BCAA vs Creatine – Which Is Better For You?

Taking in supplements before a workout is a practice some follow. There are many to consider, and one of the tricky decisions to make is figuring out which between Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) and Creatine would be best.

Both contain amino acids, the building blocks of protein that increase strength for a great workout. But if one had to choose, which of the two would be best?

The answer to that will depend on the purpose. Are you looking for a supplement that will help set the tone before doing the actual workout or one that can help fuel your body and get better chances of increasing your muscle size? To help you out below is a better understanding of BCAA and Creatine.

What To Expect When Taking BCAA?

If you happen to be on a calorie-restrictive diet, taking in BCAA supplements is a wise choice. With the necessary amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), it can help you lose weight from fat and aid prevent the body from breaking down. BCAA is best taken in before and during a workout. They can also be taken after the workout but only if they were not consumed before and during the session.

Using BCAA is a great way to lower the body fat and retain your lean muscle. Hence, here are the benefits that you can expect when you take in this kind of supplement:

• Improves protein synthesis
• Allows you to recover better after a workout
• Safeguards muscles from expected fatigue.

Also, BCAA addresses concerns on serotonin level. With this supplement, you worry less about getting tired too soon and push yourself to work out for more extended periods. Hence, it not only helps you retain your lean muscle but assist in building new ones too.

Would Creatine Be Better?

According to research, Creatine supplements help increase muscular force and power, reduce fatigue and build better muscles. If so, Creatine hardly shows any glaring different from BCAA.

However, if you are looking for something to make sure that your body is ready for the massive grind, then Creatine is recommended. It works best as a pre-workout supplement to provide the necessary energy for muscles and other exercises. Among the fundamental benefits to expect from it include:

• Enhances your workout performance
• Provides the needed energy boost
• Helps build better muscles
• Lowers the chances of tiring out easily or getting injured

It should be worth noting that Creatine is made within the body from two amino acids. These are arginine and methionine. Both are best known for maintaining healthy skin but are also found in muscles.

Which Do I Choose?

With BCAA and Creatine offering practically the same benefits, the conflict most would have now is which to take? The best answer would be the purpose of the workout and the targeted results one has in mind.

BCAA is best taken before, during or after a workout, offering the needed boost for people looking to build muscles. Creatine, on the other hand, is seen more as an energy booster and best taken before doing the actual workout. Hence, Creatine prepares the body for the planned exercise – a must for people who are religiously working out for a particular (muscle) goal.

Creatine supplements may not be suited for average gym goers. Apparently, why bother if their routine is not as rigorous as the ones wanting to bulk up? Unless you intend to take in challenging weight and resistance training, it would be best to hold off on taking this supplement.

Are You Building Size Or Strength?

Of the two, BCAAs as an essential supplement to get for people looking to add more size. It helps mold the density of your muscle and is considered the most cost-effective choice for people wanting to bulk up.

Creatine supplements are made more for the actual bodybuilders who need the energy and strength to build muscles. It explains the extra water weight that comes with it, something that standard fitness buffs may find overwhelming.

How Much Should You Consume?

With a better understanding of whether both or one of them are best suited to compliment a workout, the amount of dosage comes to mind. The amount to consume will vary and depend on several factors. This includes due consideration to the following:

• Body Mass
• Muscle Progression Stage
• Diet
• Workout intensity and,
• Physical health

As far as the dosage of each, a lot depends on the type of workout you plan to do. If you are hitting the gym to aim for a flexible and leaner body, it would be best to focus more on BCAA. If it is mass and building bulging muscles, creatine is the way to go.

Can You Consume Both?

BCAA and creatine are technically drugs, and most know how it could be risky to mix both supplements without the proper consultation with a specialist.

Studies and fitness gurus have seen nothing wrong with taking both health aids at the same time though determining the right proportion or ratio of either will still be needed.

Trainers are the best people to consult though some may opt to see a certified health specialist who would know more about the supplements to take. Even if the benefits of consuming them render promise, using the scientific way is still the best way to go about it.

Supplements are yet categorized as drugs, meaning dosage will depend on a person’s overall state of health. The last thing a person would need is complications, meaning improper consumption may leave them in a compromising position.

Do You Need A Supplement?

When it comes to working out, anyone would want to get the best results. Some would opt to do it the natural way, preferring to work out fewer supplements. However, there are factors to consider such as fatigue and getting results fast. Hence, the best person to decide on which route (natural or supplement-backed) to follow is you.

This is not meant to say that supplements are nothing more than a fad. There are some which can aid the human body, best consulted with a trainer, physician or someone who can understand the nutritional fact labels. Never buy a supplement because a retailer claims that it can help produce a beautiful body in no time. Do the necessary and approach the right people familiar with them.

Conclusion

BCAA and creatine are supplements that can help, depending on what kind of workout you have in mind. Taking them together seems harmless though getting the opinion of a trainer or other people who have tried it would be helpful.

The bottom line is that people turn to supplements for faster results. Exercise routines are essential although it also depends on the frequency of executing the exercises. BCAA and creatine, as well as other supplements offered in the market, are there to give folks an added boost.

However, there are other factors to consider such as dosage or on whether they can take in these health aids. That includes the state of health which explains why consumption or dosage need to be consulted first with a specialist.