As expected it wasnt long after bodybuilders began using anabolic steroids in the late 1950s and early 1960s that they discovered that the safest and most effective way to use the drugs was by steroid cycling. Because of different goals bodybuilders generally follow different guidelines than other athletes when it comes to cycling. Bodybuilders use steroids for two main reasons; to promote dramatic increases in muscle mass and to decrease their bodyfat percentages. The other benefits of steroids such as endurance, stamina, and strength, are secondary and while important for training purposes, play little role on a bodybuilding stage. For most bodybuilders cycling means rotating periods of steroid use with periods of nonuse. We say most as many bodybuilders competing at the national and professional levels seldom come off the drugs. For most of these individuals an off phase doesnt mean not using steroids; it just means lower amounts. There is rarely a point during the year when these bodybuilders let the drugs clear completely out of their systems. Its high dosages followed by low to moderate dosages indefinitely. Why Cycle? The main reason why bodybuilders cycle steroids is to try and reduce the risk of developing serious side effects. As with most drugs its well known that the risk of developing side effects greatly increases with the length of time the person is on steroids. A short, 6 to 8 week cycle will probably not produce any serious side effects, but as we saw earlier, most bodybuilders dont limit themselves to such short durations. They stay on the drugs for months if not years at a time. Its not surprising then that many of these same individuals start experiencing medical problems. A second reason why bodybuilders and other athletes follow steroid cycling is to try and beat drug tests. Bodybuilders had no worries back in the 1950s and 1960s, as a test for steroids wasnt developed until the mid 1970s. Even then the first tests were easy to beat. It wasnt long, however, before the testers had closed the gap. By alternating periods of steroid usage with non-usage many athletes can often pass their drug test on contest day. A third reason for cycling steroids is to boost their effectiveness. Most bodybuilders report that they make their best gains during the first 4 to 6 weeks of usage and the effects then gradually diminish over time. The reason for this is that their systems were not used to the drugs. But with each successive cycle their steroid receptors build tolerance to the drugs and become less responsive. This is one of the primary reason why heavy users stay on the drugs small amounts just dont produce significant results anymore. The problem with Cycling Even though most intelligent bodybuilders realize that cycling is the way to go, its still not risk free. Because of genetics some individuals are very sensitive to the effects of steroids. Even by cycling the drugs they may still develop medical problems. No one knows exactly how a drug will react in a persons body until he starts taking it. By then it may be too late. Steroid cycling is also no longer a guaranteed method for passing drug tests. Science has made the tests more sophisticated and many steroids can be traced as far back as 18 months from their last usage. Even some of the supposedly fast clearing oral drugs are being detected in drug tests. A final consideration for avoiding steroids is their current status as illegal drugs. Even if an athlete cycled steroids to beat a drug test and reduce the risk of side effects, the bottom line is that as of the early 1990s, steroid laws have made anabolic steroids illegal substances. Legal alternatives! With all the risks associated with steroids, bodybuilders should check out the various legal steroid analogs that are available. Users report that many of these products are just as powerful and as effective at increasing muscle size as their illegal and potentially dangerous cousins. Bob Howard 04/07/2006 |
