Thread: What do you guys really think about creatine??

Creatine mono-hydrate did nothing for me. Creatine ester (Createine CEE) helped some. I swole up with water and my gains seemed better.

I don't use creatine anymore, because I didn't think the slight improvement in performance was worth the price. If I had more extra money to spend on training I would probably start taking creatine ester again during the winter time.

i think creatine is a staple. i also think if you do not start with monohydrate you are doing yourself a disservice. if you respond to mono, you will be satisfied for cheap, no need for anything else.

Originally Posted by nni

i think creatine is a staple. i also think if you do not start with monohydrate you are doing yourself a disservice. if you respond to mono, you will be satisfied for cheap, no need for anything else.

i agree probably the best bang for your buck supp their is

Originally Posted by KelJu

Creatine mono-hydrate did nothing for me. Creatine ester (Createine CEE) helped some. I swole up with water and my gains seemed better.

I don't use creatine anymore, because I didn't think the slight improvement in performance was worth the price. If I had more extra money to spend on training I would probably start taking creatine ester again during the winter time.

I first tried CEE and didn't respond. I have recently started mono and have got some results.

Originally Posted by Mista

I first tried CEE and didn't respond. I have recently started mono and have got some results.

thats strange, its usually the opposite.

Originally Posted by nni

thats strange, its usually the opposite.

He comes from down under. Everything works backwards there.

Originally Posted by nni

thats strange, its usually the opposite.

I was expecting the same. Unless I got a crap batch of CEE? I felt no water retention, and workouts didn't seem any different. After a few days on mono my muscles are fuller, seem to recover quicker after a set, and have had a strength increase.

Originally Posted by Mista

I was expecting the same. Unless I got a crap batch of CEE? I felt no water retention, and workouts didn't seem any different. After a few days on mono my muscles are fuller, seem to recover quicker after a set, and have had a strength increase.

Everybody's body is different, so if you say mono worked for you, then cheers to you. you are one of the lucky ones.

There is a fundamental difference between Creatine monohoydrate and creatine ester that is being overlooked, and the difference in performance that varies from person to person can be chalked up to the differences in how you lift; intensity, body type, and diet and daily goals. Everyone knows that creatine has many functions, but the two that bodybuilders are after is the increased muscular/cellular absorption of nutrients post workout (which results in reduced DOMS increase in gains) and the PUMP.

ester; a compound produced by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol with the elimination of a molecule of water (source: dictionary.com)

Creatine ester is a further processed fraction of creatine which is more easily broken down and accepted by the cell. It's better as a preworkout supplement. The cell has a very hard time breaking down and accepting monohydrate. The muscle cannot accept creatine monohydrate before the muscle is distressed. That is a proven fact, so you may as well not even take it before lifting as a preworkout supplement.
Since creatine monohydrate is creatine with one water molecule (mono=single, hydrate=h20) it's great for hydrating your muscles and volumizing the cell, increasing it's capacity for nutrient absorption and rehydration.

So, if you want to get the most out of creatine, use creatine ester before working out, and monohydrate post workout, and drink about a gallon of water a day at least.

***Note*** Believe it or not, sodium and creatine are transported through the cell barrier by the same enzyme (transporter). Creatine alone will not trigger the production of the hormone precursor for the transporter that it needs to be absorbed by the cell and it will sit outside the cell resulting in water retention, which is a very bad thing. Don't be afraid to use salt when loading on creatine, it will not cause you to retain water as long as you use it in healthy moderation.

Originally Posted by ethericgiant

There is a fundamental difference between Creatine monohoydrate and creatine ester that is being overlooked, and the difference in performance that varies from person to person can be chalked up to the differences in how you lift; intensity, body type, and diet and daily goals. Everyone knows that creatine has many functions, but the two that bodybuilders are after is the increased muscular/cellular absorption of nutrients post workout (which results in reduced DOMS increase in gains) and the PUMP.

ester; a compound produced by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol with the elimination of a molecule of water (source: dictionary.com)

Creatine ester is a further processed fraction of creatine which is more easily broken down and accepted by the cell. It's better as a preworkout supplement. The cell has a very hard time breaking down and accepting monohydrate. The muscle cannot accept creatine monohydrate before the muscle is distressed. That is a proven fact, so you may as well not even take it before lifting as a preworkout supplement.
Since creatine monohydrate is creatine with one water molecule (mono=single, hydrate=h20) it's great for hydrating your muscles and volumizing the cell, increasing it's capacity for nutrient absorption and rehydration.

So, if you want to get the most out of creatine, use creatine ester before working out, and monohydrate post workout, and drink about a gallon of water a day at least.

***Note*** Believe it or not, sodium and creatine are transported through the cell barrier by the same enzyme (transporter). Creatine alone will not trigger the production of the hormone precursor for the transporter that it needs to be absorbed by the cell and it will sit outside the cell resulting in water retention, which is a very bad thing. Don't be afraid to use salt when loading on creatine, it will not cause you to retain water as long as you use it in healthy moderation.

Very interesting, and great info. I always knew that ester before workout helped me lift and hold more wate,r but never bothered to check why.

definate staple IMO. i respond very well to mono, but use cee

Thanks for the info ethericgiant.