In this article, we will talk about creatine, one of the most popular fitness supplements. You will learn why creatine is such a great option for improving training performance. We will also talk about different forms of creatine, and why you should consider creatine supplementation in pill form. Finally, we will help you choose the best creatine monohydrate pills for you. Let’s go!
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Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine
There’s no list of best supplements of any kind without Optimum Nutrition products on it. This company has one of the best reputations in the whole sports supplements industry, and for a good reason. They make top quality products, which are effective and safe to use. Their Micronized Creatine is no exception.
This is pure Creapure Creatine, with no fillers or additives, the real thing. Each pill has 1250 mg of creatine, and the recommended dosage is two pills at a time. That means you will intake 2.5 grams of creatine in a dose. That’s not ideal, as most will recommend you five grams per day, but it is close enough to the minimal effective dosage, which is three grams.
Like with any Optimum Nutrition product, Micronized Creatine meets all safety and health standards as it is GMP certified. It is tested for banned substances, meaning it is entirely safe for athletes. That means you are not intaking junk, which is something that is always a concern with other, no-name brands.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
Reputable brand
Certified and clean
Pure creatine monohydrate
Reasonable price
Amazon’s choice
[/i2pros][i2cons]
2500 mg of creatine per dose is not optimal[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Crazy Three-Atine Muscle Creatine Monohydrate Pills
The issue with most creatine pills (even on this list) is the ineffective dosage. While anyone who takes powder form creatine will usually aim for 5 grams per day, or even 10 during the loading phase, almost no pill comes close to that number. Not Crazy Muscle pills.
The central selling point of this supplement is its dosage. In each dose, you will get the sufficient five grams of creatine, from three sources. This supplement contains creatine monohydrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and pyruvate. The manufacturer claims that the blend helps with building more power, improving performance in all sports.
This supplement contains absolutely zero animal by-products, making it vegan-friendly. It is manufactured in the United States.
Per pill, this supplement has 1667 mg of creatine, which means you will need to intake three pills to get the full dose. In the full, 5g dose, 4.8 grams are from creatine monohydrate, which is terrific, as it is the best form.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
5 grams of creatine per dose
3 kinds of creatine
More creatine than any other supplement
[/i2pros][i2cons]
Not cheap[/i2cons][/i2pc]
MET-Rx Creatine 4200
As the name suggests, MET-RX Creatine 4200 contains 4200 mg of creatine per dosage. This is not ideal, but it is close to that, 4.2 grams is not bad at all.
You can use this supplement pre, or post-workout, and it will help you perform with maximal effort, breaking through personal records. The type of creatine in it is pure HPLC creatine monohydrate, the best kind, as previously explained. We like this, as it is a pure, single-ingredient supplement, so no fillers and similar waste.
The price of this product is very reasonable, and there are 240 pills in the container. The only issue is that you are supposed to take six pills to reach the 4.2-gram dosage, which is far from convenient and pleasant.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
2 grams per dose
Pure creatine monohydrate
Attractive price[/i2pros][i2cons]
You need to take six pills[/i2cons][/i2pc]
EFX Kre-Alkalyn
As you can tell, apart from the dosage, most creatine pills are more or less the same. That being said, the primary reason why we selected EFX Kre-Alkalyn is the fact that it has flexible packaging, and is available in 400 capsules packages. Because you are supposed to intake two pills per serving, that means you can use this supplement 200 days straight. If you want to buy a supplement and get on with your life, not needing to think about it for months, get this one.
The creatine in Kre-Alkalyn is PH-correct creatine monohydrate. Alkaline or “buffered” creatine has a higher PH level, 12 in this case, which makes it much easier for the digestive tract. Because creatine causes mild gastrointestinal irritation for some users, this can be all they need to avoid stomach issues.
However, there’s one major issue with this product. Two pills (the recommended dosage) will get you only 1500 milligrams, or 1.5 grams of creatine. That is far from the usual gym-bro dosage, which is 5 grams. The manufacturer claims that because Kre-Alkalyn has a higher PH level, you won’t need as much. But we seriously doubt that we are still talking about creatine-monohydrate.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
The PH level of 12
Buffered Creatine Monohydrate
Excellent, 200 servings pack (400 pills)[/i2pros][i2cons]
Only 1.5 grams per dose[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Six Star Elite Series Creatine X3
Six Star is a respected brand in the bodybuilding supplement industry, and their Elite Series Creatine X3 is a fine example of their quality.
This product has three kinds of creatine in it—monohydrate, phosphate, and pyruvate. Besides creatine, it also contains alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnosine, which will help your muscle-building efforts.
The dosage is excellent, as you intake 3031 mg of creatine per serving of three pills. That alone is a minimally effective dose, which is excellent. But, if you are going to take it as shown on the label, which is two doses prior to workouts, or in the morning on non-workout days, that means you will intake more than 6 grams of creatine, which is fantastic.
The trouble is that taking six pills is far from convenient. And it gets even worse, as you only have 60 creatine capsules in the bottle. That means it will take you either 10 or 20 days before you need to re-buy the supplement.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
Excellent dosage
Creatine mix
Good brand[/i2pros][i2cons]
Unconvenient packaging, only 60 pills[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Weider Creatine Capsules
So Joe Weider needs no introduction, as he was one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, also known as the father of bodybuilding. This company, Weider carries his name. For decades, it is delivering some terrific products, and their creatine capsules are one of them.
There’s not much to say about these capsules, which is good. This is as old-school as it gets, pure creatine monohydrate. What makes it unique is the dosing, as you will get the famous 5 grams of creatine per serving.
The only issue is that the serving size is seven capsules, which is really a lot. But, the price is good, and you get 150 capsules per package, which means 21 days of use. If you plan to take this every day, you better buy more than one.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
Pure creatine monohydrate
5 grams per serving
Good brand[/i2pros][i2cons]
Small package, 21 servings
Seven pills per serving[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Kreatin
Kreatin is a blend of three creatine forms. It contains monohydrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, and pyruvate. This is a very effective blend, and in total it contains over 5 grams of creatine, 4.8 coming from monohydrate. That makes it a very potent formula, as 5 grams is what you would take in powder form.
The serving size is three tablets, but considering that the package only has sixty pills, you will have to buy a new one every twenty days. The price is very affordable, but that is normal as this is not a well-known brand.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
5000 mg of creatine
Three creatine sources
Decent price[/i2pros][i2cons]
Not that well-known brand[/i2cons][/i2pc]
KAGED MUSCLE, Creatine HCl Capsule
Kaged Muscle is another brand loved by meatheads all over the world, and here we present their creatine hydrochloride capsules.
Here, they use the purest form of creatine HCL that will give your muscles the needed creatine without needing the famous “loading” phase. Creating Kaged uses here is their patented version, thoroughly tested and clean of any banned substances. This creatine is more acidic and has better bioavailability, meaning your body will be able to use it well, even at lower dosages.
Unfortunately, per serving, you will only get 750 mg of creatine, which is far from the needed dose. There are 75 capsules in the container, which means 75 servings, as you are only supposed to take one.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
A clean, reputable company
Creatine HCL, highly bioavailable[/i2pros][i2cons]
750 mg per serving, far from optimal[/i2cons][/i2pc]
Beast Sports Nutrition Creature Creatine Complex
Last we have a blend of five different kinds of creatine, presented by Beast Sports Nutrition, a popular name in the supplement industry.
This product contains creatine monohydrate, buffered creatine, creatine-magnesium, Creatine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Creatine Anhydrous, but also some other ingredients like Biotin, Cinnulin PF, AstraGin, Type-A polymers, Astragalus… That makes it more than just a creatine supplement.
As for the creatine complex itself, the serving size of three capsules contains only 2 grams of creatine, which is not ideal. The container has 60 capsules, which means you have 30 servings in it. Considering the price, we can’t help but notice it is not the best deal.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-check-1″ cons_icon=”icon icon-ban-1″ show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]
Amazon’s choice
5 kinds of creatine
Other healthy ingredients[/i2pros][i2cons]
2 grams per serving, not the best value[/i2cons][/i2pc]
What Creatine Does?
Creatine naturally occurs in human bodies, and you can find it in our muscle cells. We also intake it through diet, primarily by eating meat. Also, our body can produce its own creatine, using an amino acid called glycine and an amino acid called arginine.
Energy Production
Creatine’s primary role is in energy production, and creatine directly increases ATP stores. With more ATP, our bodies are able to perform better, which is why creatine improves performance. This is best shown in high-intensity activities such as weight lifting, as creatine can help us set new personal records. But, it even helps endurance athletes. More energy will mean more weight, volume, but also better recovery, which will all result in performance improvements.
Cell Hydration
Besides increasing energy levels, creatine also draws water into cells, increasing cell hydration. This results in those massive creatine pumps and is the reason why you need to up the pants size when taking this supplement.
These pumps are not only aesthetically pleasing. Bigger muscles “trick” the brain into sending them more building blocks, which results in muscles actually staying bigger, even when you stop taking the supplement.
Better Recovery
Creatine also helps muscle growth and recovery, reducing muscle breakdown, which will allow you to train better, having more energy. Combine this with the fact that you are able to lift more, as your ATP stores are higher, and you see why creatine is one of the best supplements for increasing muscle mass.
Brain Boost
Last but not least, creatine has cognitive benefits. It is shown to help focus, but also to prevent some signs of dementia and age-related cognitive decline. Yes, you will probably not take it for these reasons, but it is still worth noting.
Reasons To Take Creatine
First, creatine works. Its efficacy has been time tested, and numerous studies have shown its effectiveness. You can see in the section above how many benefits creatine has for athletes. But, unlike with many other supplements, these are all time-tested, and not just empty claims.
Second, creatine is safe. Athletes have been using it for decades, without any significant side effects, and for the majority of people, it won’t create any problems. Digestive issues only happen in the creatine “loading” phase, but even those are short-lasting, and that phase is not necessary.
Third, creatine is affordable. Compared to many other supplements, creatine is a bargain. There’s nothing flashy about it, and yet it works, making your training much more effective, and thus gains better. What’s even better, the most effective form of creatine—creatine monohydrate—is actually the cheapest. If you are a meathead on a tight budget, and you can’t really afford flashy supplements, pick creatine, it will give you the best bang for your buck.
Different Kinds Of Creatine
Supplement manufacturers are very creative, even too much if we are honest. They are releasing new and new versions of the same old products almost as we speak. And the O.G., creatine, is not immune to that. Here are some of its common forms:
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is the classic creatine, the one you will encounter most often. It is the simplest, cheapest, but the most effective form. It is usually sold as creatine monohydrate powder but is available in other forms too. This one is also the most researched form, and thus the safest. It has a very simple structure, only creatine and water molecules, it is very soluble, and the body can use it effectively.
Creatine Hydrochloride
This form of creatine is becoming increasingly popular, and manufacturers claim that it has excellent solubility. Besides the creatine molecule, it also contains hydrochloride (HCL), which is responsible for that increased solubility. Unfortunately, there are not that many studies confirming its benefits, so we have to take the manufacturer’s word on this.
Creatine + Magnesium
Adding magnesium to creatine aims to improve performance further. Plus, you also get the benefits of magnesium supplementation. However, this form of creatine is much more expensive, so consider it wisely.
Creatine Ethyl Ester
This is an alternative to monohydrate, claiming to increase absorption. However, the research isn’t clear on this, and considering ethyl ester is more expensive, we don’t believe this is a better option.
Buffered Creatine
Buffered creatine, or alkaline as it is also called, is a creatine monohydrate that has a higher PH level than usual. By doing that, manufacturers claim the creatine is easier on the digestive tract and less likely to cause irritation. However, there are not many studies supporting this, we leave it to you to be the judge.
Why Creatine Pills?
Most often, when people talk about creatine, they are talking about creatine (monohydrate) in powder form. Powder creatine is most widely available and by far the cheapest of all kinds. So why consider taking pills?
First, pills are more convenient than the powder. You don’t need to carry a scoop or a shaker cup, and you don’t need to worry about the powder spilling in your bag. Because of this added convenience, you can always carry your creatine pills with you, in case you forget to take the powder.
Second is the dosing. Each pill has precisely the same amount of creatine, pre-measured. And with powder, you will rarely intake the exact amount you want, simply because you are using a spoon/scoop as a measure, which is all but precise. That makes micro-dosing impossible.
And thirdly, you use 100% of the pills. There are no leftovers, no spillage, which means nothing gets wasted.
Furthermore, taking creatine in pill-form seems to be a better option for people who get stomach issues from powder creatine, which is a big plus.
However, pills are much more expensive than the powder, and they take slightly more time to get absorbed. This makes them inferior to creatine monohydrate powder. Still, it is worth using both, just for those times when you don’t have any powder at hand.
Conclusion
That was our take on the world of creatine pills. As we said before, creatine powder is a much more affordable solution. If you can tolerate it, opt for that, it will get you all the results you need.
But, if you have to use pills, we gave you more than enough viable choices. Which one you pick is up to you, they are all effective. After all, they are containing creatine, most widely used and effective supplement in the whole industry. Choose S.M.A.R.T. and stay strong!
If you are interested in learning more about other supplements, you can read our review on the best whey protein powders.
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