Loading phase

Articles tagged with "loading phase" cover short-term supplement dosing strategies—most commonly creatine—designed to rapidly saturate muscle stores and speed up performance benefits. Learn when a loading phase is useful, how to dose it safely, and how it compares to a steady daily maintenance approach for strength, size, and recovery.

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Creatine weight gain: What’s normal, what’s not, and how to stay in control

Creatine weight gain: What’s normal, what’s not, and how to stay in control

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS avatar
Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert
Dec 11, 2025 · 10 min read

Creatine commonly increases scale weight by about 2 to 4.5 lb in the first week, mostly from osmotic water being pulled into muscle as creatine stores rise (especially with a loading phase). Learn how to tell normal water shifts from true fat gain and how to track performance and body composition so weigh-ins don’t catch ...

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