Should I take Creatine?

[braceamnell]

I'm working my ass off trying to get into shape for the academy, and I want to know if it's a good idea, or at least acceptable, to take creatine supplements when I work out. I know that it's legal, and that's why I would consider it. I'm getting into shape slowly but surely, but I want to know what you guys think.

[Dipmo]

I'm working my ass off trying to get into shape for the academy, and I want to know if it's a good idea, or at least acceptable, to take creatine supplements when I work out. I know that it's legal, and that's why I would consider it. I'm getting into shape slowly but surely, but I want to know what you guys think.

If you maintain a workout consistent with what is done at the academy, which are pretty much all body weight resistance (push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, nose in the ring, burpies, crunches, etc) you won't need creatine. Put down the weights, do those exercises, and run your arse off and you will be well prepared.

A couple of things to remember, there is a reason your body only has so much creatine, do you really want to fool with ma nature when you don't have to? Also, I?ve read here that no matter what shape you are in when you get there, the academy PT staff will work you further than you thought you could go and then they will work you a little more.

Bottom line; forget the creatine and other shortcuts. There is no substitute for hard work and patience.

What phase of the testing process are in?

Good luck,

[TheForceCHP]

i personally am not a fan of creatine. when i played football my workout partner lifted 10pounds more then me on everything. six months later when we maxed out i lifted ten pounds more then him on everything, an increase of more then 100 pounds. my point is that he was on creatine and i wasn't. i feel that it matters how much effort you put into it. i am working out, but still haven't got to the mental level that i want to be at. i hope to be their soon because once i reach that level i will increase drasctically.

i am currently taking a protein mix after i work out, it has no creatine in it. i am only taking it to give my body nutrients after a long workout. since i workout at night i decided that Probolic was the one for me. it is a time release formula, over 12 hours, so it won't affect me as much while i sleep like some other ones(affect as in weight gain)

[dw]

Creatine is not great for running or endurance. The point of PT at the Academy is to be in top all-around cardiovascular health. Creatine may help you bulk up, but that same bulk will hold you back in the runs... The goal is to be fit, not superman.

[braceamnell]

Thanks guys. I just wasn't sure just how far I should go to be prepared. I want to be the best, and I want to do it right. Gracias for the input.

[DESERT RAT]

I took some GNC powder/ Creatine with me when I went to the academy! It actually caused me to cramp up. I thought it would help with endurance, but it did the opposite. I took it for about 1 week, every single PT. work out, I almost cramped. I stopped taking it and never got another cramp all 25 weeks that were left. Trust me, you dont wanna cramp in PT! I was #5 from the back in mat positions and they tore into me like a Cyclone! Nothing like having PT staff mad at you!

[metro]

dont worry about it creatine is fine , but you have to find the right type for you, monohydrate, ethyl easter, dicreatine, kre alkalyn and many more

[Fire1]

How are you able to take anything in academy anyway since I thought they restricted anything like that in the dorm rooms?

[23109]

They'll tell you what you can and can't have when you are there.

[dw]

dont worry about it creatine is fine , but you have to find the right type for you, monohydrate, ethyl easter, dicreatine, kre alkalyn and many more

Care to share how to determine which is "fine" and which debilitates you during workouts? It could make a small difference.

[metro]

Sure, from my lapd knowledge to your chp, first monohydrate- the most oldschool creatine there is, monohydrate is a creatine that just adds water everywere in ur body and bloats you and can cause liver and mainly kidny disease, but if taken right can have many good results. monohydrate is also called the main muslce volumizer and allows your muslce to store water and allow more water to flow into them, Ethyl ester is a new type of bonded creatine which absorbs 85 percent better then monohydrate beacuse its a ester which just means MORE POTENT. Kre-alkayn is the newest one which is the best by far , because kre alkalyn creatine put only water into ur muslce not threw out your whole body and doesnt bloat, it comes mainly in purple pills, and kre alkayn never has bad results. A magnesium bonded creatine or dicreatine just work as electrolytes and mainly used for energy and endurance during a workout. such as ATP creatine or noexplode or fullblown or other products like that.

[CHP1]

What metro mentioned is true.
I took creatine in high school my junior year and gained about 20 pounds of muscle during football season. Afterwards, i regreted it because i lost the flexability in my body during soccer season and i also lost endurance.
I also took some weight loss pills two years ago and they made me feel like a person on crack.

Drop the weights, run, run, and run some more. Take vitamins, eat healthy, and don't put things into your body that you will depend on to workout in the future.:biggrin:

[Tom]

Uhhhhh.....yea....why exactly would you spend money to buy something when you can succeed without it? Lesson #1 - most cops are cheap....myself included. You don't need that garbage.

Tom

[Your Mentor]

That's very interesting Metro. I was taking Creatine from about 1996 until 2000. I was lifting weights regularly and rock climbing a ton. I couldn't believe the increase in strength but I hated the bloating and water weight. I will say, however, I finally started stacking on muscle after years of trying to do so. I went from 165 to 195 in a two year period. When I left my teaching position in 2000, I had been lifting four to five days a week regularly and was over 210 lbs and in the best shape I've ever been in; even better than when I graduated from the Academy in 1989 (weighing 152!). However, my shoulders were totally trashed (premature arthritis from heavy benching). That made rock climbing painful and difficult. I quit the creatine as soon as I returned to the field and lost so much muscle mass and my energy level plummeted. I'm sure I was taking the older version of creatine you described. Now, much older, I can't get below 190 without going on a hunger strike. I recently bought a Bowflex and plan on getting back into a lifting routine. I've been looking at supplements but have been totally averted to creatine. Very interesting sumization of the facts, thanks.

Oh, one question; that's LAPD knowledge? Do you guys have a Creatine 101 class? Is it POST certified? :cool:

[metro]

lol no i dont have a creatine 101 class but i am a personal trainer and nutrition counsler. i mean lapd knowledge cuz im going to the lapd. i joined this forum cuz i have a few friends in this forum and they are all chp

[RodeoChippie]

Something to keep in mind when you are considering any type of supplements. Legislation was passed in 1994 that allows the supplement industry free rein in advertising. As long as they don't advertise their product will cure a disease they can say it will do anything in their advertising without have to back up their statement with scientific studies. Thats not to say all supplement companies are snake oil salesmen, but you should research the product you are interested in purchasing. For the best results, look for products that have conducted double blind studies. Products that advertise miracle ingredients, promise amazingly quick results and use high price athletes to endorse them are the ones I would be skeptical of. But hey, its your money :biggrin:

[jdmHboy]

Creatine is for bulking, meaning you will gain weight, which is just more weight you have to haul around when running. If you wanna get big and gain explosive strength go for it, but I wouldn't do it if you are looking to gain endurance. I've done two creatine cycles in the last year, one tricreatine and one monohydrate. I gained roughly 8 pounds from each cycle, and got my bench up to 300 lbs, but when it came time to do push-ups, running, or sit-ups, I fell flat on my face. I had great explosive strength, but no endurance whatsoever.

[decon]

whey protein, lots of water cut the calories you want to be lean not bulky