Why do so many experienced guys recommend...

[Roush]

...that you should reach your full genetic potential before using steroids?

I understand the age recommendations, as well as the advice on how steroids don't magically replace a healthy diet and hard work, and that they shouldn't be taken lightly since they can really mess you up.

I'm just not sure why people are encouraged to only use them as a sort of last resort? If you're being reasonably responsible about it, who is really going to wait until your absolute genetic max before starting down the road??

Obviously many guys are just looking for a boost in their gains, or an added edge in their sport, or even just something cool to try to break up the monotony... and who's to say when you have really hit that magic glass ceiling anyways?

 

[Nelson Montana]

If you're into bodybuilding you're into learning and developing as much as possible. If you take steroids before you know what you're capable of, you'll never know how much you could have gained naturally and how much bigger you would have wound up.

Also, if you use steroids as a "finishing touch" you can cycle on and off and realize that over time you can put on a little more than genetics allow, whereas guys who depend on steroids too soon with no base, lose their gains, go right back on and usually wind up quitting when they realize training without steroids is too difficult. They never develop the mindset of what it takes to fight for every ounce of muscle.

But if youre not a serious bodybuilder and not interested in having the very best body you can, and just want a shortcut to getting bigger for this years frat party and probably won't be doing this next year, then yeah... what the fuck. Do whatever you want.,

 

[stevesmi]

not about reaching full genetic potential whatever the hell that means anyway. no one knows what their full genetic potential is. we have an idea. like if you were the kid in middle school picked last for football you probably aren't the most athletic guy as an adult either.

as for your question see criminal10dinc's log and his recent thread. he went into a cycle with no base. and he went nowhere and regrets it. he hasn't even felt the crash from coming off yet and he already regrets it. his story is one of thousands you can look up with a little digging.

so yeah if you have no clue how to workout or eat then you are wasting your time juicing and should atleast put in a few years naturally and learn what works and what doesn't before sticking yourself with hormones

 

[buddhabuilder]

^^^^I just want to give what has already been said here respect. Very well put, no nonsense information. It's guys like this that give me hope for the future of Bodybuilding as a lifestyle.

 

[Roush]

Yeah that all makes good sense...

I wasn't really looking at it from someone's perspective that has no base, but I certainly don't want "the best body possible" either. I'm also not a college kid looking for a winter hobby. Weight lifting for me is a hobby that I make time for between my family, running a business, and enjoying life. I respect the guys who achieve ultra high levels of fitness, but like everyone they only have so many hours in a day, and have to compromise on something else.

Anyways, I've been lifting for quite a while, and consider myself to have a really good "base". I know what it takes to work hard and keep building, and am starting to learn what it's like to get a boost from someone other than Mother Nature

Cheers

 

[rustilldown]

I don't feel it's really a question of " have you reached your fullest natty potential" rather I think it should be more looked at as if you are mature enough, have the proper drive ( on AND of cycle) and know how the compounds work, what to take( ie.. Anti estrogens, Lh boosting supps, liver protectant , BP control and all the other variables that can come into play ) and how to properly eat to gain , cut and maintain. In my opinion if your old enough and have the required knowledge and drive then why not take the dive if your truly committed and passionate about your hobby. Now there are some exceptions such as someone who may be smart and have done their research but never lifted a weight in his/ her life ... They should put in a couple quality years of lifting first, but I just assisted a friend who was going to do it regardless even after my advice not to, and he ran a 10 week cycle of test e, ate properly and pct correctly and 6 months later he still gyms with me, eats properly and is a completely new man. ( with an added 25 lbs to his frame) so I think every individual should be treated differently ...

 

[auslifter90]

People with no base don't keep their gains cuz they're dickheads not because steroids magically don't work the same for some people. There's also a thing called homeostasis. You need to stay muscular for a long time for your body to really accept that's how you can safely function. Usually that comes with time, and 10 weeks on sustanon after 3 months of working out, well your body doesn't know what is going on so it can be harder to do, plus that person usually has no clue about diet and training after 3 months. What I know now compared to what I knew about a year after lifting, well I was still an idiot back then and if I was juicing then I'd have no clue how to keep off the fat gain and keep the muscle it I gained any at all
I would say rather than measure time, measure progress. If you've made good progress and you have your shit together then maybe steroids are for you to accelerate your progress
And personally I don't believe in a genetic limit

 

[MattJS]

People think if they take steroids they're gonna be jacked, quickly, no one wants to believe that its gonna take them 5-10 years or longer to build the physique they want, no one wants to believe it may take several years of research and trial and error to work out what nutrition their body needs for their goals or what sort of training furthers their goals in the most efficient manner....

This is why we have such a thriving supplement industry, our new guy to the gym is thinking 'I've been comin here three whole weeks and I'm not huge yet, I must need some of that ZMA!' Taking steroids before you have the first idea what you're doing is a bit like buying a ferrari the day after you pass your driving test, whats the fuckin point, because you won't be able to drive the damn thing properly....

Now, thats a different scenario to our guy in his mid to late twenties or older who's been working out hardcore for at least a few years and is looking an extra boost, I don't see a problem with that.

 

[tryionlannister]

I'm much like rustilldown's friend. I lifted hard in my teens and throughout my twenties. Never got very big though because I was afraid to eat to much and I did too much in the way of aerobics.

I got far in the mid thirties. Lost it all by doing p90x for three years. I started my first cycle at 6ft 170lbs. I'm finishing up my second cycle now at around 215.

I love working out and trying to make my body look better. I'm hooked big time. I probably should have tried to gain naturally as well but I don't regret anything I've done.