Authored by Andy Chasse’ in Exercise 
Published on 08-28-2009

Are you an avid weightlifter looking to pack on some quality muscle mass? I’m sure thousands of you will answer with a resounding “yes” to that one. Although all gym goers have a variety of different goals and aspirations, the typical person lifting weights is looking to either pack on the pounds or drop some fat. For those looking to add quality mass to their frames, there are a number of important supplements to consider. One of the most important of these supplements is creatine.

What exactly is creatine? Well, it’s a naturally occurring organic chemical found in the human body. Creatine has been proven to have a major effect on the building of muscle. Unfortunately, the human body only produces creatine in very small amounts. Creatine may also be found in a few different foods. Some of these creatine-containing foods are red meats and fish. As with the human body, however, the amount of creatine that these foods hold is miniscule. Because creatine has such a profoundly positive effect on the body, a supplement form was created years and years ago.

The first type of creatine was the monohydrate form. This particular type of creatine came with a couple of nasty side effects, one of which being a rather unpleasant bloated look. Over the years, creatine has been modified and refined. In the present day, creatine ethyl ester is most weightlifter’s choice of supplementation. Although creatine ethyl ester is a bit more expensive than creatine monohydrate, the benefits seem to outweigh the somewhat steep price increase.

With the background information out of the way, let’s get right down to the debate. Creatine may be purchased in two different forms – pills and powder. Although it may seem like a minor issue, one of the recent debates in the fitness world revolves around these two options. Let’s look a little further into the creatine pills vs. powder problem, analyzing the benefits and disadvantages of both.

• Creatine in the pill form. Obviously, taking creatine in the form of a pill is much more convenient. Taking a pill requires no more than a small glass of water and a quick toss and swallow. This eliminates the need to mix up a chunky powder with various liquids and fruits or whatever makes up your shakes. For the busy working folks out there, this is a great advantage. We all know that convenience often comes along with a hefty cost – creatine isn’t free of this issue. The cost of creatine in the pill form is often a little more expensive than the powder form. The price isn’t outrageous by any means, but not consider this price difference before making a decision.
• Creatine in the powder form. If convenience isn’t all that important to you, consider purchasing the powder form of creatine. It’s definitely a good deal cheaper when compared to the pill form, but it takes at least a few minutes to prepare. If you are the type who enjoys making a quality shake with a great taste, stick to creatine powder. Creatine pills are obviously tasteless, while creatine powder usually provides a very tasty experience.

There is no clear winner in the creatine pills vs. powder debate. Both are absorbed equally and both have their benefits and drawbacks.