I do not think that we will progress in our understanding of the science behind muscle growth until we begin to openly discuss the use of anabolic steroids.
As far I am concerned there is only 1 thing that has shown a clear, reproducible dose-response relationship with muscle size in humans (other than height).
It’s not protein or calories. It’s not even workout length, weight lifted or even Growth Hormone.
While all these things may (or may not) play a role, the only thing that has a clear dose response relationship is testosterone.
We know some athletes use it. We know some recreational lifters use it. We know some fitness models use it. We even know that some h0llywood celebrities use it. (I’m saying ‘some’ to keep me out of trouble).
We also know that for various reasons a large percentage of these people lie about using it.
This skews all of our data.
Because people lie about using steroids we have no idea what the natural limitations of the human body are. It is a GIANT confounding variable in the study of exercise and muscle growth.
For instance:
Eating high amounts of protein has been a giant let down for most people, so why is it still be touted as a muscle builder? Well, maybe protein works differently for guys and girls who are on 2,500 mg of Testosterone per week.
Eating big? A great way to make you fat. UNLESS…more calories may actually mean more muscle when you are using D-bol and Trenbolone.
It always kills me when I hear big guys (typically power lifters) tell little guys that the key to getting big is to eat McDonalds 8 times a day. For some reason they leave out the side order of Anadrol.
Without mentioning the steroids, the ‘prescription’ for getting huge muscles is also the exact same prescription for becoming an obese North American.
Now, I’m not advocating steroid use, but what I am saying is that to truly start to understand what causes muscle growth, we need everyone to be open about steroid use.
This is why most fitness magazines are useless, as are most fitness websites. Having people tell you about their awesome new workout that helped them put on 30 pounds of muscle without telling you about their new steroid stack that went along with the workout is just useless information.
As is ‘muscle building advice’ from guys who have been the exact same weight for the last 5 years.
The bottom line is that we are not nearly as far along in understanding muscle growth as we would like to believe, and we are not going to move forward until steroids are openly discussed.
BP
Tags: anadrol, d-bol trenbolone, doping, muscle growth, steroids, Stetroids, testoster, testosterone
Great post Brad. There is a huge deception out there about steroids.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Janis, Fitness Model and lowfat_recipes, Clay Talamantes. Clay Talamantes said: why most fitness magazines are useless, as are most fitness websites http://bit.ly/3QQqYF [...]
Amazing as always
If overeating and huge protein built muscle, I’d be the size of a school bus and maybe a bit harder. Instead I’m just a skinny-fat guy.
There is so many people on the stuff. It’s almost funny watching them screw themselves up and focusing zero on diet. The look like crap and always will.
The old lady should have said, “Where’s the juice?”
Love it. Especially the part about eating 8 times a day.
Had a discussion with some friends how frequent eating is
designed for steroid users that eat 8000 calories a day and is not really applicable
to rest of us (200 calorie “meal” is a joke). Surprisingly most of them agreed with me
although they do it themselves.
Awesome post Brad.
After my first cycle, I suddenly understood some things:
1. Pretty much everything you have read in magazines and on websites is ridiculous trash. New T-muscle articles actually make me laugh.
2. People lie about steroids because there’s absolutely no reason to tell the truth; in the eyes of nonusers any accomplishments you’ve made are suddenly nothing.
3. Your (natural) genetic potential is to be a stronger, *slightly* more muscular version of what you are right now. More than that takes drugs.
What is the mechanism by which testosterone influences muscle growth.
Hi Brad,
this has nothing to do with steroids but confusion on my part.I need to lose about 120 lbs and i have been fasting one day a week, but i keep reading it’s about insulin not the calories,so i try eating just meat and eggs.But i am a human being it’s hard, Gary Taubes says insulin is the reason where fat as americans and have heart disease.I want to be healthy losing this weight, i have no problem fasting two times a week even.But what is the real answer calories or insulin levels what should i do count the calories i dont have a problem with that or stay no carb or low carb?
There are natural ways to boost testosterone levels. I assume the increases are modest compared with what steroids provide. I have no idea whether these herbs can increase muscle mass but they are proven by credible research to boost testosterone levels. Here’s a link :
Another spot on great post Brad. When you see movie stars in movies and then see them on late night TV doing press or doing interviews, they often look very different (maybe they are cycling off or something). Take Gerard Butler in 300 (I like the guy’s movies btw) and see interviews with him now. He looks VERY different.
And in terms of mags, I let my subs to Mens Health and Muscle and Fitness expire. I do like the workouts they list in them, but the BS on nutrition was just too much to take (ala Eat This Not That!…how about not stuffing your face???:)).
You have cured me of: 1. Protein powder intake/beliefs about protein
2. Fluff health magazines packed full of nutrition BS
Thanks!
Chris
I’d like to understand more about natural testosterone boosters like Protodioscin. Does it actually work and how does it work? I have to admit I have tried them but not steroids. I got some small results but was taking creatine at the same time so it’s hard to determine if the Protodioscin did anything at all. I couldn’t be bothered spending any more money on the stuff to try it again. At the moment I’m just sticking to the creatine.
With regards to steroids I get really concerned about the bone growth I see on young guys. Their jawlines are huge and they are so young. That’s something that can’t be reversed.
Amazing response Dave.
All 3 points are spot on.
B
Not sure yet, seems to be that Testosterone directs mysenchymal (spelling?) cells towards myocyte as opposed to adipocyte.
B
Real answer is calories. This answer doesn’t sell books, nor does it get you a 6 figure author advance.
Styrac,
True, but not true. You can cause small changes in testosterone, but never outside of normal physiological ranges. They are shown to increase testosterone in hypogonadal men, and even then, the research is very questionable.
B
So if i go on something like weight watchers and do there plan, because it’s about calories and eat there food from the store that will be ok to do because that i could live with.And has any one figured out what causes clogged arteries and heart disese so i can try to avoid that if i can? thank you very much for your time.I am just lost and need some help to do what is right.
[...] Steroids and Muscle Growth | Brad Pilon.com [...]
I know very little about it, other than more testosterone = more muscle mass. If I can increase my testosterone level by 10% will I see an increase in muscle mass even if the increase is small?
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it.
Here’s an idea worth thinking about, stop wasting your money on these supplements and start working hard in the gym, eating healthy and here is the most impotant thing when it comes to building muscle …. Consistency, patience and YEARS put in. You may not become a huge hulk but maybe learn also to like who you are and stop trying to be something that’s not
meant to be.
[...] Pilon explains why many hyped weight lifting routines won’t work if you aren’t on [...]
[...] Steroids and Muscle Growth | Brad Pilon.com [...]
Hi Brad. I have a question. Testosterone is essential for muscle growth, right? and the more testosterone the more muscle, right?. Training with weights makes the body produce more testosterone, right? Now the question is, since I know it doesnt matter where you get the protein from, as long as it is a complete protein, it will help in the process of building muscle. But what about soy? some fitness “gurus” say that if you eat soy it will your lower testosterone levels, therefore eating soy prevents you from building more muscle. Is this thing true? because I like soy and can get protein easily from soy, and it contains complete proteins and I could get the daily recomended 70-100 grams of protein easily from soy products.
Hi Neil,
I haven’t reviewed the Soy/Testosterone research well enough to give you an educated answer. In your question I agree with points 2 and 3, point 1 has recently been debated, but not in any way that could possible be conclusive, so your lead up makes a lot of sense, I’m just not sure about the soy stuff. I am skeptical, but I don’t have anything conclusive to give you.
If I get the time, I’ll try to look into this for you.
B
So, Brad. What is your view point on adding whey protein to a sensible diet for cutting or bulking? Are you saying that it should be replaced with whole food ie. chicken breast? Are you a supplement user?
yes you are right, but steroids are illegal in some countries and that`s probably why some people don`t admit their usage.. I for myself started writing a short story of how i got to take steroids on my blog feel free to read. I got to your conclusion definetley
without steroids you can`t put fast muscles.. even if you are on a high protein calorie bla bla yada yada. You just put fat, little muscle