I was told (many times) that your MOST EFFECTIVE time for FAST GAINS in bodybuilding is your first two years--we're talking gear-free.
Something about that time your body responds well, but afterwards, it adapts and gains take longer to acheive. I was told (as I did weight train on and off for several years) that by being sloppy at first, I wasted the best time I had for natural gains.
Is this true? If so, be sure to train hard and train right if you've never done it before. Get the most of what your body will give naturally without gear.
The older you get the more mature your muscle become, if eat right, along with good training habits and enough sleep you will look better as you get older, because your muscles respond better.