Are you struggling to find the best creatine supplement for your athletic needs? The wait is over. We’ve compiled a list of the four best creatine for athletes.
You’ll learn why each creatine supplement made it onto our list and why we recommend them for athletes. If you’re in a rush, our top pick is Creatine HCL by Kaged; you can find out why below.
Ready to get your heart pumping? Let’s get into it!
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Best Flavored Creatine for Athletes
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Best Overall Creatine for Athletes
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Best Creatine Monohydrate for Athletes
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Servings:
30
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Servings:
75
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Servings:
200
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Creatine Monohydrate:
5 g
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Creatine Monohydrate:
n/a
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Creatine Monohydrate:
5 g
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Creatine HCL:
n/a
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Creatine HCL:
750 mg
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Creatine HCL:
n/a
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Discount code:
LV10 = 10% off Transparent Labs
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Discount code: |
Discount code: |
- 3rd party tested
- 11 flavor options
- 3rd party tested
- No loading phase needed
- Very reasonably priced
The 4 Best Creatine Supplements for Athletes
- Creatine HCL – Kaged
- Creatine HMB – Transparent Labs
- Creatine Monohydrate – Bulk Supplements
- Creatine Capsules – Huge Supplements
Creatine HCL – Kaged
High quality, patented, pure creatine HCL with zero fillers.
Available in unflavored powder (for mixing into other drinks), lemon lime powder, or vegetable capsules (vegan).
We’re getting straight to the point. Kaged Creatine HCL is the best overall creatine for athletes on our list, and you’re about to learn why.
This product decreases the recovery time between sessions. It also helps you build muscle by creating a solid anabolic environment.
Plus, it’s third-party tested, which can be helpful for athletes that are drug-tested.
You don’t have to stress about bloating, bad textures, and funny ingredients that usually occur with traditional micronized creatine monohydrate. Kaged Creatine HCL is vegan and non-GMO.
This product has creatine and creatine alone. So, mixing it in with your favorite pre-workouts is no problem.
Key Ingredient:
- Creatine Hydrochloride – 750 mg
Creatine HMB – Transparent Labs
Combining a clinical dosage of the tried and true creatine monohydrate with β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (aka HMB), Transparent Labs delivers a cutting edge supplement for bulking.
Creatine HMB by Transparent Labs is a good product for those who don’t want fluff. According to all third-party tests, there are no:
- Artificial sweeteners.
- Unnecessary fillers.
- Additives.
Surprising, considering you can choose from 11 different flavors! This makes Creatine HMB by Transparent Labs the most inclusive creatine supplementation on our list. It also made it onto our list of the best HMB supplements!
All the ingredients are clinically tested to help you get the best workout session without any harmful ingredients.
Creatine HMB improves strength, decreases fat, and increases endurance. This means more go when you need it most. You can say goodbye to muscle weakness and exhaustion within the first 20 minutes.
This product got you covered with 5,000mg of creatine!
Key Ingredients:
- Creatine Monohydrate – 5,000 mg
- Vitamin D – 12.5 mcg
- BioPerine® – 5 mg
- β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) – 1,500 mg
Creatine Monohydrate – Bulk Supplements
Just a big bag of creatine monohydrate at a reasonable price. If only everything could be this easy.
Are you looking for a good deal? Creatine Monohydrate by Bulk Supplements is the right product for you. It is 100% creatine without any added ingredients for a fantastic price.
Creatine Monohydrate will increase energy, enhance muscle mass, and support brain health. Plus, it’s gluten-free, so for people with celiac disease, you’re not left out.
Key Ingredient:
- Micronized Creatine Monohydrate – 5,000 mg
Creatine Capsules – Huge Supplements
Creatine pills can be a convenient alternative to traditional creatine powder supplements. Conveniently packaged at 1 gram of creatine monohydrate per pill, creatine pills from Huge Supplements contain 150 pills, or 30 full 5 gram servings.
If you struggle with taking pre-workouts or other creatine supplementation mixes. Creatine Capsules by Huge Supplements is here to help.
You’ll get a massive dose of creatine in capsule form. Swallow, and off you go, reaping all the benefits of other creatine supplements.
These creatine capsules are suitable for beginners and those that have been on the creatine train for a while.
This is the best creatine pill on the market for everyone, including athletes.
Key Ingredient:
- Creatine Monohydrate – 5,000 mg
Buying Guide for Creatine Supplements
Things to consider before buying creatine
Trust your brand
If you already have a favorite brand for your pre-workouts, we recommend sticking with it. But if you’re new to the creatine supplements game, it’s best to go with the simplest solution: Clean ingredients with no additives!
Pick your flavors
If you’re new to the pump game, unflavored pre-workout creatine supplements might not work well for you.
If you’re taking pure creatine monohydrate supplements, look for one with a flavor you’ll enjoy. Creatine HMB by Transparent Labs has 11 flavors so you are sure to find one you like!
Transparent labeling
Please, please, look at the labels of any products you use. You want to know what you’re taking has no added unnecessary ingredients that can cause unwanted side effects.
This is where third-party testing can be a real lifesaver. You know that what’s on the label is exactly what you’re getting in the product.
Also, look at the servings per container, and the serving size indicated on the label so that you take the right dosage.
Try to find products that mention certification, such as the NSF Certified for Sport or being produced in a CGMP-certified facility.
Third-party testing
This is the gold standard. Many products go through third-party testing, including Kaged and Transparent Labs. This helps ensure you get what is on the creatine powder label.
If you’re in any competitions, third-party testing is a must!
Forms of Creatine
As you’ll see from our list, there is more than one way to take creatine. Usually, athletes add creatine powder to their pre-workout, and off they go.
But what do you do if you’ve left the pre-mix at home or don’t have time to make it up? That’s where creatine pills can make all the difference. You get all the benefits without the hassle of making your pre-workout.
Different Types of Creatine
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine Monohydrate has been on the market for decades, with fitness enthusiasts swearing by it.
Generally, it is water soluble but also comes in 100% creatine powder form that you want when you need that extra bit of support.
Creatine monohydrate is similar to amino acids and helps support muscle growth. This has been scientifically studied and proven to be effective.
Related: Best Creatine Monohydrate Supplements
Creatine Hydrochloride
Creatine hydrochloride is a more recent addition to the athletic supplement market. This form of creatine uses the same ingredient (creatine), but rather than using water, it is attached to hydrochloride.
This can improve absorption in the body. Some studies suggest as much as 38% more absorption effectiveness.
By increasing water in the muscles, creatine hydrochloride allows a much larger store of ATP in the muscles.
Related: Best Creatine HCL Supplements
Creatine Ethyl Ester
Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE) might be the perfect solution if you’re after the lean look. It attaches to the body’s ester molecules.
This makes the product fat soluble. CEE reduces water in the muscles, giving you a leaner look.
Studies suggest that CEE has quicker absorption, so if you want a quick fix, this form of creatine could be the answer.
Creatine Nitrate
Creatine Nitrate bonds with nitrate rather than water or fat. This may make this type of creatine easier for the body to absorb.
This type of creatine packs a serious punch, so if you’re just getting started, we wouldn’t recommend going with this straight out the gate.
Benefits of Adding Creatine to Your Pre-Workout Mix
Increases power
Creatine is in your body right now. About 95% of it stores in the muscles in its natural form, phosphocreatine.
Now, when you take a creatine supplement, it builds up these stores of phosphocreatine. This increases your body’s energy molecules, known as ATP.
ATP is what gives you the VOOMA you need to get through those intense workouts.
Improves strength
Taking creatine can improve your strength and muscle mass. At first, your muscles will look bigger thanks to the creatine retaining water within the muscle.
After using it for a while, creatine increases the molecules that promote muscle expansion and strength.
That’s why those in athletics and bodybuilding swear by creatine for optimum nutrition. Because it doesn’t only give you significant results at the start. But also improves things gradually.
Ready to hulk up yet?
Reduces recovery time
Think about your last heavy workout without any dietary supplements. We will bet that getting out of bed the next day felt like you’d gone one-on-one with the top UFC fighter.
You can avoid this by adding creatine to your pre-workout mix.
Boosts lean muscle growth
You might not want to be gorilla-big when you’re into athletics; there’s nothing wrong with that. But that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from taking creatine.
You should notice your endurance improving quite a lot while taking creatine. This is one of the major benefits, after all.
The harder you train, the more muscles grow. But creatine helps by increasing insulin-like growth factor 1, which gives you lean muscle and tissue.
So, don’t stress about getting these huge bulky gains. Creatine is suitable for those who want to tone, increase endurance, and enhance their lean muscle groups.
Are there disadvantages to taking creatine?
Suppose you’re an athlete in good health and with optimum nutrition. Creatine is one of the best supplements you can add to your regimen.
However, if you have diabetes, kidney issues, or liver conditions, you should speak to your doctor before taking creatine. It can affect how some medications work.
You should also always stay hydrated when using creatine. You’re not hydrated enough if you’re getting thirsty or not producing sweat during your workout.
Remember to grab your water bottle before every workout for optimum nutrition!
FAQs
We think Creatine HCL by Kaged is the ultimate high-quality creatine supplement for athletes. It contains no added ingredients or stimulants. Plus, it is third-party tested, so you know what you’re getting. Creatine from Transparent Labs is also an option. Both products have no history of using banned substances for competition.
The time of day doesn’t matter, but you should use most creatine supplements consistently if you’re using them for athletic purposes.
You should increase your fluid intake while taking creatine supplements. It naturally draws on your body’s water supply, and you don’t want to get dehydrated. Also, take creatine when you’re active. If you take it and plan to sit on the couch. It doesn’t “work” that way.
This depends on the type of creatine you choose. If you’re using Creatine HCL, 750mg per 100 lbs of body weight is suitable. But if you’re using a creatine monohydrate supplement, then around 4mg per day is good. However, if you want to load, you can take 5g four times throughout the day for five days and then reduce it to the usual daily dose.
Professional athletes wishing to enhance exercise performance should try to stick to creatine supplements that are NSF Certified for Sport.
Like all things in life, there is too much of a good thing. Generally, when taking creatine as directed, you shouldn’t have any issues or harmful side effects. However, you might suffer from dehydration, weight gain, and gastrointestinal problems if you overdo it. Always follow the directions. They’re recommended dosages for a reason.
Micronized creatine may also result in bloat, but this is temporary.
Yes, 100% creatine is gluten-free. But if you’re taking a pre-mixed workout supplement, you’ll need to read the label to see what’s in your product.
Yes, naturally, creatine is vegan. But if you’re taking a pill form of creatine, we recommend looking at the ingredients. Many capsules are made with gelatine, which isn’t vegan.
Consult your doctor before consuming creatine if you have diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease. Even the best creatine supplements may impact some drugs’ effectiveness.
Creatine is a well-studied supplement for optimum nutrition. It is scientifically proven to increase muscle mass, strength, and brain function. Additionally, it can help your muscle recovery time. Meaning more time in the gym.
Creatine Supplements—The Bottom Line
First things first, let’s get to the best creatine supplement. Our top pick is Creatine HCL – Kaged. It has no added ingredients, is non-GMO, and packs a serious punch of 750mg of HCL creatine.
This is the perfect supplement for beginners or experts. It’s easy to use, and adding it to your pre-workout mix is simple.
The runner-up is Creatine HMB – Transparent Labs. It is the most versatile creatine supplement on our list, with 11 flavors.
Both these products are third-party tested, making them a trusted addition to any athlete’s gym bag.
