Randy Hodge

Virginia High School athletics trainer Randy Hodge is worried that many football players will look at creatine as a shortcut to success.

"I do not push creatine or any other artificial muscle building substance," said Hodge, who has worked at VHS for 12 years."I stress good nutrition and the weight room, period.A lot of times that stuff is a big money thing; that's what it really boils down to.If you look at the stuff, you still have to lift weights.It's not going to happen over night.It requires a lot of hard work.Back in the old days, people didn't have this stuff."
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"If a kid lifts weights and works hard, they're going to gain the muscle and endurance of some of the better athletes," Hodge said."They're showing the efforts on the field.I personally don't recommend any of those supplements.I know some schools in the area that do push their kids to take creatine.I'm not going push creatine.It's not necessary."

Maybe, maybe not.
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But Hodge does raise an interesting point when talking about a possible long-term side effect that has yet to be fully tested due to creatine's youthful age on the market.

"I don't know if a lot of people know this, but your body makes creatine," Hodge said."If you take creatine and are getting an overload of creatine, what if your body all of a sudden says it doesn't need to make creatine any more?If you quit taking it, you could be asking for health problems."

Hodge isn't alone in his beliefs.Many area football coaches prefer their athletes to work hard in the weight room and eat a balanced and nutritious diet.

Randy HodgeAthletic Trainer

Coach Hodge has served as Virginia High School's head trainer since 1990.He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a B.S. degree in physical education with emphasis in athletic training.He has experience on the high school, college, and professional levels.