Creatine and TotalGym

[Thorne]

I've read that to get the maximum benefits from creatine, you have to load up on it with at least 5 servings a day for 5 days right?

Does that mean that you load up BEFORE starting your work out or do you load up on the first day OF your workout?

Also, does anyone here use the TotalGym or a machine similar to it? Would the benefits creatine supposedly gives working out with free weights be the same if one was to work out on the Total Gym?

I'm thinking about mainly working out on the TotalGym and then using free weights to really target specific areas that need improvement.

Any thoughts?

[BobbDobbs]

If you are already working out, just start loading. If you are going to start a cycle of workout, start loading 3 days ahead and then load for five days straight -- hence an overlap.

Creatine is a source of quick energy for your muscle cells. You produce it naturally, but by supplementing it orally, you can increase the amount available in the cells.

The loading phase just gets it there faster, you will build it up to peak amounts by taking it in lower doses too, it just takes a bit longer to build up.

It will also retain water in your muscles, so you will add a few pounds of water weight, though it will be in your muscles so it will improve the size of them to a small amount.

The strength it gives is used up in just a few seconds -- so it is just to get one or two extra reps or pounds lifted. It will not increase endurance excercises.

So it is useful for any form of low rep weight training, but not very useful for high rep or endurance exercises like jogging.

[Thorne]

I haven't started working out yet.

Why load 3 days prior and then 5 days straight?
Why not 3 days prior (or 2 days prior) and then 2 days (or 3 days) straight to equal 5 days?

Kinda confused about this so bare with me.

So just to clarify, 5 servings for 3 days (by your sestion) and then continue with 5 servings for another 5 days and then back off on the servings?

Is this right?

[BobbDobbs]

Sorry for the confusion. Five days total pre-load, whenever you start. Timing isn't critical, you can start earlier. I'd start 3 days ahead of starting exercise, then load an additional 2 days, for a total of five days.

Five servings a day on pre-load for five days, then one serving a day thereafter for maintence.

[Gandolf]

Firstly, I have read much that says that the "loading" phase for creatine is bullshit. But, if you DO choose to load, it doesn't have to coincide with the beginning of you starting to workout. Loading is to get lots of creatine into your muscles in a short period of time, once they are full, a smaller dose maintains these levels.

[RB]

If you don't have the Total Gymn yet, look hard at the Cross Bow by Weider, it is vastly superior.

Otherwise, the TG will work fine, but while it duplicates many weight inspired movements, I quickly reached it's limitation, which is no way to add additional resistance once you can move your body weight at the highest level...

[Wt282]

I'd recommend the Total Gym for toning your back and obliques. Other than that- dead weights are my recommendation for all out muscle gaining and working. My friend did his lats on a total gym today- he said they were burning & he got a great workout quickly.