What is creatine loading?

Creatine loading is where the subject takes a high dose of creatine for the initial few days which is then followed by a maintenance lower dose for a few weeks. Some studies have shown that this achieves a higher concentration of muscle CP then by simply taking a maintenance dose alone (Greenhaff, et al 1993). There are a number of loading regimens, but the following one seems to be optimal and most cost effective:
Loading phase: 10g per day, as 2 x 5g servings for 5 days
5g per day, for 5 days
3g per day, for 7 days.
Maintenance phase: 2g per day, for 5 weeks.