Creatine- Women?

Nano1360

Hi all,
I started strength training about 3 month a go. I have a great progress; I jump from 3-5 lbs dumbbells to above 10 lbs. Now after 3 month I have difficulty to increase my dumbbells from 15- to 20 or 20-25 lbs as easily.
I have heard that professional fitness models suggesting creatine as pre work out supplement, but I'm not sure. I feel nervous with all pre work out and post work out supplements and not sure if taking creatine is really a good option for a woman?
I would appreciate your opinion specially if you have taken creatine or have any knowledge about it!!!!!!!!!!!

TimHuge

Creatine will help with size some what. But is not really necessary, costs a lot of money too. The fact is that you just started strength training. I am guessing if you just started training then you would have see great results in strength because you were weaker at the beginning and it does not take long (3 months) to reach your top weight with weights. Now do not get disappointed. If you are going for strength training you have reached the easy peak. You now have to dig deep in to your mind and focus on getting stronger a little at a time. the strength will come but slowly which is normal just don't quit. Determination will win not Creatine.

contingencyplan

Why do you think creatine would be bad for women?

Creatine basically allows your body to use the fuel that would normally be reserved for slow-twitch muscle fibers (ADP), for endurance, into the fuel needed to power fast-twitch muscle fibers, for short bursts of explosive force. It does lead to some mass gain but it's primarily water retention.

I will say this much: Creatine is not a weight loss aid. It is a performance enhancer. If your goals revolve around the way you look, and not the way you perform, it is not for you. If your goals revolve around the way you perform and not the way you look, and you want to perform at activities that don't revolve around long bouts of endurance, then it's exactly what you want.

silentnemesis

Why do you think creatine would be bad for women?

Creatine basically allows your body to use the fuel that would normally be reserved for slow-twitch muscle fibers (ADP), for endurance, into the fuel needed to power fast-twitch muscle fibers, for short bursts of explosive force. It does lead to some mass gain but it's primarily water retention.

I will say this much: Creatine is not a weight loss aid. It is a performance enhancer. If your goals revolve around the way you look, and not the way you perform, it is not for you. If your goals revolve around the way you perform and not the way you look, and you want to perform at activities that don't revolve around long bouts of endurance, then it's exactly what you want.

also, creatine is already in foods that you eat so it's not something unnatural you're putting in your body

Nano1360

Why do you think creatine would be bad for women?

Creatine basically allows your body to use the fuel that would normally be reserved for slow-twitch muscle fibers (ADP), for endurance, into the fuel needed to power fast-twitch muscle fibers, for short bursts of explosive force. It does lead to some mass gain but it's primarily water retention.

I will say this much: Creatine is not a weight loss aid. It is a performance enhancer. If your goals revolve around the way you look, and not the way you perform, it is not for you. If your goals revolve around the way you perform and not the way you look, and you want to perform at activities that don't revolve around long bouts of endurance, then it's exactly what you want.

I am women so naturally I will be concern about how I look! I don't want to look bulky, but in the same time I want to build lean muscle. I want to increase my weight and enhance my performance. Is creatine will make my body like mens? I 'm more concern know!!!!!!!!!

Fozzi43

It's pretty impossible for you to end up with muscles like a man, you don't have enough testrsorone sp? in your body to build that kind of muscle so lift away. I personally would just concentrate to lifting what you can. Supplements are good, but not totally needed IMO

vfnmoody

If you are a vegetarian I would suggest Creatine as you would not be getting any from you diet.
It is about the only supplement I would suggest. Creatine will not be effective unless taken over a period of time. It is not a quick acting supplement .If you take it before a work out it will not help that work out.It takes time to build up in the body to saturation where it becomes effective. The powder is the most cost effective.
I find it makes a difference to general energy level when dieting hard and it makes a difference when doing both cardio and weights in one work out.

paijing

I take creatine and it helps me lift heavier. It's no miracle drug, but it gives your muscles the energy to lift a little more or pump out one more rep when you're tired.

When I'm taking creatine, I find that I gain weight, but apparently most of it is water weight. I don't feel or look bloated -- creatine just draws more water into your muscles.

Lots of body builders take creatine when bulking, but many take it while cutting, too. Allegedly, it helps preserve muscle mass while cutting body fat.

So there are changes happening even if they don't show up on the scale.

PS - Don't be surprised if gets harder to increase your weights at the gym -- that's totally normal! "Newbie" gains come fast and easy, but then it gets slower and harder. It took me a while to be able to curl 20 lbs, and even longer to do 25 lbs. Biceps are also very small muscles that you shouldn't look to for big, fast gains. Check out your squats or deadlifts -- you'll go up faster in those.