I've started working out again, been going at it for a few months now. Not lifting super heavy weights yet, trying to gain weight. Is creatine a good idea? Anything to watch it for, as far as brands, side effects, etc? I've been trying to read up on it, it sounds pretty safe but I'm new to all this stuff.
I've been using creatine for about half a decade of program lifting with no negative side effects. There's apparently internet rumors that it leads to baldness, but I have a mane of hair that goes down to my mid back and I'm middle aged.
Like others have said, it's overall good. But I do agree that at your stage you probably don't need it. Get your routine right, eat plenty of protein and get a good amount of rest. Once you hit some sort of goal, like the thousand pound club or something, you can look at creatine. The only other supplements I'd suggest for lifting are caffeine and vitamin D. Everything else is about as scammy as it seems in my opinion.