Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
Best creatine supplement for muscle growth
Show more (2 items)
There’s a lot of talk about creatine being crucial for maximizing muscle growth in workouts, and that might leave you wondering what it actually is. The creatine molecule is one of the amino acids that your body needs to function. This organic compound we one we mainly find in our muscles, and it’s one our bodies make naturally in our liver and kidneys (around a gram of creatine each day). Most of us get the rest of ours through foods such as milk, seafood and red meat, though many of us give ourselves a boost with supplements such as creatine capsules and powders.
Creatine supplements are favored by athletes and bodybuilders, thanks to their ability to improve physical performance. You may be looking to boost your workout and are considering adding a creatine supplement to your health regimen. The good news is that most creatine supplements are easy to get your hands on and they’re some of the most scientifically researched supplements you can get.
Still, not just any creatine supplement will do for your workout. Creatine supplements can vary in creatine type, form and price. We curated a list of the best creatine supplements so you can find your ideal match.
Best creatine supplements of 2023
Thorne is a popular supplement brand known for the research and development it puts into its products. With Thorne, you know the product is high-quality, thanks to the rigorous third-party testing by bodies such as NSF and TGA. The creatine powder from Thorne is our pick for the best overall creatine supplement.
Klean Athlete Klean Creatine is another one of the best creatine supplements. It contains only creatine monohydrate, making it a straightforward option if you want high creatine content with no additives. You get 5 grams of unflavored creatine monohydrate with each scoop.
Budget creatine supplement shoppers should consider BulkSupplements.com’s Creatine Monohydrate Powder. It’s an unflavored, budget-friendly creatine powder that’s free of additives. This creatine powder has been micronizedwhich means that the particles are smaller, allowing easier mixing into liquids.
If your main goal is adding muscle mass, you’ll like Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate. We think it’s the best creatine supplement for muscle growth.
Creatine is most often found in animal products. Because of this, those who live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle may have lower creatinine levels in the body. Gnarly Nutrition Creatine Supplement is one of the best vegan creatine supplements you can buy. There’s only one ingredient — Creapure creatine monohydrate derived from non-animal byproducts. As a bonus, it’s also halal and kosher too.
If you are looking for simplicity and don’t want to take a preworkout supplementĀ and creatine, then try Proven4 Sport Pre-Workout Powder, which contains creatine. We think it’s the best preworkout creatine supplement you can get.
Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder is the best creatine powder because it’s micronized for faster absorption and efficiency. It’s also easier to mix as it won’t clump up when you add it to liquid. It’s one of the most popular creatine powders on the list, with nearly 70,000 reviews on Amazon.
How we chose the best creatine supplements
The FDA does not enforce strict regulations for products in the supplement industry. To compensate for this, we rely on third-party certifications to ensure the product has what it says it does. These certifications are a way to vouch for the product’s quality, purity and safety.
We did not test these creatine supplements in-house. Instead, we relied on an assessment of the ingredients, customer reviews and pricing.
Things to consider when choosing the best creatine supplements
Like the rest of the supplement market, there are many creatine products out there. All of which vary by price, form and effectiveness. Not all creatine products are created equal, so there are things you should keep in mind when shopping so you find the ultimate creatine supplement for you.
- Form: Creatine supplements can come in various forms, the most popular being powder, capsules and chews. Powders are the most common for athletes but aren’t the most on-the-go friendly option. Capsules and chews are often more favored in that case. Additionally, powders typically have a lower serving size. Some creatine capsule supplements have a serving size of as high as seven capsules at once. Many of the capsules or chews do contain gelatin, which makes them unsuitable for vegans or vegetarians.
- Flavor: The majority of creatine powders on our list are unflavored, as they are typically added to drinks or food. However, if you’re adding it to water, you might want a flavor. Always look through customer reviews to get an idea of the flavor before buying.
- Dosage: Depending on your goals, you may want more or less creatine. If you are trying to build muscle, add more creatine to your diet. Most pure creatine supplements average around 5 grams. Preworkout supplements can also contain creatine, though at a lower dose.
- Price: As with anything, there is a wide range of pricing options for creatine supplements. Higher-concentration supplements typically cost more, but that’s not always the case. Check the ingredients and dosage before a high price tag fools you. It doesn’t always mean quality.
- Certifications: Creatine is a supplement favored by athletes and bodybuilders. If you compete in athletic competitions, all supplements you take must carry sports certifications like NSF for Sport, which ensures the product contains no banned substances.
What are the benefits of creatine?
Creatine is one of the most researched supplements on the market. A wealth of research spanning decades supports the benefits and effectiveness of creatine. Overall, creatine helps you perform better physically — you’re stronger and build both short-term and long-term muscle. However, there are additional benefits associated with creatine that should also be noted.
Benefits of creatine include:
What are the potential side effects of creatine?
Creatine supplements are generally considered safewith no negative side effects on the body. Even for periods up to years, there is no evidence suggesting that taking creatine daily has a detrimental effect on the body.
However, remember that serving sizes are there for a reason. Taking too much creatine can result in stomach discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness or muscle cramps.
Best creatine supplement FAQs
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in our body, primarily located in our muscles, with a small amount in the brain. You can get about half of your creatine supply by eating fish, meat and milk.
Yes, creatine is worth taking if you’re trying to improve your gym performance. It can help you build strength and muscle more effectively while improving brain function and lowering blood sugar.
Can you take creatine every day?
Yes, you can take creatine every day. There is a lot of research into supplementing creatine for athletic performance, with the consensus being that creatine doesn’t harm the body. It’s safe.
When is the best time to take creatine?
If you’re using creatine to increase muscle mass and athletic performance, you’re probably wondering when the best time to take your creatine supplements is. A study investigating creatine timing showed that people who took supplements close to exercise gained the most muscle and strength.
Which creatine is more effective?
Several forms of creatine are available as supplements, including buffered creatine, creatine hydrochloride and creatine magnesium chelate. While all have benefits, one form of creatine is the most effective.