Those of you who have been lifting for some time have probably found yourselves in the middle of a “steroid versus natural” argument at some point. Without even realising it, you have made a decision about steroids. Taking, not taking or even not talking about steroids is an active decision.
Steroids vs Natural: Face to Face
With the diet, training and other variables remaining constant, the gains made on steroids are vastly more substantial than the natural counterpart. No surprises here. What’s left to prove is the size of difference produced by the use of steroids.
To prove this, a ten-week study took a group of 43 men of normal body weight between the ages of 19 and 40 who all had some degree of weight training experience. These men were then split up into four different groups:
– Group 1 did NOT do any form of exercise and did NOT receive any form of steroids or drugs. (Natural guys doing no weight training.)
– Group 2 did NOT do any form of exercise, but they received weekly injections of 600mg of testosterone enanthate. (Drug users doing no weight training.)
– Group 3 DID exercise, but they did NOT receive any form of steroids or drugs. (Natural guys doing weight training.)
– Group 4 DID exercise, and they also received weekly injections of 600mg of testosterone enanthate. (Drug users doing weight training.)
All of their diets (calorie intake, protein intake, nutrient intake, etc.) were standardized according to each person’s body weight, recorded, verified and adjusted when needed. The two groups who were weight training (groups three and four) followed the same supervised workouts each week.
Results
Get ready to be shocked.
– Group 1 (no exercise, natural) experienced no significant changes.
– Group 2 (no exercise, drug use) was able to build about seven pounds of muscle. That’s not a typo. The group receiving testosterone injections and NOT working out at all gained seven pounds of muscle.
– Group 3 (exercise, natural) was able to build about four pounds of muscle.
– Group 4 (exercise, drug use) was able to build about 13 pounds of muscle.
The Takeaway
First, it’s obvious Group 1 will have no gains to speak of since they are not working out. But we already knew this.
Second, how shocking are the results of group two? The participants in this group gained seven pounds of muscle without even touching weights. This is where you realise the power of steroids in muscle development.
Third, natural people lifting weights gained four pounds of muscle. This is almost half the progress group two made with the help of testosterone injections and without even touching weights. Remember, the diet, nutrition and training for all the groups are the exact same.
Lastly, people lifting weights and injecting drugs gained 13 pounds of muscle. To put this into context, that’s more than three times the amount of muscle gained by group three, the only difference being the steroid use.
Which One Should You Choose?
We’ll help you make the decision if you are confused in the steroids vs. natural debate. These are the things you should consider before you take the plunge, or not.
Effects
Without a doubt, natty supplements can’t match the results of the synthetic drugs. With the proper use of steroids, you can go from looking like a puberty-struck teen to a bloodthirsty gorilla within weeks.
You should know using steroids has side effects, which are sometimes irreversible. Hair loss, a bloated gut and a drop in testosterone levels are some of them. So, if you were looking for a magic pill with no side effects, you may be looking a long time.
If you have decided to go for steroids, make sure you are using the right ones. If you aren’t sure how to use them, ask someone experienced at your gym or find a reliable source. Don’t listen to the bro science spouted by just every dude at your gym.
Dedication
Many people don’t even consider this point while deciding if they should start taking steroids. Steroids are as addictive as any other drug available in the underground market. Not so much the chemical make-up of the product, but more so the reaction it produces in its users.
On the other hand, there is no such addiction related to protein powders and other drug-free supplements. Although losing a little muscle can freak you out whether you are a natty or not, you still can’t compromise on dedication if you want to make gains.
So before you take the plunge, make sure you have the right motivation and enough money to support your cycle. You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a cycle with no steroids to continue.
Longevity
Taking steroids should be goal-oriented. If you don’t have goals like a contest or a photo shoot lined up, is there an equally justifiable reason for you to be taking steroids (aside from your own ego)? Steroids aren’t a long term thing. You can’t expect to stay on steroids and maintain your gains forever.
If you are looking to gain muscle and strength, you’re better off staying natural. The results you see will be lesser than those on steroids but you won’t have any side effects to worry about, and most importantly, your gains will improve over time if you maintain diet and nutrition.
Here at Spot Me Bro, we aim to provide readers with entertainment and knowledge as much as we can. We do not encourage the use of any illegal substances, nor do we take responsibility if you start to develop bitch tits or premature baldness — that’s on you.
All content is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Source: spotmebro.com/steroids-natural-choose/2/
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