By GI Team Generation Iron
What’s the big deal about creatine anyway?
Creatine is perhaps one of the most talked about supplements used by bodybuilders. It’s had the stigma of being considered an anabolic substance, a steroid that can cause some adverse affects. But we all know this couldn’t be further from the truth. Creatine is a natural substance that you can find in many protein sources including beef and pork. Those who are all about being natty can put their minds to rest that they have a supplement that is natural and can still boost their muscle gains.
But despite that knowledge, some people still don’t understand how exactly creatine affects the body. For those still wondering about whether not creatine is for them, we’ve compiled a list of must-know facts that will help make your decision that much simpler.
Great for Post Workout
You’ve thrashed your muscles in the gym and pushed your body to the limit. This is the absolute ideal time to be taking your creatine. Consuming creatine during your post workout will help your body recover from a rough session. Post workout is also when the muscles will be more receptive to taking the supplement into the cells.
Can Give You a Mental Edge
Besides the physical benefits of creatine, it also shown benefits where mental health is concerned. It can help with mental focus, which can translate over to you lifts. That focus can help provide the mental edge you need to put up some heavy weight. Trust us when we say that if you’re looking to break your deadlift record it’s not a bad supplement to have in your arsenal.
The Creatine Bloat
Creatine is by all means a great supplement to support your muscle growth but it’s not without it’s drawbacks. Creatine pushes water into your muscle which can cause them to grow in size. Though this can be a great thing, sometimes it can result in water retention if your muscles don’t absorb the water. It’s the reason that many pros start to decrease their creatine intake a month out from competition so they can avoid the bloated look on stage. It doesn’t mean you’ll get fat, but you just won’t look as hard and shredded, particularly if you’re taking large dosages. For those who do get bloated it’s best to decrease creatine consumption between training sessions and only use a moderate amount during a workout.
Increases the Pump
Though the water retention can be a bit of a hurdle to get over, the water that creatine monohydrate pumps into your muscles can dramatically improve your ability to obtain a pump. It’s a feeling that ever bodybuilder seeks and a sign that your muscles are going through hypertrophy. Even if you were on a low carb diet, creatine can help you get to the pump and maintain it throughout your entire workout.
Source: http://generationiron.com/essential-truths-you-need-to-know-about-creatine
