I am not sure I am understanding this whole arguement going on here .........What is the issue with what people take or don't ? The bottom line is that physiques have progressed for several reasons . Better nutrition / supps , much smarter training [ most guys way over trained back then and didn't train to get stronger ] , and of course the use of things like GH , IGF -1 long 3 , and insulin . [ basically the same AS have been used since the late 70s .....so nothing new there ] As far as dosages are concerned , as someone that is still close to alot of top guys in the sport , I think Magnum said it best . Some guys take alittle and respond really well and other guys take a ton and respond well too . But there are far more guys that take gear that take gear and look like shit no matter how much they take and I think that is what Phil is getting at. The sport is genetic period .......not just your genetic framework either , but how you respond to the chemical side as well [ sad but true ] but if you think most top guys are taking over 1500 mgs a week you are mistaken . [ yes ,I know guys taking more 4 grams a week as well ......but most of the top 15 dont ] I was going to sponser a guy that won a couple of shows last year .......I know that 3 months before he turned pro he was using 900 mgs total and never had used gh ......but another guy from canada that I was going to help that is part of a big ad campaign this year was using 3 -4 grams a week....[ and this guy is really gifted ] Rory Liedelmeyer never used more than 1500 mgs ever[mostly about 1000mgs a week 3 weeks on 2 off ] .So what am I getting at ? Simple , anyone can weigh 250 - 300 pounds with gear [ high or low amounts ] , lots of food , and heavy basic consistant training .[ I really truely believe this and have done it for many people that I have known over then years ] But when it is all said and done, will you look like like a champ in the mag ? Will you be healthy ? Truthfully feel proud and confident about how you look ? The answer is hell no ........So if you are training just just to be big or different for whatever reason you may want to take an honest accessment of why you need to feel superior over others physically .........training should be healthy , make you confident inside as well as out , and be a life long healthy pursuit .........Steroids are a trap plain and simple . You will never be as big or as strong without them[ think this guys before you do damage you cant reverse]..... ever see guys that are big users stop and shrink up ? Their whole identity is gone in a flash ...it is very sad to see ...When I was taking gear between 23 -25 I was just like some of the othe young bucks around here . Always chasing secrets and thinking everyone was doing something I wasn't [ I bugged Dante to death ].........But when I came back to the sport ,I realized that if I just worried about heavy ,consistant , progessive training ......along with correct diet and recovery .....I would have been so much better off ......There are no secrets fellas , what anyone chooses to do is thier business period .......... But I think what is most important as a bodybuilder , is to take a true honest accessment why you are training and what it is all for .......think!!!
One final word fellas ........it is my opinion that physiques started going backward in 93 , although they probably were at their best around 95 - 96 . I like the old classic physiques like marshall as well [ and it is true some of those physiques were built on less than 500 mgs week ] . But think about how much the physiques changed in the 90s ....why ? Simple ...synthetic gh became widely available , and got a whole lot cheaper , also insulin started to become common , along clen , igf, and synthol. The new drugs did change the look and the amount of people that could excell in the sport .......But the fact of the matter is and this is what guys need to understand . the same guys would still be champs without the drugs in the mix ............So risking your health / freedom , thinking that drugs or a guru can take you to happiness is just not reality I am afraid ........Drugs didn't make the champs of today or yesterday .......Their parents did... plain and simple ....................Drugs changed things for sure [but did they really honesly improve things?], and can make a joe average into one thick dude ........but truthfully , it is not drugs that make champs ........it is genetics..........I don't think it is worth all this back and forth negativity .......everyone has added alot here ......and I hope I did as well .......like I said .......there are no secrets ......just be smart .....think things through as to what you are doing and why ......then go for it in a reasonable intelligent manner .......Dont worry about keeping up with the jones's , just focus on doing what is right for you .......If you do that you will be a successful bber in whatever capicity that happens to be......