Creatine, how do I use it? Few quick questions;

MVP


I only consider someone a "powerlifter" if they compete and them a "bodybuilder" if they compete. So I'm neither.

My primary goal is hypertrophy as of recently, I used to train more for just strength and endurance but this time around hypertrophy is my #1 focus.

Atta boy!

Me being only 5'8-9 ish, I can get pretty huge just adding a few pounds. My goal is around 190-200 with 6-8bdf/percentage. If I hit it.. I would definitely consider competing.

I'm 5'9" myself, floating around 185lbs. I did an involuntary cut from 204lbs a few months ago. I just became more active and lost weight without making up for the calories lost.

I'd love to be under 10% bodyfat. I'm just not as satisfied being strong without anything to really show for it.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

MVP


I'm 5'9" myself, floating around 185lbs. I did an involuntary cut from 204lbs a few months ago. I just became more active and lost weight without making up for the calories lost.

I'd love to be under 10% bodyfat. I'm just not as satisfied being strong without anything to really show for it.

Well I am around 155-160 pounds and I look pretty big at that. You must look pretty tank at 185 regardless if you have a higher body fat percentage.

I think if I actually got to 210 at 6% ultimately, I would look a little too "bodybuilder-ish"

I mean, people already call me huge at effin' 190 and 10%. There's a thing about us 5'9" ers, we don't have to get very heavy to look impressive.

A lot of people tell me I'm a pretty big guy, then there's some that call me skinny and I guess it's just because I don't have a belly equivalent to that of an underbelly beach ball with a chest as hairy as a 10 year old baseball field with branches coming out of the grass and the disability to kiss my car at night. 

My % is 17 right now and dropping.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Perrynaytor


I think if I actually got to 210 at 6% ultimately, I would look a little too "bodybuilder-ish"

I mean, people already call me huge at effin' 190 and 10%. There's a thing about us 5'9" ers, we don't have to get very heavy to look impressive.

You are 190 at 10? Post some body pictures man, i wanta see whatcha look like <-- Yea no. But yea post some body shots dude. I have no idea what 190  cut looks like on a 5'9.

I think I remember seeing a pic of Perry somewhere. He's pretty ripped.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

That pic was at like 180 I think, MVP. I will have to do pictures. Idk, I want to get a really impressive physique before I show the world. I'll see what's on my camera.

Here I was around 19% @ 182 about 5 months ago:



Pretty old pic, nothing impressive.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Here's about 10 pounds ago, glycogen depleted (keto.)

My main problem area is the pooch, but my calipers said and still say 10% BF.

Haha Perry our poses are similar.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/6027/004bdc.jpg

wanna guess my weak point? my chest, I guessed for you. I looked pretty ok, but kinda scrawny at 178-180

oh, and I don't know how to get my camera off black and white

I would guess 10%, maybe even a little less.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

How big are your arms? You look like you have big bones, did you power lift before you started bodybuilding?

power lifting = my body building.

I don't do traditional body building routines ever really, just lift heavy for 1-3 reps and do cleans and stuff.

My arms then were probably 15.75", now are 16". My arms are almost my best and I don't even train them directly other than dips. I do a curl every now and then.

My arms starting growing once I relied on compound movements like benches, dips, ohp, pullups, rows, etc.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Perrynaytor


power lifting = my body building.

I don't do traditional body building routines ever really, just lift heavy for 1-3 reps and do cleans and stuff.

My arms then were probably 15.75", now are 16". My arms are almost my best and I don't even train them directly other than dips. I do a curl every now and then.

How old are you?

18

Perrynaytor


Here's about 10 pounds ago, glycogen depleted (keto.)

My main problem area is the pooch, but my calipers said and still say 10% BF.

It could just be the lighting but I don't think you are 10% yet, you look more in the 13-15% range.

As for the grey lighting, do you have Microsoft Photo Editor? or Paint or any program that lets you edit pictures?

Ok, I'm not trying to start up another argument. But I gotta defend myself.

Saying I should take NO supplements either? Well, believe it or not, a multivatamin and omega 3 are considered supplements. A lot of kids take vitamins all the time. On the box it says "FOR TEENS". Guess what? I'm considered a teenager. Along those same lines I really see nothing wrong with fish oils.

As I said in my journal, I don't do what the box says for creatine. It says 2 scoops on workout days and 1 on off days. I'm only taking 1 scoop every other workout day. Thats it. I already drink plenty of water with football season and lately I've been having a lot of "liquid meals."

But really: What will creatine do that is so bad? Will it kill me? Paralyze me from the neck down? Make me blind? No, it won't. And I've heard about the "risk factors" involved with creatine with all the reported possible kidney problems.

From a recent article I found on the internet:

Creatine has never been proven to interfere with growth.

• If a teenager does decide to use creatine do you have any advice?

Whatever you do - do not take more than the recommended dosage. We believe it makes sense to use less than the recommended dosage. Perhaps 4 grams of powder instead of 5 grams. You may want to consider the creatine serum because it has less creatine per serving. If you find you have any negative side effects you should stop taking the creatine.

So really what is so bad about this? It's not going to kill me.

And don't even get me started on weight lifting stunts growth. I'm not recommending 5 year olds to start benching, but that is complete BS.

Bench: 70 Squat 135 Deadlift: 1??s 
Supps: Creatine, Multi, Fish Oils 

Jones's Log

I see absolutely nothing wrong with fish oil, multi and creatine. Just whatever you do, don't get on the prohormone trip.

Agreed. ^

Like I said earlier, there are no studies showing creatine to harm young lifters, but then again, there are no studies saying that it's necessary for them to take it.

I think whey protein and a multi-vitamin should be in everyone's kitchen.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

Also as I said in my journal. Last time i went to walmart for some whey they were out so i got creatine. It's just momentarily, and I've done plenty of research on bodybuilding itself and I have it under control. No loading phases or crap like that.

And moodster don't criticize those above you. (Connelly,MVP, Perry)

Bench: 70 Squat 135 Deadlift: 1??s 
Supps: Creatine, Multi, Fish Oils 

Jones's Log

MVP


Agreed. ^

Like I said earlier, there are no studies showing creatine to harm young lifters, but then again, there are no studies saying that it's necessary for them to take it.

I think whey protein and a multi-vitamin should be in everyone's kitchen.

I'm with MVP on this one.  I didn't mean to suggest it's harmful to younger lifters.  I just think you're wasting your time and money with it.  The overwhelming majority of 13 YO's out there don't train with anywhere near a level of intensity that would warrant taking Creatine.  IDK, maybe you're the white hot burning exception to that rule, but my experience with younger lifters so far leads me to assume not.

My home away from DBB

I started taking creatine at 12. I thought it was like the next best thing to steroids. It helped me get my foot in the door. The only time I needed it was when football started. But 13YO plays football and lifts, so go for it if you got the money.

13yroldweightlifta


Also as I said in my journal. Last time i went to walmart for some whey they were out so i got creatine. It's just momentarily, and I've done plenty of research on bodybuilding itself and I have it under control. No loading phases or crap like that.

And moodster don't criticize those above you. (Connelly,MVP, Perry)

What are you trying to say?

And as for the Creatine comment. There is just no point in someone who is under 18 years old and still growing to take Creatine. If you can take Creatine maturely and be able to quit it if you experience any side effects then I see no problem with using it. It is one of those supplements that hasn't been around long enough to get fully reviewed and taken apart and put back together. I am not a doctor nor am I a scientist so I have no say in whether you should be using supplementation. Thats for your Doctor to decide.

I see a lot of you guys who are 5'8-5'9 are posting about your physique and your goals. I'm 5'8 high 160s and 10% bodyfat myself at 17 years. My doctor told me i should hit 5'10-6'0 though (Guess im a late bloomer or something) and if that does i would like to be at around 220 and 6% bodyfat by the time im in my low-mid 20s (like 23). I'm more worried about my lifts though personally. I think they are extremely low for someone of the genetics that I would of thought I should have. I'm hoping for 350/450/550 or something around that at my prime and with a couple of cycles under my belt. Maybe I have high hopes.

You guys have some really big goals (not that that's a bad thing). 5'9" 185lbs at under 10% is my goal. 335 bench, 405 squat, 50 pullups, etc.

ACE-CPT, NASM-CPT, AFPA-Nutrition Consultant 

I agree, some of you guys goals are near the top end of what's achievable for your height. I'm 5'10 and an achievable natural goal for me at 7%(ish) bf would be 175-180lbs. Some of you guys at 5'8-9 are spouting numbers like 200 at 6% etc. - it's just not going to happen, not without stepping into the dark side and even then spending a lot of time there.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

_Virtuoso_


I agree, some of you guys goals are near the top end of what's achievable for your height. I'm 5'10 and an achievable natural goal for me at 7%(ish) bf would be 175-180lbs. Some of you guys at 5'8-9 are spouting numbers like 200 at 6% etc. - it's just not going to happen, not without stepping into the dark side and even then spending a lot of time there.

I'm beginning to really understand that now. It's hard to get into the upper 190s without getting fat, no matter what the diet is. It's hard to go under 170lb without cutting more muscle than anything.

I think I am going to have to venture into the dark side a little ways. Idk when though