Anyone take Creatine, is it legal

skootaroo

I bought some on the weekend, I've had two drinks now and won't be having any more. My body's reaction has been very clear, not compatable. Since I can't drink chocolate milk either, I was looking for a recovery drink and was recomended musashi recovery stack, anyone got any better Ideas?

mikesbytes

Creatine isn't a recovery product.

It depends on what type of body you have, what type of activity you are doing and what improvement (if any) you want to make to your body.

This is the sort of topic where we all disagree. I'm a cross trainer and I'm primary interested in muscle recovery and not so glicryin [can never spell that word] recovery. So for me, I focus on protein, spread over the day, for others carbs is the answer.

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skootaroo

Creatine is the labled active ingredient in this one and others.
I've been commuting the same route for over four months and my legs haven't adjusted to the new load. So I thought a nutritional assist might be the whey to go.....walk into health shop.....empty loads of money onto counter.....walk out with a small bucket of powder!
I'd like to do my commuting and then enjoy my weekend mountainbike rides, not feel like I need to rest my legs all weekend just to do the commute.
I'm interested in muscle recovery too I just need something that does not upset my insides.

mikesbytes

I should correct the creatine recovery statment. The product is usually laced with sugar and its the sugar that aids in the recovery.

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KappaX

A few months ago I asked a guy that works at GNC. He is a sport nutrition major and personal trainer. I asked him if taking creatine for cycling was useful. He told me that it has adverse effects if used for endurance sports.He sold me this stuff called Endurox Excel. They are tablets and I have found that they work great for me.

djk202020

Creatine occurs naturally in the body whether you take it as a supplement or no its there. Some peoples muscles have more than others. I have no idea if it helps or not but if you start taking it and it is helping whether it be actual results or completely mental I would say keep taking it.

mikesbytes

I'm entering power lifting in 2009, so I was looking at it from that viewpoint. Impacting cycling is not such a good thing, I am a cross trainer.

Whether it helps or doesn't is difficult to determine. Was your improvement due to whatever suppliment you took or was it simply the training. I've followed this same logic with cramps.

Is it legal? Yes. Powerlifting and Cycling follow exactly the same drug laws. I'm guessing that other sports follow the same rules too?

Whats Endurox Excel ?

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djk202020

http://www.bsnonline.net/teambsn/te...=Antony&sec=bio

Ok so here is another line of products they have some recovery stuff but it mostly NO2 related and Anthony Galvan apparently takes them lol. well we know how endorsments go. well anyway here is the site I have no exp with them.

I have cycled on and off creatine in the past right now I am not on it. I have been riding alot lately. When I got on a lift cycle I will use it. It seems to give me much more energy in the gym. It isnt that expensive if you buy just straigt mono creatine and drink it with water. I think I might try to use it this season but one thing that concerns me is how quicly your body can dehydrate while on it.

here is a pretty extensive write up on it... http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/crea...arch12final.php

djk202020

And just for anyone wondering about NO2 I have also taken that but never rode when I was on it. but my max bench press went from about 245 to 290 in a few weeks while on it. The thing about it is once you stop taking it you lose almost all your gains. I havent done any reseach on cycling performance but it forces more blood to the muscles so it might help?

Lionfish

I'm a powerlifter who has begun cycling again. Creatine & NO2 are not steroids. There is no way anyone could get a false positive. Impossible. It in no way affects your testosterone level whatsoever. If someone "claimed" they got flagged & that's all they were taking; They're lying 100%. There is no dispute that it WILL increase your strength. As far as coffee causing problems, Well, most creatine/NO2 elixers come with caffine in them. I drink coffee & have been taking creatine & NO2 for about 8 years.

The downside with cycling is that is does cause you to hold more water in your muscles so cramping can (I know) become an issue if your not staying VERY hydrated....I can't immaging it would increase cycling times though. It only adds ATP to your system. It's good for short bursts of extra TUT (Time under tention)such as powerlifting for 1-3 reps though it does help delay fatuge.

mikesbytes

Lionfish, how much benifit would Creatine give me for powerlifting?

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Lionfish

Night & day mikesbytes. I don't cycle it (no pun intended) either. No need to. I certainly don't want to make enimies here but again, I assure you there are NO 'roids or prohormones added. Pro-hormones have been banned as of Jan 2005. Also, 'roids or pro-hormones were VERY expensive to produce where as creatine is very cheap. So adding them wouldn't be profitable. All Pro-hormones are now in the same catagory as Heroine, Cocain ect....Jail time if even in the possesion of. So, your safe with that. I take "STORM" by Universal Nutrition & LOVE it! They add electrolytes and no sugar. It's a Creatine/NO2 mix & I live by it. I Also take SHOCK THEARAPY by the same co. They added caffine & Garauna (i can't spell that) & take Storm after workout. From http://www.dpsnutrition.net/ it's about $30 bucks a month which is a bargain. Watch for the Guarana in the Shock Theatapy in case that's a banned substance. I'll do a on & off comparo in the spring up Skyline drive in Reading PA. (very long & steep) & post my honest feelings on the stuff. Again, the added body weight may even out the difference or make it worse. I'll try to stay in the same shape both times & go by stopwatch & "Feel" after the climb. As far as Powerlifting, I don't know any in the "Circle" who DOESN'T take it. It works hands down.
Nice talking with ya' Mike!
Shawn

mikesbytes

Thanks for the info Shawn,
Whiles theres conflicting info on Creatine, it seems that it may benifit vets like me a bit more than younger guys/gals. It also appears to be a slight disadvantage for cycling, due to a little more weight. However the benifit to powerlifting seems to outweight the detriment to cycling.

There seem to be very few people around who cross train more than one disicpline.

BTW, what part of the world are you in?

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TrailRider

I agree- I lift and bike and I take 5g creatine monohydrate daily. I don't find anything detrimental as to cycling- if anything, my endurance is much better. And, my lifting definitely is as well.

BTW- a few tips. Don't waste your money on fancy creatine supps- just get pure creatine monohydrate powder. That includes creatine with sugar (usually sucrose). Just add sugar to the liquid you mix it with. And, contrary to an earlier post, sthe sugar enhances uptake- it has nothing to do with recovery. Most people take creatine before,not after a workout. It's worth going a little extra to get the micro, as that will pretty much completely dissolve (regular doesn't). Don't worry about getting the capsules either- you pay a lot more for the convenience of not having to mix the powder in liquid (water, non-citrus juice, or milk are good). Although, the caps are handy for when you're traveling. Finally, stay well-hydrated, especially in the summer.

Good luck and enjoy the results!