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Should Your Teen Be Taking Creatine?
Let's dig a little deeper
Should my teen be taking Creatine? A question that has been asked to me recently, which lead me to dig a little deeper. When I posed the question back do you know what it is, the response has been mixed, which shows a lack of understanding of what Creatine is and what benefits the supplement brings.
Creatine is probably one of the most researched supplements, with countless studies amongst adults, athletes, and the general population. However, there is little research done and limited scientific evidence to assess the safety or effectiveness of Creatine in adolescents.
Your body makes Creatine by way of kidney and liver after you eat protein. Your muscle converts Creatine into creatine phosphate, which is then generated into adenosine triphosphate (ATC), which your body uses for explosive exercise. It increases the body’s ability to produce energy rapidly and helps fuel our muscles, which is why some people take it as a supplement to boost their performance in the gym.
So will taking Creatine make you bigger or a better rugby player? My honest opinion is no and certainly not on its own. There are many other considerations at play here, so before you let your teen loose in the pharmacy, consider the following points before you watch your money go down the toilet!
Firstly, educate yourself, like anything before you put it into your body. Consult a physician or expert. Some people need supplements due to deficiencies, which can be determined through testing. Not all supplements are made equal, so ensuring you choose the right one is also important.
They are called supplements for a reason; they supplement. Therefore, you should have the main things checked before you start feeding yourself with pills and powder. Sleep being number one, followed by Nutrition.
Do your teen's lifestyle and training plan warrant supplementation? You will not get bigger or faster just by taking Creatine or any other supplement for that matter. I am not talking about football in the park with mates or throwing a few curls in after school in the home gym. I’m talking about a structured strength and conditioning program that is being monitored and controlled by someone who understands training principles.
Teens naturally grow, so taking a load of supplements, it’s hard to determine what is happening. If Sleep, Nutrition, and Training are not dialed in, it is not the growth from supplements. Let your teen go through the process of setting good habits. These will be more beneficial in the long run than any creatine or supplement, where it can be seen as an easy way or shortcut to "gains" when it never is and never will be!
There are hundreds of products on the market, with shiny bright labels, and many people telling your teens they should be taking it to be better. Instead, consider the above points, look at your teenager's long-term health, and save some money along the way!
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
Should my teen be taking Creatine? A question that has been asked to me recently, which lead me to dig a little deeper. When I posed the question back do you know what it is, the response has been mixed, which shows a lack of understanding of what Creatine is and what benefits the supplement brings.
Creatine is probably one of the most researched supplements, with countless studies amongst adults, athletes, and the general population. However, there is little research done and limited scientific evidence to assess the safety or effectiveness of Creatine in adolescents.
Your body makes Creatine by way of kidney and liver after you eat protein. Your muscle converts Creatine into creatine phosphate, which is then generated into adenosine triphosphate (ATC), which your body uses for explosive exercise. It increases the body’s ability to produce energy rapidly and helps fuel our muscles, which is why some people take it as a supplement to boost their performance in the gym.
So will taking Creatine make you bigger or a better rugby player? My honest opinion is no and certainly not on its own. There are many other considerations at play here, so before you let your teen loose in the pharmacy, consider the following points before you watch your money go down the toilet!
Firstly, educate yourself, like anything before you put it into your body. Consult a physician or expert. Some people need supplements due to deficiencies, which can be determined through testing. Not all supplements are made equal, so ensuring you choose the right one is also important.
They are called supplements for a reason; they supplement. Therefore, you should have the main things checked before you start feeding yourself with pills and powder. Sleep being number one, followed by Nutrition.
Do your teen's lifestyle and training plan warrant supplementation? You will not get bigger or faster just by taking Creatine or any other supplement for that matter. I am not talking about football in the park with mates or throwing a few curls in after school in the home gym. I’m talking about a structured strength and conditioning program that is being monitored and controlled by someone who understands training principles.
Teens naturally grow, so taking a load of supplements, it’s hard to determine what is happening. If Sleep, Nutrition, and Training are not dialed in, it is not the growth from supplements. Let your teen go through the process of setting good habits. These will be more beneficial in the long run than any creatine or supplement, where it can be seen as an easy way or shortcut to "gains" when it never is and never will be!
There are hundreds of products on the market, with shiny bright labels, and many people telling your teens they should be taking it to be better. Instead, consider the above points, look at your teenager's long-term health, and save some money along the way!
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
Should my teen be taking Creatine? A question that has been asked to me recently, which lead me to dig a little deeper. When I posed the question back do you know what it is, the response has been mixed, which shows a lack of understanding of what Creatine is and what benefits the supplement brings.
Creatine is probably one of the most researched supplements, with countless studies amongst adults, athletes, and the general population. However, there is little research done and limited scientific evidence to assess the safety or effectiveness of Creatine in adolescents.
Your body makes Creatine by way of kidney and liver after you eat protein. Your muscle converts Creatine into creatine phosphate, which is then generated into adenosine triphosphate (ATC), which your body uses for explosive exercise. It increases the body’s ability to produce energy rapidly and helps fuel our muscles, which is why some people take it as a supplement to boost their performance in the gym.
So will taking Creatine make you bigger or a better rugby player? My honest opinion is no and certainly not on its own. There are many other considerations at play here, so before you let your teen loose in the pharmacy, consider the following points before you watch your money go down the toilet!
Firstly, educate yourself, like anything before you put it into your body. Consult a physician or expert. Some people need supplements due to deficiencies, which can be determined through testing. Not all supplements are made equal, so ensuring you choose the right one is also important.
They are called supplements for a reason; they supplement. Therefore, you should have the main things checked before you start feeding yourself with pills and powder. Sleep being number one, followed by Nutrition.
Do your teen's lifestyle and training plan warrant supplementation? You will not get bigger or faster just by taking Creatine or any other supplement for that matter. I am not talking about football in the park with mates or throwing a few curls in after school in the home gym. I’m talking about a structured strength and conditioning program that is being monitored and controlled by someone who understands training principles.
Teens naturally grow, so taking a load of supplements, it’s hard to determine what is happening. If Sleep, Nutrition, and Training are not dialed in, it is not the growth from supplements. Let your teen go through the process of setting good habits. These will be more beneficial in the long run than any creatine or supplement, where it can be seen as an easy way or shortcut to "gains" when it never is and never will be!
There are hundreds of products on the market, with shiny bright labels, and many people telling your teens they should be taking it to be better. Instead, consider the above points, look at your teenager's long-term health, and save some money along the way!
Monday
Time: 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Tempo
This week will be dialling into that Tempo effort (7/10 RPE) for 8 mins blocks. You will take a 3 min recovery after each block and repeat the sequence 3x.
Tuesday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Session: Track Tuesday
This is your chance to run fast with the wider IFE community and coaches. This week we will be running 200s and 600s at 3km and 5km pace. We will help you identify the best pace group for your ability at the session.
Wednesday
Time: 5:59am & 5:59pm
Location: InnerFight
Session: LRC Intervals
Today we have intervals in the morning and evening. We will be running1km at effort, into 4 x 400s and then back to 1km of effort. Push hard on the 400s, these should be a 9/10 RPE.
Friday
Time: 5:59am
Location: Common Grounds
Session: The Coffee Run
This week we will be running
10X
1min @ 9/10; 1min @ 3/10
5mins easy jog
then,
4X
4mins @ 7/10; 1min @ 1/10 (easy jog/walking)
Coffee post session at Common Grounds at 7am.
Monday:
We start the week with some single-leg deadlifts into a power clean front squat complex, followed by a leg-focused workout that is sure to set the tone for the week.
Strength:
A) Every 2:30 x 5 6/6 Single Leg Deadlift
B) Every 90secs x 5 2 power clean + 2 front squat
Conditioning:
17min AMRAP
3 Power Clean (60/40)
6 Front Squat
9 Box Jump
Tuesday:
On Tuesday, it's all about push and pull in the strength work, with pull-ups, bench press, gorilla rows, and some static overhead strength.
Strength:
A) EMOM x 6 - 15-20 sec UB kipping pull-ups
B) Alt EMOM x 10 - 8 DB Bench Press / 12 Alt Gorilla Row
C) Alt EMOM x 9 -M1 - 30 Sec Dual KB OH / 30 sec hollow hold / 30 sec arch hold/rock
Conditioning:
4 rounds for time:
16 Alt KB STOH
1 Lap Car Park Farmers Carry
10 Burpees Over KB
30 Double Unders
Wednesday:
On Wednesday, we will start with some heavy squats, followed by work on both the GHD hip extension and the GHD sit-up, and then a tough interval workout.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 6 - 3 2 2 1 1 back squat + 1 set AMRAP @ 80% of top single
B) Alt EMOM x 12 - 5/10 GHD Sit Ups / 30 sec Pallof Press L&R / 10-15 Hip Extensions
Conditioning
In a 3-minute window:
15 TTB
30 wall balls
AMRAP cal row
Rest 2 mins x 3
Thursday:
On Thursday, we have some bodybuilding in the strength work, followed by a real test of grip and capacity in the workout with high-volume dumbbell snatches.
Strength:
A) Every 2 mins x 5 6/6 DB Strict Press
B) Alt EMOM x 9 - 30 sec banded tricep extension / 15-20 DB Lateral Raise / 15-20 Barbell Bicep Curls
Conditioning:
For time:
120 DB Hang Snatch
Every 3 mins
15/12 Cal Assualt Bike
10 Hand Release Push Ups
Friday:
Finally, we conclude the week with an awesome partner workout that combines aerobic work with strongman exercises.
Strength:
EMOM x 5 6 Sandbag Over Bar
Conditioning:
In Pairs for Time:
800m run together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
100 Cal Ski
Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
80 Cal Ski
Half Park Run Together
20 Sandbag Over Bar
60 Cal Ski
Car Park Run (Together)
20 Sandbag Over Bar
40 Cal Ski
ENGINE
Double Mikko’s Triangle. We’re doubling the time and aiming to double the calories. Can you match your pace and hold on?
GYMNASTICS
Tuesday morning, we're diving into all things handstand push-ups with both strict and kipping variations, plus some fun progressions to challenge your upside-down game. Expect overhead strength work and spicy core finishers, too.
Toes-to-bar will take centre stage on Thursday evening with drills on the low bar and rig to sharpen your skills. Then we’ll move on to capacity work before wrapping it up with core and lat work to boost strength, control, and coordination.
HYROX
Build the Upper body strength you need for HYROX with a focus on sled pulls, farmers carries, push-ups (to power through your burpees), push presses (for stronger wall balls) and SkiErg conditioning.
MOBILITY
We have been quite dominant with mobility for the lower body; per request, we will stick with the flows, but make sure we hit the upper body harder this weekend. This session will be aimed towards the people that have shoulder niggles.
PURE STRENGTH
This week's pure strength session marks the start of the deadlift cycle, following high-volume RDLS. We also have some heavy box squats and volume reps to finish up on Monday. On Wednesday, we will start a paused bench press progression, incorporating some overhead presses and barbell rows as accessories.
WEIGHTLIFTING
This week in weightlifting, we are focusing on developing the split jerk technique. Followed by a classic complex of clean + front squat + jerk.
Monday Ride
A ride dedicated to group riding skills and some fitness. Coach Rob Foster leads this ride, if you'd like to join email Rob Foster
Start time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: The Loop Cafe, Bike DXB
Track Tuesday
Our weekly on track speed session! For any level of runner looking to build their run speed, threshold and Vo2max fitness and run with the best running community in Dubai.
Time: 05:59 am
Session Length: 1.5 hour
Location: Dubai Sports City Sports Park
Friday - Coffee Run
Our weekly tempo run. Sessions are built on an RPE scale and accessible to all levels of runner. We start together, run hard then finish together and chat about it over a coffee and breakfast.
Brief time: 05:54 am
Start time: 05:59 am
Start Location: Common Grounds
Saturday - Long Ride
Our weekly endurance ride.
Please email Rob Foster for more details.
Time: 05:59 am
Location: Bottom of the Stick, Al Qudra.
Should my teen be taking Creatine? A question that has been asked to me recently, which lead me to dig a little deeper. When I posed the question back do you know what it is, the response has been mixed, which shows a lack of understanding of what Creatine is and what benefits the supplement brings.
Creatine is probably one of the most researched supplements, with countless studies amongst adults, athletes, and the general population. However, there is little research done and limited scientific evidence to assess the safety or effectiveness of Creatine in adolescents.
Your body makes Creatine by way of kidney and liver after you eat protein. Your muscle converts Creatine into creatine phosphate, which is then generated into adenosine triphosphate (ATC), which your body uses for explosive exercise. It increases the body’s ability to produce energy rapidly and helps fuel our muscles, which is why some people take it as a supplement to boost their performance in the gym.
So will taking Creatine make you bigger or a better rugby player? My honest opinion is no and certainly not on its own. There are many other considerations at play here, so before you let your teen loose in the pharmacy, consider the following points before you watch your money go down the toilet!
Firstly, educate yourself, like anything before you put it into your body. Consult a physician or expert. Some people need supplements due to deficiencies, which can be determined through testing. Not all supplements are made equal, so ensuring you choose the right one is also important.
They are called supplements for a reason; they supplement. Therefore, you should have the main things checked before you start feeding yourself with pills and powder. Sleep being number one, followed by Nutrition.
Do your teen's lifestyle and training plan warrant supplementation? You will not get bigger or faster just by taking Creatine or any other supplement for that matter. I am not talking about football in the park with mates or throwing a few curls in after school in the home gym. I’m talking about a structured strength and conditioning program that is being monitored and controlled by someone who understands training principles.
Teens naturally grow, so taking a load of supplements, it’s hard to determine what is happening. If Sleep, Nutrition, and Training are not dialed in, it is not the growth from supplements. Let your teen go through the process of setting good habits. These will be more beneficial in the long run than any creatine or supplement, where it can be seen as an easy way or shortcut to "gains" when it never is and never will be!
There are hundreds of products on the market, with shiny bright labels, and many people telling your teens they should be taking it to be better. Instead, consider the above points, look at your teenager's long-term health, and save some money along the way!
Should my teen be taking Creatine? A question that has been asked to me recently, which lead me to dig a little deeper. When I posed the question back do you know what it is, the response has been mixed, which shows a lack of understanding of what Creatine is and what benefits the supplement brings.
Creatine is probably one of the most researched supplements, with countless studies amongst adults, athletes, and the general population. However, there is little research done and limited scientific evidence to assess the safety or effectiveness of Creatine in adolescents.
Your body makes Creatine by way of kidney and liver after you eat protein. Your muscle converts Creatine into creatine phosphate, which is then generated into adenosine triphosphate (ATC), which your body uses for explosive exercise. It increases the body’s ability to produce energy rapidly and helps fuel our muscles, which is why some people take it as a supplement to boost their performance in the gym.
So will taking Creatine make you bigger or a better rugby player? My honest opinion is no and certainly not on its own. There are many other considerations at play here, so before you let your teen loose in the pharmacy, consider the following points before you watch your money go down the toilet!
Firstly, educate yourself, like anything before you put it into your body. Consult a physician or expert. Some people need supplements due to deficiencies, which can be determined through testing. Not all supplements are made equal, so ensuring you choose the right one is also important.
They are called supplements for a reason; they supplement. Therefore, you should have the main things checked before you start feeding yourself with pills and powder. Sleep being number one, followed by Nutrition.
Do your teen's lifestyle and training plan warrant supplementation? You will not get bigger or faster just by taking Creatine or any other supplement for that matter. I am not talking about football in the park with mates or throwing a few curls in after school in the home gym. I’m talking about a structured strength and conditioning program that is being monitored and controlled by someone who understands training principles.
Teens naturally grow, so taking a load of supplements, it’s hard to determine what is happening. If Sleep, Nutrition, and Training are not dialed in, it is not the growth from supplements. Let your teen go through the process of setting good habits. These will be more beneficial in the long run than any creatine or supplement, where it can be seen as an easy way or shortcut to "gains" when it never is and never will be!
There are hundreds of products on the market, with shiny bright labels, and many people telling your teens they should be taking it to be better. Instead, consider the above points, look at your teenager's long-term health, and save some money along the way!
One-Hour Workout: Revving Your Swim Engine
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