Which Is Better Creatine Or Pre-Workout?

Written by Tihomir Stefanov, M.S.(C), PT

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Are you looking to take your workout game to the next level? Have you ever heard of creatine or pre-workout supplements but are not sure which one is right for you? 

It may surprise you that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to these two popular gym companions. 

We’re here today with a deep dive into both substances so that by the end of this post, you can decide whether creatine or pre-workout supplements are best for your particular fitness journey. 

We’ll also answer common questions regarding creatine vs pre-workout, such as “is creatine with pre workout bad?”

So which is better creatine or pre-workout? Let’s see what we can find out!

Creatine Basics

Creatine is an essential supplement, but if you don’t know what it is or where to find it, you may as well be living in the stone age! 

Jokes aside, creatine is a naturally occurring compound that our bodies use for energy production. 

It can boost the amount of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) we have available, giving us more energy and endurance during exercise. 

Fortunately for us, there are plenty of sources for creatine – from foods like red meats, fish, and poultry to commercially-sold sports supplements. 

To top it off, taking in an extra dose of creatine from a supplement helps give your muscles an extra boost.

This means that you will be able to lift heavier weights for more repetitions, ultimately increasing the total amount of work done.

What does this translate to? Well… Gains!

The bottom line is that creatine isn’t something unnatural. 

In fact, just the opposite – it is the body’s secondary energy reserve for high-intensity activities.

Besides, creatine supplementation also seems to have a positive effect on cognitive performance, as well.

What can WE say about creatine? Muscles and brains, ladies and gents.

Pre-Workout Basics

Pre-workout supplements: sure, they sound cool, but do you really know what they’re all about? 

Pre-workouts are generally a combination of ingredients that promise to give you an immense physical and mental burst of energy and focus. 

Basically, it’s a drink you can gulp right before your workout that helps give you energy so you can go harder and longer. 

So if you’re feeling a bit too lazy to hit the gym and want a little boost of energy to get you moving – pre-workouts may be your new best friend! 

You can find pre-workout supplements both online and in stores – there’s no excuse not to fuel up before hitting the sweat sesh… Well, unless you really can’t tolerate caffeine and other stimulants.

In that case, a fresh cup of a less intense coffee strain will do the job just perfectly.

One interesting note here is that pre-workout supplements contain a flurry of active ingredients, one of which is creatine.

Why? Well, because creatine is the best and most effective supplement on the market to help you increase athletic performance.

So is creatine with pre workout bad? Not quite! Just the opposite, actually.

The Differences

So what is best creatine or pre-workout?

Well, they are quite different and similar at the same time. And even though creatine and pre-workout supplements may seem like the same thing, there are key differences. 

Think of it this way: grabbing a pre-workout before hitting the gym is like immediately downing an energy shake, while creatine is more of a slow, steady drip of energy. 

When you take a pre-workout supplement, it’ll give you that immediate boost to hit the weights, but after that one crazy workout, you’re going to have to come back for more. 

But with creatine… well… it’s the gift that keeps on giving! 

Creatine will simply saturate your body’s natural energy reserves and grant sustained energy for high-intensity performance.

In fact, out of the two, creatine feels way more natural, as it doesn’t have the same boost and crazy eyes that 400 mg of caffeine will give you.

The bottom line is that they are similar in regards to their effect – increasing performance.

But the difference in how they do this is major.

Side Effects Of Creatine

Creatine is often compared to the Mary Poppins of supplements- practically perfect in every way! 

Whether you want to lose weight, gain muscle mass, or just enhance your overall fitness performance, then creatine may be your go-to supplement. 

It boosts energy levels and allows you to dig deep into whatever workout you’re doing. 

Plus, with years of research supporting its safety and effectiveness, you can take it – regardless of what type of fitness goal you have – knowing that it’s an investment that will pay off in the end. 

As to side effects, in healthy individuals, quality creatine monohydrate supplements seem to have no negative outcomes in long-term consumption.

However, due to some people’s concerns with kidney function, individuals who have a history of kidney disease should consult with their doctor before supplementing creatine.

So, yeah, it’s pretty safe and effective, so why not give it a try? If anything, you’ll probably feel like Sandra Bullock going EXTREME with gravity!

Side Effects Of Pre-Workouts

There’s nothing quite like pre-workout supplements to get your energy levels soaring! 

But if you’re not careful, those energy boosts can be followed by rather unwelcome side effects. 

Yes, we are talking about the dreaded jittery shakes and muscle cramps – no fun for anyone! 

Besides those, if you abuse pre-workout supplements or take them late at night, you will more than likely have a sleepless and/or anxious night.

Suffice it to say moderation is key when taking pre-workout supplements, and always read the dosage instructions closely so that you don’t go too wild with them. 

Otherwise, that post-workout celebration might look a little more like an out-of-control marionette show than a victory lap…

Which Is Better Creatine Or Pre-Workout?

So what is best creatine or pre-workout? Who wins the battle of creatine vs pre-workout?

It all depends on your fitness goals! 

Taking creatine can help increase strength and power in the long term, while pre-workout supplements are meant to give you lots of energy during a specific workout. 

So if you want a boost in the gym or have low-energy days every now and then, pre-workout may be the way to go. 

But if you’re looking for something to give you a significant gain in terms of muscular development and strength, then creatine is probably your best bet. 

To wrap this up, here’s our advice – stick to consistently taking 5g of creatine daily and have a cup of coffee every now and then.

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