Creatine

[x_rated_mo]

1) What is it exactly? I know it gives you energy and strength and great results, but does it contain anything ? any protien ?

2) What are your opinions on loading ? (first 4 days 20g)

3) Would it give good results, does it help for a cut? Or am i wasting money by mixing in 5g of creatine with post workout shake?

[Boss Man]

1) What is it exactly? I know it gives you energy and strength and great results, but does it contain anything ? any protien ?

2) What are your opinions on loading ? (first 4 days 20g)

3) Would it give good results, does it help for a cut? Or am i wasting money by mixing in 5g of creatine with post workout shake?

Answer 1. No not strength, power. About 30%, at least that's what I ascertained when I used it, though I shouldn't have, and it did little for me at the time.

It contains no Protein, as it is commonly a combination of 3 Amino Acids one from memory being Arginine.

Answer 2. Loading for 4 days would be okay, but a typical load lasts 5 days, so a 4 day load won't guarantee complete Creatine saturation, so you may potentially cut overall benefit, during maintenance.

Answer 3. No most Creatines give water retention, which is not much use for a cut. You can mix Creatine in with a Protein Powder, as the two shouldn't compete.

They usually seem to live happily together, in "all in one" protein powders, that have other things in like Glutamine, HMB, ZMA, Chromium etc etc.

Though unless your mass is pretty good, I estimate 170lb's plus, forget it, as your natural powerbase will probably not be good enough, for the 30% power increase to be worth the money.

I'm talking 170lbs of good pretty lean mass, not a half decent lifter with Man Hooters.

I used it about 1 year after lifting, and lifts mostly went up 2.5kg's 6.25lb's.

Totally wasted money, and some guy at the gym was getting it off a mate, and when he had difficulties getting hold of it, (nothing shifty or anything like that), I just stopped bothering with it.

I'd say unless you're pretty solid already, don't waste time on it, as in all seriousness you'll be throwing good money for bad.

This is how I see things supplement wise

Glutamine, good to go from the off.

Protein powders, good to go when diets okay, and inital progress after 3-6 months goes flat, and stays flat.

Creatine, for when you've got good mass, I'd say not worth it until at least 18 months into lifting, and depending on genetics and initial start point, (providing no enforced training layoffs occur), maybe upto 3 years.

Those are the three main ones most people want to get on for starters, the first no real problem, the other two often too soon.

Hopefully that tells you what you wanted to know.

[x_rated_mo]

Thanks alot, i enjoyed hearin bout ur experience--but it brought me to another question about glutamine.
You've said that its good to go on from the off, whats that mean?
Isnt glutamine carbs?

So you think I should stick to whey protien solely as a supplement to improve gains in loss and muscle maintenance?

[Boss Man]

Glutamine is not Carbs, Glutamine is an Amino Acid, which occurs naturally in Protein strands, but obviously on its own is more concenrated.

Yes you could use a Protein Powder for what you described.

[x_rated_mo]

Yeah, your right, I was mistaken by a carb with a similar name.

A friend has attempted weight loss, and attempted to maintain his muscle solely on whey. He benefited, he has lost , but has lost muscle with it. He decided to gain his muscle back, then finish off the remaining but this time by supplementing with L-Glutamine (5g morning, 5g post workout)

So, rooting from the fear of experiencing the same problem, what do you think about taking glutamine along with the whey, about 4-5 times a week?

[Boss Man]

No problem.