When establishing fitness goals, there’s no doubt the plan may appear different to everyone. As you define unique expectations, you’ll realize the uniqueness of your journey, whether it’s to become stronger or faster.
Becoming familiar with nutrition may allow you the opportunity to learn the importance of carbs, proteins, and fats, as well as how they can contribute to your goals. You may also discover how supplements and amino acids function to support muscle growth and recovery.
Due to its potential to expedite recovery and enhance, creatine supplements continue to prove beneficial to the body during exercise. In this article, you’ll delve into a guide to creatine, learning how it works and what benefits it provides to athletes.
Brief Background on Creatine
Before you learn about the benefits of creatine, it helps to understand the compound and how it works with your body. Contrary to what some may believe, creatine isn’t a steroid or a dangerous synthetic compound.
Creatine is a natural substance in the muscle cells that facilitates energy production during heavy strength training or high-intensity exercise. Given its production in the body, creatine is a non-essential amino acid that you don’t have to primarily obtain from food. However, creatine is widely available in dietary supplement stores.
Ways Creatine Can Support Goals
During exercise, the cells in your muscles burn through levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is a primary energy source in a cell and plays a significant role in maintaining endurance during muscle activity.
As your muscle cells burn through ATP, they begin to tire. Fortunately, creatine can boost ATP, increasing the amount of work your cells do, therefore increasing their power. This reaction would translate to greater lifting strength, increased muscle growth, faster sprinting, and better recovery.
How Much Creatine Your Body Needs
Now that you know about creatine and how it works to support your body, what should you know about adequate dosage? When taking creatine, it helps to remain cognizant of how much your body actually needs.
Many fitness enthusiasts take 2 to 10 grams of creatine daily to fill up their stores and maintain energy levels throughout their workouts. However, taking 5 grams every day can be just as effective to help you reach your long-term goals.
Using this guide to creatine, discovering how it works, and learning about its benefits can offer valuable information that will positively impact your fitness goals. With creatine’s powerful benefits for health and athletic performance, the natural substance can help reach your fitness goals and take charge of your fitness journey.
