Guest tomk Posted February 7, 2009 Report Posted February 7, 2009 Do all of the real big dudes - the ones that compete for Mr. Olympia, for example -- do they all use steroids? Is it even possible to get as big as those guys get without using steroids? I don't mean to offend anyone who lifts. I'm genuinely curious. Also...Arnold Schwarzenegger is well known for his size and near perfection in forming his physique. Have there been bigger men since he was in his prime? Thank you, Tom Quote
nzorient Posted February 7, 2009 Report Posted February 7, 2009 I think the purpose of steroids is to pump for a long duration without feeling the burn so the muscle fibres rip and enlargen? I've seen some guys get bulk without using steriods, they call themselves natural body builders. Don't think naturalists get as big as Arnold but still quite impressive, just have to work harder. If you're thinking of shaping up, I'd recommend 'Body For Life' which is a good program I've come across. My cousin's husband is a body builder and is fairly bulk. He doesn't use steriods, also it could be in the genes? Quote
NeuroTypical Posted February 7, 2009 Report Posted February 7, 2009 Ahnold was as juiced as they come when he was in his prime. Every few years, you see a minor news story about how he's having heart problems.No, people just don't look like this unless they're abusing their body with steroids. Quote
StallionMcBeastly Posted February 8, 2009 Report Posted February 8, 2009 Doesn't steroid give men bosoms? Quote
bmy- Posted February 8, 2009 Report Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) There are different competitions for 'natural' body builders. There are HUGE differences in the physiques. A man can get pretty huge without steroids.. but with steroids you can look like a 'freak'. Edited February 8, 2009 by bmy- Quote
NeuroTypical Posted February 8, 2009 Report Posted February 8, 2009 Man, I've never seen so many pictures of me in my life! And I don't even work out that much! Quote
SinnerMan Posted February 9, 2009 Report Posted February 9, 2009 Ahnold was as juiced as they come when he was in his prime. Every few years, you see a minor news story about how he's having heart problems.No, people just don't look like this unless they're abusing their body with steroids. I beg to differ with you friend. I am an ammature bodybuilder and am not a user. I have friends who I work out with who are around 300lbs and arox 9 to 12% bfc who do not use roids. A lot of people are using supplements though, like whey protien and creatine which are NOT roids. Its all about eating clean and understanding how the body works and how to work it. You really shouldnt make assumptions on all body builders friend. Quote
Guest tomk Posted February 9, 2009 Report Posted February 9, 2009 So more recent competitors, like Coleman and Dexter -- they got that big naturally? Quote
bmy- Posted February 9, 2009 Report Posted February 9, 2009 So more recent competitors, like Coleman and Dexter -- they got that big naturally? They wish. I beg to differ with you friend. I am an ammature bodybuilder and am not a user. I have friends who I work out with who are around 300lbs and arox 9 to 12% bfc who do not use roids. A lot of people are using supplements though, like whey protien and creatine which are NOT roids. Its all about eating clean and understanding how the body works and how to work it. You really shouldnt make assumptions on all body builders friend.Frankly.. no pictures.. no proof. Unless they're extremely tall I doubt it (6'4+). Jay Cutler weighs in around 290 lbs in the off season.. and he's listed at 5'10.You sure they don't consider themselves power lifters? Quote
skalenfehl Posted February 9, 2009 Report Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) Many pro bodybuilders have to consume large amounts of quality calories, especially protein. I'd estimate they consume at the very least 4,000 calories daily and at least 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight. I also don't believe they grow that way naturally. While most stay away from illegal steroids and growth hormones, most, if not all do take one form of drug or another to enhance their anabolic growth. Arnold admitted to taking steroids in the past but I don't believe he used them regularly. You can be big, but you gotta eat big, too. Power lifters and strongmen eat in the neighborhood of 6,000 calories daily in balanced meals. When you're training hard and breaking down muscles, you need all that fuel to rebuild and grow all that muscle mass and build the necessary strength to adapt to the demands that you're placing on your system. So yes, it's possible to become big naturally, but I don't believe you can become as big as those who are not natural bodybuilders. Edited February 9, 2009 by skalenfehl Quote
BenRaines Posted February 9, 2009 Report Posted February 9, 2009 I have read of some guys eating as much as 10,000 calories a day. We see pictures of these guys when they are in competition mode. I have seen several of them, who live in Las Vegas, and others in magazines during their off season and while you can still see the underlying muscle they get quite fat during the bulk up season. So this is how it works. During the bulk up part of their season they consume huge amounts of quality calories and more, muscles need to be fed to grow. You can't eat at a maintenance level and think you are going to grow. At a point in time ahead of a competition, I believe it is about 12 weeks out. They begin to diet down.. Continue quality calories but low in carbohydrates and still high in protein. During the last couple of weeks there is a lot to do with salt and using it to fill muscles up with liquid and then a week or so going low salt to almost no salt so that there is little water under the skin. In many competitions competitors have passed out due to low sodium and dehydration. It isn't all about eat a ton, workout for hours and compete. It is a very sophisticated science. Ben Raines Quote
skalenfehl Posted February 10, 2009 Report Posted February 10, 2009 Ben, do you ever watch the Met-Rx strongman competitions on ESPN2? They're quite fascinating. Quote
BenRaines Posted February 10, 2009 Report Posted February 10, 2009 I do. Those guys are amazing. Lifting those stones that are larger and larger higher and higher. I remember the old stronman show. Running with the fridge on their back when the guys leg broke, I think it was Franco Columbo. Ben Raines Quote
skalenfehl Posted February 10, 2009 Report Posted February 10, 2009 Franco Columbo was an amazing athlete. I thought he was strictly a competitive bodybuilder, though. Quote
BenRaines Posted February 10, 2009 Report Posted February 10, 2009 Back in the day, Lou Ferrigno, Franco Columbo and several other competed in the original strongman competitions. Now it is much more organized and true strongmen. I remember one of the first Strongmen, Bill Katzmeyer. Ben Raines Quote
Guest tomk Posted February 10, 2009 Report Posted February 10, 2009 I think I saw Franco Columbo blow up a hot water bottle: Quote
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