5 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE BUYING CREATINE

Not every creatine product needs to be complicated. Here are five things MEN35 readers should check before spending money on one. 𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦

• Know which form has the strongest research base. • Understand what should be on the label. • Avoid paying for unnecessary complexity. • Compare products based on useful criteria. • Make a more informed purchase.

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗛𝗬𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘

Creatine monohydrate is the form with the deepest research base.

The International Society of Sports Nutrition's position stand identifies creatine monohydrate as the most extensively studied supplemental form.

For most consumers, there's little reason to assume that a more exotic form is automatically better.

𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧

The label should clearly tell you how much creatine you receive per serving.

No mystery blend.

No vague “performance matrix.”

Just a clear amount of creatine.

Common maintenance approaches use approximately 3–5 g/day, although individual circumstances can differ.

𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 𝗣𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

A straightforward creatine product can be a feature, not a weakness.

If the purpose is to supplement creatine, ask:

“What am I actually paying for?”

Extra flavors, stimulants or proprietary blends may be unnecessary if you simply want creatine.

𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠

Powder is usually the simplest way to get a meaningful amount of creatine.

Capsules can be convenient, but they may require multiple capsules to reach a typical daily amount.

The right format is ultimately the one that makes consistent use practical.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗘 — 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘

Don't compare tubs by sticker price.

Compare:

• Cost per serving • Grams of creatine per serving • Total grams in the container • Number of servings • Ingredients • Testing/quality documentation where available

A larger tub isn't automatically better value.

𝗠𝗘𝗡𝟯𝟱 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞

Before buying:

☐ Creatine monohydrate ☐ Clear amount per serving ☐ No unnecessary proprietary blend ☐ Reasonable cost per gram ☐ Clear manufacturer information

𝗠𝗘𝗡𝟯𝟱 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬

Creatine doesn't need to be complicated.

For most men looking for the evidence-supported option, plain creatine monohydrate with a transparent label is a logical starting point.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗧𝗢𝗠 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘

Don't buy the most complicated creatine.

Buy the product whose label makes the important information easiest to understand.