Creatine is one of the most popular supplements in the muscle building and fitness world. First identified as a component of skeletal muscle in 1832, creatine was embraced by the athletic community in the early 90’s. Creatine has been shown to improve strength, training endurance, energy and assist with muscle gains.
Because of creatine’s popularity, it is included in a broad spectrum of nutritional supplements. This article will look at popular forms of creatine, and help you to determine which creatine supplement is right for you.
Popular Forms of Creatine
While many effective forms of creatine exist, the two most popular are creatine monohydrate and creatine ethyl ester. Creatine monohydrate is the grand daddy of all creatine supplements, and was on the market long before creatine ethyl ester. Because of this, there are more scientific studies backing creatine monohydrate.
Despite having a smaller body of research backing it, creatine ethyl ester is still considered to be a potent and effective form of creatine. It is recommended that you try both creatine monohydrate and creatine ethyl ester to determine which works better for you.
Some other popular forms of creatine include:
- Kre-Alkalyn
- Creatine Citrate
- Creatine Phosphate
- Creatine Malate
- Effervescent Creatine
Creatine Powders, Capsules and Beyond
In supplements creatine will appear as a powder, a capsule, as a liquid, or as a blend. The first step in shopping for a creatine supplement is to understand the differences.
Creatine powder is the most popular, and common form of creatine supplement. Creatine powders are sold as stand alone products, or are sold with flavoring powders as mixable drinks.
Creatine capsules, or creatine pills, have gained popularity over the last several years. Creatine pills are sold as either 100% pure creatine, or mixed with other supplements including vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and more.
Liquid creatine is packaged and marketed at a more easily digested form of creatine. Despite it’s digestibility, liquid creatine does not appear in many supplements.
Creatine blends combine various forms of creatine, often with other supplements such as simple carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and herbal extracts, to amplify potency, and increase digestion and athletic performance.
Shopping for Pure Creatine Powder and Pills
When shopping for a creatine powder, first and foremost you’ll want to make sure that you are purchasing enough. At minimum, a creatine cycle will run one to two months. Because it is generally recommended that you take 5 grams of creatine pre and post-workout, you will need a minimum of 300 grams per month.
Many individuals prefer to load creatine for a week when beginning a cycle. Loading generally involves taking 25 grams of creatine for 5-7 days, at various times during the day, followed by 5 grams of creatine pre and post-workout after that point. If you are loading creatine in this manner, you will need 405 grams of creatine during your first month.
Creatine pills, or capsules, are also a popular choice for creatine cycles. The amount of creatine per pill can vary, so make sure you do your research before making a purchase. Most creatine pills contain 2 to 3 grams of creatine per capsule. The following list provides the amount of capsules you will need based on how you cycle:
- 2 gram capsules, 10 grams per day, no loading. You will need 150 capsules per month. Using 2 gram capsules, you will need to take either 4 grams of creatine before lifting and 6 grams after, or 6 grams before lifting and 4 grams after.
- 2.5 gram capsules, 10 grams per day, no loading. You will need 120 capsules per month.
- 3.0 gram capsules, 10 grams per day, no loading. You will need a minimum of 100 capsules per month. 3 capsules per day only provides you with 9 grams of creatine, so you will have to decide whether to run 9 grams of creatine per day, or to run 12 grams per day. If you run 12 grams, you will need 120 capsules.
For creatine cycles in which you load 25 grams of creatine for the first week, you will need the following number of capsules during your first month:
- 2 gram capsules, 10 grams per day, with loading. You will need 203 capsules for your first month. Using 2 gram capsules, you will need to take either 4 grams of creatine before lifting and 6 grams after, or 6 grams before lifting and 4 grams after.
- 2.5 gram capsules, 10 grams per day, with loading. You will need 162 capsules for your first month.
- 3.0 gram capsules, 10 grams per day, with loading. You will need a minimum of 135 capsules for your first month. 3 capsules per day only provides you with 9 grams of creatine, so you will have to decide whether to run 9 grams of creatine per day after the loading phase, or to run 12 grams per day. If you run 12 grams, you will need 158 capsules.
Shopping for Creatine Blends
Creatine is a popular ingredient in pre-workout and post-workout supplements. Pay close attention to the product’s label to determine how much creatine you are receiving each day, and in what form.
Using a pre or post-workout formula with creatine may cut down on your powder and pill needs during a creatine cycle. In many cases, these creatine blends are proprietary mixes, and do not specify the amount of actual creatine that they contain. In this case, continue on with your normal creatine cycle unless specified otherwise on the product.
Pay close attention to the creatine blend’s available flavors. Some flavors will make a tasty combination with your current post-workout whey protein shake, and others, not so much. It is certainly not necessary to mix your post-workout whey with your creatine blend, but if you can find two flavors that work well together, you can save yourself some time.
Lastly, keep in mind that pre and post-workout blends that contain creatine aren’t always meant to replace a creatine cycle. Many pre-workout blends exist to assist to amplify workout energy, and with muscle pumps. Post-workout blends are meant to assist with recovery and replenishment of muscle glycogen stores, and often contain other popular supplements including BCAAs, glutamine and vitamins and minerals.
25 Comments
hey guys, can i get dislikes? tanx
Yo guys i wanted to know, i heard the hodgetwins that u should take creatine for like 2-3 month then stop for a bit like 2 month what do you think about that.
Thank men
What is wrong with you people? The thumb ups and thumb downs are almost equal. Say something when you disagree. Share your ideas!
Hiii you all.. What do you think about Muscle Pharm Creatine ?
Muscle Pharm Creatine or Micrzonized Creatine Powder by: Optimum Nutrition
Hi Steve Does creatine mono hydrate give you diarrah??
g'day ,
I have been lifting weights for about 8 months , i have been consuming a whey protein shake post workout , i was wondering what else you would reccomend in order to gain more muscle .
cheers
Creatine is very effective.
hi, is muscle core decacor better, cause it has ten blends of diffrent creatine, or should I just stick with opimum mirco,and it seen like, I am still sore after ,I take a day off from lifting weight. I am 50 year old does that matter?
hey what about non-training day , 5 or 10 grams and when?
Should creatine powder be taken eveyday? including off days? and if so should it be taken before workout, after workout, or early in the morning?
hi steve i wanted to ask you about something i do want to start applying creatine as a pre workout supplement .. currently i take whey protein after my workout and before sleep ..so you think it will make any different if i mixed creatine and whey protein together and i took them as a pre work out? in that case do i still need to take another dose of whey protein after workout or that should be enough?
Hi Steve,
I was looking at buying a pre-supplement where i have never taken it before. I was looking at Super-pump Max and Jacked. Which one would you recommend to start out with? Thanks
Both are great choices. Jack3d has the slight edge in popularity, so I would probably suggest trying it first.
Is there ANY advantage form powder over pills? I drink 16oz of whey protein post workout, so it would be nice to just pop a pill or two, instead of searching for a powder that can mix and taste good, or worse, having to drink more post workout.
Also, how important is brand? I am serious about all this, and willing to spend money on my health. But I already buy whey, and Jack3d, and looking into BCAA also. Is it ok to buy a less expensive brand, as long as the ingredients are there? Thanks.
Power is easier to use and generally cheaper. You don't have to swallow capsules everytime you use creatine.
Brand...stick with a name brand top seller.
Hi Steve,
What creatine brand do you recommend?
Hi Isao,
I would start with creatine monohydrate, perhaps one of the following brands:
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/store/dymatize-creatine-monohydrate.html
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/store/optimum-micronized-creatine-powd...
https://www.muscleandstrength.com/store/now-creatine-monohydrate.html
Hi Steve,
What do you think about Con-cret creatine?
How does creatine hydrochloride differ from micronized creatine monohydrate?
Hi Isao,
There is a mountain of research backing creatine monohydrate, so that's the best bang for your buck. Understand I'm not saying Con-Cret won't be effective, but right now there is little research to prove that Creatine Hydrochloride is superior. I do know some bodybuilders who like it though.
Is it necessary to cycle your creatine intake? How should one do this?
Hi Eric,
It's not a bad idea to give your body a month or two break every several months.
Hi...
Is it right that, we first consume creatine and after that drink our whey protein ? What about mixing two supplement in one shake ?
Is it right ?
Thanks - Darius
Hi Darius,
I recommend 5 grams of creatine both pre, and post workout. You certainly can mix creatine in your whey shake if you desire.
Thanks for the answer,Steve.
Is there any difference to consume creatine blend or creatine monohaydrate for pre and post-workout ?
I have another question:
Is it right to consume Nitric oxide supplement(N.O.Xplode) with creatine blend(Cellmass) before training ?
Thanks - Darius
Hi Darius,
Some blends don't provide 5 grams of creatine, and are designed more for workout energy and pumps.
It is definitely ok to use nitric oxide with creatine. I use both myself.