So I've been using whey protein for about 8 weeks to help my workouts. I have seen a very gradual increase in muscle size and need to take my muscle gain to the next level.
What can I mix with my protein shakes to really bulk up and improve my workouts? When using the word "mix" I mean either in the same shake, or taking a supplement with the protein shake or maybe another drink entirely. What supplements can be taken to really start to see some mass building? vitamins that I take are b1, b12, and 1 a day multi vitamin.
Edit: I have been reading up on creatine but it seems to just "fill" your muscles with water so when you stop taking it they shrink. Is there any truth in that statement?
Understand what Creatine's purpose is and the "potential" it may present to you in your weight training.
Don't expect a "miracle worker" but it can prove to be a minor "coworker" in your fitness plans.
There is a biological necessity for water with Creatine Mono (CM) while with Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE) there is not.
You may experience some water retention if you choose Creatine Mono.
Some who do not study at least the side effects of Creatine Mono, can misinterpret this water retention as fat gain. However, its simply water retention.
If you stop taking Creatine Mono, the water retention will decrease. How much can also depend on your carbohydrate consumption/diet trend.
THIS IS NOT muscle tissue loss. Its just a reduction in tissue swelling from loss of water.
To PREVENT misreading ONES BODY and forbid personal heartache: IMO one should be proactive in education prior to purchase of any supplement they plan on consuming.
I have seen many posts by people new to fitness and training on the forum. Some of these posts were from those that had freshly taken Creatine Mono a week before, and were disheartened that they gained weight when deficit dieting--->or are misinformed in believing the water retention their experiencing is actual muscle growth. Or they complain that they gained fat tissue. While I am not eliminating the possibility they could have gained fat tissue (from a bad diet), it is more than likely being misinterpreted as fat gain when it is actually water retention
The informed person would realize this is temporary water retention and not "really" tissue gain.
With Ethyl Ester, one does not have this problem--or potential confusion.
Thus the importance of education BEFORE taking any supplement.
If I were to choose MONO or CEE, I would choose CEE over MONO.
Mind you I am not saying one shouldnt take Mono, it is as good as Ethyl Ester, IMO.
Just understand their are differences in side effects and understand the potential bodily feed back when taking them. There are no known side effects with CEE--that I am presently aware of.
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There is no shortage of info on Creatine MONO, if one takes the time to read up.
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Various Info on Creatine Mono and CCE, and Creatine Articles:
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Some "relative" info on Mono:
Some "relative" info on Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE):
An "opinion" on which is better:
Additional Info on Creatine: Does it assist training, etc:
(some good info, but seems a bit "commercialized")
Interesting Link:
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I don't use Creatine myself (and I have never used it), and I am not a very big fan of supplements in general.
I am only interested in the greatest heavy weight champion of all time for muscle growth and/or fat loss:
Manipulation of Calories + Manipulation of Macro Nutrients + Manipulation of Exercise.
Properly and consistently implemented and you wear the fuggen' belt.
This statement is not saying I dont support the use of it (I do) nor saying that Creatine doesn't have some personal fitness benefits (it can).
I just prefer to build muscle/lose fat as natural "as possible", and I have extremely well, just on three supplements, and geesh are these powerful!
:jump1:
Fish Oil, Flax Oil, and Whey Protein Powder. And, I get Creatine naturally from various meats I consume.
Creatine does have some good scientific research behind it.
Creatine
in of "itself" doesn't put on
lean tissue mass; however, with allowing you to push out an extra rep or two or provide just a tad more intensity (coupled with a good diet), it can "assist" in the 'possibility" of putting on more lean tissue mass than one would have "possibly" without it. But, it will not assist you much if you have problems in the gym and/or have problems within your diet.
Best wishes
Chillen