Creatine Cycling

j0sh710

j0sh710

Member
What is the best way to cycle creatine from you expeirence? because right now i just take 5g pre-workout and 5g post-workout. Any better ways?
 
The way you are currently taking it is the most common way. The only other way I've heard of is someone suggested taking super high does for three days and then cycling off for the next three days and repeating. I've never tried the second method, but its another possibility. Just make sure if you continue with your current method that you cycle off for at least a couple weeks after a month or two of use.
 
drewh10987 said:
The way you are currently taking it is the most common way. The only other way I've heard of is someone suggested taking super high does for three days and then cycling off for the next three days and repeating. I've never tried the second method, but its another possibility. Just make sure if you continue with your current method that you cycle off for at least a couple weeks after a month or two of use.
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I do the second method (3 days on at 20-25g per day, 3 days off). The only problem I have with 10g or so per day and then taking a couple weeks off is that you will definitely lose strength during that time off. You will notice your lifts get harder. It's also possible that you will get a little strength decrease after a couple months of continuously dosing at 10g per day. The high dose for 3 days leaves your muscles saturated enough that the three days off allows your receptors to clear out, but you still have enough creatine to keep your strength up. I never get a decrease in strength.

If you're under 170 or so pounds, I would not go beyond 20g per day. Bump it up towards 25g when you gain weight.
 
j0sh710 said:
ok i think i might try the 2nd method, if i do the 2nd method when do i take the doses.
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Pre and post workout like you do now. You can do another 5g 2-3 hours after workout, or just wait until later in the PM. Then the last dose in the evening.

Go here and search on creatine cycling for more details:

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DRINK WATER if you mega dose like that. If you don't you're kidneys will hate you. I am talking a gallon+ a day.
 
Big BAMA said:
DRINK WATER if you mega dose like that. If you don't you're kidneys will hate you. I am talking a gallon+ a day.
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Excellent point Bama. I guess I take it for granted that everyone knows that part, but yes, you MUST drink at least a gallon a day. You'll feel it if you don't.
 
Yes, no matter which way you decide to take your creatine water is a must. I didn't realize this myself the first time I used creatine and it almost killed me.
 
ok i usually drink like 5 bottles of water a day idk how much that is. But maybe i should just buy gallon jugs and drink one a day.
 
i have been takeing creatine for about 6-8 weeks and i think it is time for a break but idk how long of one to take.
 
Hey Ecto, I've been considering trying my creatine your way, but I was just wondering if you still cycle off of it or if you just continue 3 on 3 off forever. I'm assuming you still actually cycle off of it for a few weeks.
 
drewh10987 said:
Hey Ecto, I've been considering trying my creatine your way, but I was just wondering if you still cycle off of it or if you just continue 3 on 3 off forever. I'm assuming you still actually cycle off of it for a few weeks.
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good question i was thinking the same thing.and ok ya i will take a 2 week break.
 
3 days on, 3 days off. Repeat. No extended breaks are necessary. I did take a little time off when I had to lay off lifting for about 2 months this spring. I had a back injury I had to let heal. No point in taking creatine if you're not lifting. But other than that, there's no need to take an extended break. Josh, I'd say you should be fine after 2 weeks off.

Drew, when you say "it almost killed me," are you being literal? Did you have a kidney problem from not getting enough water?

If both of you try this method out, I'd be interested in hearing how you like it. So good luck and let me know how it goes!
 
No not literally. I just got lots of uncomfortable cramps at first, but luckily someone quickly pointed out what I was doing wrong so I was able to fix it and just up my water intake. I think I will be trying your 3 on 3 off method as soon as I get back to school here in a week and a half. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Here is a decent T-Nation article on Creatine:

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