Think creatine supplements are just another fleeting fitness fad? Think again! They've certainly made waves in the gym world, but there's a fascinating backstory. Your body actually produces creatine naturally, and it plays a crucial role in nearly every bodily function.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a compound produced in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Once formed, it converts into phosphocreatine, which is stored in muscles. Phosphocreatine helps generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's primary energy source. ATP is vital for every activity, from opening your eyes to intense workouts. During high-intensity exercise, your muscle cells use these phosphocreatine stores to produce ATP, providing the necessary energy boost. Apart from natural production, creatine can be obtained from animal products and some seafood.
Creatine Supplements: What's the Deal?
Creatine supplements come in various forms, such as pills and drinks, but are most commonly found as powders, similar to whey protein or pre-workout supplements. Sports dietitians recommend creatine monohydrate, the most studied and 100% bioavailable form, ensuring full absorption and utilization by the body.
The Big Benefits of Creatine
Creatine provides numerous benefits, especially related to exercise. It aids the pathway from phosphocreatine to ATP, giving a vital energy boost crucial for performance, recovery, and muscle growth.
Exercise Performance
The primary benefit of creatine supplements is enhancing the effectiveness and intensity of workouts. By increasing phosphocreatine and ATP levels, your muscles receive an extra boost during intense exercise. This can lead to improvements in reps, time, distance, or weight lifted, helping to avoid fitness plateaus and progress through progressive overload.
Workout Recovery
Exercise depletes energy and creates micro-tears in muscle fibers. Creatine supplementation aids in faster recovery by improving ATP resynthesis post-exercise. The quicker your body can produce energy, the faster you can recover. While creatine aids recovery, it does not replace the essential role of protein in muscle repair and growth.
Muscle Growth
Creatine can increase muscle mass by boosting osmotic pressure in muscle tissues, causing muscle cells to swell and trigger repair and growth. Combined with consistent exercise, this process contributes to increased muscle growth over time.
What Research Says
According to Mayo Clinic, creatine shows promising outcomes across various areas. It enhances workout capacity, leading to gains in strength, muscle mass, and performance, particularly in high-intensity activities. Creatine may also reduce the risk of dehydration, muscle cramping, and injuries to muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
In children with specific creatine deficiency syndromes, oral creatine supplements might improve symptoms. Additionally, creatine supplementation could boost cognitive performance, especially in older adults, and help counteract age-related declines in muscle and bone density. While there is insufficient evidence to recommend creatine for heart failure treatment, preliminary research suggests that creatine creams might reduce skin sagging and wrinkles, especially when combined with folic acid.
Individuals with low creatine levels—such as vegetarians—benefit the most from creatine supplements.
Are Creatine Supplements Safe?
Creatine is generally safe for most healthy individuals, including pregnant women. However, those with kidney or liver disease, or high blood pressure, should avoid it due to the risk of excess creatine buildup. Side effects are rare but can include muscle cramping and gastrointestinal discomfort. Some might experience slight weight gain initially due to water retention, but this typically subsides. Always consult a primary care physician before starting any new supplement to ensure it's appropriate for your health and goals.
Do You Need to Supplement Creatine?
Your body produces about one gram of creatine daily, according to the Mayo Clinic. The recommended daily dose of supplemental creatine is three to five grams or 0.1 gram per kilogram of body weight. Healthy adults aiming for this range could consider adding creatine to their diet. However, most people create enough within their bodies, and whatever they're lacking, they get through their diet.
Who Should Consider Creatine Supplements?
Vegans, vegetarians, and those with specific fitness goals may benefit from creatine supplementation. While plant-based eaters naturally produce creatine, they miss out on dietary sources. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts might seek the energy and performance boost creatine offers. Remember, supplements should complement a balanced diet and regular exercise. You cannot out-supplement a bad diet. Plus, creatine supplementation should be just one piece of your fitness toolkit. You need to do the work to see the results that come with it.
Best Creatine Supplement According to Reviews
1. Thorne Research Creatine
Thorne's Creatine Monohydrate Powder boosts muscle performance, endurance, power output, and lean body mass, while also supporting cognitive function and efficient cellular energy production. It helps reduce dehydration, muscle cramps, and injuries, making it ideal for athletes and individuals with increased dietary needs or insufficient creatine intake. NSF Certified for Sport®, this micronized creatine powder is easy to mix, colorless, odorless, and highly soluble. Each batch is rigorously tested to ensure compliance with label claims and the absence of over 200 banned substances, ensuring it is a reliable and effective supplement for fitness enthusiasts.
2. BodyTech Creatine Monohydrate
To truly excel in your fitness journey, preparation is key. BodyTech® 100% Creatine Monohydrate powder is crafted to boost endurance, muscle strength, and overall exercise performance, catering to both casual fitness enthusiasts and serious athletes. Delivering 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate per serving, this supplement helps optimize energy use during weight training and high-intensity interval workouts, pushing you to reach your peak performance and smash your personal records. Its clean formula, free from gluten, sugar, salt, preservatives, and artificial additives, ensures you receive all the benefits of creatine without any unwanted extras. Proudly made in the USA with a blend of foreign and domestic ingredients, BodyTech Creatine Monohydrate stands out as a reliable and potent choice for enhancing workout results and promoting muscle growth. Simply mix one scoop with your preferred beverage to experience improved muscle strength, endurance, and recovery.
3. BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate
BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate Powder is a top choice for those looking to boost muscle mass, energy, and endurance. As one of the most widely-used workout supplements, our creatine monohydrate powder supports lean muscle growth and enhances workout performance. Micronized for better absorption, this pure and unflavored powder mixes easily into any pre-workout shake. Each serving delivers 5 grams of creatine and is free from gluten, dairy, and soy, making it suitable for various dietary needs. Manufactured to cGMP standards and third-party tested for quality and consistency, BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate Powder ensures you get a clean and effective supplement to maximize your fitness results.
4. MuscleTech Platinum 100% Creatine
MuscleTech Platinum 100% Creatine features 5 grams of pure micronized creatine monohydrate per serving. This supplement is designed to increase muscle strength, size, and performance by providing a highly absorbable form of creatine. MuscleTech ensures that their creatine is free from impurities and easy to mix, making it a reliable choice for athletes.
5. Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder provides 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, designed for improved mixability and absorption. This supplement supports muscle strength, power, and recovery, making it a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts. Its micronized form ensures that the creatine dissolves easily in liquids, providing a convenient and effective way to enhance your workouts.
6. GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate
GNC Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate delivers 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, supporting muscle strength, endurance, and recovery. This powder is formulated to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts improve their workout performance and achieve better results. GNC's commitment to quality ensures that this creatine supplement is both effective and pure.
7. Muscle Feast Creapure Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Monohydrate Powder boasts 99.9% pure vegan creatine monohydrate, free from gluten and artificial additives like erythritol. Each of the 55 servings contains 5400mg of premium German creatine, recognized as the top creatine by Labdoor for quality. This supplement aids in muscle growth, enhances recovery, and minimizes soreness, making it perfect for high-intensity workouts. Ideal for vegans and keto dieters, it helps replenish muscle creatine stores often lower in vegetarian diets.
8. Myprotein Creatine Monohydrate
Myprotein Creatine Monohydrate offers 100% pure creatine monohydrate powder to improve physical performance and support muscle growth. Each serving contains 5 grams of creatine, designed to increase strength, power, and endurance during high-intensity workouts. Myprotein ensures a high-quality product that is free from additives and contaminants.
9. RSP Creatine Monohydrate
RSP Nutrition Creatine offers 5g of 100% pure micronized creatine monohydrate per serving, a well-researched supplement known to enhance muscle growth, strength, endurance, and cell volumization. This pharmaceutical-grade creatine supports strength and recovery with minimal water retention, making it a popular choice for both pre and post-workout supplementation. Suitable for all ages, it also supports cognitive function and helps prevent muscle loss. Unflavored and easily mixable, RSP Creatine can be seamlessly added to your favorite pre-workout, post-workout, and amino recovery products for improved results.
10. Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Micronized Powder
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Micronized Powder offers 5 grams of high-quality, micronized creatine monohydrate per serving. This supplement supports muscle energy, strength, and mass, making it an ideal choice for enhancing workout performance. The micronized form ensures better absorption and mixability, providing a more efficient way to boost your physical capabilities and recovery post-exercise.
11. Evlution Nutrition Creatine5000
Evlution Pure Creatine Monohydrate Powder offers a powerful 5 grams of creatine per serving to elevate your training regimen. Ideal for both pre-workout and post-workout use, this supplement boosts stamina, muscle growth, and recovery. As a pre-workout powder, it enhances energy and power, helping you achieve greater gains, while its post-workout benefits include improved nutrient absorption for faster muscle recovery when combined with protein. Created in cGMP-certified facilities, this versatile supplement supports all your fitness goals and stands out from generic options. Join the Evlution and push your performance boundaries with our premium creatine formula.
12. Kaged Creatine Monohydrate Elite
Kaged Creatine Monohydrate Elite is designed to elevate your performance with its advanced MAXCatalyst technology, featuring Piper nigrum fruit extract to significantly enhance creatine absorption—up to 40% more effective than traditional supplements. Formulated with pure Creatine Monohydrate, the gold standard in creatine, this supplement helps replenish ATP energy stores, boosting your strength, lean muscle mass, and overall athletic performance. The unflavored powder blends seamlessly into any drink, making it easy to incorporate into your pre-workout, smoothie, or post-workout regimen. Experience the Kaged advantage with our premium, patented ingredients and comprehensive range of supplements designed to help you achieve peak fitness and health.
13. Beast Sports Nutrition Creature Creatine Complex
Beast Sports Nutrition's Creature Creatine Complex is a high-performance formula designed to fuel muscle growth and enhance strength. This potent blend features 2 grams of five cutting-edge forms of creatine, each chosen for their ability to significantly boost muscle volume and expedite recovery. The sophisticated mix stimulates lean muscle development, allowing for more intense workouts and improved results. Additionally, Creature aids in reducing muscle breakdown and speeds up recovery time. Note that during warmer months, products may arrive warm, but Amazon ensures they are stored and shipped according to manufacturer guidelines.
14. BPI Sports Micronized Creatine
BPI Sports Best CREATINE combines six advanced forms of creatine into a single potent formula, enhancing muscle growth, strength, and power while accelerating recovery. This comprehensive blend supports superior performance in the gym, on the field, or on the court. Creatine acts as a natural energy source, reducing fatigue during intense physical activity. Included in the formula is Creatine AKG, bonded with Alpha-Ketoglutarate, which aids in muscle growth and recovery by supporting glutamine levels. Additionally, the formula features Betaine, a beet extract known for boosting raw power and strength. Designed to eliminate water retention and avoid the need for a loading phase, Best CREATINE ensures effective results without bloating. BPI Sports delivers a high-quality supplement, consistently maintaining its standards even with varying packaging.
15. Maxler 100% Golden Creatine
Maxler 100% Golden Creatine delivers pure micronized creatine monohydrate, providing 5 grams of high-quality creatine per serving. Essential for athletes, this supplement enhances power output and muscle volume by stimulating protein synthesis. It also boosts endurance and aids in recovery by reducing muscle damage after intense workouts. Thanks to its micronized particle size, Golden Creatine is rapidly absorbed and converted into energy more efficiently than traditional creatine pills or capsules. Manufactured to meet GMP standards, this product ensures superior quality and effectiveness for your fitness needs.
16. Amazing Formulas Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Supplement
Amazing Formulas Micronized Creatine Monohydrate 100% Pure Powder is designed to elevate your fitness regime by boosting muscle size, strength, and power. Each serving delivers 5000 mg of pure, non-GMO, and gluten-free creatine monohydrate to enhance energy production and support the development of lean muscle mass. This third-party tested supplement ensures superior quality and effectiveness, with its micronized form providing excellent solubility and absorption. Maximize the benefits of your workouts with Amazing Formulas' creatine powder, a reliable choice for achieving optimal muscle growth and performance.
17. Now Foods Kre-Alkalyn® Creatine
Now Foods Kre-Alkalyn® delivers advanced creatine with a pH-buffered formula that maintains maximum potency and purity through digestion. This unique approach minimizes common issues like stomach discomfort and bloating found with other creatine supplements. Each 1500 mg serving supports muscle growth, energy production, and performance, enhancing endurance and mental clarity. Free from the need for loading or cycling, Kre-Alkalyn® ensures effective results while upholding the high-quality standards of All American Pharmaceutical & Natural Foods Corporation.
18. Scitec Nutrition 100% Creatine Monohydrate
Scitec 100% Creatine Monohydrate offers pure, high-quality creatine monohydrate, a proven and legal performance enhancer. This potent supplement is based on extensive research and is safe for regular use. A one-pound container provides a generous supply that can last over six months with consistent use. For optimal results, continuous use is recommended—there's no need to cycle your intake. Backed by scientifically validated benefits and approved claims from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Scitec Creatine Monohydrate ensures reliable support for enhancing performance and muscle growth.
19. Cellucor Pre Workout & Creatine Bundle
Cellucor C4 is America's leading pre-workout supplement, renowned for its exceptional energy and performance benefits. At the core of this powerhouse formula is COR-Performance Creatine, featuring micronized creatine monohydrate, which significantly boosts strength and supports lean muscle growth. This premium ingredient enhances absorption, ensuring that your workouts are fueled with optimal energy and endurance. Whether you're looking to increase muscle mass or improve performance, the high-quality creatine in C4 is designed to help you reach your fitness goals. Backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, Cellucor C4 combines effective, patented ingredients to deliver results you can trust.
20. Weevit Creatine Monohydrate Gummies
WEevit Creatine Monohydrate Gummies deliver 5000mg per serving to support muscle strength and endurance. Each serving includes four gummies enriched with Vitamin B12 and L-Taurine, ideal for both pre and post-workout. These vegan, natural gummies are non-GMO, gluten-free, sugar-free, and gelatin-free, featuring a delightful natural lemon flavor without artificial additives. Enjoy a tasty alternative to traditional creatine supplements with these chewable gummies. Manufactured in a third-party tested facility, WEevit ensures the highest quality and consistency in every bottle. Each package provides a 30-day supply to enhance your workout regimen.
21. NOW Sports Nutrition, Creatine Monohydrate Powder
NOW Sports Creatine Monohydrate is rigorously tested to ensure purity and effectiveness for athletes at all levels. This additive-free supplement fuels muscles, supporting energy production and lean mass growth. Research shows that creatine helps maintain muscle tissue and enhances performance during intense, short-duration exercises. With NPA A-rated GMP certification, NOW Sports guarantees the stability, potency, and quality of their product, packaged by a family-owned company in the USA since 1968.
22. Betancourt Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate Powder Supplement
Betancourt Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate Powder supports muscle growth and strength enhancement by stimulating satellite cells and increasing intramuscular creatine stores for better hydration and volume. It elevates creatine phosphate levels to boost ATP formation, improving strength and exercise performance. Additionally, it aids in recovery by preventing muscle glycogen depletion, reducing fatigue, and maintaining energy levels during intense training. Each raw material undergoes identity testing, and all finished products go through rigorous quality control, ensuring top-tier quality and safety.
23. Nutrex Research Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Nutrex Research Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder offers a high-potency formula with 5 grams per serving, designed to optimize muscle mass, strength, power output, energy levels, athletic performance and recovery. This creatine monohydrate enhances lifting capacity, allowing for greater strength gains and improved workout performance. Easily mixable into any drink, it seamlessly integrates into your pre, during, or post-workout routine. The advanced formula promotes rapid muscle recovery, reducing downtime and accelerating progress. Manufactured in a cGMP certified facility in the U.S., it guarantees purity and effectiveness without any fillers or additives.
24. SAN Performance Creatine
SAN's Micronized Performance Creatine, featuring CreaSolv micronization technology, offers superior absorption and mixing capabilities with 20 times more surface area than regular creatine monohydrate. Each 5-gram serving dissolves quickly and completely, minimizing gastrointestinal discomfort by leaving the gut faster. This ensures users can fully benefit from enhanced muscle strength and volume. Designed for rapid and thorough absorption, Performance Creatine maximizes the effectiveness of every gram, providing a more comfortable and efficient way to boost muscle power and size.
25. Codeage Liposomal Creatine Monohydrate Powder Supplement
Discover the advanced absorption of Codeage Liposomal Creatine Monohydrate Powder, featuring a patent-pending liposomal formula that outperforms traditional creatine supplements. Each unflavored serving delivers 5000 mg of pure, micronized creatine monohydrate from non-GMO sunflower oil for optimal quality. Known for boosting strength, power, and muscle mass, creatine also enhances recovery from intense workouts. This 3-month supply is perfect for both men and women and is made in a cGMP-certified facility in the USA. It's vegan, non-GMO, and free from dairy, gluten, soy, and artificial additives, offering a premium addition to your supplement regimen.
