bigger armsAug 11, 20222 min read

5 Ways to increase muscle mass

What is Creatine?

Creatine is one of the most well-researched and effective supplements for increasing strength, muscle mass, and performance. It is a naturally occurring compound found in small amounts in foods like red meat and fish. However, supplementation ensures your muscles have a readily available energy source to power through high-intensity workouts.

The Gold Standard: Creatine Monohydrate

What is Creatine Monohydrate?

Creatine Monohydrate is the most widely used and studied form of creatine. It has been proven to increase muscle mass, improve exercise performance, and support cognitive function.

Benefits of Creatine Monohydrate:

Proven Effectiveness – Backed by hundreds of scientific studies.

Cost-Effective – Most affordable form of creatine.

Highly Bioavailable – Easily absorbed by the body.

Muscle Hydration – Helps pull water into muscle cells for a fuller look.

ATP Production – Enhances energy output during intense training.

Creatine HCL: A Newer Alternative

What is Creatine HCL?

Creatine Hydrochloride (Creatine HCL) is a more recent form of creatine that binds the molecule to hydrochloric acid. This formulation claims to offer better solubility and absorption compared to monohydrate.

Benefits of Creatine HCL:

Increased Solubility – Dissolves more easily in water.
Reduced Bloating – Some users report less water retention compared to monohydrate.
Smaller Doses Required – Due to enhanced absorption, lower doses may be effective.

Creatine Monohydrate vs. Creatine HCL: Which One Should You Choose?

Effectiveness

Both forms support strength and performance, but Creatine Monohydrate has decades of research backing its effectiveness, while HCL has limited studies in comparison.

Cost Comparison

Creatine Monohydrate is significantly cheaper and available in larger quantities, making it the better option for budget-conscious consumers.

Dosage

Creatine Monohydrate: Standard dose is 3-5g per day.

Creatine HCL: Due to better solubility, a smaller dose of 1-2g per day is typically recommended.

Which One is Right for You?

If you want the most researched and cost-effective option → Go with Creatine Monohydrate.

If you have digestive issues with monohydrate → Try Creatine HCL.

If budget is a concern → Creatine Monohydrate is the better value.

Final Verdict

Creatine Monohydrate remains the gold standard due to its overwhelming scientific support, affordability, and effectiveness. While Creatine HCL may offer benefits for those with digestive sensitivities, it lacks the extensive research backing monohydrate.

Where to Buy High-Quality Creatine

When choosing a creatine supplement, opt for 100% pure, lab-tested Creatine Monohydrate from a trusted brand. Look for third-party testing certifications to ensure quality and purity.

Related Articles:

Best Time to Take Creatine for Maximum Absorption

FAQ

1. Does Creatine Cause Water Retention? Yes, but primarily inside muscle cells, which enhances muscle fullness and strength.

2. Can I Mix Creatine with Protein? Yes! Creatine and protein work synergistically to support muscle growth.

3. Should I Cycle Creatine? No, cycling is unnecessary as long as you take the recommended daily dose.

4. Is Creatine Safe? Yes, extensive research confirms creatine is safe for long-term use.

By incorporating Creatine Monohydrate into your routine, you’ll experience enhanced performance, faster recovery, and improved strength—all without breaking the bank!

-Jon Klipstein

"Before launching our Creatine products, I had the same questions as we went back and forth on what would be the best source of Creatine to offer our customer base. After lengthy R&D, plus internal research we made a decision based on what we felt would be best for our users. This blog is the high level overview of our findings."

Featured product

uxo supplements

Micronized Creatine Monohydrate

Top Seller

$28.99

(5.0)

Size: 100 serving

100 serving

Flavor: Healing Potion

Healing Potion Unflavored

Pickup available at 11880 W. President Dr. Suite D

Usually ready in 24 hours

PRODUCT DETAILS

Weight 1.2 lbs.	100 servings per container
Micronized for better absorption	Increased muscle and strength
unflavored and flavored options	improved recovery
5g per serving	could support brain health

How do you choose the right Creatine Monohydrate?

1: While Creatine Monohydrate is the most popular version, there are differences in Creatine Monohydrate. If you are worried about stomach sensitivity, we recommend taking a Micronized Creatine Monohydrate. Micronized meaning it has been broken down into smaller particles to improve solubility.

2: Is 3rd Party testing important to you? Are you a drug tested athlete, or concerned about cross contaminents making their way into your products? The only way to ensure you are getting exactly what is on the label, without any traces of potential banned ingredients is to choose a product that is 3rd party tested.

3: How do you want to take your creatine? Stack it with your preworkout or EAAs? Then a non-flavored one would be a great opton. If you want to take Creatine by itself, we recommend a flavored version.

Video

Did you know you can now get Flavored Creatine through UXO Supplements?

With the increased popularity and ever evolving studies on the benefits of Creatine, we decided to give you options. With the unflavored version, you need to be able to mix it with something to mask the bitterness of the raw ingredient. Now you can take Creatine by itself with one of our flavored versions. More will be coming as we continue to grow.

Creatine Monohydrate Pros and Cons

PROS	CONS
Value for the money	Not as soluble as HCL
Way more supporting studies	Causes GI Distress with a small % of population
Recommended by most industry experts

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When it comes to bulking up and adding lean muscle mass, there are many different opinions on how to do it. Some people swear by bodybuilding programs, while others prefer lifting heavy weights. However, the truth is that there isn't necessarily one right way to achieve your goals. In this blog post, we will take a look at five of the top ways for increasing lean muscle mass in the gym!

If you're looking to add lean muscle mass, one of the most important things you can do is make sure that you are eating enough protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, so it's important to make sure that you are getting enough in your diet. A good rule of thumb is to consume 0.73-0.91 grams of protein per pound of body weight per day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should be consuming 130-160 grams of protein each day.

Lifting proper weights. When it comes to lifting weights, heavier is not always better. Instead, focus on lifting weights that are challenging for you, but that you can still complete all of the reps with good form. This will help to ensure that your muscles are being challenged and are growing stronger.

Mind muscle connection. This is the connection between your mind and your muscles, and it's important to focus on this connection when you're lifting weights. Make sure that you are focusing on the muscles that you are working and really feeling the contraction in your muscles as you lift. This will help to ensure that your muscles are getting the most out of each rep.

Get ample sleep. Sleep is when our bodies repair and rebuild muscle tissue, so it's essential to get plenty of rest if you want to see results from your lifting program. Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night, so make sure you're getting enough!

Finally, another great way to increase lean muscle mass is by supplementing with creatine. Creatine has been shown to promote muscle growth and can help you to lift heavier weights in the gym. If you're looking to add some lean muscle mass, creatine is a great option!

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