StackLab Blog

What the research says about creatine, pre-workout, protein and timing, plus how to run a clean self-experiment and trust your own numbers.

does creatine work

Does Creatine Actually Work?

Creatine monohydrate is the most studied sports supplement and reliably raises strength and training volume. Here is what to expect and how to test your own response.

Read the guide → June 9, 2026
creatine timing

Should You Take Creatine Before or After Your Workout?

Creatine timing barely matters next to daily consistency. Post-workout dosing has a small edge, but saturation from taking it every day is what drives results.

Read the guide → June 2, 2026
is pre-workout worth it

Is Pre-Workout Actually Worth It?

Only caffeine, citrulline and beta-alanine have strong evidence in pre-workout. Most tubs underdose the rest. Here is how to judge a label and test your own response.

Read the guide → May 26, 2026
how to test supplements

How Do You Test If a Supplement Actually Works?

Run a clean self-experiment: change one supplement, measure one objective outcome, control sleep and training, and compare averages across on and off blocks.

Read the guide → May 19, 2026
how much protein to build muscle

How Much Protein Do You Really Need to Build Muscle?

Aim for 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram daily. Gains plateau around 1.6, timing is hours wide, and whole food matches powder for building muscle.

Read the guide → May 12, 2026
creatine loading phase

Do You Need a Creatine Loading Phase?

Loading is optional. It saturates muscle in a week, but a steady 3 to 5 grams daily reaches the same point in three to four weeks with identical benefits.

Read the guide → May 5, 2026
sleep and gym performance

How Much Does Sleep Affect Your Gym Performance?

Sleep is the most powerful performance variable lifters ignore. One short night cuts strength and fakes or hides supplement effects. Fix sleep before chasing tubs.

Read the guide → April 28, 2026
supplements that actually work

Which Supplements Actually Work, According to the Evidence?

A short list of supplements clears the evidence bar: creatine, caffeine, protein, and for some athletes beta-alanine, citrulline and vitamin D. The rest is marketing.

Read the guide → April 21, 2026