To load or not to load

[USCdynamite13]

Tomorrow I'm going to start taking creatine for the first time. Some people go thru and loading phase and others dont. I'm considering doing a short loading phase of 20g a day for 3 days and then just do 5g pre and 5g post workout.
Also is it really neccesary to cycle creatine (like 8 weeks on, 2 weeks off)?Just want to hear weather or not it is neccesary to load and/or cycle?

thanks reps

[USCdynamite13]

bump

[Aries21]

"there is evidence supporting both sides of this argument. Frankly, since loading phases have consistently shown to be safe (as described below) and effective, and because creatine is relatively inexpensive, I don't see a reason to avoid loading."

-bb.com

[musclepeak88]

I use 15g after training and thats it, it dont really matter if you do the loading phase or not.

[USCdynamite13]

well as i said above I think im gonna do kind of an abbrieviated load.

[skinnysteve]

i would load...


i didnt load and within 8 weeks only gained like a kilo
so imn starting creatine again when i re-regester my gym membership next week and im gonna load for 4-5 days then maintaint at 5 grams pre and post workout.


edit: and im gonna eat twice as much and drink twice as much water.