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| Member |
I’m 50, and looking to make some gains in the weight room, specifically my bench press. I’m kinda stuck at 335, my goal is to hit 405, but I want to make sure I don’t injure myself. A friend recommended creatine, and I’ve heard/read that it’s safe, but I wanted to hear from people who use it regularly. How much do you use, brands, etc? Thanks! | ||
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Legalize the Constitution |
Yes, 5 gms/day, but just for the last 6 weeks or so. _______________________________________________________ despite them | |||
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| You have cow? I lift cow! |
I use it on and off for 2 decades. Not currently taking it. 5 grams a day is generally good enough for most people. There's arguments you don't need it, I don't disagree with that. It's just if you want to squeeze the best performance out of strength especially it will get you a little extra, possibly. Creapure I think is generally considered the best. It's dirt cheap on prime or whatever. I benched over 400 in competition at least 10 times, with the most being 413 (twice) and I pause doubled 405 in the gym a week after that. Decided to not gain anymore weight and sacrifice in that regard just for powerlifting. I competed at 198 mostly and 220 at the end. I saw 236 on the scale one morning and said, Nope that's it. Far enough. 335 is strong. Prepping for a 402 bench in comp, I would heavy bench once a week and light bench 72 hours later with 185x6x8. Heavy peaking pyramid below. Sets x reps ----- Close Grip 315x3x8 ------ 295x3x8 320x3x8 ------ 300x3x8 325x3x8 ------ ...you get the idea. 330x3x5 335x3x5 340x3x5 345x3x3 350x3x3 355x3x3 360x3x2 365x3x2 week off Competition. I see some brain stuff that's positive about Creatine. I know a lot of super heavies that will never bench 405 so don't get discouraged. Some are good at bench, some dead, some squat. Freaks kill all 3. Creatine will only be 1 very small thing to get to 405 from 335. Took me 8 years to go from 275 range to 405. | |||
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Member |
I am 72 and have been taking creatine for over a year 5g a day. It does help with strength training by increasing your muscles phosphocreatine stores allowing a bit more exertion before exhaustion. Also it may have other benefits including for the brain especially for us older folks. I have had no side effects and when I told my Primary MD I was taking it he said excellent and that he was too. Creatine is an extremely widely researched supplement and found to be safe for almost everybody. We get it in our diet but research has shown more can be beneficial. While creatine can be beneficial I can't see it as something that will prevent yourself from getting injured. https://www.healthline.com/nut...benefits-of-creatine | |||
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| Member |
Wow, great info, thanks! I’m not looking to compete, it’s just a personal goal. The main goal, especially being 50, is not to injure myself! I noticed you’re in the Bay Area, whereabouts? I’m in the east bay. | |||
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Member |
Been using it for 25 years for pre workout. Watch the weight at 50. I’ve torn two different tendons and both labrums from heavier weight (age). I’d suggest backing off the weight, and increasing reps. No lockouts, and cut the 10-20% of the top of the rep and bottom 10-20% off, to keep the muscle under constant tension. The injuries, downtime, MRI’s, and medical treatments, all suck. What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone | |||
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Member |
Yes - Started working out again a bit ago. Plus doing 5-7 hours of BJJ a week. Not really looking for gains more to see if it helps with recovery. But I'll take any gains as well. There's a great Wendler 5.3.1 spread sheet. It does all the math for you on major x4 lifts. Squat, Dead, Strict press, and Bench. https://docs.google.com/spread...iWqsqESOdU8/htmlview If you just follow the math it'll put #5 on your bench & press every month on the month. Plus it'll put #10 on your squat & deadlift every month on the month. Just trust the math and put in the work. Train how you intend to Fight Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat. | |||
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Member |
All it ever did for me was give me the squirts. | |||
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W07VH5 |
You’d have to be over 350 lbs to require 5 grams per day. For the average 200 lb weight trainer 3 grams daily is adequate. It does help, it’s safe and it’s cheap. | |||
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| You have cow? I lift cow! |
Pro tip numero uno. Don't nest the whole previous quotes when they are big. Eats up bandwidth. Yep I'm in Milpitas. I bench on National Bench Press Day (Monday)in my Garage. Come on over I'll put some Lbs on your bench. Or I lift on weekends too. Can train your bench or give you some tips. | |||
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| Member |
My roommate in college started using it. He thought it would help him get jacked. The flaw in his plan was going to Burger King everyday instead of the gym. He got fat. | |||
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| Partial dichotomy |
I'll echo this. I know it's something you don't want to hear, but if you injure yourself, it could be for life. I had torn labrum cartilage in both shoulders and that was it for conventional lifting for me. Now it's body weight and relatively light dumbbell work. But at my age, 66 next month, I focus on cardio; biking and walk/jog with resistance once or twice a week. Just be careful. SIGforum: For all your needs! Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>>  | |||
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Member |
Older thread advisory. Seems lately more interest has been placed on cognitive improvements over its use skeletal-muscular. It does seem to lessen my need for caffeine throughout the day. 2lbs for $24. Why not give it a go. https://a.co/d/4PiP51s | |||
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| Partial dichotomy |
What a coincidence! I was just looking at creatine on Amazon this morning. SIGforum: For all your needs! Imagine our influence if every gun owner in America was an NRA member! Click the box>>> | |||
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Lost |
Another coincidence. Just starting using yesterday. Interested in the possible improvement to memory and cognitive function. | |||
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| Legalize the Constitution |
I see that I replied to this thread about a year ago; I’ve taken creatine faithfully. I believe it’s helping with my exercise regimen. Improved memory and cognitive function? I honestly can’t say, at least it’s not worse. _______________________________________________________ despite them | |||
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| Member |
I have been having fun bodybuilding for the last 5 years (I took 1st in lightweight masters nationals in Pittsburgh a couple years ago, 60+), and feel like I am recovering faster and getting stronger when I take my 10mg/day. I take it with my post workout protein shake. I can’t say that I have noticed any cognitive improvement though, but it is supposed to help with that too. I have only managed to bench 320, but at a body weight of less than 160, so I can’t complain. Then I tore both shoulders and have had 3 surgeries to repair them - now I limit my max bench weight to 275 for reps. | |||
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Member |
350 at 50 years is pretty impressive, esp. if you're not a monster already. The advice sounds good. I pumped iron when I was young, but wasn't technical in terms of nutrition and peaking etc. Good thread ! Lover of the US Constitution Wile E. Coyote School of DIY Disaster | |||
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Jodel-Time |
I have been using it for quite a number of years now. Even if others have said that it doesn't fit with my activities (lighter weight training and cycling), I figured that it certainly couldn't hurt. I will continue to use it into the future, especially now that studies are showing that it helps with cognitive function. However, with this newer information, there are the idiots on YouTube that are pushing the latest trend: mega doses of creatine. The standard daily dose has always been 5 grams as it was found that the average body can't process any more than that. These YouTubers are now pushing the idea that taking 15-20 grams per day somehow gives your brain superpowers. According to them, you'll be unstoppable even without much sleep. They talk of heightened clarity, yada, yada, yada. Don't fall for it. Anything above 5 grams per day and you're literally pissing it down the toilet. | |||
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| I have lived the greatest adventure  |
I'm diabetic and foolishly tried it. Caused protein to start showing up in my urine. Drove my cost of life insurance through the roof. Phone's ringing, Dude. | |||
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