Fitness
13 Best Creatine Supplements for Men in 2022| Men’s Journal
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
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When you go to the gym, the goal is obviously to have the best workout possible. You want the best gains so you can say you made the proper effort at the gym. But if you aren’t taking the proper supplements when you go to the gym, you won’t be getting the proper results. And one of the best things you can take when you go to the gym is to take creatine protein shakes to help fuel you in the right way.
Creatine is a supplement that is best known for helping people build muscle and strength at the gym. More so than just going at it on their own. But that isn’t all that creatine is good for. It’s also going to help you have more energy, which is, in turn, going to help you work out harder because you need to release all this pent-up energy.
Maybe even more important is that, as studies have shown, that it can help minimize injuries at the gym because it adds antioxidants to the body, keeping the muscles fresher and helping them recover quicker after a workout. So you will be getting the energy, the nutrients needed to help the muscles grow, and the nutrients needed to help the muscles recover quicker so you can go back to the gym the next day feeling good to go.
Having creatine in your life is going to make the gym trips even better than ever. You will feel the juice flowing through your system and feel the results. The only difficulty is finding the right one for you. Which is why we are here to help whittle the options down and get the right ones for you. We have scoured the internet and picked the best options you can buy right now. All you gotta do is scroll on down and pick the one that works best for you right now.
Here are the top 10 Creatine Supplements for Men:
1. Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder – Best Creatine Powder
As we said above, this is our choice for the best of the top creatine supplements in the bunch. And for good reason. For one, you won’t have to spend too much money. Which means you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.
Because each serving of this supplement is filled with 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate. So with each serving, you’re getting a blast of pure and clean creatine to fuel your workouts and to help your body recover after a sick workout.
All in a package that is easy to ingest. No flavoring, just a pure dose of powder in your water to go down smooth. You may prefer something a little more flavored, but it’ll get the job done at a high rate. There’s a reason why the customer at Amazon love the results they see after using this. And you can join in on the fun.
PROS: Supports muscle growth, recovery, performance, strength, and power to really give you the body you’ve always wanted
CONS: Flavorless, so it’s not the most thrilling thing in the world to drink
2. BPI Sports Micronized Creatine – Best Flavorless Powder
If you’re looking for a runner-up option to give you the creatine boost that’ll fuel your workouts, then you can do a lot worse than picking this container up. It’s filled up with pure micronized creatine.
So each serving you take during a workout is going to really seep into the system so you can get the best muscle-building results possible. And you’ll get a ton of energy that needs to be worked out.
You’ll be running through the gym like the Road Runner. No artificial nonsense to be found in this container. It’s very affordable and it delivers the results.
It’s a pretty small container though, so you’ll end up having to buy more at a quicker rate than the one above. But with these results, you won’t argue.
PROS: Absorbs into the bloodstream quicker than most powders, you’ll be improving your strength and recovery time in no time at all
CONS: Affordable due to its smaller container size, meaning turnover is pretty quick
3. Promera Sports Patented Creatine Hydrochloride Powder – Best Flavored Powder
Before you workout, you want to fuel up. That way your body has the energy it needs to really explode at the gym, with each workout getting the best results possible. But you also want to enjoy what it is you’re drinking.
And with this powder from Promera Sports, you will get to enjoy each gulp thanks to the Grape flavoring that makes it really easy to ingest. And with each gulp, you’ll be getting all the Creatine your body needs to improve itself. All without bloating or stomach cramps.
PROS: Tastes great, so you’ll enjoy every post-workout shake as it gives you all that you need to maximize your muscle growth
CONS: Might run out quickly, so you’ll have to buy more at a more frequent rate than other powders
4. MuscleTech Creatine Monohydrate Powder – Best For Cutting
When it comes to anything you’re looking to buy that is new to you, getting first-hand accounts is a good idea. Listening to us is certainly a good idea. But you wouldn’t be imprudent if you looked for other reviews as well.
Say, the customer reviews found on Amazon. Because there you will see that this bottle of creatine has left fellow fitness enthusiasts in a state of happiness. That’s because the results found when using this are hard to argue with.
You’ll get the muscle building and recovery you’ve always wanted. The energy produced is nice and clean. All in a container that is easy to pick up.
Which is good, because the small size means you’ll need to pick it up over and over again at a quicker rate.
But that won’t be too much of a problem when you’re looking nice and shredded on the beach this season.
PROS: You can really get your body nice and cut with this powder thanks to the 5g of creatine found in each serving. All of which comes at an affordable price.
CONS: Affordability is due to the smaller container size, which means turnover is quicker
5. Life Extension Creatine Capsules – Best Creatine Capsules
When it comes to supplements that will help you live a healthier life, Life Extension is one of the best in the game. And when you get ahold of these creatine capsules, you’ll understand why.
If you don’t want to go with the powdered supplement option, these will fuel you up without a problem. Because Life Extension provides some of the cleanest and more effective supplements on the market.
And at $8 a bottle, you won’t have to go nuts when it’s time to re-up on a new bottle. And you’ll want to when these run down. Your results will be something to marvel at.
PROS: You don’t need to drink any shakes to get healthy muscle function and a ton of energy that needs to be burned at the gym with these easy to take pills
CONS: Smaller supply which means you’ll need to replenish the stock more often
6. Beyond Raw Chemistry Labs Creatine HCl – Best For Beginners
Energy boosting is one of the best properties of creatine. It may be used primarily for the muscle-building elements, but the energy-boosting is what will make each trip to the gym worthwhile.
Because you’ll be going hard in the paint when you start taking this Beyond Raw creatine. And when you do, that’ll make the creatine work properly at building those muscles up to previously unseen heights.
Which is what we want. Beyond Raw is one of the best brands at helping you rebuild your body image. And it may be expensive in a smaller package. But if you want your body to look right, you got to pay the price.
PROS: Beginners should start out light with this powder that provides energy to make those early outings at the gym go easier, with enough creatine to boost those muscles
CONS: A bit pricey for such a small container
7. Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Micronized Powder – Best For Lean Muscle
Some of us need to get our bodies in shape on a budget. Nothing wrong with that. There are ways to make the most of what you got on a budget. You can work out from home without any real challenges.
And you can make those workouts sing when you pick up this incredibly affordable and highly effective bottle of creatine from Nutricost. This is a pure blast of creatine to the system that even those on a Paleo or Vegan diet can work with.
When you’re hitting your stride, you’ll be happy you fueled up with this affordable option. Even when you have to re-up sooner than later. There’s a reason why we think it’s one of the finest creatine supplements out there.
PROS: Get lean and mean muscles with these capsules that are chock full of pure creatine to improve your workout routines with ease
CONS: Smaller container which means it’ll go faster
8. MET-Rx Creatine 4200 Supplement – Best For Mass
If you’re looking for a lot of bang for your buck with a bottle of creatine that’ll deliver and last, then you’re in luck. Because with this bottle of creatine capsules from MET-Rx, you’ll have a 40 day supply of pure creatine to help you hit your goals and blow past them.
Take 6 of these a day to get your body ripe for a workout. And when you’re hitting the gym, the energy you got will be almost unstoppable. The muscles will grow and recover at an amazing rate.
All in this incredibly affordable box that is even affordable when it isn’t on sale for more than 50% off. So give yourself 40 days to rock without having to buy another bottle with this incredibly effective supplement.
PROS: Build up your body with the mass that this creatine powder will provide thanks to MET-Rx craft
CONS: The routine can take a hit if you miss a day or don’t take 6. Gotta be precise
9. Pure Encapsulations Creatine Powder – Best For Bodybuilders
Are you a little more experienced than the regular joes at the gym? Then you need a creatine powder that can handle your workload. And the team at Pure Encapsulations has gone and made that powder for you guys.
Enough creatine (4g per serving) to really boost your workouts with a ton of energy. And your muscles will be primed to bulk up and recover in no time. Soon enough, you’ll be hitting the weights at a higher level than ever before.
PROS: Get a much more in-depth and rigorous workout done with the pure blast of creatine that Pure Encapsulations delivers with each serving
CONS: Pretty pricey
10. BSN CELLMASS 2.0 Post Workout Recovery – Best For Bulking
Want to get big? Then you need to put on mass. Otherwise you’re just wasting your time. You need something to turn into muscle. And with this creatine powder from BSN will help give you plenty of mass to build upon.
Each serving will give you the juice you need to make sure that mass can turn into muscle, that muscle won’t tire out too soon, and that you’ll recover from a workout at a faster rate.
Even better, each serving tastes great thanks to the amazing flavors that each container is made with.
PROS: Put on mass that you can turn into muscle with this bottle of creatine
CONS: If you don’t work out properly, the mass can stay mass and not turn into muscle which is not ideal
11. Jacked Factory Creatine Monohydrate Powder – Best Under $40
If you’re looking to pick up some creatine without spending too much money but still getting quite the impact on your workout, Jacked Factory has the powder for you. It’s going to work its way into your system quite quickly. There’s no flavoring in this one, unfortunately, but it still goes down smoothly. For under $50, you can get 85 servings of this which is quite a good deal for that amount of money.
Pros: Affordable and effective
Cons: No flavor, not as big a container as some others
12. BioSteel Stackables Creatine Powder – Best Under $25
Biosteel Sports has come to the game to help you guys on a budget get the creatine you need for your workouts. Your energy levels will shoot through the roof and your muscles will get the TLC they need to grow and recover. And it’s great for all you vegans out there and those that are looking to stay gluten-free. For this price, you really can’t go wrong.
Pros: Affordable and effective and vegan friendly
Cons: No flavor, even smaller container than others
13. ALLMAX Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate – Best Under $20
For those on the tightest budget, you’re gonna want to get this little container from Allmax Nutrition. For one, it was only $15 which is nice. You may have to refill your supply more often, but 100g ought to keep you fueled for a while. It’s also quite effective in the fact that it’s pharmaceutical grade level stuff. So your workouts will get quite the boost. There may be no taste here, but the results will be well worth it.
Pros: Pharmaceutical grade and super affordable
Cons: Super small container, flavorless
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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