I've finally managed to get hold of some creatine However after reading the Creatine FAQ's in your articles section, there are still a few things I'm unsure of:

1. When is the best time to take creatine? (in the morning/pre-workout/post-workout/at night?)
2. Is it really that necessary to take 2 weeks off after the maintenance phase?
3. If I'm to take 10g daily for the first week, how much water do you suggest mixing it with? Does this even matter?
4. If/when I decide to stop taking creatine, how long does it take for you to lose any retained water?

Thanks in advance!

ORIGINAL: AFC22

I've finally managed to get hold of some creatine However after reading the Creatine FAQ's in your articles section, there are still a few things I'm unsure of:

1. When is the best time to take creatine? (in the morning/pre-workout/post-workout/at night?)

There is no best time

2. Is it really that necessary to take 2 weeks off after the maintenance phase?

No.

3. If I'm to take 10g daily for the first week, how much water do you suggest mixing it with? Does this even matter?

Enough hot drink to dissolve it.

4. If/when I decide to stop taking creatine, how long does it take for you to lose any retained water?

About a month


Thanks in advance!

ORIGINAL: AFC22

I've finally managed to get hold of some creatine However after reading the Creatine FAQ's in your articles section, there are still a few things I'm unsure of:

1. When is the best time to take creatine? (in the morning/pre-workout/post-workout/at night?)
With simple sugars like dextrose, therefore best taken in the morning or post workout.

2. Is it really that necessary to take 2 weeks off after the maintenance phase?

No point IMO. I have never come off creatine since I started training, there is no need. Unless you get sides/bloat etc, I wouldn't bother coming off.

3. If I'm to take 10g daily for the first week, how much water do you suggest mixing it with? Does this even matter?
It makes no difference how much water you take it with. Suggestion- 300ml.

4. If/when I decide to stop taking creatine, how long does it take for you to lose any retained water?
Very dependent on other factors.

Thanks in advance!

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true."

I get sides, bloated face, water retention...etc. So I advocate a time period of coming right off it, maybe 2 weeks like me if you get the side effects.

I take my creatine monohydrate about 20 mins after my initial dextrose/malto combo with whey just as my insulin spike is kicking in. Great time to use insulin to shuttle that creatine mono into your muscles and not out your penis.

Someone said it makes no difference how much water you take. OH YES IT BLOODY DOES. When I took too less, I got the runs, bad stomach pains and a slight headache that wouldnt quit. You know one of them annoying pressure headaches that are more of a nuisance than painful. Increase your total water intake too!

Rub the mystical moustache for instant weight loss.

ORIGINAL: AFC22

I've finally managed to get hold of some creatine However after reading the Creatine FAQ's in your articles section, there are still a few things I'm unsure of:

1. When is the best time to take creatine? (in the morning/pre-workout/post-workout/at night?)
post workout, with carbs and lots of water.
2. Is it really that necessary to take 2 weeks off after the maintenance phase?
no
3. If I'm to take 10g daily for the first week, how much water do you suggest mixing it with? Does this even matter?
you don't have to "mix it" with any set amount, but I'd make sure you're getting a goodly amount (500ml or so) of fluids, be it water, milk, shakes etc at roundabout the same time
4. If/when I decide to stop taking creatine, how long does it take for you to lose any retained water?
no idea

Thanks in advance!

just my opinions

5' 11" 95kg
SQ:205 BP:150 DL:245 OHP:110

They are good questions actually as they are the subject of debate on this forum.

"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true."

Sorry to steal the thread but I also have a question regarding creatine.

A friend of mine has started taking massess of the stuff and he doesn't actually do any weights. He says he's taking them on a bulking cycle and takes 5 shakes a day. When he initially told me I thought that was a bit much considering he doesn't train, he says he has a physically demanding job which is just as good as weights( I know he chats **** there.) Are the odds of him just getting fat/ill from the creatine quite likely?

ORIGINAL: Akademik

Sorry to steal the thread but I also have a question regarding creatine.

A friend of mine has started taking massess of the stuff and he doesn't actually do any weights. He says he's taking them on a bulking cycle and takes 5 shakes a day. When he initially told me I thought that was a bit much considering he doesn't train, he says he has a physically demanding job which is just as good as weights( I know he chats **** there.) Are the odds of him just getting fat/ill from the creatine quite likely?

In all honesty I think the creatine would just give him a lot of water retention. Most of it tho he will probably just piss out. Dont see any point in taking any supplement if your not training at all. just a waste of money in my opinion.