Creatine

Creatine – When you’re serious about gains

From bodybuilders to pro athletes, it seems like everyone is a fan of creatine. You’ve probably heard (or seen the 800K+ Instagram posts with #creatine) how this supplement can help turn an ordinary body into Adonis. 

If that’s you, you’re in the right place. While it’s true that creatine can do wonders for your physique. It’s also true that it’s not a free pass to a new you. It’s a supplement – think of creatine like a dumbbell. It does nothing if you don’t pick it up and exercise.

But if you’re serious about gains, and ready to put in the effort, ShapeNation has the creatine to help you achieve Greek-god-like status. We can’t wait to see you # about it.

What is creatine?

Your skeletal muscles and brain tissue naturally contain creatine. Your body is making it all the time, naturally. You’re also ingesting it when you eat foods rich in amino acids such as meat and fish. 

Creatine is a fuel source for ATP – an energy system that gives the body short bursts of power.

Many weightlifters and athletes take creatine in powder form and mix it with a liquid to drink. This dietary supplement has performance-enhancing effects caused by its ability to help the body produce energy faster. 

What happens with more energy? You train harder and more often, and you reach results quicker. That means you’ll have a better chance of increasing your performance by 1-2 repetitions in the gym and see increased muscle mass in the process. 

Creatine is especially beneficial for dynamic sports and high-intensity training where you need fast explosive movements. That includes everything from strength training, football, handball, and martial arts to swimming, sprinting, and more. 

How do creatine supplements work?

Without boring you with too many details, creatine works by pulling water into your muscles. That increases protein synthesis (making new proteins). 

95% of creatine is in skeletal muscle and comes into play when you’re involved in physically demanding activity by supplying a constant supply of energy to your muscles. 

But it’s not magic. To really get your muscle fibers growing, you need to hit the gym. Not just take creatine and watch the latest series of Stranger Things.

Creatine is a supplement – not a magic powder. 

What does creatine do for the body?

Just like with all supplements, the benefits of creatine may differ from person to person. 

There’s also diet to consider. What else are you putting in your body? How hard are you training? These factors can make or break the powerful effects of creatine. 

But let’s assume that you're in-it-to-win-it. Since that's you...

Here are the top 10 benefits you get with creatine supplements:

1. Faster muscle growth

2. Increased muscle mass

3. Faster recovery

4. Improved anaerobic workout ability 

5. Get bigger, stronger, and faster

6. Increased hormone production

7. Higher energy levels 

8. Strengthen cells and provide them with more energy 

9. Improved cognitive performance and brain health

10. Better high-intensity exercise performance

It’s because of that last benefit – increased muscle mass – that a lot of people blame creatine for their weight gain. Creatine does cause your muscles to hold extra water – and that will affect your overall look and feel. 

Can creatine be harmful? 

Creatine is one of the most-researched sports supplements on the market. For the most part, creatine is safe and causes few negative side effects. There are concerns over the possibility of creatine (in high doses) causing problems with kidney function or damaging the liver and heart.

If you have liver, kidney, or heart problems, consult your doctor before taking any supplements. 

Some minor side effects of taking creatine supplements include muscle cramps, nausea, diarrhea, sensitivity to heat, and dizziness. If you experience any of these, stop taking the supplement. 

Always buy from a retailer you trust and follow the instructions on the product you buy.

How and when should you take creatine?

Creatine is a soluble drinking powder that can mix with everything from water to juice, or added to a shake or smoothie for extra energy. 

Take creatine any time of the day – before, during or after training. Mix it in a shaker cup with just water or with other pre-workout products, BCAAs, or in a protein shake.

• After a workout, creatine has a positive effect on increasing lean muscle mass. 

• Before a workout, creatine provides the energy boost you need to get through a power-filled training session.

In every bucket of creatine, you’ll find a measuring spoon. Use it to get the perfect dose. As for how much creatine to take, we recommend that you check the product and follow its guidelines. We do not suggest taking more than the recommended dose.

To help creatine taste better, mix it with fruit juice. The sugar in the juice will raise your insulin levels and help your muscles take the creatine in better. 

What type of creatine supplements should you buy?

There are different types of creatine supplements you can buy online. Most are sold as either powders or liquids. 

There are several varieties of creatine, but all research indicates that creatine monohydrate is the most effective and best in testing. 

As a powder, it will be around 90% creatine by weight. The other 10% are ingredients added for taste and to help it dissolve better. 

Another popular type of creatine is 100% creatine, creatine anhydrous. Before taking these capsules, do your research. Most articles and journals you read online are about creatine monohydrates. 

Give your next workout a boost with creatine from ShapeNation

No one takes dietary supplements for the heck of it. You take them to see results. 

That’s why it’s important to consume the best creatine supplements you can afford. Not the cheapest. It’s your body. You’re about to put in the time (a lot of time) to reach your fitness goals. Don’t settle for mediocre products. 

High-quality creatine powder from ShapeNation comes in a flavorless powder. Perfect for mixing with fruit juice or stirring in a protein shake or a banana/mango smoothie. Great. Now we're hungry.

At ShapeNation, we want our customers to achieve the best results from our products. From exercise equipment to supplements, if you reach your goals, we look good, too. It’s a win-win. 

Our catalog is constantly growing and evolving to include the dietary supplements you want for your journey. Looking for protein-rich products? Shop our range of protein powders. What about an extra energy boost before that HIIT class? Our flavored pre-workouts have you covered. 

And creatine? Yeah… we’re there for you on that, too. 

Remember. Creatine alone won’t make you stronger. You’ll need to add the hours of sweat and quality training.

We know you will. And we’re excited to be on the ride with you.