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HOW YOU CAN BUILD A FREAKY PROFESSIONAL BODYBUILDER PHYSIQUE

Assuming that you eat right, train properly, and get enough sleep, there are only two factors limiting your growth; the amount of anabolic, tissue building, and catabolic, tissue destroying, hormones in your blood.

Training causes your muscles to process anabolic hormones. To promote the optimum level of growth, you must learn how long to train before resting and allowing your body to replace the anabolic hormones that have been used up. If you over train, all of the anabolic hormones will be used up and the catabolic hormones will start to dominate. If you under train, you will waste some of the natural anabolic hormones that your body produces.

In the course of learning how to maximize your body’s natural supply of anabolic hormones, you will go through some ups and downs. The catch 22 is that even if you do everything right, you will eventually reach a plateau that you cannot break through. The level of growth at which the plateau is reached is predetermined by the amount of anabolic hormones that your body naturally produces. The only way to break through the plateau is to raise the level of anabolic hormones in your blood.

Anabolic steroids artificially raise the amount of anabolic hormones in the blood and permit further growth. Unfortunately, as I discuss in The Steroid Bible, anabolic steroids are illegal and can be dangerous if misused.

During the course of my research for The Steroid Bible, I have tried countless ergogenic products. As I have reported in the past, the vast majority of these products were totally worthless or provided minute benefits that could easily be obtained through a proper diet. Most products currently on the market are merely expensive forms of reconstituted food. They may work wonders for malnourished individuals who don’t have access to supermarkets, but they are a waste of money for healthy individuals. After all the time and money I have spent researching ergogenic products, I have only been able to find one legal product that produces significant increases in muscle size and strength. It is called Growth Factor-1.

Growth Factor-1 increases the level of anabolic hormones, including testosterone and growth hormone, in your blood. This leads to faster recovery times, increased strength, and increased energy. Most importantly, it provides your muscles with the extra fuel they need to blast through plateaus and move on to the next level of growth. Increasing the level of anabolic hormones, especially testosterone and growth hormone, in your blood enables you to break through your body’s natural limitations. It is the key to serious growth and the only way to build a freaky, professional bodybuilder physique.

Growth Factor-1 has allowed me to experience a level of growth that I thought was only possible through the use of steroids. Growth Factor-1 is the only legal product on the market that will enable you to build the cartoon like muscle that professional bodybuilders display.

Growth Factor-1 can be used by men and women. However, women should be warned that Growth Factor-1, when combined with weight training, promotes a level of muscle growth that leaves a woman with a physique that most people would describe as masculine. Women interested in simply toning their bodies should not use this product. Growth Factor-1 should only be used by people who are interested in building extraordinarily muscular physiques.

Growth Factor-1 is extremely difficult to obtain. There is a limited supply available. It will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Order now and try Growth Factor-1 risk free. If Growth Factor-1 does not allow you to build an impressive, muscular physique that commands attention and respect, simply return the empty bottle or unused portion within 60 days for a full refund.

People who take anabolic steroid follow a pattern of usage, commonly referred to as anabolic steroid cycles. The objective of following such routine is usually two fold. One, users opt to take the drug in sporadic pre-determined intervals so as to minimize side effects. Secondly, the dosage is so designed as to accelerate the chance of meeting the end result sooner than otherwise.

Terms like ‘cycling’, ’stacking’ and ‘pyramiding’ refer to common techniques used as part of anabolic steroid cycles. They are briefly explained below:

Cycling
Cycling is the pattern of usage in which multiple doses of a particular drug are scheduled over a specific period of time, stopping thereafter for some time and then resuming the same routine again.

Stacking
Stacking is similar to cycling but differs from it in the sense that while cycling involves one type of drug, stacking usually involves two or more different anabolic steroids, mixing oral and/or injectable types, and sometimes even including compounds that are meant for veterinary use. Stacking is resorted to in the belief that two or more steroids will produce more pronounced effect than each drug taken individually. This theory has not however been tested scientifically.

Pyramiding
In this case, user will start at a low base, slowly escalating the dosage with time by either increasing the number and frequency of a single drug or doing so with multiple drugs till the pinnacle is reached half way, whereupon the dosage is progressively reduced to ultimately bring it to zero. As can be seen, pyramiding is an offshoot of either cycling or stacking though the usage pattern differs from both. Users typically pyramid their doses in cycles of 6 to 12 weeks.

Steroid users, even as they attempt to enhance performance or boost muscle size, are aware of its dangers. And so, they prefer anabolic steroid cycles spaced out and planned in such a way that danger to overall health can be minimized. In addition, they do increasing cardiovascular exercise or go for post-cycle therapy (PCT) to combat side effects.

Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. They can exert strong effects on the human body that may be beneficial for athletic performance. A review of the literature revealed that most laboratory studies did not investigate the actual doses of AAS currently abused in the field. Therefore, those studies may not reflect the actual (adverse) effects of steroids. The available scientific literature describes that short-term administration of these drugs by athletes can increase strength and bodyweight. Strength gains of about 5-20% of the initial strength and increments of 2-5 kg bodyweight, that may be attributed to an increase of the lean body mass, have been observed. A reduction of fat mass does not seem to occur. Although AAS administration may affect erythropoiesis and blood haemoglobin concentrations, no effect on endurance performance was observed. Little data about the effects of AAS on metabolic responses during exercise training and recovery are available and, therefore, do not allow firm conclusions. The main untoward effects of short- and long-term AAS abuse that male athletes most often self-report are an increase in sexual drive, the occurrence of acne vulgaris, increased body hair and increment of aggressive behaviour. AAS administration will disturb the regular endogenous production of testosterone and gonadotrophins that may persist for months after drug withdrawal. Cardiovascular risk factors may undergo deleterious alterations, including elevation of blood pressure and depression of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-, HDL2- and HDL3-cholesterol levels. In echocardiographic studies in male athletes, AAS did not seem to affect cardiac structure and function, although in animal studies these drugs have been observed to exert hazardous effects on heart structure and function. In studies of athletes, AAS were not found to damage the liver. Psyche and behaviour seem to be strongly affected by AAS. Generally, AAS seem to induce increments of aggression and hostility. Mood disturbances (e.g. depression, [hypo-]mania, psychotic features) are likely to be dose and drug dependent. AAS dependence or withdrawal effects (such as depression) seem to occur only in a small number of AAS users. Dissatisfaction with the body and low self-esteem may lead to the so-called ‘reverse anorexia syndrome’ that predisposes to the start of AAS use. Many other adverse effects have been associated with AAS misuse, including disturbance of endocrine and immune function, alterations of sebaceous system and skin, changes of haemostatic system and urogenital tract. One has to keep in mind that the scientific data may underestimate the actual untoward effects because of the relatively low doses administered in those studies, since they do not approximate doses used by illicit steroid users. The mechanism of action of AAS may differ between compounds because of variations in the steroid molecule and affinity to androgen receptors. Several pathways of action have been recognised. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase seems to play an important role by converting AAS into dihydrotestosterone (androstanolone) that acts in the cell nucleus of target organs, such as male accessory glands, skin and prostate. Other mechanisms comprises mediation by the enzyme aromatase that converts AAS in female sex hormones (estradiol and estrone), antagonistic action to estrogens and a competitive antagonism to the glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, AAS stimulate erythropoietin synthesis and red cell production as well as bone formation but counteract bone breakdown. The effects on the cardiovascular system are proposed to be mediated by the occurrence of AAS-induced atherosclerosis (due to unfavourable influence on serum lipids and lipoproteins), thrombosis, vasospasm or direct injury to vessel walls, or may be ascribed to a combination of the different mechanisms. AAS-induced increment of muscle tissue can be attributed to hypertrophy and the formation of new muscle fibres, in which key roles are played by satellite cell number and ultrastructure, androgen receptors and myonuclei. Copyright 2004 Adis Data Information BV

How many are there really?
By Daniel Engber

On Monday, the Associated Press reported that, according to “various government and university studies,” 5 percent of high-school girls and 7 percent of middle-school girls have tried anabolic steroids. House Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis repeated the statistics at Wednesday’s hearing on steroid use in the National Football League. Are teenage girls really that into steroids?

It depends on what studies you look at. Neither Davis nor the AP cited specific studies, but there are two ongoing, large-scale efforts to quantify risky behavior among teenagers in the United States. A 2003 survey of 15,240 high-school students by the Centers for Disease Control found that 7.1 percent of ninth-grade girls and 6.1 percent of all high-school girls have used steroids without a doctor’s prescription. A 2004 survey of about 50,000 students by the University of Michigan’s “Monitoring the Future” program found lower rates. Among the eighth-grade boys and girls, 1.9 percent said they had used steroids, versus 3.4 percent of the 12th-graders.

A study out of Washington State University and the University of Minnesota in 2002 asked about 4,000 kids if they had used steroids in the last year. Among the middle-school girls, 5.7 percent said they had, as opposed to 1.4 percent of their high-school counterparts. Are middle-schoolers really more likely to use steroids than older students? The study’s authors conclude that younger girls may be more concerned about their bodies, but they may also be less likely to understand the term “steroids.” (Over-the-counter “anabolic amplifers” and “prosteroids,” for example, might be confused with illegal, anabolic steroids.)
The CDC and University of Michigan surveys use different language in their steroid questions. The CDC asks the question without defining “steroids”: “During your life, how many times have you taken steroid pills or shots without a doctor’s prescription?” The Michigan survey introduces the question with a longer description of what steroids are and what they’re used for. Research has shown that ambiguous descriptions on drug-use questionnaires lead to increased rates of “recanting” among admitted users.

It’s often tricky to get people to report on full extent of their own illegal drug use. Studies have shown, for example, that adults are more likely to admit to drug use when asked in person rather than over the phone. Teenagers are more likely to admit to using drugs when they’re asked at school than when they’re asked at home, and younger kids are less likely to answer questionnaires seriously.

Drop and give me 20 … dad! A new board game gets families off the couch and brings fitness and health back into the living room

After more than 10 years in the health and fitness industry, as an AFAA certified personal trainer, group-exercise instructor and fitness director, I stumbled across a new concept in the ever-growing quest to change lives through exercise. “No Sweat … Go for Gold” is a board game in which you exercise as you play. Don’t let the name fool you; after more than 60 push-ups, 28 leg-lifts and 45 crunches I was sweating!

An entrepreneur in Sacramento, California, developed “No Sweat” to bring exercise and fitness education to families. After almost 20 years of mulling over the idea, perfecting the game board, patenting it and establishing the company name, Fun & Fitness LLC, Dan Thompson created a unique and fun way to help families get fit.

How to Play

The objective of the game, secondary to getting fit and having fun, is to earn enough money by exercising and moving along the game board to enter the track-and-field competition at the center of the board.

The game is initiated when players earn $50 by completing their warm-up stretches. Players must raise money for hotel accommodations, airfare and sporting goods.

The first three players to finish win gold, silver and bronze medals. The medals, exercise descriptions, game bucks and rules come nicely packaged in the “No Sweat” game box.

The game includes “calorie cards” showing pictures and indicating calorie counts for different foods. There are also “exercise cards” picturing 18 different exercises.

At the start of the game, players individually select their level of play. Beginners perform the number of repetitions shown on the red exercise die, intermediate players perform double the number and advanced players triple the number.

Young children or those new to exercise should definitely stick to the beginner level.

The underlying success of “No Sweat” is that the whole family can play and it is adaptable to different fitness levels. It is fun to see how children and adults alike can progress while playing the game.

All the Sacramento families who originally tested the game absolutely loved it.

The bottom line is that playing “No Sweat” gets families off the couch and, more importantly, moving.

A Motivational Tool

How does this new board game affect exercise professionals? First of all, we now have a brand new tool to motivate people to get active. A board game is a creative, unconventional method to entice people of all ages to exercise.

Clients can bring it home to their families and soon enough video games and Internet chat won’t be as much fun as making mom and dad do push-ups (the player to the left chooses your exercise, so oftentimes a child selects exercise for a parent and vice versa).

Your pre-teen and teenage clientele now have a new game to play with siblings and friends.

Exercise professionals have been trying to encourage people to take exercise out of the gym and into their everyday lives for years.

We all know it is not enough to meet with a trainer one to three times a week, if healthy eating habits and daily recreation are not incorporated. Playing “No Sweat” can encourage families to do just that.

Spread the Joy

The President’s Council for Physical Fitness supports the game, school districts and the United States military have purchased the game and home school networks have incorporated it into their physical education programs As trainers, group-exercise instructors, fitness directors and club managers, here are several ways you can participate in the evolution and spread of this game:

* Introduce the game at a staff meeting or event.

* Keep the game in the lobby of your health club, YMCA or community center.

* Utilize the calorie and exercise cards to teach children about the variety of foods and exercises available.

* Play the game in teams as an alternative group-class.

* Use the game as an incentive prize for members or employees.

* Give the game as corporate gifts.

* Design a specialty class around the “No Sweat” theme to introduce it to members.

* Give it as a gift to members who purchase 20 personal training sessions.

* Fun & Fitness encourages you to get creative in introducing this game to your clients, members, families and friends.

For additional information or to order the game, visit www.playnosweat.com.

Heidi Bressler, AFAA certified personal trainer and primary exercise instructor, is Fun & Fitness’ spokesperson for “No Sweat.” She hosts the television show Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and holds a degree in nutritional science from California Polytechnic State University. Contact her at aphraheidi@yahoo.com.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
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