Timing

• The big argument for the liquid form of creatine (or serum) is that it is absorbed immediately. It takes more than an hour for the powdered form to be processed and absorbed. While this sounds like a huge benefit, it is not entirely true. No supplements are fully absorbed instantly for the body to begin getting benefits. The serum may well be ready for the body to use a little bit sooner than the powdered form, but studies cannot seem to reveal exactly how much faster. It is not instantly, though.
  
  

Convenience

• This is one area where the creatine serum does shine. There is no mixing, stirring or sloshing necessary and no valuable residue left at the bottom of your cup. Creatine serum is literally a "grab and go" type of supplement where the creatine powder can pose a bit of an inconvenience due to the fact that it has to be measured and mixed before consumed.
  
  

Side Effects

• Powdered creatine has a few less-than-pleasant potential side effects. These side effects, however, are not necessarily experienced by all users but have been experienced by enough so that the side effects are widely known. Two of the more common side effects associated with powdered creatine are water retention and bloating. The bloating does not always last for extended periods, but it can last long enough to hamper the user's workout and could, in turn, have an effect on achieving the desired results. Water retention will not necessarily have a direct effect on the workout, but it can have an effect on the visibility of the results achieved. Neither bloating or water retention seem to be a problem when it comes to the use of creatine serum.
  
  

Price

• Individual brands, of which there are many, will all vary in price a bit but as a whole the creatine serum is more expensive than creatine powdered. The price could be relative to the product's time on the market. When powdered creatine was first introduced, it was much more expensive than it is today. In a few years as processing continues to improve, we may see the price of creatine serum come down much like it did with the powdered creatine.
  
  

Warning

• Many supplement manufacturers will tell you what you want to hear to get you to buy the product. The truth is that arguments could be made for both the powdered and the serum forms of creatine. The powdered form is more economical, while the serum is more convenient. When used properly and in conjunction with a sound fitness plan, both forms will yield positive results.