Creatine Cycle

[murdock_]

I did a search and found no results that answer my pretty simple question:

"HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CYCLE CREATINE"

I have been taking it for 3 weeks, i usually take it for a month, and then a month off, but i was wondering whats the optimal amount of time to be on creatine, and how long of a rest before restarting...

THANKS IN ADVANCE

reps for a good response

[oggie]

I am currently on a cycle of creatine, and have been on it for 2 1/2 weeks. I usually stay on creatine for 12 full weeks, then I stop the cycle and start to cut for 3-4 months. This lets me gain size and strength, then goto a low bodyfat, and be ready for any sports that I will be playing. The other good thing that comes from doing this is that once you start to bulk at a low bf%, after you are done your bulk it is easier to get back down to a low bf%.

On the othet hand my buddy goes on creatine for 6 week cyles. He cycles 6 weeks on and 3 weeks off for about 5 months. Both of these methods have been working great for the both of us. But I think that my buddy's creatine cycle is to tme consuming because rather then my 12 weeks of bulking, he is bulking for close to 5 months, which can get tedious and expensive.

[murdock_]

excellent thank you. im gonna cycle creatine until i start cutting 5-15, thank you!

reps for u

[GOT2BSTRONG]

taking a month off is a bit long, i go 8 weeks on creatine 2 weeks off. And i load( not sure if i have to but i have the money to so its whatever).

[BackInTheJox]

Cycling really isn't necessary at all.

[PowerSwede]

I did a search and found no results that answer my pretty simple question:

"HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CYCLE CREATINE"

I have been taking it for 3 weeks, i usually take it for a month, and then a month off, but i was wondering whats the optimal amount of time to be on creatine, and how long of a rest before restarting...

THANKS IN ADVANCE

reps for a good response

Why would you want to cycle creatine?

[kalagan]

Why would you want to cycle creatine?

You means you take creatine all the time ??

[WANKA]

I just started taking creatine and I think what I'm going to do is take it for maybe a month or two, then stop for a couple weeks, then restart. But i have ONE question...

Will creatine in general make you fat after you stop using it? I've researched it a lot and the only side-affect i saw was weight gain, but maybe that's due to water. But my main question is will i gain a lot of fat if i stop taking creatine? thanks.

[*KNUCKLEHEAD*]

ive never heard of the weight gain thing wanka. ever. im sure that your strength may be effected to a small degree but as far as weight goes, youll probly lose weight due to your muscles not holding as much water.

[mikd154]

I personally use a 2month on, 1month off cycle

[WANKA]

Thanks. As far as I have read/know creatine is fine, but I hate how everyone thinks it's a steroid and it's BAD for you.. That's why I only tell the people I work out with, family, or want to know.. I have told maybe 4 people (good buddies) and told them not to tell anyone.

[pu12en12g]

"HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CYCLE CREATINE"

1) Current studies show that there is no "need" to cycle creatine

2) If you WANT (for whatever reason) to cycle it, it would be optimal to cycle on 3 days and off ____ days.

[BackInTheJox]

You means you take creatine all the time ??

If he's smart he does.

There is no need to "come off" creatine unless you are simply unhappy with your results (or lackthereof), or something like that.

Creatine does not need to be cycled like steroids.

Let me say it again for the people who aren't getting it.

Creatine does not need to be cycled.

[BackInTheJox]

I just started taking creatine and I think what I'm going to do is take it for maybe a month or two, then stop for a couple weeks, then restart. But i have ONE question...

Will creatine in general make you fat after you stop using it? I've researched it a lot and the only side-affect i saw was weight gain, but maybe that's due to water. But my main question is will i gain a lot of fat if i stop taking creatine? thanks.

The weight gain is generally in the form of a few pounds of water, which will disappear after a week or two if you stop using it.

[WANKA]

The weight gain is generally in the form of a few pounds of water, which will disappear after a week or two if you stop using it.

Alright, cuz I was told I would gain fat after I did.. My brother said that actually, he said a guy told him that his friend used creatine for 6 months, not sure if he stopped or not for a cycle, but he said he stopped using it and got fat. My guess is he stopped working out and ate like hell.. but whatever

thanks for the responses

[kalagan]

Alright, cuz I was told I would gain fat after I did.. My brother said that actually, he said a guy told him that his friend used creatine for 6 months, not sure if he stopped or not for a cycle, but he said he stopped using it and got fat. My guess is he stopped working out and ate like hell.. but whatever

thanks for the responses

I have nerver heard someone tell me that when you stop creatine you make fat !!

I think it's false !!

[bnrginnc101]

1) Current studies show that there is no "need" to cycle creatine

2) If you WANT (for whatever reason) to cycle it, it would be optimal to cycle on 3 days and off ____ days.

From what I understand about creatine is that you will plateau on creatine and the first 31 days of use produce the largest gains. So by cycling it, you can take advantage of the that 31 day bulk to put on some serious gains. I have just started using creatine and have noticed a huge difference in the gym, and in the mirror, but all I know about it is just what I've read.

[Mmats]

From what I understand about creatine is that you will plateau on creatine and the first 31 days of use produce the largest gains. So by cycling it, you can take advantage of the that 31 day bulk to put on some serious gains. I have just started using creatine and have noticed a huge difference in the gym, and in the mirror, but all I know about it is just what I've read.

Anyone cycling creatine at this point needs to recycle their brain.

[WADEAL]

Anyone cycling creatine at this point needs to recycle their brain.

Creatine works wonders but can play havoc with certain people's digestive systems (mine for one). I cycle off it for a month after 12 weeks to get the benefit of a digestive system that works porperly and I haven't lost the gains as a result.

Here is a quote from Dr Susan Kleiner's rather excellent book "Power Eating" which might surprise a few of the "more is better" crew:

"Scientific research shows that taking 4 x 5g doses a day will do the trick. This is typically called the loading phase. During your maintenance phase 2-5g will keep your muscles saturated with enough extra creatine. The logic that a small dose is good, a large dose is better isn't a good idea.The body has a ceiling on the amount of creatine that it will store in the muscles. If you carry on taking more creatine it will not continue to load in the muscles.

Since creatine levels will be maintained in your muscles for about 3 weeks another strategy is to cyle on and off creatine rather than using the loading and maintenance phases. Start with a dose of 5g per day for about 6 weeks. It will take longer to reach saturation levels compared to the loading dose, but the end results are virtually the same. Cycle off creatine for about 3 weeks and then go back on it again. Your muscle levels and training results will remain high during the off period. This strategy will also lighten the strain on your wallet, while still giving you competitive results".

Having tried 4 week breaks, I have to say that my lifts carried on increasing in a straight line and I'm a few dollars better off than those who continually run with creatine.

My advice would be to try cycling and see what results you get. At worst you'll save a few bucks and if the results drop off as a result you only have to try it once.

[Mmats]

Creatine works wonders but can play havoc with certain people's digestive systems (mine for one). I cycle off it for a month after 12 weeks to get the benefit of a digestive system that works porperly and I haven't lost the gains as a result.

Here is a quote from Dr Susan Kleiner's rather excellent book "Power Eating" which might surprise a few of the "more is better" crew:

"Scientific research shows that taking 4 x 5g doses a day will do the trick. This is typically called the loading phase. During your maintenance phase 2-5g will keep your muscles saturated with enough extra creatine. The logic that a small dose is good, a large dose is better isn't a good idea.The body has a ceiling on the amount of creatine that it will store in the muscles. If you carry on taking more creatine it will not continue to load in the muscles.

Since creatine levels will be maintained in your muscles for about 3 weeks another strategy is to cyle on and off creatine rather than using the loading and maintenance phases. Start with a dose of 5g per day for about 6 weeks. It will take longer to reach saturation levels compared to the loading dose, but the end results are virtually the same. Cycle off creatine for about 3 weeks and then go back on it again. Your muscle levels and training results will remain high during the off period. This strategy will also lighten the strain on your wallet, while still giving you competitive results".

Having tried 4 week breaks, I have to say that my lifts carried on increasing in a straight line and I'm a few dollars better off than those who continually run with creatine.

My advice would be to try cycling and see what results you get. At worst you'll save a few bucks and if the results drop off as a result you only have to try it once.

It makes as much sense to cycle creatine as it does to cycle your food intake. Why dont you try not eating for a month and then eat 10k cals daily for the month after that. I wonder if youd have "digestive problems".

In other words, if creatine is giving you digestive problems, youre probably taking too much. 2 grams daily is plenty.

[Stevemeister86]

Cycling really isn't necessary at all.

Creatine increases my blood pressure from an average of 115/70 to 135/80 at a dose of 5g/day so I'm not sure about taking it long term. I'd like to see more people regularly monitor their blood pressure while on creatine.

[Smoothieking1]

I have nerver heard someone tell me that when you stop creatine you make fat !!

I think it's false !!

i don't think it's false i know it's false, it will however increase your water weight, creatine monohydrate will make your muscles retain more water, now as to why people cycle is because while on creatine your muscles become engorged with water and can lose that "cut" leaned out look to them, depending upon how your workout routine is setup will depend on what your cycle should actually be, in reality if you take it for weeks at a time with no cardio then you will only need to be taking it non stop for a month or so then off for about a week with increased cardio, if you guys have any comments or question my facts please write me, please rep

[FitnessGoals]

I am currently cycling Creatine 3 weeks on and one week off. The reason I am doing that is because by the third week I get sick of trying to drink a gallon of water a day. On the weekends I also cut my intake from 2 servings per day to one as I find I am not as diciplined enough on the weekends to get a gallon of water in me then either (yard work, kids sports etc). I am still seeing results though (I am on about my 4th cycle). Maybe it's not the best way to take it for optimum results but for me it's still seems to be working.
Chime in if i am really messing up...

[De__eB]

I am currently cycling Creatine 3 weeks on and one week off. The reason I am doing that is because by the third week I get sick of trying to drink a gallon of water a day. On the weekends I also cut my intake from 2 servings per day to one as I find I am not as diciplined enough on the weekends to get a gallon of water in me then either (yard work, kids sports etc). I am still seeing results though (I am on about my 4th cycle). Maybe it's not the best way to take it for optimum results but for me it's still seems to be working.
Chime in if i am really messing up...

you should be drinking a gallon a day regardless of creatine consumption...

[FitnessGoals]

you should be drinking a gallon a day regardless of creatine consumption...

Point taken and you are correct. Maybe I should have said if you are so whimpy as to buckle under the simple task of drinking enough water, you may want to cycle Creatine.

[PinchTheBear]

I am currently cycling Creatine 3 weeks on and one week off.

pointless

Try 12 weeks on 8 weeks off if you're going to "cycle" creatine.

[FitnessGoals]

Dude pointless, really?
I have been taking Creatine only for about 12 weeks now. I hardly ever follow the label when I am taking something new until I know what it does to me and what my tolerance level is going to be. I probably will take it more often and cycle off it less often as I go along and who knows I may end up at your numbers.
I did notice right away my strength improved (so even 1 week would not be pointless). Bottom line is everyone has an opinion here. I am trying to learn. I may do things differently but nothing I do (or anyone else who is trying to improve oneself) is pointless. Lastly, I stated I am trying to get a gallon of water in me a day and most days I do. I will look for a seperate thread on this but I weigh 158lbs. My gallon is different than someone who weighs 210lbs. There must be some science behind this (what you should be taking based on BMI etc). Anyone know??

[PinchTheBear]

Dude pointless, really?

Yes.

Intramuscular saturation will take ~4 weeks, washout period for homeostatic PCr levels will take 4-6 weeks. Three weeks on followed by three weeks off is pointless.

Meta analysis:
SPORT APPLICATIONS OF CREATINE: Issues of Uptake, Dosing,
Muscle Anabolism, and Performance

Single Abstract:
Effects of Repeated Creatine Supplementation on Muscle, Plasma, and Urine Creatine Levels

[FitnessGoals]

haha lol, ok. Well thanks for posting the links, I'll take a look. By the way I have been 3 weeks on 1 week off (not 3). I really have just started taking it.
I am going to stick by my it's not pointless comment regardless. Maybe I am just not getting the full benefits from it based on the science behind how it works. I am still learning though and I am simply going by how it's made me feel. Based on my short experience with it and there was a change,,, in 3 weeks. (I am not saying it's the best way to take it). Again I'll take a look. I do want to take it longer and that's the plan. I like to acclimate a bit first.

[rayr2010]

Dude pointless, really? My gallon is different than someone who weighs 210lbs.

/face palm

a gallon is a gallon bro.

the whole point of creatine is to boost muscular gain. assuming you are shooting for 10lbs/year without, it will gain you like 20% extra per year with~

so if your only using it for 4 weeks at a time, its gains are going to be little to none.

shoot for 3-6months with, and 2-4 weeks off. (4:12) or (10:12) months per year.