Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below
article about Flex Wheeler
- Thread starter Sigmund Roid
- Start date
L
lartinos
Guest
Good read, the last line about living a lie is a bit too ambiguous though.
FlexManning
New member
I just read this article in Google/News and came back here and found it had been posted already.
The thing to notice here though- the giant elephant standing in the field- is the fact that we have A) a guy who admits he heavily used diuretics + B) a guy who apparently had a genetic disposition to kidney problems + C) a guy who was probably a heavy recreational drug user + D) a guy on crazy diets- he even mentions stuff like taking loads of potassium, I guess to offset diuretic effects + E) a guy who probably taking all kinds of weird stuff.
The long and short of it is he's blaming the kidney problem on what amounts to too much testosterone, when I seriously doubt that was the problem. Now, if a guy had taken tons of orals and came up with liver problems I could see that. But I'd say in his case the steroids were the least of his problems (although I understood he was on basically EVERY day). I guess what I'm trying to say is that if a guy actually took steroids in a reasonable way kidney problems would be unlikely. That may sound like a flimsy excuse, but hell, wasn't Wheeler rumored to have kidney problems BEFORE he supposedy went natural?
I'd say this ought to simply serve as another reminder that guys ought to cycle off frequently and try to stay under a gram per week and as low as 400 mg if they can stand it, even lower if they can still get results. The drugs ought to actually serve sort of a medical purpose- if you train hard enough that it would lower your testosterone, you ought to be able to place your testosterone level comfortably above normal.
The thing to notice here though- the giant elephant standing in the field- is the fact that we have A) a guy who admits he heavily used diuretics + B) a guy who apparently had a genetic disposition to kidney problems + C) a guy who was probably a heavy recreational drug user + D) a guy on crazy diets- he even mentions stuff like taking loads of potassium, I guess to offset diuretic effects + E) a guy who probably taking all kinds of weird stuff.
The long and short of it is he's blaming the kidney problem on what amounts to too much testosterone, when I seriously doubt that was the problem. Now, if a guy had taken tons of orals and came up with liver problems I could see that. But I'd say in his case the steroids were the least of his problems (although I understood he was on basically EVERY day). I guess what I'm trying to say is that if a guy actually took steroids in a reasonable way kidney problems would be unlikely. That may sound like a flimsy excuse, but hell, wasn't Wheeler rumored to have kidney problems BEFORE he supposedy went natural?
I'd say this ought to simply serve as another reminder that guys ought to cycle off frequently and try to stay under a gram per week and as low as 400 mg if they can stand it, even lower if they can still get results. The drugs ought to actually serve sort of a medical purpose- if you train hard enough that it would lower your testosterone, you ought to be able to place your testosterone level comfortably above normal.
FlexManning said:
I disagree. Sure, cycle off, get your bloodwork done, etc. But when on cycle, there is no need to try and stay under a gram a week. If the cycle is handled responsibly and PC recovery is done right, I think it is find to go all out. If you are going to risk using such a substance, and stick a bunch of needles in you body, it sure as heck better yield some good results. 400mg of test is not likely to do that. Heck, I was doing more that that on my first real cycle.
mlong23
New member
JuicePimp said:
I think you should start off around 250-400 mg for the 1st cycle, and you should see gains. I gained almost 30lbs. off of 400mg Test Cyp., would have kept most of it had I not had to have surgery a month after being off.
But after your body becomes more tolerant to the lower dosages, then go up. As for me I have not had to go past 400.
"When I was on drugs, I was completely energized when I'd train,'' Wheeler said. ``But when I was natural, I'd train for two hours, be exhausted and then still have no results. I would think, `I don't believe. How do people do this?' ''
Why is he training for 2 hours when he is off? Most of us train for 45 mins, 1hr max when off or on - doesn't he know that this is too long?
I believe that he started on gear aged 18- not long enough o build a natural base hence the problems he is having now.
Why is he training for 2 hours when he is off? Most of us train for 45 mins, 1hr max when off or on - doesn't he know that this is too long?
I believe that he started on gear aged 18- not long enough o build a natural base hence the problems he is having now.
CPA22
New member
Just goes to show you everyone really has no clue what this stuff does to our bodies even though we take it in much lower doses. Like many pros, Flex was probably montoried by a doctor every week. How many of us can say that? How many of us get bloodwork periodically? Just some things to think about. Flex is a good guy and its sad to see this happen to him. But like he said, training naturally is a whole different game....a game that not many of us would ever go back too
bicepts101
New member
CPA22 said:
good post CPA, and a very accurate one at that.
that was a really good article
karachi183
New member
He obviously must have trainied natty before all his drug use. Just look at the definition in his physique. Steriods aren't miracle workers they are our little helpers. I must say these articles are good to hear as bad as they are we need to know what is happening to giants of yesterday. JT
FlexManning
New member
CPA22 said:
I think it's sad as well, I mean I thought in his peak he had the best shape anywhere, possibly ever. But you have to realize though, a doctor can be great for keeping an eye on your liver and purposes like that, but I imagine his diuretics routines were pretty haphazard. I mean, if you look at all the rumors about him in context, it almost seems that he was told by a doctor he was having kidney problems yet still continued a fairly dangerous drug routine. If I'm not mistaken, weren't there rumors of a kidney problem long ago that he covered up most recently by stating he had colitis instead?
Get this: pick up the 2nd edition of that supplement book Bill Phillips put out 4 or 5 years ago (maybe more). If you read between the lines, it was Wheeler who was talking to Bill Phillips about going natural. He may have been having kidney problems even in the late 80s.
I think his blaming the problem on steroids may actually distract many hardcore types from what the real problem may have been which is years of shedding pounds and pounds of water weight with diuretics. Personally I think most guys who don't compete don't have a whole lot of business trying to shed water weight. Even if done naturally the window for being "dry" is so small and the rebound effect so rapid I just don't get why so many people put so much effort into it. But that's just IMO.
Lift Chief
New member
javolic said:
1) He has a family history of kidney problems.
2) At most he thinks the things he took accelerated his problems- from occuring in his 40s to his late 30s.
3) His diuretic use contributed significantly as well.
4) It's impossible to say how much steroids affected his condition.
karachi183
New member
BUMP that lift chief..... Bottom line we all should be happy that he's still alive an may be willing to do seminars or interviews.. That is knowledge that you can't put a price on.
CPA22
New member
Thanks guys for the support on my post, its hard to say negative things about steriods on this board epecially when most of us do or have used.
Trickie, yes we do train naturally when "off" cycle but we still all have the intent of going on at one time or another in the future. I am talking about staying natural more than a few months. I actually have been natural for almost 9 months so I have somewhat of a feeling about what Flex is talking about. In a lack of better words, it just plain sucks. I was so use to going in the gym and pushing more and more weight every session. Now if I go up a couple reps a month I am happy. Its a constant struggle staying drug free and it is constantly on my mind especially when most of my friends use. I just train and look at the big picture and my health. I am not saying I will stay natural forever, but I urge all of you to really understand that steriods is not a joke. In fact it is very serious and all should research and understand the consequences.
Trickie, yes we do train naturally when "off" cycle but we still all have the intent of going on at one time or another in the future. I am talking about staying natural more than a few months. I actually have been natural for almost 9 months so I have somewhat of a feeling about what Flex is talking about. In a lack of better words, it just plain sucks. I was so use to going in the gym and pushing more and more weight every session. Now if I go up a couple reps a month I am happy. Its a constant struggle staying drug free and it is constantly on my mind especially when most of my friends use. I just train and look at the big picture and my health. I am not saying I will stay natural forever, but I urge all of you to really understand that steriods is not a joke. In fact it is very serious and all should research and understand the consequences.
02gixxersix
New member
I wonder what his test levels look like after being on a 13 year cycle. I'd like to find out how to do that lol.
Good post.
Very sad as I am a big Flex fan.
I do think that I would still train hard if I wasn't on-but when you know that you'll never be on again, and that you may only gain another 5lbs. of muscle a year doing a very strict diet, you will lose some determination.
And when your on the level that Flex was on for so many years, I'm sure it's almost impossible to get yourself motivated to do a show and lose against guys you used to beat easily.
Very sad as I am a big Flex fan.
I do think that I would still train hard if I wasn't on-but when you know that you'll never be on again, and that you may only gain another 5lbs. of muscle a year doing a very strict diet, you will lose some determination.
And when your on the level that Flex was on for so many years, I'm sure it's almost impossible to get yourself motivated to do a show and lose against guys you used to beat easily.
gymmeister
New member
Flex Wheeler is a sad case. Has he ever had a real job outosde of Bodybuilding making $20K, $25K or even $30K per year? I mean what does he do and what can he do other than lift weights? He's always been a mental case and I do not have "much" sympathy for him. He's blown and squandered the numerous chances he's had to truly make something special out his Bodybuilding career. Regardless, I still have a ton of respect for him because at many times in his career he was a top 5 Bodybuilder.
CPA22
New member
I dont understand how he has gone bankrupt though. He has made alot of money throughout his contest days. I mean I hope Flex had some sort of Financial Advisor instead of living in debt. Maybe the medical bills got to be too much? The financial situation is kind of weird if you ask me...Just goes to show you not everything is forever so dont spend money like it is going to be there tomorrow..
FlexManning
New member
Cuddles said:
Hell, who's to say he even had a typical insurance policy? Most people rely on their employer for health insurance, so if he didn't have a generous sponsor at the time he might have been really fucked.
I agree about the medical system here bankrupting people, but America's never really found an easy answer. As it stands now, basically anybody can get treatment, but those who actually have insurance end up paying for those who don't. I have really good health insurance and my wife and I had a son in August and we're still getting bills left and right. $900 here, $150 there, $800 here. You have to deal with a dozen different health care companies to have a child. Those on state benefits (welfare moms) literally pay like one dollar for having children if that.
Unfortunately in this country if we give something out for free certain people and politicians take advantage of it.
Big Rick Rock
istrator
Great read.
I still would like to know what he was on and for how long
I still would like to know what he was on and for how long
Big Rick Rock
istrator
robph said:
Seriously?
I made some great gains when i was Natural, I started lifting at 13-14 and by the time I was 17 I was a little monster.
rocktheboat
New member
his past is quite sad, but when i met him he seemed to be one cocky MF
Similar threads
