losing gains when cycling creatine

I haven't started creatine yet, but I've been told cycling it 1 month on, 1 month off is a good idea. Is it common to lose gains when you're on an off cycle even if you're lifting just as heavy? and if so, is there any way to prevent from losing gains?

If you can find some good studies that show there's any point in cycling creatine, I'd like to see them.

are you talking about losing muscle gains?
cycling off creatine wont make you lose muscle.

oh ok. just curious. and as for the studies, im sure you could find 100 people on this site who'd prefer to cycle it rather than just become oversaturated to the point that it has absolutely no effect.

nomis_simon


oh ok. just curious. and as for the studies, im sure you could find 100 people on this site who'd prefer to cycle it rather than just become oversaturated to the point that it has absolutely no effect.

lol what?  there is no such point

working on explosive phase
vertical: 35
weight: 206

Big 3: 300/440/515

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.

honestly? Thats promising then because I always hear people saying how the dramatic early gains kinda taper off after a while, but as long as strength increases are consistent then i'm stoked. On that note, what form of creatine would you recommend to still gain size n strength but maybe not all that water weight you would with the monohydrate?

cant your body get used of creatine if you dont cycle it and it no longer has an effect?

cycle creatine mono for 8 weeks on then 4 weeks off..........rinse and repeat.

Most people respond best when cycled as above.

There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the most important thing

 

I cycle creatine in somewhat of the same time-frame smoundzou posted.  Although it's in so many sports supplements, it's really hard to completely cycle off depending on exactly what products you may be taking.

I've never seen any proof positive, peer reviewed studies that concludes it should be cycled, but I still find that taking a break from anything with the except of vitamins and basic proteins is a good idea.

Marc C. David - NGA CPT
Author of NoBull Bodybuilding
www.nobullbodybuilding.com

I can't argue with personal preferences, but let me emphasize once more...

Marc David

I've never seen any proof positive, peer reviewed studies that concludes it should be cycled...

My experience is that you might lose 5-10 lbs or so if you cycle off, which might be a mental block and some water weight. But, if you increase 30lbs and lose 5 you still made a gain of 25lbs, not bad. I have only ever used mono because there is no long term research for any other forms of it.

After using creatine for a long period of time, the body will become accustomed to the larger influx of creatine into the bloodstream. Once accustomed, the desired effect will lessen and most likely cease to occur. This is why when you cycle off, the creatine influx drops becoming small, and the body getting used to the small amount. 4 weeks after the off cycle, returning to the larger influx the body has to become re-accustomed to the large surplus again hence creating the cycle, and maximizing the most advantageous effects of creatine.

Current Supplements: Multi, Whey, Caffeine, BCAA, Vitamin C, Calcium
Current Cycle: Strength

"Do not go where the path may lead, instead go where there is no path, and leave a trail."

It's funny that people are saying going on/off (which is cycling) creatine is the best approach.

Yet my cousin recommended it a few months back and people acted like he was ignorant.

http://www.discussbodyb...hen-to-bulk-m434736.aspx

Yeah, Pearl is exactly right. To keep the creatine effects optimal you SHOULD go on/off with creatine. Thanks for the elaboration, Pearl.

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