Creatine supplements
 

Has anyone here ever had any experience with creatine supplements? I have a buddy who lifts weights, and he started taking creatine and instantly noticed a difference in his performance. Would the same be true for cycling? Also, what are the moralities of using it? Is it considered doping? AFAIK it is 100% legal in the US, just wondering if it is worth taking for an amateur cyclist?

My understanding is that all potential benefits of creatine is lie in an increase in performance in efforts in the 5 - 10 sec. range. So, if you are a sprinter, or are working on your jump, it might help.

Not useful. I also had weight lifter friends who took it, and it definitely helped them.

Dunno about the rules of cycling (not that they care what amateurs do).

And no, it won't help you very much. It's basically jacked up protein (from what I remember), and you don't need anymore protein as a cyclist. You don't want huge muscles, they take too much oxygen to run. You want lean muscles.

Ok, I was just wondering adn truthfully was not that interested in taking them..are products like heed and recoverite the most efficient supplements for cyclists?

The best cycling "supplements" are pre-ride cards, gu's and bars during the ride, and protein afterwards. That's where you'll see the biggest difference.

There's also the Training and Nutrition forum. ==> HERE

Use creatine for it's intended use as a recovery supplement and it can help you. If you're going to take creatine, take protein too. Protein (40g unless your female, then make it 20) immediately after your ride, creatine (however the label suggests the serving, most are with about 16fl. oz. of water or room temp. grape juice) within 30-45 minutes after your ride, the sooner the better. Unless you're lifting too don't worry about bulking up, it's not going to make you bulk up. Some will make you a little bloated but that's the creatine pulling water into the muscle. That being said DRINK LOTS! I use creatine on a regular cycle; 2 months on, 1 month off.

Creatine is a banned substance under UCI, and subsequently, USAC rules. I'm not familiar with how long it stays in your system, but last winter I did try some, and it did help in my ability to push a DJ bike around Ray's MTB park.
But even though I won't be tested for a little while I won't be taking any, just because it's on the list and I'm against all PED's in all forms.

By the way, IF you're going to go this route, or anyone else for that matter. Get a good creatine from a real nutrional store. Not the crap they sell at the pharmacy or wal-mart. SizeOn, Cell Mass, Cell Tech. ISS and AST also make a good, inexpensive micronized and/or monohydrate creatines. There's more but I'm out of work mode and it's slipping by. Good luck
Jon

I've taken a few different kinds of creatine and what it did to me was give me more energy so I could work out harder and longer. I got stronger and could lift more, but didn't notice ridiculous size changes although for my body type size gains are extremely difficult. It made me bloated and when I stopped taking it, my body could tell during workouts, less energy. It upset my stomach too, but if I remember correctly that was specific to one of the brands.

Edit: Cell tech is the one that upset my stomach

depending on what you take it can make a considerable difference. alot of pre-workout powders are not packed full of protein. yes you are going to feel a difference on climbing/ sprinting but the largest difference is recovery time. as i am still getting stronger and leaner, this year i have gained 3mph in average on my routes. off the "stuff" i am just sub 19to 19. on i am about 20 (40-50 miles). i dont care what anybody says but i still need a edge up against you skinny people:innocent:.

as for protein. you dont need a ton of it like a weight lifter, but i know alot of guys that use stuff like muscle milk to aid in recovery. chocolate milk will do the job but muscle milk works better.

and no i dont see myself in race shape for a long while so im not really worried about banned anything.

Yeah, we've heard more remarks about Cell Tech making people bloated and getting upset stomachs than any other. But it's also one of the best at what it's supposed to do. Kinda have to decide where to draw the line. Personally, I hate that feeling so I don't take it. I use SizeOn for my creatine.

+1 Muscle Milk is good, but it's expensive. I use Whey Protein after a ride, blended with bananas, milk and whatever else I have at hand.

Caution: Do not drink Muscle Milk on the ride back home after a race on an 80º night.

This is true, it did work better than the others I took.

I worked at a supplement store for a while, I would never try to sell creatine to any endurance athletes although sprinters and other anaerobic athletes would be find to take creatine. People taking creatine are required to drink a lot more water and are generally more prone to pulling muscles and getting muscle cramps. I personally would not use creatine for a recovery suppliment; just glutamine.

YUMMY, protein output. now only if you were lucky enough to be aiming into traffic as that "cool Kid" is hanging out the window yelling sexual profanities at you.:roflmao2:

Did you pull a bunch of words from a hat and decide to post them on here? I don't know whether to laugh or pretend to be insulted.

Not good for endurance athletes.

When competitively weight lifting I felt it was worth the money but would be wary of using or even recommending it for cycling. While I was using it regularly I put on a few pounds, mostly muscle but weight is weight and more importantly would sometimes cramp when exerting myself in the heat of the day.

Of course cramping during a hot day can happen easily enough without creatine but I remember an acutely painful tricep cramp once while I was changing some spark plugs.

Creatine cause it? I think so. Years of playing football and weight lifting and I had never cramped a tricep before or since.

:beer:

...







.

Creatine is not a banned substance. It naturally occurs in red meat for crying out loud. If you consume 2-3 lbs of red meat daily you will max out your body's ability to store creatine without supplements. The calories might get ya though.

jesus, anyone who consumes 3 pounds of red meat daily will look like ass....I don't eat that much red meat in a week...maybe in a month.

Lots of bodybuilders do. Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler eats 4-5 lbs of meat daily; not all red. Aside from the cost those clowns are killing the planet. All that methane gas from cows is adding to global warming. :)

I use it for winter training & lifting. Kre-alkalyn is much better than unbuffered creatine. No pre-loading, and no body bloating. It won't help endurance but it will certainly make you stronger.

i've tried a couple cycles of it and i always have trouble with cramping, particularly on the bike.