Creatine during rest days?

[Pumper3000]

Should I take creatine every day or only on the days I work out?

[mojoclemson]

EDIT: shows how much i know

From what I have read, only take it on days when you work out. I take it about 30min before a workout and directly after a workout. I just throw a little in my mouth and wash it down with water or protein shake since it really doesn't mix too well with anything, just spreads it out.

Anyways, I am just telling you my novice opinion, I am sure plenty more will come.

[Dr X]

Take it everyday whether you work out or not.

[Speedster]

I go with everyday, I believe you need to keep your system saturated with it to keep it effective, it's not something you take now and then for a boost. I currently just bought another tub of x-pand So I'll take that as the label says, once a day on non workout days and twice(per and post workout) on workout days.

[Darkhorse]

It doesn't matter, but I recommend you just take it everyday unless it's a special blend. After the loading phase and regular use, your muscles are completely saturated. It'll take a month of non use before your muscles are completely sapped of the supplemented creatine. So....If you have regular creatine mono, just take it everyday. On non training days, I'd take one of those servings as soon as you wake up. If it's some special expensive blend, such as Xpand, just take it pre and post. I also want to point out if it's something like Noxplode, just take it preworkout only.

[hrdgain81]

I take mine everyday. I like the way it feels, and i'm so used to mixing everything the same way, its annoying to put this in one day and not the other.

[sdf42450]

everyday. creatine has benefits beyond just what it does for your muscles. the brain benefits as well!

[apocalypse]

I dont mean to offend u but do u eat during ur rest days? Just curious.

[Pumper3000]

Originally Posted by apocalypse

I dont mean to offend u but do u eat during ur rest days? Just curious.

Yes i eat everyday.
I asked this because on the bottle it says take 1 serving after workout.

[Boxing Raven]

Everyone's body is different, and the way all of our bodies react to different supplements is different from individual to individual. Some people have no reaction to supplementing with creatine. So instead of telling you what must be done, I'll just tell you what I do, and what works for me. You should probably try all of the ideas posted on here (ummmm, except the first dude that said he just throws it in his mouth and washes it down with water... ) until you find one that's perfect for you.

My creatine supplementation:

Note: I used to use regular creatine monohydrate, and I've just started using the micronized version of it, and I find it is even better. I'll never go back (especially since I found the micronized kind for an extremely good price at a local place. I occaissionally mix some L-Glutamine and/or Taurine with my mix.

Note: I mix my creatine with 50 grams of dextrose, 16 oz of water and crystal light drink mix (for flavor), or with 25 grams of dextrose and 12 oz of a drink like Fruitopia (Fruitopia mixes really really well with creatines).

Loading stage (1 month - many people only load for a week or two, I have tried this method a couple of times and have found that my body reacts even better if I load for 1 month)

During my loading stage, I ingest creatine 5 to 6 times throughout my day. Usually with breakfast and then every 2.5-3 hours afterwards.

Note: I have found no great benefit to supplementing with creatine right before workouts, but have found some benefit to supplementing shortly after. I usually have my post workout protein drink, and wait for about a half an hour to digest and then I have a dose of creatine.

I end my loading stage after aproximately a month (it's never exactly a month, because I do everything in my workout based on how my body is reacting, not by a specific numeral preconception) when I notice that there is no longer a benefit to the creatine 5-6 times daily. At which point, I go down to using it 2-3 times daily. Usually in the morning, then half hour after my work out (as previously stated) and then finally in the mid evening. I stay in this stage for about another month.

I find that after the second month, my body seems to adapt to all of the creatine saturation, and I then quit cold turkey for a week to two weeks (I still feel the pumps from the creatine, although to a lesser extent). I figure during this phase, which I call my "flushing" stage, my body is getting back to normal due to homeostasis, and the day that I notice the creatine pump gone, even if for just one work out, I immediately start my loading stage over again.

Everyone's different, so try different things until you notice your body reacting at it's best, then go with that.


Take it easy bro,

Raven