Are you wondering to explore Creatine HCL vs. Monohydrate? You are at the right place. In today’s article, we are going to share with you all of the important information that you need to choose the right creatine for you. Just read on.

 There are few things as good as creatine for training athletes, helping in improving their performance by building up muscle strength and mass. It is one of the most favored supplements for resistant trainers and bodybuilders.

What a lot of people may not know is that there are 6 different forms of creatine. Two of these are the focus of our discussion today. One is creatine monohydrate, currently the most common one in the market. Another is creatine HCl. They are similar in their basic structure and function, with a few differences.

 If you are a regular gym-goer, or an athlete looking for the best supplement for your strength training, read on to discover the differences between creatine monohydrate and creatine HCl and to find out which is better suited to your needs.

What is Creatine: A Quick Overview!

Creatine is a substance found in your body. Most of it is found in skeletal muscles. It helps your muscles release energy when under stress - such as during weight training exercises. Hence its popularity as a supplement among athletic people.

Creatine allows you to lengthen your workout, training harder - which means your muscles develop faster. You bet bigger and stronger more quickly.

How Does Creatine Work?

Creatine helps create ATPs in our muscles during intense exercise. For those not in the know, ATP adenosine triphosphate) is the energy currency of the body. Breaking the bonds in an ATP molecule releases the energy required for our muscles to work.

Why Do We Need Creatine?

Your body already has creatine, 95% in your skeletal muscles and the other 5% in other parts, like the brain and the heart. The amount of creatine stored in your body at any time depends upon many factors, the top factor being your exercise regime. However, it is never fully saturated. This means there is space for more.

 When you start a workout, this stored creatine is used up in fueling your muscles, acting as their source of energy. Normally, your muscles feel tired as you approach the end of your creatine reserves.

If you have taken a pre-workout creatine supplement (like the one we make for you), your muscles have an extra source of energy! By taking in creatine supplements, your body can go on making ATPs even when the natural stores run out. This means you can train for longer periods because your body will be pulling on extra reserves. This will help you develop more muscles in a shorter time period.

Other Ways Creatine Is Useful

Not only does it act as an energy supplement, but creatine also helps your body when you are recovering after exercise since creatine is also involved in muscle repair. In simple words, you have less wear and tear - also less cramping after a strenuous workout.

2 Most Commonly Used forms of Creatine Supplements

One of the reasons creatine is so popular is that it is one of the safest and most well-researched dietary supplements. There are mild side effects reported in some cases, but those are limited and can easily be avoided by using the correct form of creatine.

Creatine Monohydrate

The most well-known form of creatine in use these days is its monohydrate form. It is made by attaching a water molecule to the creatine molecule. There are concentrated forms of creatine available that do not have the added water - these are more expensive.

The major advantages attached to its use are:

Research

It is perhaps the most widely researched form of creatine. There are numerous studies analyzing its benefits, side effects, and uses.

Safety

There are no lasting adverse side effects from the use of creatine monohydrate.

Effectiveness

Comparable or better effects on performance. When measured against other forms, creatine comes out as either the same or better in increasing muscle strength and muscle mass.

Dosage

Creatine monohydrate is most effective if you use the loading phase. The loading phase creates a store of creatine in your muscles so that when you start your training, you have a constant supply!

Drawbacks

However, creatine monohydrate does have a few small drawbacks

2. It leads to weight gain. This is because creatine causes your muscles to bloat up due to water retention.
3. You need to take in more quantity compared to other forms in order to see the same effects.

Creatine HCL

Creatine HCL is made by bonding creatine to HCl. It is also known as creatine hydrochloride.

Because of the HCl addendum, this form of creatine has some added benefits: 

1. It dissolves well in the stomach because its pH is in line with the pH of your stomach.
2. For the same reason, it is absorbed better by your intestines.
3. This better solubility aids in better performance. Using creatine HCl helps you avoid muscle cramps and, more importantly, the bloating caused if you use monohydrate.
4. For the same reason, it does not lead to water retention, and any weight you gain is due to increased muscle mass and not puffiness from bloated muscle. So you don't need to manage your doses.
5. Increased solubility means less amount of creatine hydrochloride can do the same work as a higher dose of creatine monohydrate. So you can buy less of it.
6. The presence of HCL also increases the stability of the creatine molecule.

Research

There is admittedly fewer data available about creatine HCL compared to monohydrate.

Safety

Just like monohydrates, there are no reported issues associated with creatine HCl. It is absolutely safe to use. Creatine is a natural substance in our bodies, so our bodies are familiar with it. There is no adaptation curve for its digestion or absorption.

Effectiveness

Creatine HCl is just as effective as monohydrate. According to a study, there was no difference between the gained muscle from HCL or monohydrate. At the end of the study period, both forms of creatine had produced the same results.

The practical effectiveness of creatine HCl is in the fact that it can reach your muscles more easily.

Dosage

Unlike monohydrates, there is no loading phase required for creatine HCl. It is a more concentrated form of creatine than monohydrate, so you don't need to take it in high amounts to reach supersaturation levels in your muscles.

Creatine Monohydrate Vs. Creatine HCl: Why Creatine HCL is Recommended?

Let’s summarize the pros and cons of both supplements:

By using creatine HCL, you get all the benefits that you obtain by using creatine monohydrate, but you avoid all the unpleasant side effects.

If you are a resistance trainer, a professional athlete, or a bodybuilder - in short, if you are a person who is interested in building or strengthening their muscles, then creatine HCl is the best option for you. Based on our research, it is the best type of creatine supplement for you which is why we have developed it as a product for you. By using our supplements, you can boost your energy while exercising without any worries.

As with any kind of supplement, ask an expert like your trainer or your doctor about amounts, doses, timings of doses, etc., before starting on creatine. Have a happy training session!