Will Creatine Make You Gain Weight?
In this short YouTube monologue, JJ Virgin answers a viewer’s question about whether creatine causes weight gain. She outlines a gradual dosing protocol for creatine monohydrate—starting around 1 g per day, increasing to 2 g, then 3 g, and ultimately aiming for 3–5 g daily depending on body size. She recommends splitting the dose across the day and often timing it around workouts, citing emerging research that this may be more effective. Virgin explains that any weight increase from creatine is typically due to water being retained inside muscle cells, which is beneficial and distinct from fat gain. She stresses the importance of tracking body‑composition (fat vs. lean mass) rather than just scale weight to see true progress. Finally, she notes that the extra water and creatine can improve workout intensity, recovery, and muscle growth, making the modest weight gain a positive side‑effect of enhanced performance.
