When it comes to enhancing athletic performance and supporting muscle growth, creatine is one of the most researched and trusted supplements available.
The benefits of creatine include…
- Increased strength and power*
- Increased muscle mass*
- Improved between set recovery*
- Improved sports performance*
More recent research has suggested it may even support cognitive function.
While creatine monohydrate is the gold-standard, most well-researched form, we believe there are other forms with unique benefits too.
(In fact, we use creatine monohydrate, HCl, and nitrate different Kaged supplements for different purposes.)
By understanding the unique properties and benefits of each form, you can make an informed decision on which type of creatine is best suited for you, at what times.
Today, we’re focusing on comparing creatine monohydrate to one of the newest forms, creatine nitrate.
All Creatine Forms Will Provide The Same Core Benefits
Regardless of the form, all creatine supplements deliver the same fundamental benefits. Creatine is known for its ability to enhance muscle mass, increase strength, and boost overall athletic performance.*
That’s because creatine supplementation increases phosphocreatine levels in your muscles.* Phosphocreatine is a form of stored energy in the cells that helps to regenerate ATP, the main source of energy in our body.
When you exercise a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is broken down to produce energy. By increasing your phosphocreatine stores through creatine supplementation, you can produce more ATP during high-intensity exercise, leading to improved performance, strength, and between-set recovery.* Between-set recovery means you’ll be able to rest less time between sets, and get the same number of reps. This ultimately leads to better results in the gym.
Anybody, or any brand, who tells you that one form of creatine will help you build muscle more than another, is probably just trying to sell you a different form of creatine.
We’re not here to claim that creatine nitrate is superior. That’s both misleading and untrue. However, creatine nitrate does have a few unique properties. These properties explain why we use it in our most advanced pre-workout, Pre-Workout Elite.
The Unique Benefits of Creatine Nitrate
Creatine Nitrate Mixes Better in Water
One of the key advantages of creatine nitrate is its solubility. It mixes better in water compared to creatine monohydrate.
Developing supplements is both an art and a science. Part of this art is that you want it to mix well and taste good. Because creatine nitrate mixes easier than creatine monohydrate, it’s a great choice to add in pre-workout drinks. This is one reason why we use it in Pre-Workout Elite.
However, it doesn’t mix as well as creatine HCl, so if you’re only considering solubility, then choose Creatine HCl. As we said, the solubility is only one reason. The biggest reason is what’s next.
Improved Muscle Pumps vs Nitric Oxide Synthesis.
Creatine nitrate, particularly the patented NO3-T® form that we use in Pre-Workout Elite , performs two functions. First, it’s a high-quality creatine supplement. Second, it’s a nitric oxide booster.
This means that in addition to the performance benefits associated with creatine, NO3-T® helps amplify muscle pumps during workouts. The increased nitric oxide levels lead to better blood flow, which can enhance muscle pumps and vascularity, support muscle endurance throughout your training session.*
Because of This, Creatine Nitrate Makes Sense to Take Pre-Workout
Due to these unique properties, creatine nitrate may offer distinct advantages when used as a pre-workout supplement, providing both immediate and long-term performance benefits.
Enter: Kaged Pre-Workout Elite. 3g of Creatine Mono, 2g of Creatine Nitrate
When we went to formulate our most advanced pre-workout yet, and truly a unique pre-workout from anything else out there on the market, we decided to bring a 5g creatine matrix. This includes 3 grams of the tried-and-true creatine monohydrate, along with 2g of creatine nitrate for the additional muscle pumps and endurance support.*
SHOP PRE-WORKOUT ELITE
With this pre-workout, it means you also no longer have to take any kind of creatine on your training days. It’s also available in a stimulant-free form, for those who don’t want the caffeine.
SHOP PRE-WORKOUT ELITE STIMULANT-FREE
On your non-training days, there’s less benefit to creatine nitrate. That’s because its unique benefits will support you within a few hours of taking it. So for your non-training days, we recommend the classic Creatine Monohydrate.
Or, if you prefer, the ultra-mixable Creatine HCl.
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FAQ
What about Creatine HCl?
You can read more about this form of creatine and its unique benefits in this article on the benefits of creatine HCl.
Does Creatine Nitrate need a loading phase?
No, you do not need to load creatine nitrate, or any creatine. All creatine, if you choose not to load, takes at least 28 days to accumulate in the body before providing full benefits.
What’s the optimal dose of creatine?
Research on creatine shows that between 3-5 grams per day provides the most benefits. For those who demand the most, that’s why we include the 5g creatine matrix in Pre-Workout Elite.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
