Creatine?

Ok, basically for the past month I've been working out with the football team getting ready for the 07 season. A few of the players on the team said they took something called creatine and it helped them get stronger. I've been skeptical of pills/shakes but these guys really did seem to get an increase in strength/muscle definition when they started using it.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/creatine.html

That seems to be the most reliable site for information on it but I'm still confused about it.

What exactly does it do? Is it safe? Should I tell them not use it?

Also there seem to be so many different brands of it, which is the best?

Now I don't plan on using it because I'm not in favor of it but rather just curious about it because they are my friends and I don't want them getting hurt in the long run.

I think creatine drink is for the creation of energy in your cells and minimize the damages done to them after a serious work out.

Creatine drink isn't that scary at all. It isn't those steroids or anything like that. It's just created to make your body to have the minimal damages after a harsh exercise.

As for brand, it's up to the user's preferences. Some brands taste slight better, others slightly worse. But none of the protein drinks or creatine drinks taste good, to be honest.

I used to lift weights with some guys that took it as well. They always did seem to get bigger than everyone else. It's just a rumor, but I heard stuff like it can make your heart burst while your standing in the sun on a hot day. That is if you have been taking it a while. Just a rumor though.

*EDIT*
I think I remember someone telling me it works by letting your muscles hold more water, which increases the mass and let's your muscles be able to take more strain. The heart is a muscle. I don't mess with any stuff like that except for straight up protein.

Well I did some more research on health effects and it said it was safe and that only side effects maybe be vomitting/diherrea.

Originally Posted by Solarian Wolf

I think creatine drink is for the creation of energy in your cells and minimize the damages done to them after a serious work out.

Creatine drink isn't that scary at all. It isn't those steroids or anything like that. It's just created to make your body to have the minimal damages after a harsh exercise.

I actively work out for skiing. Skiing at my level involves many many doping tests. Creatine is a BANNED substance. If you want to take anything to help your workouts are Proteine drinks. You can make milkshakes out of em and its really good. Creatine is absolutely NOT good for your metabolism! I dont know what they say on the internet about it but I take my advice from an LPGA tour golfer, WADA and a professional trainner.

All I take are vitamins, liquid Amino acids, glutamine, and pure proteine powder. Its all you really need and your doing your body a favour by avoiding Creatine!

So I should tell them to stop using Creatine? But I have no real backbone for the argument to tell them to stop.

Also should I use anything or am I better off the way I am going (Using nothing)?

I'd say you should comment that its a WADA banned substance and that there is a reason for it. As far as you head out to your nearest GNC (or whatever) and hook yourself up with PURE PROTEINE POWDER, with nothing added, you can get it vanilla, chocolate or whatever its pretty good. Also get a bottle of Man Vitamine with nothing added, a bottle of LIQUID Amino Acids (your body metabolises it better) and a bottle of GLUTAMINE or GLUCOSAMINE.

Take 2 vitamine pills a day (morning-night) take 2 table spoons of the AMINO ACID before every workout.

Then after your workout take one proteine shake with ONE teaspoon of Glutamine. You can also take shakes for lunch and stuff it fill you up pretty good.

And when you do that just sit back, relax and enjoy you getting stronger while the others fill their muscles with water.

Also you should pay little attention to the instructions on the bottle (As far as servings per day) if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

If it changes your body by making you stronger don't take it.

Originally Posted by SchattenReïter

I'd say you should comment that its a WADA banned substance and that there is a reason for it. As far as you head out to your nearest GNC (or whatever) and hook yourself up with PURE PROTEINE POWDER, with nothing added, you can get it vanilla, chocolate or whatever its pretty good. Also get a bottle of Man Vitamine with nothing added, a bottle of LIQUID Amino Acids (your body metabolises it better) and a bottle of GLUTAMINE or GLUCOSAMINE.

Take 2 vitamine pills a day (morning-night) take 2 table spoons of the AMINO ACID before every workout.

Then after your workout take one proteine shake with ONE teaspoon of Glutamine. You can also take shakes for lunch and stuff it fill you up pretty good.

And when you do that just sit back, relax and enjoy you getting stronger while the others fill their muscles with water.

Also you should pay little attention to the instructions on the bottle (As far as servings per day) if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

1.) For the vitamin would MEGA Man work fine?

2.) For protein how about whey? Could you offer something specific to me?

3.) The liquid amino is not too useful in my case because I do it right after school and can't bring foreign matter in. Any other alternatives?

I cycle, and many fellow mates use it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's safe to use if you use all the extra energy up right? Otherwise if you dont use it, it will be pee'd out or wasted. I'm guessing it's fine, just make sure you burn it off.

Originally Posted by Kremlin

I cycle, and many fellow mates use it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's safe to use if you use all the extra energy up right? Otherwise if you dont use it, it will be pee'd out or wasted. I'm guessing it's fine, just make sure you burn it off.

Well yes I think I've detrmined it's safe but, like Schatten said, it fills your muscles with water but supposedly it makes you able to lift more which in turn allows for more muscle replenishment. Basically I'm still not sure but I'm agreeing to what Schatten is saying.

It isn't steroids at all. It's completely legal. If you can buy it at a store it's fine. People use it when they lift to acheive better results. Same with things that involve indurance like running and cycling....

Originally Posted by Drumsofdoom

Well yes I think I've detrmined it's safe but, like Schatten said, it fills your muscles with water but supposedly it makes you able to lift more which in turn allows for more muscle replenishment. Basically I'm still not sure but I'm agreeing to what Schatten is saying.

Filling your muscles with water is fine if you want to gain weight and little to no strenght. Its quite a complicated process to explain but basically for what you want to do its not the best.


Drums Whey is fine, although I cannot stress enough that you must make sure you get the "good" stuff that Athletes (not builders) use.

Mega man is what I use... Its Sa-Weet

Amino acids are über important. you can take it in caplets too but that doesnt help us now does it!... Id say take it in the morning if you must. Its still better than nothing.

Originally Posted by Kremlin

It isn't steroids at all. It's completely legal. If you can buy it at a store it's fine. People use it when they lift to acheive better results. Same with things that involve indurance like running and cycling....

It's not steroïds but its still a banned substance. You do NOT gain better results at all. Only the shape of your muscles are affected! They fill with water, yes you can train more but the strenght gain is not as much as if you would be on proteines only. I know this from 2 professional athletes.

Hmmm Ok I'll get some capsules and pop them in during last period.

Should work right? About 30 - 40 minutes before I start to lift?

And I have megaman at y house so I'll finish those off them go buy some more.

Any advice on which whey to use? GNC brand not good enough?

Originally Posted by Drumsofdoom

Any advice on which whey to use? GNC brand not good enough?

Its not the matter that it is "not good enough" you just need to be aware of what is in there. I use the ISO brand from GNC, just when you go ask for one that has the least sugar and then you are all set buddy

To behonest, I would ask doctor instead of a bunch of Zelda nerds(Im joking!)

The internet is a bad place to ask advice on what is safe and what could be very dangerous to your health. On one side, you can find people who say take it and its perfectly safe. On the other hand, you have those who try and stray you away from it.

However, if you take the wrong advice, it could be a disaster. Atleast if a doctor gives you faulty information you can sue him for malpractice(not a clue how thats spelled sorry)

So my advice is to go see your family doctor(or any doctor that could help) and ask him or her how it will affect you. if its safe, if so on what conditions.

You might as well know what you are putting in your body. Putting something in your system you are not sure about can be dangerous.

Also just because its sold at a store does not mean its safe. Hell taking to much asprin(sp) could be dangerous.

So yea, go ask a doctor.