When Should You Take Creatine Monohydrate?

If you have been considering ways to bulk up fast with increased muscle mass, you likely have considered the option of taking supplements like creatine. You can take creatine monohydrate in a variety of formats, such as gel capsules, tablets, and a powder mixture to be mixed with water or another liquid beverage. Anytime you take a supplement such as this, however, you want to consider the ideal time to take it in order to maximize the benefits to the fullest.

Supplements such as this are a great way to increase muscle mass and strength, and are commonly used by serious athletes, bodybuilders, and others. At one time it was recommended that you take creatine monohydrate as a supplement before your workouts. Taking such a supplement as this will replenish your body's stores of creatine, but is it really best to take it before a workout? Creatine is actually a substance that is naturally produced inside your body, and it helps your body produce adenosine triphosphate, otherwise known as ATP. ATP is used by your body for short-term but large energy bursts, so it is in high demand during an intensive workout.

Many experts now believe, though, that you should take creatine monohydrate as a supplement after a workout rather than before unless you feel that your body is already drained of creatine from previous intensive workouts. If your body is well-rested and nourished at the start of your workout, you likely have enough of this substance in your body to enjoy a great workout. Plus, this substance does have the effect of drawing fluids from other areas of your body into your muscles, which creates the feeling of decreased energy such as the down you feel after a sugar high.

So why would you take creatine monohydrate after your workout if it produces ATP you need for short-term, larger energy bursts? Through scientific research, evidence and research now show that taking this supplement immediately after a workout results in a greater increase in muscle mass, and this is especially true when you take your supplement in combination with proteins and carbs. This is because after an intensive workout, your muscles are susceptible an increased level of creatine uptake. The uptake is enhanced with the aid of proteins and carbs. Ideally, your creatine would be ingested within about thirty minutes or so of completing your workout.

If you are considering taking a supplement like creatine monohydrate, you want to take it at the best time so you get the maximum benefit out of it. You can benefit when you take creatine monohydrate before or after your workout, but evidence does show that you will enjoy the maximum benefit in most cases when you take it with carbs and proteins within about 30 minutes of completing your workout. With this in mind, you may want to consider the option of taking your supplement with plenty of water and protein-rich and carb-rich health bar shortly after you leave the gym. Following this strategy will have you bulked up in just a short amount of time.