[ekidd]

Creatine has the advantage of being well supported by science, and safe for most people.

But for a beginning lifter, I wouldn't bother. Early on, literally every single workout will bring you bigger gains than creatine will. Do your 3x5 or 5x5 sets, go back a few days later, add 5 pounds. Easy.

Creatine makes the most sense once you've been lifting for a few months, and once you've figured out your diet, and your progress is starting to slow. As I understand it, it's tweaking your intramuscular energy storage just enough to turn a 9 rep set into a 10 rep set. Which is a good deal once you've exhausted your newbie gains.

But it's not going to do much for someone who's exercising casually.

[RankingMember]

Agreed on all counts- those gains when you first start on a 3x5 or 5x5 are exhilarating and, short of making sure to eat enough, I wouldn't recommend anyone waste effort complicating that magical phase.