Q: I take creatine monohydrate, post workout, with my whey protein. If I was to add the water and mix before I started in the gym and then consume it 1 to 1.5 hours later will the creatine still be active? My training partner says that creatine breaks down in water and becomes useless after a certain period of time. Who’s right? I’m sick of carrying so many containers around!

A: Well, unfortunately for you, your buddy is correct - creatine starts breaking down to creanitine straight away and doesn’t aid you in the least in that state. The longer you leave it, the less useful it becomes, in fact. Never leave it for more than 5-10 minutes mixed in liquid. You should try the new CEE caps if you are looking for less bulk, or just mix your protein powder and creatine in a baggie and pour it all into a water bottle when you’re done. There’s no reason to carry about 5 pound tubs of anything! So just remember that creatine is up to 75% destroyed within a few moments. It is almost all creatinine within a few hours. Have someone do it for you!