Question: Caffeine and Creatine

[nof555]

Shame on me for reading something on the internet and letting it concern me, but I wanted another opinion. After reading Will Brink's post on caffeine, I started using it mostly as a motivator. Since I work third shift, I find it difficult to get up and get going to the gym. I also just recently started taking creatine monohydrate. The rumor I heard was taking caffeine with creatine can cancel the positive effects of the creatine during workouts. This possibly being from the effects of caffeine and hydration?

It doesn't make sense to me since most pre-workout supplements use both creatine and caffeine. But, I know some people use non-caffeinated pre-workouts for this reason. Is it just more internet hype or can taking the two supplements pre-workout hurt my gains? Thanks in advance for the education on the matter.

[MrRandyRhoads]

Generally when I have taken creatine monohydrate I'd have the servings at the same time every day. For me it was late morning. Taking pre-workouts with caffeine shouldn't really affect anything. The creatine levels in your body, if taken consistently, will be present during your entire cycle so intermittent caffeine should be fine.

YMMV, but I've never had any negative come from adding a PWO to the mix every now and again.

[j.frith]

You're over thinking this.

If you want you could just take 5g of creatine post workout if you think it will give you the best benefit. In the end, your success and progress will come down to how committed and consistent you are with your training and eating the right foods.

Whatever choice you make will be fine. Plenty of people have gotten strong and in shape without even taking creatine. Ed Coan and Ronnie Coleman are two that come to mind. I didn't take creatine for the first 3 years of my training and I made great progress on all my core lifts.

Just focus on getting you're training and diet in check. Don't major in the minors.

Good Luck.

[WillBrink]

Shame on me for reading something on the internet and letting it concern me, but I wanted another opinion. After reading Will Brink's post on caffeine, I started using it mostly as a motivator. Since I work third shift, I find it difficult to get up and get going to the gym. I also just recently started taking creatine monohydrate. The rumor I heard was taking caffeine with creatine can cancel the positive effects of the creatine during workouts.

Appears to be a non issue

See:

http://www.brinkzone.com/supplement-...s-of-creatine/

[VooDoo6Actual]

That's my favorite elixir cocktail.

Caffeine, Creatine & Aspirin or Creatine w/ Excedrin Migraine Aspirin w/ Caffeine

http://www.excedrin.com/migraine/product.shtml


Mongo like !

OUTSTANDING !

Will, when I was training w/ DT daily for about 4 years in 93' an old school IFBB BB named Tony Pearson turned me onto that combo. Tony never had good Calves but what a freaky BACK !

[WillBrink]

That's my favorite elixir cocktail.

Caffeine, Creatine & Aspirin or Creatine w/ Excedrin Migraine Aspirin w/ Caffeine

http://www.excedrin.com/migraine/product.shtml


Mongo like !

OUTSTANDING !

Will, when I was training w/ DT daily for about 4 years in 93' an old school IFBB BB named Tony Pearson turned me onto that combo. Tony never had good Calves but what a freaky BACK !

Of course I recall Tony Pearson. He was a fixture in the muscle rags back in the day. A classic "old school" physique that favored shape over shear mass.