Creatine: Hype vs Reality

LondonIron · Post by **LondonIron** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 2:30 am

Is monohydrate still the gold standard or are these newer HCL versions actually better?

CanuckLifter · Post by **CanuckLifter** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 3:05 am

Monohydrate is the most researched. Everything else is just marketing.

ArcticBarbell7 · Post by **ArcticBarbell7** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 3:50 am

I find HCL is better if you get bloating. But gram for gram, mono is fine.

VolkovStrength · Post by **VolkovStrength** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 4:45 am

Anyone still doing the loading phase? I just do 5g a day.

LondonIron · Post by **LondonIron** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 5:35 am

Loading is a waste of money IMO. You reach saturation in 3 weeks anyway.

CanuckLifter · Post by **CanuckLifter** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 6:10 am

Agreed. 5g Creapure is all you need.

ArcticBarbell7 · Post by **ArcticBarbell7** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 6:55 am

Creapure is definitely the cleanest source.

VolkovStrength · Post by **VolkovStrength** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:30 am

Do you guys take it on rest days?

LondonIron · Post by **LondonIron** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:00 am

Yes, everyday. It is about total saturation, not acute timing.

CanuckLifter · Post by **CanuckLifter** » Sun Jan 25, 2026 8:40 am

Exactly. Rest days are when your muscles actually recover and grow.