This week marks the fourth and final week of my month-long creatine experiment. Starting in early April, I started my first cycle with creatine, and alternated between 5 gram and 15 gram loads each week thereafter.
Creatine is a popular supplement that aids in muscle function. Contrary to popular belief, it’s neither a steroid nor illegal in collegiate, professional or Olympic sports. Creatine simply flushes the body’s muscles with water, and often results in strength and muscle mass gains.
Many claim that creatine results in a 10 pound weight gain within the first month. Though I’m sure there is a basis for this assertion, I experienced none of that; I am at the same weight today as I was on April 1. My body looks slightly different, though I’m currently leaning up for the filming of an upcoming fitness video. I don’t think much of the difference can be attributed to creatine so much as my modified diet. I had some minor strength gains at the gym, though I suspect I may have experienced those gains even without the creatine.
The bottom line is that I didn’t see or feel much of a transformation, even after trying some creatine tips and tricks. It doesn’t discount creatine or its potential, but it does put emphasis on the reality that all of our bodies, circumstances and situations are quite different. It stresses that importance of finding out what works best for you, and recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to health, nutrition and fitness.
If you are curious to try creatine, go for it! Your results will likely differ from mine. And so long as you are between the ages of 18 - 60, looking to increase your muscle mass or improve your strength, strength training regularly and don’t have kidney concerns, liver issues or diabetes, creatine may be a good fit for you.
About Davey Wavey
Looking good, I wish I could develop my body but I have adisorder and it won’t grow muscles…
We are all different. I just can’t tan for the life of me. My skin goes red and then it peels off. Strange as I was very tanned as a kid, but as a adult I simply can’t any more, so I avoid the sun were possible.
I think its important to make peace with what you have. If you can improve something, then do so if you are prepared to put the time and effort into it.
I will never look like Davey, I simply to lazy to put that kind off effort in. Plus I hate gyms. I exercise regularly, could probably do with a bit more, but I think its sufficient.
creatine monohydrate works for me.. i seem to keep my strength gains longer, especially when i am injured or ill… drink plenty of water…
~ cheers…
Boy, there is a great argument AGAINST using creatine. Let’s you work out when injured or ill, thereby doing more damage to yourself.
no. i guess i phrased that wrong… it allows me to maintain my strength AWAY from the gym and/or hockey rink when i am injured or ill.. it DOES NOT cut my recovery time, nor allow me to work out injured or ill… i seem to be able to pick up my game and my work outs with less loss of strength and timing when i go back to the gym after an injury or illness…
sorry for the confusion….
~ cheers…
This is the second time you listed the age cutoff at 60. Is there a reason for that? I’m 62 and have been using creatine on and off for a couple of years. I feel it’s helped me add mass,let me increase my workout intensity, and has improved my recovery time between workouts.
But is there some reason I shouldn’t use it since I’m over 60?
I can attest to the 10 extra lbs of muscle growth while on creatine. The first time I’ve used it (Used it twice in total) I experienced more than 10lbs of muscle growth. However I’d like to point out that was the first time I ever trained with weights for mass gain and usually train to increase strength and condition the body. That was also the first time I ever ate on a calorie surplus while training because I spent most of my training life trying to burn fat. Moving on, I believe I went from 167lbs lean body mass to 177lbs lean body mass in the course of 3 weeks. Then a month later I went to a little over 180lbs of lean body mass. Too add on to that my gym lifts went up a great deal during this period, especially my deadlifts and bench presses.
Just wanted to share my results with creatine to anyone who was interested in trying it. The take home message is creatine can HELP you reach your goals, but everything else you do has to be in line with the goal.