Creatine for Basketball?

[BallaBaby]

I'm on the jump manual right now and basketball starts in two months. Right now I have practice twice a week for 1.5 hours per day. Little bit of cardio. I'm looking to bulk and jump higher/get quicker at the same time. In 4 months I've gained roughly 10 pounds. I was wondering if using creatine would be worthwhile in helping me gain a few more pounds and help aid my jumping until the season starts and then after the season. So far I've gained 3 inches in 3 weeks with the jump manual. Should I take it or not? All I take now is ON whey protein isoloate. Also I have 2 big leg days with the jump manual and I work my whole upperbody on one day 2-3 times per week.

[coloBB]

as long as you are lifting heavy, yes creatine will help. Jumping relies primarily on the ATP/CP system, so creatine will help in the department obviously.

[BallaBaby]

as long as you are lifting heavy, yes creatine will help. Jumping relies primarily on the ATP/CP system, so creatine will help in the department obviously.

So I will be lifting in the season but not heavy. Just trying to maintain my gains. I should stop in season then? And what creatine product would you recommend. Brand and mono or macronized

[AMeyer9]

Another Axis Labs rep suggesting supplements to minors. Oh lawdy

[BallaBaby]

Another Axis Labs rep suggesting supplements to minors. Oh lawdy

You wouldn't? I turn 17 in a few weeks. Everybody on my football team takes creatine. Works for them. Wanting to know if it'd help with a different sport. No harm in that

[coloBB]

Another Axis Labs rep suggesting supplements to minors. Oh lawdy

lulz... didn't even see his age

[AMeyer9]

You wouldn't? I turn 17 in a few weeks. Everybody on my football team takes creatine. Works for them. Wanting to know if it'd help with a different sport. No harm in that

Nah, it's just that reps aren't supposed to recommend sh*t to minors. But realistically you're fine taking creatine. But if you're looking to bulk you should get your dieting down before you worry about supplements. Nutrition section is the best place to smart, or if you have a smart phone download My Fitness Pal and use it.

[BallaBaby]

Nah, it's just that reps aren't supposed to recommend sh*t to minors. But realistically you're fine taking creatine. But if you're looking to bulk you should get your dieting down before you worry about supplements. Nutrition section is the best place to smart, or if you have a smart phone download My Fitness Pal and use it.

Already have a decent diet. Lean protein, veggies the whole shabang. Just looking for some added lbs. I'm skinnier than a lot of the guys in my league and I want to become a better athlete. Hard for me to make gains on the scale. I eat 500 more calories per day than my BMR suggests for someone my size. More than 1 g of protein per lb. most days and I don't eat junk foods. Still moving up really slow though. Thought I'd have gained at least 15 lb instead of 10 in a little more than 4 months for being a beginner. My vertical has moved along slowly too. I did the JM before and had like 8 inches in 6 weeks

[brewchef]

I would "think" that there is no harm in taking 4 g creatine mono / day... Even at 16. If you were older, I'd recommend adding beta-alanine to that mix as well. Both require system saturation so they must be taken daily for the long-term. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DOING EITHER OF THESE.

What's really gonna help you get big though is food... you need to be in a caloric surplus. Calculate your TDEE and macros. Eat 10-20% more than your TDEE... Closer to 20% in your case.

EDITED FOR ACCURACY... I NOTICED YOUR AGE

[BallaBaby]

No harm in taking 4 g creatine mono / day.

I would add beta-alanine to that mix as well. 4 g / day as well will help immensely with basketball and other endurance related activities. Both are safe, cheap, and require system saturation so they must be taken daily for the long-term.

What's really gonna help you get big though is food... you need to be in a caloric surplus. Calculate your TDEE and macros. Eat 10-20% more than your TDEE... Closer to 20% in your case.

OK. Is two months long enough for creatine or should I just wait. I could probably start to calculate my TDEE and macros. Maybe gain 3lb or so in 2 months

[brewchef]

OK. Is two months long enough for creatine or should I just wait. I could probably start to calculate my TDEE and macros. Maybe gain 3lb or so in 2 months

Really, i just noticed your age. If I were you, I wouldn't worry about supplements until 20-21 yrs... Maybe a multivitamin and creatine won't hurt, but you should still talk to your doctor.

3 lbs. in 2 months is very doable. Try not to worry so much. Just eat like a madman and workout hard. You must feed your body and train it to get beastly. You're at the prime time for that.

[italianplaya30]

focus more on your calories then on supplements...build your base with a good nutrition base not a supplement base!

[WtchfndrGeneral]

One other thought- if you were to take creatine while playing basketball, you would want to be very sure to remain well hydrated. Basketball involves a lot of high cardio movement, and obviously this means that your body is going to be going through a lot of water. Creatine also requires a lot of water. That doesn't mean that you can't take it while playing basketball, but it does mean that you are going to need to drink more water than normal, or you will probably get performance issues and cramps.

Also, it doesn't take all that long to reach creatine saturation. I'm not going to throw a number out off the top, but I'm sure a google search would clear it right up.

Most of these guys are right, though- If you want to gain mass, eat more. If your current eating schedule isn't resulting in the gains that you are looking for: eat more! It is good to look at the sticky's and calorie estimates for an idea of where to start, but you have to keep in mind that as a teenager, your metabolism may be MUCH higher than that of the adults for which the estimates were designed. So, estimates make for a good starting point, but don't be scared to eat more than you are currently. I promise, you won't get fat!