Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine Review (2024)

Who and What is Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine for?

As one of the most extensively researched supplements in the world with proven performance benefits, different types of creatine are commonly added to pre-workout powders or taken as a stand-alone supplement. 

Whilst creatine is naturally produced in the body and comes from certain foods such as red meat, eggs, and seafood, this isn’t enough to fully saturate your body’s phosphocreatine stores.

In skeletal muscle, creatine plays a primary role in energy production and strength during high-intensity exercise. Studies looking at creatine usage have found improvements in muscle size, power output, and cognition in older populations.  

With the Cellucor COR-Performance creatine containing 5 grams of micronized monohydrate, it’s well-suited for:

• The general population looking to improve health 
• Older people who want to improve their cognition (possibly but more research is needed)
• Those in a calorie surplus who are looking to maintain muscle mass 
• Endurance athletes wanting to improve their anaerobic performance 
• Powerlifters looking to improve their strength levels
• Bodybuilders looking for improvements in muscle mass
• Any of the above populations looking for improvements in recovery time 

Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine Review

Below we’ve done one of the most detailed Cellucor creatine reviews you’ll find online, focusing on the key points to consider when deciding if this product is for you. 

1. Overall Macronutrient Breakdown

The COR-Performance creatine contains only creatine monohydrate - that’s it! No added ingredients, sweeteners, or stimulants commonly found in other creatine products. 

Even with one ingredient, this doesn’t mean to say the COR-performance creatine isn’t worth it. Creatine monohydrate is the most widely researched and effective form of creatine as it is most similar to the creatine naturally produced by the body.

The 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving is in line with the maximum amount suggested for both the loading and maintenance dosing strategies. 

2. Supplement Facts

As the COR-Performance creatine consists of pure monohydrate, most of this section should be self-explanatory. 

Each serving contains zero calories, zero sugar, no gluten, and no sweeteners or flavorings. This makes it vegan-friendly and suitable for those who are looking for a pure source of creatine without other added ingredients. 

The 72-tub serving size provides a 10-week supply which is pretty good as far as supplements go. 

3. Nutrition Label Transparency

The nutrition label is well organized, with a table showing the amount and each type of ingredient (in this case only monohydrate). 

Alongside the amount of servings and flavor, the label states that the ingredients have been produced in the USA. Whilst the COR-Performance hasn’t been third-party tested, it’s made in a GMP-compliant facility which means it needs to adhere to certain regulations set by the American FDA. 

Whilst this doesn’t ensure it’s free from banned substances, it does guarantee better ingredient purity and end quality.

4. Solubility

One of the main selling points of the Cellucor COR-Performance creatine is that it’s been micronized which reduces the molecular size and improves bioavailability.

In reality, this does improve digestion and mixability but gives the powder more of a powdery texture meaning more care needs to be taken when mixing before it dissolves completely. One thing to note is that a lot of reviews mention a slightly chalky aftertaste which should be considered when deciding what to mix it with. 

Overall, the micronization process is a big plus of the Cellucor COR-Performance creatine and is something to think about when choosing between that and other products. 

5. Value for Money

At the time of writing, each 5-gram serving costs just $0.42. When choosing the subscribe and save option, this knocks off 30% which reduces the price per serving to a mere $0.29. 

For a good dosage of a scientifically backed ingredient with proven performance benefits, this gives you excellent value for money whichever option you choose. If you’re looking for an affordable creatine monohydrate supplement that lasts for 10 weeks, the Cellucor COR-Performance is an excellent option. 

6. Overall Opinion 

The Cellucor COR-performance Creatine Monohydrate offers a pure form of micronized creatine without any added ingredients or flavors. It’s a no-nonsense supplement that comes in a decent tub size and offers excellent value for money. 

Future product formulations could focus on better third-party testing and more tub size options to further improve the COR-Performance range. 

How do you use Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine?

The effects of creatine supplementation are accumulative, meaning that our bodies' phosphocreatine stores progressively build up with ingestion until fully saturated. After this point, a certain maintenance dose is needed to keep the stores topped up.

Different dosing methods can be used to achieve the same result. The most suitable method depends on individual preference and how quickly you want to fully saturate your phosphocreatine stores. Alongside this, the timing of supplementation doesn’t matter, with more emphasis on maintaining a regular daily intake rather than a specific time.

The two main dosing methods are as follows: 

1. Loading + Maintenance phases 

• Consume 20 grams split into 4x 5-gram doses for five days 
• Following the loading period, continue taking 3-5 grams daily for as long as desired 

2. Maintenance phase 

• Consume 3-5 grams daily starting from the beginning of the supplementation period for as long as desired 

In the loading phase, the dosage is split up to limit potential gastrointestinal issues that may arise in some individuals. Regardless of gender, age, and training status, the dosing profile should stay the same according to the two methods described above. For younger and older populations, consult with a healthcare professional first to assess individual suitability. 

Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine Alternatives

1. Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine vs Promix

Both supplements contain 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate per serving with no added ingredients, no calories, and no sugar. Both supplements come in an unflavored version with no artificial sweeteners used.

The Promix Micronized Creatine Monohydrate comes in two sizes, offering a smaller 30-serving tub and a large 180-serving tub giving you a six-month creatine supply. Both products offer good value for money, with a subscribe and save option giving you 10% off each purchase. 

2. Cellucor COR-Performance Creatine vs Optimum Nutrition

Both supplements are designed to increase strength and promote increases in muscle mass, with 5 grams of micronized creatine in each serving. Both offer a pure form of creatine with no added ingredients, zero calories, and no artificial sweeteners.

Whilst Cellucor offers a 72-serving powder-based tub, the Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine is available in 60 to 400-serving sizes and as a powder or capsule-based formulation. The Optimum Nutrition creatine has also been banned substance tested making it suitable for sports performance athletes.

FAQ

What Is Cellucor Cor-Performance Good For?

The Cellucor COR-Performance creatine contains 5 grams of creatine monohydrate which has a huge body of scientific evidence linking long-term intake to improved strength and performance, better recovery, and improved cognition (this still needs more scientific evidence). 

This makes the Cellucor COR-Performance creatine good for any level of athlete looking to improve aspects of their physical performance during sports  

Does Brand Matter When It Comes to Creatine?

Whilst you don’t necessarily need to buy creatine from a fancy or well-known brand, variations in quality, product formulation, and third-party testing exist between different brands.

For these reasons, it’s important to read the label carefully when choosing a suitable brand for your sporting goals or requirements. 

Conclusion

Whatever your health and fitness goals are, creatine should be one of the first staples in your gym bag. The micronized creatine Monohydrate used in the Cellucor COR-Performance range offers great bioavailability and is the most researched creatine form with proven performance benefits. 

With no added ingredients and a large unflavored tub that offers excellent value for money, the Cellucor COR-Performance is well worth purchasing in our opinion. It hits the mark nicely when compared to other creatine options on the market but should look to get third-party testing for future formulations.

Have you tried the COR-Performance creatine before? Has it made a difference to your training and performance? Share your experiences in the comments section below! 

Also read:

• C4 Ultimate Pre Workout Review
• Cellucor NO3 Chrome Review
• Xtend Pro Whey Isolate Protein Powder Review
• Are Protein Bars Good for You

References:

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7. Alireza Naderi, Erick P. de Oliveira, Tim N. Ziegenfuss, Mark T. Willems, “Timing, Optimal Dose and Intake Duration of Dietary Supplements with Evidence-Based Use in Sports Nutrition,” Journal of Exercise and Nutritional Biochemistry 20, no.4 (2016):1-12. doi:10.20463/jenb.2016.0031