Creatine or beta alanine?

[dbroncofan]

Heading into the off season I was thinking of trying this again...I say again because I have tried once, found every brand I used bloated me like crazy and I didn't find much benefit in it. However, it has been awhile and I am willing to try again.
I am also thinking of skipping the creatine and trying beta alanine instead.

Anyone out there that can give me reviews one vs. the other and anyone use a brand of creatine that didn't cause all the bloat and water retention?

[Mloveb]

I use both currently in the double T products I use. I take my beta alanine which I like and for about 2 weeks I wasn't stacking with Creatine. It worked well my lifts were great my vasulaity was up, but the NO beta also has niacin in it so I don't know if that was also part of that. Anyway starting stacking with their creadyl product which has the CEE in it and I didn't get alot of bloat from Creatine mono but with the CEE I don't get any. Although from what I have read Creatine mono is still supposed to be better.

You could also be a nonresponder to creatine. But I have read if you have a difficult time responding you can take 5 grams pre and 3-5 g post workout and have better luck however it will still bloat you. You can always try the Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE) and see if there is less bloat for you.

I do really like the beta alanine though. The type that I take the NO Beta by double T offers a free sample on bb.com

I take it as a stack in VPX Synthesize. I know Nitro products get mixed reviews in the world of body building, but I love it. Synthesize has creatine, beta, BCAAs and 20g of protein. I had great success with it this past off season. I would take it before and after training, cycling it every four weeks. So four weeks on, one week off.

[Alanis86]

I found creatine worked better for me as far as strength goes but the water retention stuff was an issue for sure.

[sneezingstardust]

BA doesn't make you retain water...a lot of people I know like it a lot better. I'm going to be getting some myself after xmas.

[mattsmom]

My preference is beta alanine.