You’re standing in the supplement aisle, holding yet another tub of creatine powder, wondering if this time will be different.

The last three brands left you bloated, nauseous, or abandoning the routine after two weeks of chalky, gritty shakes.

Sound familiar?

If you’re like most runners I know, you’ve probably tried creatine at least once – maybe after hearing about it on a podcast or your training partner raving about the benefits.

But somewhere between the stomach cramps, the awful taste, and the daily hassle of mixing powder, you quietly gave up.

Here’s what might surprise you: the problem isn’t creatine itself. It’s that most supplements are formulated for bodybuilders, not endurance athletes.

In this article, you’ll discover:

• Why traditional creatine powders cause GI distress (and the formulation fix that eliminates it)
• How delivery method determines whether you’ll stick with supplementation long-term
• The truth about creatine types—and why paying more doesn’t always mean better results
• What to look for in a runner-specific creatine supplement

Avoid Stomach Issues With a Better Formula

You mix your creatine with water, choke it down, then spend the next two hours dealing with bloating and stomach discomfort.

You’re not alone and it’s a reason many runners stop using creatine all together.

But, the problem isn’t creatine itself. Rather, it’s the way many low-quality creatine supplements are formulated.

You see, a lot of cheaper creatine powders use a larger particle size to save money during the manufacturing process.

These large, irregular particles don’t dissolve completely, creating an osmotic effect that draws water into your intestines.

This leads to bloating, cramping, and the urgent bathroom visits that make you question whether the benefits are worth it.

Luckily, there is a solution that addresses the root cause of GI distress.

Research shows that particle size and delivery method significantly impact creatine absorption and tolerance.

That’s why we formulated our MAS creatine gummies with micronized creatine, which is a 100% soluble type of creatine with superior bioavailability.

That means they are specifically formulated to be absorbed quickly so it’s gentle on the stomach, eliminates water retention, and doesn’t give you the bloated feeling you may have experienced with traditional creatine powders.

Plus, unlike a lot of gummies on the market, our creatine gummies contain no fillers or unnecessary additives.

What that means for you is that you get a pure, fast-acting creatine that fuels your muscles, enhances your performance and helps you recover every time you train.

Skip the Grainy, Inconvenient Powders

You start strong with your creatine routine, but within two weeks you’re skipping doses because you dread that chalky, grainy taste.

Unfortunately, poor taste is only part of the problem.

Whenever you have to add a supplement to water and mix, it drops convenience off the map.

If it’s unflavored, you really don’t want to take it alone. But, if it is flavored then you can’t mix it with anything else and it becomes another mix you have to gulp down.

Here’s the thing most supplement companies ignore: compliance determines results more than potency, especially when it comes to creatine.

Research shows that creatine works best when your muscles are fully saturated, which means being consistent with your intake.

If you can’t stick with taking it consistently, the perfect formulation becomes worthless.

The question remains: how do you get creatine’s benefits without the daily struggle?

And, once again, some ground-breaking innovation seems to have found a solution: gummies.

Gummies eliminate every taste and convenience issue runners have with traditional creatine powders: no mixing, no measuring, no cleanup, and actually pleasant taste.

MAS Edge Gummies turn creatine supplementation into a 10-second routine that you don’t want to miss and a routine you can do anywhere, anytime, without water or equipment.

Make Traveling with Creatine Easier

You travel for races or work trips, but bringing powder supplements creates airport security hassles and hotel room mixing logistics.

If you’ve ever tried to take powders like creatine, protein or electrolyte mixes through airport security or find ways to mix them without the right bottle, then you know the struggle.

As I mentioned earlier, staying consistent with creatine to keep your muscles saturated is an important part to how effective creatine is.

Missing a day or two isn’t a big deal, but if you miss a week or two for a work trip or vacation or you’re only able to take a few days per week, you aren’t maximizing its effectiveness.

That’s why gummies are so much better for travel and convenience.  No liquids to declare, no mixing equipment needed, and no concerns about powder substances.

Avoid the Confusion and Pricey Marketing Ploys

If you’ve done your research on creatine, then you may have seen influencers touting “cutting-edge” versions of creatine, such as creatine HCL and buffered creatine.

These forms of creatine promise “better absorption” or “no loading phase” and have you wondering if you should pay extra for these premium forms.

Unfortunately, like many marketing claims, these “improved” versions of creatine are just ways companies can try to charge more money for the same (and sometimes inferior) product.

And, in this case, there’s actually research to prove it.

A systematic review of a total of 175 creatine supplements found that “approximately 88% of alternative forms of creatine were classified as having limited to no evidence to support bioavailability, efficacy, and safety” compared to basic creatine monohydrate.

Specifically…

Creatine Monohydrate vs. HCL: Research shows no significant difference in absorption or effectiveness between forms when dosing is equivalent. The HCL marketing focuses on smaller serving sizes, but you’re paying significantly more per gram of actual creatine.

Creatine Monohydrate vs. Buffered: Studies indicate buffered forms don’t eliminate the need for consistent dosing or provide superior muscle uptake compared to standard monohydrate.

Regardless of what the latest influencer might say, creatine monohydrate is the most studied form of creatine with over 500 peer-reviewed studies supporting its effectiveness.

The research clearly shows that alternative forms like HCL and buffered creatine have minimal research backing their claimed advantages.

The practical takeaway: save your money and stick with creatine monohydrate.

A Creatine Developed Specifically for Endurance Athletes

Unfortunately, most creatine supplements are designed for bodybuilders who prioritize maximum doses and don’t mind inconvenience or stomach issues.

Runners have different priorities: digestive tolerance, consistent dosing, and convenience that fits into busy training schedules.

The research supports 3-5g daily for endurance athletes—exactly what you get in two MAS Edge gummies.

Unfortunately, the supplement industry hasn’t caught up to what endurance athletes actually need.

Even more problematically, most companies continue producing the same powder formulations that have caused problems for decades.

The question remains: what should you look for in a creatine supplement designed for runners?

Your Creatine Selection Checklist

Based on the research and real-world runner experiences, here’s what to prioritize:

1. Delivery Method: Gummies or other pre-dissolved forms eliminate mixing hassles and improve absorption consistency.

2. Creatine Type: Stick with monohydrate—it’s the most researched and cost-effective form available.

3. Dosing: Look for 5g per serving, which provides optimal benefits for endurance athletes without excess.

4. Third-Party Testing: Ensure purity and potency with independently verified products.

5. Runner-Focused Formulation: Choose brands that understand endurance athlete needs rather than bodybuilding priorities.

I highly recommend MAS Edge Creatine Gummies because they check every box on this list. To my knowledge, it’s the only creatine supplement specifically formulated to solve the problems that cause runners to quit traditional powders.

Their strawberry gummies deliver 5g of pure creatine monohydrate per serving without the taste, mixing, or digestive issues that derail most supplementation attempts.

The Bottom Line for Runners

Most creatine supplements fail runners because they’re designed for the wrong audience with the wrong priorities.

Bodybuilders don’t mind chalky powders, daily mixing routines, or mild GI distress if it means getting maximum doses.

Runners need convenience, digestive tolerance, and consistent results that support training rather than disrupting it.

The solution isn’t avoiding creatine—it’s choosing the right formulation. Research supports creatine’s benefits for endurance athletes, but only if you can actually stick with taking it consistently [8].

With the right approach—proper delivery method, proven creatine type, and runner-focused formulation—creatine becomes a simple addition to your routine rather than a daily struggle.

The question isn’t whether creatine works for runners. The question is whether you’re using a supplement designed for your needs rather than someone else’s.