bruce19

After a lot of online research I've started taking a small amount of Creatine and Whey every morning. I've been doing it for a week. Just wondering if anyone else has done it and can speak to results.

Flip Flop Rider

stay hydrated, or hydrate more than usual. lots of college sports teams use it, but more in the colder months. hydration is key

Seattle Forrest

Yes. For about a year.

I take 5 g per day, mixed into a glass of milk.

I have more high intensity energy on the bike. In the gym, I get to the point where I've given all I've got, and after a couple minutes, I can do another set. I have more good ideas at work (as a software developer). All three of these effects are well documented among peer reviewed research.

For what it's worth, I'm a vegetarian, which means I don't get any creatine in my diet. It's in fish, poultry, and red meat.

bruce19

I'm not a vegetarian but I eat very little red meat. I will eat some fish and poultry but neither is a favorite for me. So, maybe this is an additional advantage of Creatine that I hadn't thought of.
Thanks.

wolfchild

I've been using it since last December. I take it right after my workout mixed with whey protein and Gatorade, on my non-workout days I just mix it with water. It works.

redlude97

why are you taking after your workouts?

wolfchild

I know this is going to sound unscientific and I don't really have any science to back this up... I just do it instinctively, I believe that the best time to take it is after my body has been depleted and worked hard. This is just my personal preference, others may differ.

redlude97

you know what, its been awhile since I've read up on the literature but this is actually what the most recent studies have shown, it used to always be recommended before https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-10-36

BloomBikeShop

Same here, and that's why I make it a point to take creatine, even if I'm not necessarily doing any high intensity training at the time. That... and that it's cheap, so why not?

Seattle Forrest

I take it after working ito because that's the easiest time to remember it. Just got back (to work) from the gym, mix a creatine drink, it's just a natural fit. Days I don't go to the gym, I'm more likely to forget.

Carbonfiberboy 

5g after a workout or training ride. I mix my recovery drink first thing in the morning.https://www.bodybuilding.com/content...and-myths.html

KraneXL

I've tried creatine may times. It works well for some, and little to none for others. I just get bloated.

canklecat

Yup, I add it to my protein supplement smoothies. I make a pitcher of the stuff every couple of days. Been a rough year physically so I'll take any help I can get. Due to a swollen thyroid constricting my throat I've had trouble swallowing solid foods, so I'm not eating much meat. I add creatine to supplement the whey and legume protein mixes. Creatine doesn't hurt, anyway, and it's cheap as other folks noted.

stilltheoptimis

Is it worth it?

wolfchild

Yes it's so cheap that it's worth it.... I pay about 30 dollars for a jar and it lasts me about 10 months.

canklecat

Yeah, creatine is really cheap. It's made from ... well, you don't want to know. Let's just say nothing goes to waste in processing animals.

Okay, reportedly, flavorless white creatine powder is mostly chemically processed animal hide and fur. Eh, whatever. If it works, it works. But for choosy folks there are other types of creatine supplements that cost a bit more and the manufacturers describe their sources and processing methods.

Seattle Forrest

I've always mixed mine into a glass of whole milk. It disappears really well into oatmeal too.

rumrunn6

fwiw, I used protein supplements for a while & it helped with my body transformation. & then I got gout which lasted for years. I finally got over the gout by limiting my protein intake

riccofiori

KraneXL

I think cramping is genetic. I Keep having to remind myself to drink more water but I never cramp. However, know people that do have issues quite frequently. If I'm not mistaken, doesn't magnesium also help?

srode1

Curious what the intended benefit of using creatine is? My limited knowledge / reading finds it helps build muscle mass in body builders, not something most cyclists are interested in.

rubiksoval

Not really. It's not really a hydration or electrolyte issue, though those can seemingly exacerbate the issue at time. Seems more an over-stimulation of muscles/not fit enough problem.

riccofiori

Juan Foote

Some years back I used it for a while. I had a bit of a problem developing strength back after my accident and I used it along with a couple other supplements to aid me with energy and results from my club and solo riding efforts. At the time my reading indicated that it both has a tendency to store water in your muscles, as well as being bad for your kidneys, so I stopped taking it when the results I wanted were achieved. I also took small amounts of Whey protein as well as (half) the dosage of a workout enhancer type thing, likely a strong B vitamin blend along with herbal goodies. Taking the whole dose kind of whacked me out.

KraneXL

Its basically a moisture thing which all your bodily functions operate within.