Not all creatine supplements are created equal. That’s why we’ve created a review of the top five selling brands of creatine. Whether you are a beginner or you’re an experienced weightlifter, creatine is an essential step in the right direction to build muscle. If you are first starting out, we have the answers to questions like...
Creatine is completely natural. Our body produces creatine. It is produced mainly in the kidney and in the liver and then delivered to the muscles through our blood stream. We also get creatine from the food that we eat. It is found mostly in foods like tuna, chicken, and beef. So if you’ve ever ordered a Big Mac at...
Creatine monohydrate is better than creatine ethyl ester. This isn’t an opinion. It’s hard scientific fact.
A research team from Baylor University, Texas A&M, Purdue University, and the U.S. Military Academy tested the results of creatine monohydrate versus creatine ethyl ester. The results of the study were...
Not all creatine supplements are created equal. That’s why we’ve created a review of the top five selling brands of creatine. Whether you are a beginner or you’re an experienced weightlifter, creatine is an essential step in the right direction to build muscle. If you are first starting out, we have the answers to questions like what is creatine and how does creatine work. If you are looking into creatine phosphate or creatine ethyl ester, check out the my other pages for information.
After looking at these products, you will know exactly which one fits your budget and your fitness goals. When you come to your decision, just click on the picture or the link to purchase online.
And so, without further ado, your creatine reviews.
1. BSN NO-Explode
BSN’s NO-Xplode is consistently one of the highest selling creatine products. Here’s the insider scoop.
NO-Xplode combines creatine, nitric oxide, and amino acids to give a pretty awesome pre-workout boost. But here is something interesting. The reason it works so well isn’t just because of the creatine, but because they mix it with nitric oxide.
Don’t get us wrong, NO-Xplode works really well and there is a reason that it continues to sell so well year after year. But its one of the best Nitric oxide supplements, not one of the best creatine supplements. If you look at the creatine matrix that NO-Xplode uses, it says that it uses creatine ethyl ester as its primary creatine source. But scientific studies have shown that creatine ethyl ester isn’t as effective as regular creatine monohydrate (learn more about it here).
Does that mean that NO-Xplode doesn’t work? Not at all. Even though scientists have proven that creatine ethyl ester isn’t as effective as creatine monohydrate, when you combine creatine ethyl ester with all of the other stuff they have in NO-Xplode, it knocks the socks off of creatine monohydrate all by itself.
So if you are looking for just a creatine monohydrate supplement and nothing else, NO-Xplode probably isn’t for you. But if you are looking for a ‘mega-supplement’ that combines creatine, nitric oxide, and a ton of amino acids, then you really can’t beat NO-Xplode. There is a reason why thousands of people love this stuff and never work out without it. It is a great value for everything that they throw in there.
2. Optimum Nutrition – Micronized Creatine Powder
Optimum Nutrition’s micronized creatine better is probably the best value on the market for pure creatine. This is a no frills attached product. Simply a great, pure version of creatine monohydrate.
The fact that it is micronized is important too. Because the creatine is micronized, it is absorbed faster, it dissolves better, and it causes fewer upset stomachs. That’s because when creatine is ‘micronized’, it is because the creatine is divided into smaller micro-particles (learn more about micronized creatine here).
Hands down, if you are looking for a simple, straightforward creatine product, you really can’t get better than Optimum Nutrition’s micronized creatine powder.
3. Gaspar Nutrition SuperPump 250
Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump250 works very well. It’s similar to NO-Xplode in the fact that it isn’t just a pure creatine product, but has a mix of nitric oxide, amino acids, and caffeine as well. What’s the main difference between Gaspari’s SuperPump250 and NO-Xplode? Gaspari uses creatine monohydrate in its formula, instead of creatine ethyl ester like NO-Xplode.
We have covered that creatine ethyl ester isn’t as effective as creatine monohydrate, so why would anyone decide to buy NO-Xplode over SuperPump250? Because as awesome as SuperPump is, for some people it causes some stomach irritation and they find themselves in the bathroom right after the workout (and sometimes even during). However, for others, it doesn’t bother them at all. The only way you can know for yourself is to test it out.
So if you are the type of person that has a weak stomach, Gaspari is not for you (pick one of the other supplements). However, if your stomach can handle itself, Gaspari really is an incredible product.
4. MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Pro
MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Pro Series is great because the creatine monohydrate is already premixed with your whey protein. This is definitely the creatine pick if you don’t want to have a million bottles laying around, you can just take your creatine and protein together.
Each scoop contains 5 grams of creatine and 27 grams of protein, and its full of other amino acids as well. This one is diferent from Gaspari or from NO-Xplode because those products don’t have any real protein in them. With MuscleTech, you get the same idea of mixing supplements, except this time, its with protein instead of nitric oxide.
5. Higher Power Nutrition Build XS
Higher Power’s Build XS makes the list because it is different than the previous four recommendations. Higher power mixes creatine with glutamine, ribose, and other amino acids. This is a great supplement because glutamine is a supplement that is necessary for anyone trying to build muscle.
The main reason why people are drawn to Build XS is because it is a supplement that doesn’t include any stimulants (read caffeine). Some people like the jolt that the caffeine surge gives them before a workout, others try to avoid the stimulant because their bodies are so shot due to years of morning coffee cups.
A highlight of Build XS is also the inclusion of ribose, which is used to created ATP. And the whole reason people take creatine is because creatine helps support the ATP in our bodies, so its a nice 1-2 punch.
Those are the top five creatine supplements. In summary, the difference between the five products:
1. NO-Xplode combines creatine ethyl ester with nitric oxide enhancers and amino acids for a supplement that is easier on your stomach.
2. Micronized Creatine Powder is the best pure creatine product around.
3. SuperPump 250 has the advantages of NO-Xplode + the advantage of creatine monohydrate instead of creatine ethyl ester, its just a little harder on your stomach.
4. NitroTech Pro combines your creatine with your protein.
5. Build XS combines your creatine with glutamine and ribose
Hopefully you were able to determine which supplement best fits your needs. For more information about each individual product, click the links under each number.
