Your verdict on Creatine

Id just like to hear some peoples opinions on creatine that theyve taken over the years. Ive heard many stories that creatine is useless and does nothing but ive just started a new cycle and the gains, whether they are only temporary, are excellent.

Im currently using sci-mx monohydrate and have one day left of my loading phase (4 times a day for the first 5 days). My strength has increased about 5% and have noticed alot of size increase. I generally feel more swollen whilst training.

 So anyway, would like to hear of any gains you made whilst using creatine. I believe if used properly it can have a great effect on anyones workout.

PS. i am not promoting any supplements. just my preference

Creatine is one of the best documented ergogenic supps out there.

It will 'work'. The thing is whether the effects will be noticable?

In some they will be, in others they may not be.

yeah it definitely works, there have been hundreds of studies and you wont find a bodybuilder that would go without it!

Heres one that does. Tried it many times over the years when strong man training and now bodybuilding and it never has any effect on me. Tried various makes, loading doses, maintenance doses, everything but still it has no effect on me. I have no doubt it works for many people  but for myself and a few others i know it does very little.

I didnt get anything from mono, cee or kre alkalyn but got gains from green mag and size on.

I first tried CEE which didn't work for me, but then I switched to mono and I could definitely feel it after a week or 2. Have not tried any of the specialised creatine supps yet, always used powder, but will like to sometime soon!

Have used a few, Reflexs Creapure, Prolabs Creapure, a bulk unbranded mono,creatine gluconate.
So far id say Gluconate worked for me, no bloat or anything, but i seem to get fuller muslces on Prolabs creapure,however that comes with the occsional bloat so swings and roundabouts lol

Interms of blends etc, Sizeon was amazing, as many agree.Heard good things about Cellmass and Green Mag which i wouldnt mind trying somestage

I used the tabs first, gave me bad skin, loss of appetite didnt really seem to do anything...

this time gone for the MP mono powder, and can already feel the diference training tonight was awesome, placebo..maybe but for quid who really cares..plus no bad skin, apetite fine, have done a loading phase this time though as it was so cheap, just chuck in it a cup of de-caf tea twice a day!

My opinion on creatine is - I hear its good for strength, yet when i was on it earlier this year , comparing my strength now (im on a cut so not taking it) my strength is the same if not better now than when i was taking it. I took a simple creatine mono, but was always getting mixed opinions on when is best to take it. Not a neccisary supplement imo.

Definitely works with me, defintely adds some minor strenght and endurace and slight weight....  

I don't go ultra lean so the water weight does add a slight fullness....  Absolutely one of the more 'bang for buck' supplements.

I have to be very consistent with it though - no missing days taking etc.... 

In terms of sides, i think the only noticable ones for me are a few more pimples, and i constantly toss and turn while sleeping. that might be the fact that im consuming alot more carbs though.

What we think at present:

Creatine does work but about 10% of people won't respond to it.

Most new 'advanced' creatine types are simply re inventing the wheel and don't appear to have much if any advantage over simple creatine monohydrate.

More is known about the long term effects of CM as opposed to CEE etc etc

Long term supplementation doesn't appear to have any associated issues.

Side effects while they may occur are usually overstated.