Lets get into it.

Im an Exercise PhysiologistHeres Why You Shouldnt Worry About Cortisol Spikes When You Do HIIT Workouts.

Its hard to scroll through TikTok without seeing another fitness influencer recommending creatine to build muscle and boost performance.

A mid-frame of an anonymous woman adding creatine powder into a blender to make a shake, incorporating supplements as part of a nutritious morning meal.

What did the study find?

People in the creatine group started using the supplement a week before they began the exercise program.

But the gains eventually matched those of the control group with time.

image of a person doing a low lunge yoga pose in a pink sports bra and matching leggings on their blue yoga mat in the middle of their living room, learning the best yoga poses for your zodiac sign

There is a lot of evidence that creatine is beneficial for many other different components of health and performance.

I would however recommend people may have to temper expectations.

Thats when youre getting quick increases in muscle and you see great gains.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Does Dancing Count as Cardio?

If you skip that phase, he says it will take longer to see results.

But Hagstrom says the need for a loading phase is a myth that just wont die.

woman sweating in the gym

Lower, daily dosages of creatine supplementation (i.e.

3-5 grams/day) are effective for increasing intramuscular creatine stores, muscle accretion and muscle performance/recovery.

It would be really interesting to see if creatine has more of a long-term benefit, he said.

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

Some research even suggests that creatine mayhelp support memory, although that data is less robust.

So, whats the takeaway here?

Theres more data than not to support the use of creatine to help build muscles.

Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team United States celebrates with husband Hunter Woodhall after winning the gold medal in the Women’s Long Jump Final on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France.

But Matheny stresses that you dont have to go this route.

This may also help you bypass bloating and abdominal discomfort, Matheny says.

Creatine is unlikely to completely make or break your workout gains, regardless.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

But, if youre interested in taking it, theres still no reason not to.

Creatine is one of the most studied amino acids, Matheny says.

Its effectively proven that it does work.

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