Much like all sports supplements, the world of creatine products is very murky and easy to get lost in. We are going to clear up the facts today, showing what the product does inside your body and which blend of it is superior.
As fitness instructors, we know that half the battle with supplements is won by being able to see the difference between facts and sales pitches. Every supplement you come across these days tells you that is’ bigger, badder and better than anything else before it.
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?
A good way to explain this is to use a sprinter as an example. If you begin sprinting flat out as hard as you can, you will feel a horrible burning sensation in your legs after approximately twenty seconds. This sensation is called Lactic Acid and is your body’s way of telling you to slow down while it recovers. Basically, your natural resources of this substance have evaporated and it needs to generate some more before you can sprint again.
By putting extra levels of this substance into your body with the use of a sports supplement you are able to perform explosively for slightly longer. This explains why it’s an athletes best friend.
Think about it. If you have more of this substance in your bloodstream while you hit the gym you will notice an increase in your explosive ability. This could mean one more rep in the bench press or a new personal best weight.
With all the different blends out there, however, it can be almost impossible knowing which one to purchase.
In a refreshing change, the blend with the overwhelming majority of scientific proof behind it isn’t actually the most expensive one. In fact it’s the cheapest. A monohydrate product is by far and away the most scientifically backed up product out there.
Even if we combined the scientific studies performed on all the other blends they wouldn’t amount the the pile of studies ran on monohydrate over the years. It’s been the bodybuilding industry’s leading product for two decades for good reason. But in a bid to part you with your money, companies make up myths such as ‘bloating’ and ‘water retention’, both of which have been proven wrong in studies, to get you to purchase more expensive newer products.
One of the easiest ways to convince someone to spend an extra $40 per month is to frighten them. Even though the side effects they mention aren’t proven and have actually been proven to by no more than myths, if people get scared they’ll begin seeing things.
Most people who get lost when trying to work out how to build muscle are suckers for hype, that’s why the supplement industry is so profitable. But those who understand their training know that the basics work best even in this day and age. The same can be said for creatine supplements. If you’re trying to increase your size and strength, stick to the basics to get the best results.
About the Writer: Russ Howe PTI is the UK’s most followed personal trainer who explains how to build muscle. Be sure to watch his free guide to help you get the absolute most from creatine supplements.
