Thread: Didn't get muscle pump in gym today

A pump doesn't mean anything, so I wouldn't be concerned. I would start taking creatine for the extra boost in your routine, not for anything to do with getting a pump.

Thanks for your feedback. I haven't used creatine for a long time. What is the best time to take it? In the morning upon waking or before or after a workout? I normally have some caffeine (coffee) before I hit weights and I believe that can interfere with creatine absorption.

The caffeine pre workout is fine. Creatine, take it in your post workout shake, with carbs if you're eating them.

You might have had a lower-carb day the day before you trained and hence had not fully reglycogenated. Try a workout the day after a high carb day when you've been taking creatine. Lots of water that day, you'll see the pumps.

Originally Posted by Built

The caffeine pre workout is fine. Creatine, take it in your post workout shake, with carbs if you're eating them.

You might have had a lower-carb day the day before you trained and hence had not fully reglycogenated. Try a workout the day after a high carb day when you've been taking creatine. Lots of water that day, you'll see the pumps.

Thanks for that.

I don't think I can trace the lack of workout pump to low carbs as I'd had a day off and even eaten quite a bit of chocolate amongst other high carb foods such as bread. Although you wouldn't think so after hearing I was eating chocolate but I have to take it a bit easy on carbs as I am pre-diabetic. My first meal is normally high protein and low carb and the meal before the gym will be high carb.

My post workout shake includes plenty of carbs as I take the protein with milk. Will it be ok to put the creatine powder into the blender and mix it together? That would be a very convenient way to take it.

Originally Posted by tropo

Thanks for your feedback. I haven't used creatine for a long time. What is the best time to take it? In the morning upon waking or before or after a workout? I normally have some caffeine (coffee) before I hit weights and I believe that can interfere with creatine absorption.

I would take the creatine at the same time each day. What time you decide to take it doesn't matter as long as you're consistent in taking it. Caffeine is a mild diuretic and I doubt it will have any noticeable effect on the absorbtion.

a pump means nothing..any training routine or program should be evaluated/judged by increases in strength, endurance, increased performance in sport, etc. , over a period of time.

The only time you should worry about lack of a pump is when it's in your pants, and I'm not talking about your quads.