*This post is sponsored by Naked Nutrition*

Weight lifting has been a constant in my training routine for well over a decade, but I’ve only dabbled in the world of supplements over the last 5 years or so.

After being in the slumps of an eight-year plateau with minimal progress in both strength and muscle mass, I began searching for ways to break through it. Along with revamping my training split, diversifying my exercise selection, and increasing my volume and intensity, I experimented with various supplements: pre-workout formulas, BCAAs, and glutamine—forking out a lot of money for supplements that sadly, didn’t really yield much return.

At the same time, I started taking creatine monohydrate—a well researched and safe supplement. Unlike the other supplements I tried, creatine played a significant role in my ability to build and maintain muscle mass. There are many myths surrounding creatine’s side effects like water retention, upset stomach, cramps, kidney issues, etc., but after five years of consistent use, I’ve never personally experienced any adverse effects. Extensive research also supports that creatine is safe if taken in the recommended doses.

So….what is creatine exactly?

Creatine is a naturally occurring substance produced in our bodies, primarily stored in our muscles and brain. It’s one of the most researched supplements in sports nutrition, proven to support muscle growth, improve strength during resistance training, delay fatigue, and boost overall energy. Countless studies have shown that when combined with an optimized training program, creatine can enhance both strength and lean body mass.

The supplement is also relatively affordable, usually ranging from $20-40 CAD for a 2-3 month supply taken daily.

When supplementing with creatine, there’s typically a “loading phase” that lasts about five to seven days. During this phase, you consume higher doses (around 20g per day) to rapidly increase your muscle creatine stores. Afterward, you move to a “maintenance phase,” typically taking around 5–10g per day to sustain those levels.

Given that creatine has been recognized in the scientific literature as a safe and effective supplement, I feel comfortable using it daily to support my training.

While the benefits are evident, there’s one major downside to creatine monohydrate powder: the taste. Although I’ve always opted for pharmaceutical-grade creatine in powder form, the taste is, well, not-so-great, and it tends to clump when mixed with water, making it a pretty unpleasant experience.

When Naked Nutrition reached out asking if I’d like to try their new strawberry-flavored creatine monohydrate powder, my immediate response was, “hell yes!” One of my biggest gripes with creatine is the taste so the flavoured version sounded like a dream.

Naked Flavoured Creatine Monohydrate Review

When I received Naked’s creatine powder via mail, the first thing I noticed was the sleek and sexy packaging. The second thing I noticed was the service size. With my usual creatine, one scoop equals 5g, which is the standard daily serving. However, with Naked Creatine, the serving size is two scoops (11g), which still totals the same 5g of creatine. There are also a few extra calories in Naked Creatine—20 calories per two scoops, with 1g of sugar, but that didn’t bother me at all.

Taste & Consistency

I started my taste test with one scoop mixed with water in a small glass, and BAM! That flavor packs a punch.

While I admittedly didn’t really taste the strawberry (I got more nodes of fruit punch), it was still delicious–and 1000% more enjoyable than the flavourless form I was so accustomed to drinking. My partner, who had never taken any supplements before, also tried it and was instantly hooked.

There was a bit of clumping in the small glass I poured, but that was likely due to the powder-to-water ratio being too high. Naked recommends blending the two scoops into 14-16oz of your favorite sports drink or beverage of choice. Personally, I prefer mixing it with water to keep things simple.

To prevent clumping, I recommend adding the creatine to a shaker bottle with a bit of warm water first, stir it with a spoon, and then top it off with cold water, and shake. This method has worked best for me, resulting in a smoother drinking experience sans clumps.

Timing

There’s some debate about the optimal time to take creatine, but most of the literature I read suggests taking it either before or after exercise to optimize the benefits. 

One study showed that ingesting creatine post-workout was more beneficial to strength and body composition, while other studies didn’t see much of a difference. Naked recommends taking their creatine powder either before or after exercise, with an additional suggestion to take it consistently each day for best results.

Personally, I prefer to take creatine during or after my workout. I’m not much of a breakfast person and often train fasted, so the Naked’s Strawberry Creatine Monohydrate Powder fills my tummy and gives me a boost in energy to train with enough intensity to optimize training adaptations. 

My Overall Thoughts

I’ve been using Naked Nutrition’s Strawberry Creatine for about a month now, and there’s no going back to the flavourless stuff. 

I love that it contains no additives, and I’ve definitely noticed a boost in my energy levels during training. I like to sip my creatine mixture between sets which gives me a little boost (and treat!) while I work out. I usually train at the same time each day and aim to drink it consistently, but some days I don’t. Anecdotally, I’ve still experienced benefits from regular creatine use, even when it’s not taken at the same time every day.

If you’re a regular creatine user and have suffered through that awful flavorless powder, once you get a taste of the good life (flavored creatine), it’s hard, if not impossible to go back to the plain version. But, hey, maybe that’s just me. 

If strawberry isn’t really your jam, Naked also offers their Creatine Monohydrate Powder in orange and lemon lime flavours.

Overall, I’d rate this product a 9/10 for taste and 10/10 for delivering on its promised benefits: increased energy in your during training, which helps you reach your body composition goals faster.

Where to Buy

You can grab a 500g container of Strawberry Creatine at nakednutrition.com for $30 USD / $42 CAD. While the Naked price point is a bit higher than standard creatine, the enhanced taste and quality of ingredients make it worth the investment. Plus, Naked Nutrition is currently offering a 15% discount, so now’s the perfect time to hop on it!

You can also buy on Amazon for the same price point.