Creatine- before or after workout?

**Phrost** · Posted On: 6/25/2008 4:04pm

Seconding the pre-workout benefits. I wonder if that creatine is "used up" during the workout though.

**Asriel** · Posted On: 6/25/2008 4:08pm

Forgot to mention, I take a recovery formula after training that contains Creapure and don't get any adverse effects from that. Seems to only be CEE.

**Emevas** · Posted On: 6/25/2008 4:11pm

Originally Posted by Phrost

Seconding the pre-workout benefits. I wonder if that creatine is "used up" during the workout though.

It really shouldn't work that way. Creatine saturates the muscles, which is why a lot of folks suggest loading. Creatine levels are depleted during the workout, which is why you want to replenish it post workout, but it's not like caffeine where it's being utilized actively during the workout.

I got a buddy that's really into this stuff. I'll see if I can get him on this thread.

**honesty** · Posted On: 6/25/2008 4:29pm

I take it post workout with glutamine and whey.

**Raining_Blood** · Posted On: 6/25/2008 9:24pm

As far as I know it considered best practice to load during the day and take creatine both pre and post workout.

As to why it gives you more energy before training, creatine is normally taken in the form of creatine monohydrate, this is a precursor to phosphocreatine. Ingesting creatine monohydrate increases the levels of phosphocreatine in muscle cells. Phosphocreatine is used as buffer in the ATP/ADP cycle so higher levels increase efficency of anaerobic energy production.

If anything creatine should not have a hypertrophy affect outside of increasing anaerobic energy production but it is thought a process called phosphocreatine energy shuttle occurs that facilitates muscle hypertrophy

**A.D.D** · Posted On: 6/26/2008 7:35am

Originally Posted by BudoMonkey

Oh- just started car-pushing, Emevas, so thanks again for that too.

No wonder you don't gain weight.

**BudoMonkey** · Posted On: 6/26/2008 9:35am

Originally Posted by A.D.D

No wonder you don't gain weight.

You wanna consider actually being helpful?

**snowman** · Posted On: 6/26/2008 9:45am

first thing in the morning and 30 minutes before a work out

just scoop half a tea spoon in the mouth and chase it down with some juice

**partyboy** · Posted On: 6/26/2008 10:06am

never... I'm one of those people that never noticed a difference with creatine.

you guys have fun with it though.

**Bang!** · Posted On: 6/26/2008 10:48am

I was just reading some stuff from Charles Poliquin, who still recommends the loading protocol. According to him:

“Many of those who suggest against loading are basing their suggestions on studies that used very wimpy training programs. These wimp programs didn't need a creatine loading program.”

He likes about 5 grams pre and post-workout.

And if creatine has made you nauseous or bloated, it's most likely because you're buying bullshit creatine that's filled with impurities (never mind the extra junk).