| Visit any bodybuilding message board, and you'll likely | | | | for at least a decade. This creates a huge foundation |
| encounter a few dozen "regulars" who are very good | | | | of muscle that steroids do not deliver. The thickness |
| at criticizing the physiques of professional bodybuilders. | | | | and hardness that comes from year-in, year-out |
| It's a sport of perception, and this kind of evaluation is | | | | consistent eating and training creates a muscular |
| normal and acceptable. After all, Ronnie Coleman's | | | | foundation that the "All Drugs" guys simply do not |
| biceps wouldn't be considered legendary if there | | | | have. |
| weren't a lot of less-than-legendary biceps to compare | | | | Genetics |
| them to. However, there is a small tangent of | | | | Professional bodybuilders have muscle belly tie-in and |
| bodybuilding fans that tend to credit the physiques of | | | | insertions that are just more pleasing to the eye. |
| bodybuilders to a phrase heard all-too-often on the | | | | Additionally, their genetic response to AAS is far |
| forums: "All Drugs". They use this phrase quite often to | | | | superior to that of normal people. They have the |
| illustrate the dependence of bodybuilders upon anabolic | | | | constitution, or physical ability to withstand, many of the |
| steroids. Whenever a pro slims down in the | | | | negative side effects of AAS while growing. |
| off-season or after a surgery, the cry is heard as well. | | | | Food & Training |
| Is it true? Are the professional bodybuilders we see in | | | | Most professional bodybuilders would lose 10 to 15% |
| magazines really just a product of massive drug use? | | | | of their body weight in just a few weeks, if they |
| Anabolic steroids do play a part in their success. You | | | | stopped consuming large amounts of food and training |
| don't make it to the professional bodybuilding stage | | | | 5+ hours per week. Wile steroids play a part in the |
| with a natural physique. It's just not possible at this level. | | | | levels of muscle mass they hold, the steroids don't |
| So in the sport of bodybuilding, the field really is a level | | | | work nearly as well without the training stimulus and |
| one. Everyone has the 'help' that steroids deliver. | | | | nutritional feedings. Many kids on the message boards |
| Everyone uses them. However, if drugs were the | | | | overlook this factor, just assuming they eat and train |
| ONLY factor in their success, we'd have a few | | | | about as hard as the pro bodybuilder. This isn't the |
| Ronnie Colemans running around every gym in | | | | case. |
| America. There are a lot more steroid users than | | | | The next time you see someone posting "All Drugs", |
| there are pro-level physiques. What separates the | | | | ask them about the influence of experience, genetics, |
| mediocre bodybuilders from the world's elite, when | | | | training, and nutrition. It's likely their peers will realize |
| they're all using drugs? Let's check out a few of the | | | | there is a lot more that goes into a champion physique |
| factors | | | | than just a needle, and they'll help drive home the |
| Experience | | | | message! You can change the world - one post at a |
| Most professional bodybuilders have been eating 300+ | | | | time! |
| daily grams of protein and training 4 to 5 days a week, | | | | |