Your opinion on creatine HCL

[z1ggy]

Just trying to do some quick researching on this subject. I don't want to take monohydrate because I don't really want to gain much weight, esp. water water. I am looking for something to help me recover quicker as I am now ramping up my routine a bit and would like to see better strength gains and quicker recovery times. I currently take some blended proteins and BCAAs along with a pretty healthy diet. I read that HCL is 56 times more soluable in water which means less is needed to be taken in ( with the fact obv it will mix better, too). Any experience with this product, pros & cons, opinions? Thanks.

 

[alkemyst]

I have tried almost all variations and go back to the cheap stuff everytime as the 'better/more expensive' ones don't seem to be noticably different to me.

Your weight difference really won't be different. If you are really worried about that you can do a shot of monohydrate in very little water.

This is a good thread on the matter http://www.ironmagazineforums.com/supplements/111826-creatine-hydrochloride-vs-monohydrate.html

 

[QueBert]

mix better? I got tired of trying to mix it into juice or water so I just said eff-it and now I go directly from a spoon into my mouth and chew for a few seconds then wash it down with some water or juice. This is some basic Micronized stuff, if you got money to burn Con-Crete mixes perfectly and tastes amazing. The Pineapple flavor one's OMFG goodness. Same with Beast Mode, mixes great and tastes ummm good.

 

[z1ggy]

^ Yeah I wonder if the HCL stuff is just a way for companies to try and sell the "latest and greatest" thing to plump up their pockets. I just don't want to gain water weight and look bulky and puffy.

I hear also their is creatine nitrate? It seems like theirs a lot of choice, but basically I just want something to support my goal of gaining strength and burning fat. Once I can get down to like 12-15% body fat, then I will look to put on 5-10 pounds of muscle.

 

[QueBert]

^ Yeah I wonder if the HCL stuff is just a way for companies to try and sell the "latest and greatest" thing to plump up their pockets. I just don't want to gain water weight and look bulky and puffy.

I hear also their is creatine nitrate? It seems like theirs a lot of choice, but basically I just want something to support my goal of gaining strength and burning fat. Once I can get down to like 12-15% body fat, then I will look to put on 5-10 pounds of muscle.

It does mix better, for some people that's worth spending extra money. I'd literally have to shake my blender ball cup as hard as I can for almost as long as my damn workout if I wanted my Micronized to be dissolved. Con-Cret would half way dissolved on it's own once it hit the water, and only required about 4 medium shakes after that and there was zero reside left. I can only speak for myself, but I never looked or felt bloated with the $15 micronized stuff I take. For a few bucks more they have the Muscle Pharm stuff, it's a blend of 5 different Creatines. Suppose to be good quality and I've heard it mixes perfectly.

Thankfully Creatine has no taste so I don't mind putting the powder directly in my mouth.

 

[z1ggy]

^ Yeah maybe it just seems the HCL is needed in less amounts, since it dissolves easier. I mean..Either way..the creatine is still the same, it's just bonded to different molecules. I will have to check out the muscle pharm stuff. Do you feel that creatine really helps you recover fast? I really can't afford to stay sore for long because I am doing BJJ and strength training every other day.

 

[alkemyst]

You shouldn't be 'sore' after your workouts past about the first two weeks or perhaps anytime you totally change things up and introduce new muscles into the mix.

Creatine helps recovery and gets water pumped into your muscles which helps also in growth stimulation.

You will get a bit of a swell, but for just about anyone but competition bodybuilders it's a non-issue.

However, it sounds like you are mostly trying to cut down...you really won't gain strength if you are truly doing that.

 

[z1ggy]

You shouldn't be 'sore' after your workouts past about the first two weeks or perhaps anytime you totally change things up and introduce new muscles into the mix.

Creatine helps recovery and gets water pumped into your muscles which helps also in growth stimulation.

You will get a bit of a swell, but for just about anyone but competition bodybuilders it's a non-issue.

However, it sounds like you are mostly trying to cut down...you really won't gain strength if you are truly doing that.

Well, after a good night of rolling, I am sore no matter what. And after doing the first 2 months of p90x2, doing higher reps with the bands, I did feel stronger. I went from doing only like 6 plyo pushups to 18 at a time, but I don't think I really put on any significant amount of muscle. I am already have a moderately stocky build as it, so I don't want to be that guy who can't scratch his own head becuase his chest is so huge.

 

[alkemyst]

Well, after a good night of rolling, I am sore no matter what. And after doing the first 2 months of p90x2, doing higher reps with the bands, I did feel stronger. I went from doing only like 6 plyo pushups to 18 at a time, but I don't think I really put on any significant amount of muscle. I am already have a moderately stocky build as it, so I don't want to be that guy who can't scratch his own head becuase his chest is so huge.

first muscle pain vs body soreness are two different things.

You are going to be limited by your genetics no matter what you do without drug assistance, if you don't peak out the genetics you are given you are always going to perform subpar.

If you are just messing around with rubber bands and calisthenics you are never going to get 'big'

 

[QueBert]

can't get big off calisthenics? Tell that to my neighbors brother who was in prison. He did nothing but push ups and pull ups in there and he's huuuuge.

 

[z1ggy]

Is there a safe way to do weighed push ups? All I can think of is filling a back pack with some weight and pushing. Seems bad for my back though...Regardless, I don't want to get "big". I think my long term ultimate goal would be to be around 10% body fat. I think at that body fat % the most I would like to weigh is 180-185. I don't consider that being "big". I want to be strong for my weight, and to be toned. Right now, I feel like doing my BJJ, running and p90x2 will help me accomplish that. I can't afford a gym membership and honestly sometimes I don't even like the whole scene. Maybe at some point I can grab a used pair of those bowflex dumb bells and a bench if I want to do something besides p90.

 

[alkemyst]

can't get big off calisthenics? Tell that to my neighbors brother who was in prison. He did nothing but push ups and pull ups in there and he's huuuuge.

He may have been getting steroids by penile injection.

You are definitely not getting huge on just push ups and pull ups. He was probably gifted with genetics, but many define 'huge' as something that's laughable to heavy lifters.

 

[alkemyst]

Is there a safe way to do weighed push ups? All I can think of is filling a back pack with some weight and pushing. Seems bad for my back though...Regardless, I don't want to get "big". I think my long term ultimate goal would be to be around 10% body fat. I think at that body fat % the most I would like to weigh is 180-185. I don't consider that being "big". I want to be strong for my weight, and to be toned. Right now, I feel like doing my BJJ, running and p90x2 will help me accomplish that. I can't afford a gym membership and honestly sometimes I don't even like the whole scene. Maybe at some point I can grab a used pair of those bowflex dumb bells and a bench if I want to do something besides p90.

For bodybuilders that run 5+ miles a week, they have a hard time getting massive.

I think you are over thinking it all. It's not like you are going to wake up in a week and be stuck with 250lbs of muscle mass.

 

[z1ggy]

I'm not a body builder though. I want to stay lean and maintain flexibility. I want situational strength and explosiveness. I am not training to be an NFL liner backer where I need to bench 315 and squat 500. Competitive jiu jitsu requires a shit ton of endurance and flexibility, and explosiveness. I only need to be strong compared to people my own weight. And for all practical purposes, grip and forearm strength is much more important than how much I can bench or dead lift. So getting huge, isn't in my mind.

 

[QueBert]

Is there a safe way to do weighed push ups? All I can think of is filling a back pack with some weight and pushing. Seems bad for my back though...Regardless, I don't want to get "big". I think my long term ultimate goal would be to be around 10% body fat. I think at that body fat % the most I would like to weigh is 180-185. I don't consider that being "big". I want to be strong for my weight, and to be toned. Right now, I feel like doing my BJJ, running and p90x2 will help me accomplish that. I can't afford a gym membership and honestly sometimes I don't even like the whole scene. Maybe at some point I can grab a used pair of those bowflex dumb bells and a bench if I want to do something besides p90.

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Push-Up-...ne+usa+push+up and if it gets too easy, you can buy heavier resistant cables.