For years, many hapless wannabe weightlifter and skinny pencil-necked bodybuilding dreamers have walked into sports nutrition stores or staggered into bodybuilding forums with the same question – Does creatine build muscle?

Sadly, the answer to this question just isn’t as cut and dry as one might think. Yes, creatine will make you bigger and stronger. However, it will not just ‘build new muscle’ in the same way you’d see with the use of anabolic steroids, for example. Its process for building muscle and strength works a bit differently. Let’s look at the two-step process by which the body is able to grow stronger – and then bigger – as a result of creatine use.

First let’s examine how creatine makes you stronger. When you consume creatine, your body is forced to hold onto its reserves of water just a bit longer than it would usually. This water is held in the muscle fibers throughout your body, which makes you stronger and more explosive on all of your major lifts. Look at it as a ‘wrap’ for every single muscle fiber. Just as you can lift more weight on movements such as squat or bench press when using knee or elbow wraps, you can push more weight when each muscle fiber is engorged with a bit more water than usual. When you use creatine, you will no doubt feel thirstier all of the time – this is your body alerting you that it desires more water to saturate the muscle groups even further. Always drink.75 to 1 full gallon of water every day when using creatine as a muscle building supplement.

Now, let’s examine the process by which creatine makes you bigger. When you train with greater strength – you go beyond your typical limitations and boundaries. You tear new muscle fibers typically left dormant in your other workouts. As a result, given adequate sleep and nutrition, these torn fibers grow back bigger and stronger. This is the point where new muscle is actually created. It’s not from the creatine, per se. Rather, it is the workout which was made greater through the creatine that now allows your body to train heavier and longer, which leads to new muscle growth.

Remember to mix your creatine with sugar, such as grape, apple, or cranberry juice, to allow for the greatest possible absorption into the bloodstream. Other supplements, such as Mesobolin and Aspartalone, can deliver synergistic effects when taken with creatine. Moderate boosts in natural body testosterone production, coupled with the added size and strength of creatine, can be one effective combination!

The next time someone asks the question, “Does creatine build muscle?” you will certainly have the answer. No, creatine does not directly build muscle. However, it does facilitate processes in your muscle groups which allow for increased strength – which in turn then does lead to new muscle growth. Creatine is an effective and proven safe supplement – no supplement in history has been scrutinized more closely – which can help the bodybuilder to grow bigger and stronger.

Dane Fletcher is the world’s most prolific bodybuilding and fitness expert and is currently the executive editor for BodybuildingToday.com. If you are looking for more bodybuilding tips or information on weight training, or supplementation, please visit www.BodybuildingToday.com, the bodybuilding and fitness authority site with hundreds of articles available FREE to help you meet your goals.

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