 3 days, abstaining for 3 days, and repeating that cycle over and over again. The idea being that if you cycle in this way you will maintain a higher level of creatine concentration in the muscles over time.
In the end, I don't really know which way is best. This is one area where you should experiment and see which method reacts the best with your body. Try a few things and stick with what works for you.
When to Take Your Creatine Supplements
Another area of concern is when creatine supplements should be taken. This was a big question that I had when I very first started taking creatine. The standard suggestion has often been to take creatine soon after your workout (unless you are doing a standard loading phase, then you would take it throughout the day).
But there are variations to this standard approach as well. For example, if you're going with the 3 days on 3 days off approach suggested by MuscleHack Mark McManus, you would take creatine before your workout, after your workout, and then at least 2 other times throughout the day. You really have to load up on a cycle like that.
Once again, it would seem that you will need to experiment and see what works best for you and your body.
Concluding Thoughts
My intent in writing this article was not to come out with some kind of decisive solution as to what is the best way to get all the benefits out of using creatine supplements. As you can see, there are several different approaches that different people have found to work. In the end you really do have to test and see how your body reacts to the different approaches. - 17269
About the Author:
Creatine has been one of the best body building supplements for a long time. Visit SupplementPricing.com to do price comparisons on everything from whey protein to creatine supplements and save money!
posted by X - Men at
2:39 AM
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