If you have been hitting the gym for a while then we are sure you have already heard about creatine from folks who are on their gym bod journey. But if you haven’t, then be our guest.
For a change, instead of cracking those ‘Do you even lift bro’ jokes on our friends who are part time social beings and full time gyming enthusiasts, we asked them to break down the hype around creatine and also share their recommendations for the same. And here’s what we have.
Creatine (pronounced kree-uh-tn) is a naturally-occurring substance that's found in meat and fish, and also made by the human body in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. It is converted into creatine phosphate or phosphocreatine and stored in the muscles, where it is used for energy.
Creatine is thought to improve strength, increase lean muscle mass, and help the muscles recover more quickly during exercise. This muscular boost may help athletes achieve bursts of speed and energy, especially during short bouts of high-intensity activities such as weight lifting or sprinting.
So, if protein powder is the OG in the gym supplements league, consider creatine a comparatively newbie. Protein powder is a convenient way to consume enough protein after or before a workout to help your body repair itself. While Creatine gives you the extra energy you need to power through your workouts and boosts athletic performance, protein helps build and repair muscles for a more effective recovery. So, basically, both of these have different effects and can also be consumed together but of course, consulting a nutritionist or an expert should be your first step.
Each serving of GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate delivers 3g of Creatine Monohydrate and improves athletic performance, builds strength, and enhances stamina. It’s a long proven, tested, and studied monohydrate that is a favourite among gym instructors especially because it's not too pricey.
Another favourite, this creatine powder contains pure micronized creatine monohydrate, which is known for its effectiveness in enhancing muscle recovery and building strength. Being unflavoured, it mixes easily with any beverage or shake without altering the taste. With 80 servings in one container, you get a great value for your money. It lasts long, even with regular use.
This powder gives you pure creatine monohydrate to boost muscle power and endurance. The product description says that each 300g container provides 100 servings for long-lasting support. What we noticed (and liked) was that this one is made with high-quality, non-GMO ingredients and is gluten-free so it won't trouble your stomach if you have gluten intolerance.
Kevin Levrone's Gold Creatine is a high-quality creatine monohydrate supplement that has zero added sugar. Its effects are well-studied and have been shown to improve strength and reduce muscle fatigue. Their creatine tablets are also quite popular in case you want to give the powder a miss.
Another top-ranked creatine brands, Dexter Jackson;s creatine is supplementing Creatine micronized additional ATP energy, which improves high-intensity exercise performance. They have both micronized as well as HCL available with the HCL of course being the more pricier option.
Fun fact: Labrada Nutrition manufactures all their supplements in India. Moving on, it has 83 servings with each scoop giving 3 grams of micornised creatine. But, some might find it a little chewy and sticky but otherwise, a great, slightly more pocket-friendly creatine option for beginners.
The powder dissolves easily in water with no gritty texture or unpleasant taste, making it a breeze to incorporate into a daily routine. Consistency is key with creatine, and Wellcore has made it simple to stay on track. Amazon users have reported great results with this one in terms of endurance and muscle growth just so you know.
