Question about Creatine Usage...

[ecmoney]

Hey Guys,
Ok I have been exercising for about 6 months now without taking anything (just a protein shake and a multi-vitamin) and I have been doing well. I went from 185lbs down to 165lbs and feel much stronger, leaner, and healthier. Now I have decided to try a few cycles of Creatine as I want to add 15-20lbs of muscle to my frame. I purchased a 475gram tub of ISS RESEARCH - SATUR8 creatine and I am going to begin taking it in a few days but wanted to ask a few questions first just to clarify a few things.


A. When is the best time to take it?
It says right on my package that I should take 9.5g with 8-12 ounces of water twice daily, 8 hours apart. On training days, take one of the daily servings 20 minutes before workout. As I did some research, I read on another site that you should take it right after you workout? So I am confused now, before I workout or after?


B. Loading Phase?
As I did research around I read that you have to go on a 5-7 day
loading phase to saturate your muscle tissue. Basically taking 25g of Creatine (5 grams/5 times a day) for the first 5-7 days to saturate your muscles. Should I do this since it is my first time taking Creatine?

[lordikon]

Feel free to load your creatine, I never did it, and it worked fine anyway. If I were you I would take the first 9.5g early in the day, and then the other half before my workout.

The way I actually do it, is I make a large shake, with 8g of creatine (because 10g was hurting my stomach), and I drink half the shake before workout, the other half after. So I get half my creatine before, the other half after the workout.

[YellowJacket]

Re: Question about Creatine Usage...

Originally posted by ecmoney
A. When is the best time to take it?
It says right on my package that I should take 9.5g with 8-12 ounces of water twice daily, 8 hours apart. On training days, take one of the daily servings 20 minutes before workout. As I did some research, I read on another site that you should take it right after you workout? So I am confused now, before I workout or after?

There's mixed feelings about this. I followed the instructions on my Satur8 and had very good results with it. The etiology behind taking it before is to saturate the muscles with it, to improve performance and endurance. I prefer it before.

B. Loading Phase?
As I did research around I read that you have to go on a 5-7 day
loading phase to saturate your muscle tissue. Basically taking 25g of Creatine (5 grams/5 times a day) for the first 5-7 days to saturate your muscles. Should I do this since it is my first time taking Creatine?

[/b]

Not necessary. Follow the instructions on your Satur8 and you wont be disappointed.

[ecmoney]

OK guys,
I got my creatine yesterday and started my cycle.
Only problem is that it came with a little scooper that says 18cc on it, and I am supposed to take 9.5grams. Am I to assume that the scooper is equivalent to 9.5 grams? I checked on the net and couldnt really find a definitely answer but

1 liter = 1000 cc's = 1 Kilogram

or

1 cc = 1 gram

So is that correct?
Anyone else know how many cc are in a gram?

[Severedties]

You cant convert to mass from volume like that, since you dont know the density of the creatine. That calculaton you showed would be if creatine had the same density of water.

That being said. I think 1 tablespoon of creatine is around grams, I am not certain though.