When it comes to creatine it is very easy to get lots in hype and marketing jargon. Today we look at what this substance actually does and which particular type is the superior according to science.
Working as a personal trainer I see folks regularly getting lost in the hype of supplements. Once you learn to spot the difference between a claim (usually followed by an asterisk) and scientific facts it becomes a whole lot easier for you.
So how do we know which to trust and, more importantly, what is this actually designed to DO for your body?
Whether you are taking an Ethyl Esther, Monohydrate, Kre-Alkalyn, Intra-Workout formula or any other blend of this supplement the task it has is the same. This product is designed to increase your explosive strength. It's as simple as that.
What does it actually do inside your body?
If you start running as hard as you can right now you will notice that after around 15 seconds you get an undeniable burning pain in your quadriceps forcing you to stop or slow down. This is called lactic acid. It happens because your creatine levels have essentially ran out. You need to slow down until your body can generate enough for a second short burst.
So by taking on board more of this substance via the use of a sports supplement you increase your body's ability to resist that 'stop' button. You can run harder for a short period longer. This is why athletes use it.
If you hit the gym using the product you'll notice you can lift for slightly longer or even add an extra plate onto your explosive lifts like squats or bench presses. This can make a ton of difference to your overall results, all from a naturally occurring, perfectly safe supplement.
One of the best marketing strategies, however, is confusion. Companies will literally contradict one another to get you to buy their product.
You could be left now knowing which blend is superior, they all claim to be the best. The science points massively in the direction of Monohydrate. That's right, the first and cheapest option.
There is more scientific research out there to show the proof behind this blend than any other. This is why, when reading the tub of any new blend, they will often try to say bad things about Monohydrate such as it causes bloating, water retention or upset stomachs. All of these myths have been proven scientifically incorrect but it is marketing talk much like what you'd see in an advert for a supposedly newer, more expensive 'better' razor even though the last one was perfectly fine.
They need a reason for you to stop spending $10 per month and start spending $50 per month, basically.
Overall, when it comes to creatine supplements you cannot go wrong with the trusty monohydrate option. It simply works and, better still, is backed up of two decades of scientific fact and not a single marketing claim followed by an asterisk. If you are figuring out how to build muscle and are looking for supplements to help you along the way, this is it.
Working as a personal trainer I see folks regularly getting lost in the hype of supplements. Once you learn to spot the difference between a claim (usually followed by an asterisk) and scientific facts it becomes a whole lot easier for you.
So how do we know which to trust and, more importantly, what is this actually designed to DO for your body?
Whether you are taking an Ethyl Esther, Monohydrate, Kre-Alkalyn, Intra-Workout formula or any other blend of this supplement the task it has is the same. This product is designed to increase your explosive strength. It's as simple as that.
What does it actually do inside your body?
If you start running as hard as you can right now you will notice that after around 15 seconds you get an undeniable burning pain in your quadriceps forcing you to stop or slow down. This is called lactic acid. It happens because your creatine levels have essentially ran out. You need to slow down until your body can generate enough for a second short burst.
So by taking on board more of this substance via the use of a sports supplement you increase your body's ability to resist that 'stop' button. You can run harder for a short period longer. This is why athletes use it.
If you hit the gym using the product you'll notice you can lift for slightly longer or even add an extra plate onto your explosive lifts like squats or bench presses. This can make a ton of difference to your overall results, all from a naturally occurring, perfectly safe supplement.
One of the best marketing strategies, however, is confusion. Companies will literally contradict one another to get you to buy their product.
You could be left now knowing which blend is superior, they all claim to be the best. The science points massively in the direction of Monohydrate. That's right, the first and cheapest option.
There is more scientific research out there to show the proof behind this blend than any other. This is why, when reading the tub of any new blend, they will often try to say bad things about Monohydrate such as it causes bloating, water retention or upset stomachs. All of these myths have been proven scientifically incorrect but it is marketing talk much like what you'd see in an advert for a supposedly newer, more expensive 'better' razor even though the last one was perfectly fine.
They need a reason for you to stop spending $10 per month and start spending $50 per month, basically.
Overall, when it comes to creatine supplements you cannot go wrong with the trusty monohydrate option. It simply works and, better still, is backed up of two decades of scientific fact and not a single marketing claim followed by an asterisk. If you are figuring out how to build muscle and are looking for supplements to help you along the way, this is it.
About the Author:
Coach: Russ Howe PTI is a trusted fitness coach. Learn how to build muscle with our new video guide giving the 5 steps to a more powerful body and creatine.