CREATINE

I love the stuff. For the cost there isn’t a better supplement on the market. I’m bulking up now and within a month my strength has gone up 15-20% and I’ve gained 15 pounds.

Makes you thirsty as hell though. I drink about 1 1/2 - 2 gallons of water a day. It sucks having to piss about every 30 minutes but the gains are well worth it.

You need to know what type of creatine you are buying and using. There are 3 main types of creatine that are usually sold at nutrition stores:

Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine ethyl ester

Kre Alkalyn

Creatine monohydrate is the most popular and familiar product with the general public. There are many different theories on how to take it (loading, cycling, etc.) but of all th creatines it is probably the most effective. The problem with creatine monohydrate is that it is not absorbed very good. Meaning most people have to take more than suggested to see the benefits. Creatine monohydrate does cause bloating and water retention in most individuals and can cause stomach pain and diarreah. Actually most of your consumed creatine is converted into creatinine before your muscle absorbs it. Medical researchers also say it can be tough on your kidneys....hence that's why they suggest cycling. But others will beg to differ. Personally i would never use it ever again.

Should be taken pre and post workout (unless loading phase). So like i said it should be taken pre workout...that's why almost every pre-workout drink has a form of creatine in it. Super Pump 250, Dark Rage, Hemo Rage, Jack'd and 1MR all have creatine monohydrate. Others like N.O. Xplode have creatine ethyl ester. creatine ethyl ester is on the same lines as creatine monohydrate but not the same gains or the same level of "side effects'.

The last creatine is Kre Alkalyn. It is absorbed very well but it wont have the same gains as the others. It's more of a lean muscle builder. I always use a pre-workout with kre-alkalyn because it is safe and no water retention.