Weightlifting / Bodybuilding Questions

Blackmagik

Blackmagik

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Blackmagik
So... I have a few questions, I've been lifting weights for awhile without using supplements and all those powders and such, but recently my friend has said that creatine is something i should be taking to build my muscles faster.

My question is, is creatine good to take? many people say yes and then many people say no, so what I'm asking is, do you take creatine and would suggest others to start taking it? so here i ask you, people of qcdn ;)
 
It depends what you're working for. If you're looking to bulk up, creatine will help you hits the weights harder and longer. Like anything though, don't take too much of it. I never felt any adverse affects while using it, so I recommend it for your bulking.
 
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I have a friend who takes Creatine. He seems very pleased with the results.
 
what I've been reading is taking it in cycles are good like say, 4 weeks on 2 weeks off, that way you don't let the toxicity levels of creatine get to high, is that a good idea? O.o
 
Creatine makes your muscles absorb more water so you could actually notice yourself looking a little bigger but also slightly softer. Also some people have noted an increase in cramping but that is usually due to not having proper hydration (again creatine makes the muscles absorb more water so you need to drink more water).

Oh and stay away from the liquid forms of creatine. They are crap and don't work.
 
Whey protein makes a huge difference. I wouldn't really recommend creatine as a lot of sports, at least in high school, frown upon that (if that's what you're doing). Could be different in other states/countries... I dunno, really.
 
I usually just take vitams called Mega Men. Its not a "buffer" or enhancement but it contains amino acid blends which is good for protein regulation, helps improve energy production, and contains vitamins such as B-vitamin that are rarely found in normal everyday diets. The link I posted goes into much more detail as to whats in it.
 
it depends on you really...body type/weight etc. If you've already got some thickness to ya, i cant recommend it, but if you're a scrawny thing, and you take it properly, it wont hurt ya.
 
Creatine is a wonderful thing.

I concur with staying away from the premixed or liquid forms.

In layman's terms, it's going to help you hold a little bit of water-weight and puff you up a bit, so you won't have that vascularity and ripped look at first but you can swap to a cutting cycle and shed that fast.

The real gem behind creatine I've noticed is in explosive power. Sprinting, struggling with a weight and just blasting that rep out and this kind of power is awesome for a workout.

Don't mistake it for the kind of power you'd get using steroids, but it is a nice boost to a workout for those staying "clean."

If you've got more questions, I've done some research, have plenty of books or if you don't feel like asking me; the internet DOES have some good sources. :P

Buuuut most of them might point to websites tryina peddle 'roids, unless it's like a webmd or something lol.

If you've got questions, I was never a pro-bodybuilder.

Did some modeling work and I'd be happy to share what I've learned over some research, time and trial and error.

What're your goals from working out, growth/cutting up/general health(as if, what guy really works out not to look sexy)? What's your regimen, what kind of exercises, home/gym? I'm curious lol. XD

Many questions to be asked, but if you can handle a slightly rounder face pre-cutting workout cycle, creatine is fanfriggintastic.

Just one thing about creatine, not that I should have to tell you if you know you're stuff about workin' out, but to stress with creatine use...

MAINTAIN THAT HYDRATION! WATER WATER WATER! WATER IS YOUR BEST FUCKING FRIEND!

On a separate note, whey protein is nice, soy if you're allergic. Helps regen and the non-workout time is when those lufferly muscles repair and grow. ;x

- Lec
 
I have taken Creatine when I was playing football in high school. The results were alright but once you stopped taking them then the effect wears. As some others have posted above have stated it is a water-based supplement. If you are looking to bulk up certainly focus more on carbohydrates since those provide glycogen which increases muscle stamina during work outs. Protein supplements are over-rated at best and you get enough protein in your normal daily intake. I was under the illusion that protein was the way to go at first but that changed when I researched some weightlifting tips. Carbs are the way to go and which is what you need immediately after so your muscles can start reproducing glycogen.

If you want bulk or even to just get some tone there is a great book that I used which is The Hard Body Workout by Men's Health. The book is only about $20.00 and you should be able to get it at any bookstore such as Borders and Barnes and Noble.
 
Rayn said:
IIf you are looking to bulk up certainly focus more on carbohydrates since those provide glycogen which increases muscle stamina during work outs.
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QFT, don't agree with the protein thing if you're looking to to get big...

But different strokes for different folks.

You're going to find alot of trial and error if you play with supplements, over time you'll find what you like best, or something close enough to it.

Enjoy the adventure.
 
ok so now i have another question, should you go on a onn/off basis with creatine so it doesnt build high toxicity levels? and is it best to take it after or before a work out? and the whey protein stuff i already got, just that friends are suggesting the creatine and i want to know more about it before i try something like that :O
 
Blackmagik said:
ok so now i have another question, should you go on a onn/off basis with creatine so it doesnt build high toxicity levels? and is it best to take it after or before a work out? and the whey protein stuff i already got, just that friends are suggesting the creatine and i want to know more about it before i try something like that :O
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I don't remember about the toxicity levels for Creatine but take it before I would imagine, at least thats what I did. Oh yeah, don't get the chewables.... disgusting lol.
 
It doesn't build to toxic levels. It is water soluble not fat soluble meaning whatever your body doesn't use you piss out. When creatine first came out on the market it was suggested to do a loading phase and then cycle on and off. There was a thought that the longer you took it the less results you would reap. Over time less and less people cycled off and didn't report a loss in effectiveness. Ultimately creatine is a slight aid but it isn't a miracle supplement. I am sure it helps slightly but at the same time it probably has a little placebo effect too. I never experienced a miraculous result from using it. I stopped soon after because I developed stretch marks on my biceps soon after starting due to water retention.

Also some college studies have found the perfect post workout drink to be 12-16 ounces of chocolate milk. It has some protein for muscle recovery and plenty of carbs to get your quick energy sources restocked.
 
I just kind of drank it anyway because it tastes good. >_>; Hurray for double benefits.

Oh, and the main reason I really advocate protein more is because my cousin (and when I used to live in South Carolina... personal trainer) is a professional body builder and actually gets paid a shitton for some of the advice I regurgitate. I always forget to reiterate the importance of carbs because I just base everything off of my own personal diet assuming you're probably in similar shoes (hence the reason I'm -not- getting paid for this). If you're like me you're probably already getting your carb fix just from eating what you feel like eating, lol.
 
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Thanks to this thread im starting creatine loading tomorrow, bodybuilding.com has an article about it and it looks pretty awesome.
 
Blackmagik said:
So... I have a few questions, I've been lifting weights for awhile without using supplements and all those powders and such, but recently my friend has said that creatine is something i should be taking to build my muscles faster.

My question is, is creatine good to take? many people say yes and then many people say no, so what I'm asking is, do you take creatine and would suggest others to start taking it? so here i ask you, people of qcdn ;)
Click to expand...

Creatine only helps your muscles retain water, which by itself, can be a benefit simply because you're retaining hydration where you really need it. Personally, if you look, I have a supplement usage thread I posted on here a little over a year ago. I'd look away. Do it yourself, you'll take more pride in it, I promise. Either way, if you choose to do some sort of supplement, do NOT use Gakic. That is all.

Mistra-
 
never hear of Gakic, and it sounds nasty lol

ninijah editz: i was reading your gakic thing, and though it did wonders for the time you used it, when you came off it, how long did it take to go back to the regular metabolisim and so on?
 
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Creatine

Creatine is just one tool of many to help you get in better shape. In order for you reap the benefits of creatine you have to be doing a lot of other things at the same time. You need to be eating a healthy diet – most people say for just living a healthy life style you should eat 30% fat 30% Protein 40% carbohydrates. Depending on what you want to do you change the percentages around.

What is your goal for working out? Are you trying to bulk up to epic proportions, are you training for an Ultra-Marathon or Triathlon, or are you trying to shed some weight and get into decent shape?

Creatine is a great thing when used with all the other tools that are out there for working out. If are just working out and not really watching what you are eating then Creatine really wont make that much difference.

If you are lifting, doing cardo, eating a healthy diet, getting the proper vitamins, using the proper supplements (i.e. whey protein, fish oil, CLA) consuming 1-2 gallons of water a day and getting 8-hours of sleep a night then you will significant benefits from creatine.

I hate to use an FFXI analogy but it is just like if you are using shitty gear across the board, Byakko Haidites wont make any difference.

If you have any questions I would also be more then willing to help since I am a gym rat and I am a Master Fitness Trainer in the army.

~Lews
 
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