What Is The Right Age To Start Using Steroids?

[Rubin Carter]

What is the Right Age to Start Using Steroids?
By: Brandon Walsh

This article is being published in hopes of reaching some of the younger people, involved in our great sport of body building, reach their goals without making the great mistake of using steroids too early in their long lives. The problem with this is that most young bodybuilders (BBs) cannot grasp the concept of the future and how long the road ahead really is even with the use of steroids. How do you convince a 14 year old that it will take years before he can look like the Pro BB's in the magazines, and that he may never look like that even with all the drugs available in the world. Well that is what I hope to accomplish within this article.

At what age should you be, before you consider using steroids? This question is not as easily answered as you may think it is. You cannot randomly just pick an age and say that this is the point at which you can now start to consider using steroids.

Between the ages of 12 and 26 a male's hormone levels are on a steady rise until the age of 26. This is when these levels slowly start to decline until they are almost nonexistent by the ripe old age of 40.

When puberty starts in males at the age of 12 there is a huge flux in hormonal patterns in the body, which cause the growth of male characteristics, (deepening of the voice, growth of body hair, growth in height, etc.). These hormone levels increase by themselves so much that they can be compared to that of a mild steroid cycle. Therefore trying to add to what the body is doing on its own by adding in exogenous (outside) Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) is very counter productive.

Whenever any extra amount of AAS is added to the body, the body recognizes this extra level through a feedback loop in the human body known as the Hypothalamus. Once the Hypothalamus recognizes the increase in hormones which happens usually between 14 and 21 days, the body will shut off its own production of hormones until these levels decrease, along with increasing hormones to decrease these extra levels in the body (cortisone, estrogen). Cortisone and Estrogen are 2 hormones in the body that BBs do not need any extra. The easiest way to try to explain this without getting to complicated, is that the more AAS you put in your body, the more your body will try to lower those levels. When this happens BBs get all the side effects that are normally associated with AAS use, gynecomastia (growth of fatty tissue underneath the breasts in males), hair loss, kidney damage, liver damage, and high blood pressure, just to name a few).

Before you consider the use of AAS you should have already reached your genetic potential. What is your genetic potential? To figure this out you should first look at the weight, height and build of other members in your family. Is this exact, no, but it is somewhere to start. If every male on both sides of your family is approximately 5'7" and weighs between 150lbs and 170lbs and they are all bald by the age of 25, then it would be a good guess that you will also fall somewhere in those ranges by the time you stop growing. Now with working out and eating correctly for 4 years lets say, you would be able to put on 15 or more pounds of muscle tissue (that would mean you now weigh 165-185 lbs.). This is what your genetic potential would be. Now if you started to use steroids at that point, 165-185 lbs you may be able to put on another 15-20 lbs (180-200lbs). If you had started using when you were 125 lbs., and gained 25lbs through the use of steroids, you would still be well short of what you could have gotten naturally (150lbs as compared to 180-200lbs), and now it will be much harder to try to gain another 30-40lbs.

So for a starting point lets say that you need to be at least 18 years of age before you consider using steroids. Now that we have a starting point, lets look at a few other factors that should be considered. Steroids DO NOT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM makes up for a good diet and workout program. Most people who use AAS feel that this is the time where they can be a little more relaxed in their workouts and diet. Actually this is when they should be even more strict. So before you can think of using at the age of 18, you will need 3 more solid years of good training and eating habits. Minor changes in diet and workouts can result in great gains in mass and muscle as well as strength.

No matter how much assistance you get from AAS, without proper nutrition and workouts you will be lucky to have any gains at all, let alone keep them after the cycle is over. The goal of using any substance, legal or not should be that after you stop using it you don't loose all of that which you have fought to get. What would be the point of spending all that money (steroids are not free) to gain that 30lbs when you will loose it after the cycle is over anyway?

So the better question to ask instead of when can I take steroids, should be, what can I do to get all that I can out of my body without needing steroids?. In order to calculate my progress, I need to talk with my family and doctors, before I try to make a choice like that.

We will start with the age range of 14-16; this is when your hormones are raging. Your body is in full swing of making the best steroids that you can ever get, and it does all this without you even needing to do a single thing. At this point you should start with a solid exercise plan and a basic supplement plan in addition to the regular food that you need to be eating on a regular basis.

For workouts focus on the basic compound movements (Bench Press, Squats, Deadlifts, Barbell Curls, etc.) Working out 4 days a week with at least 8 hours of sleep a night is a great start. Add to that the extra protein that you should be taking and you will definitely start seeing a difference in your body. As for supplements, at this point all I would suggest is a good Meal Replacement Shake, multi-vitamin and creatine. Any shake will work, just add 2 shakes a day to the 3 solid meals that you should already be eating. Creatine has more benefits then I could start to explain in this article, but what I can say is that it will help your strength, muscle, speed, and recovery without any negative side effects.

By the age of 16-18 you will have had most of your growth spurts and you will be ready to change a few more things in your overall plan. You workouts can become a little more specialized as you start using different exercises. As for your nutrition program, all that I would think of adding now would be something such as extra glutamine before bed and maybe a ZMA supplement. You still don?t want to take anything that would alter what your body is doing on its own, so using ZMA and glutamine is just what you need.

Somewhere between 18 and 21 you should be just about done growing, so what should you do differently now? Add more protein! You should be getting at the very least, your body weight in grams of protein per day! And that?s at the very least! By now you will have been working out consistently for quite a while and should know your body very well. What will work and what won?t work should be old news. There isn?t really anything new to add to what is already a great program, other than Tribulus and maybe a pre-workout supplement such as Ultimate Orange. After this point, you can start to consider the use of steroids. What about them? Are they as terrible as everyone seems to think they are? As long as they are used correctly, I don?t think so. When considering their use, I feel that orals should be used as late as possible. These are most harmful on the body and therefore should not be used for a very long time.

Another thing to consider, other than the side effects I have already spoken of, is your sex drive. Some AAS will make your sex drive almost nonexistent and will have a big effect on your sperm count. These drugs in particular should try to be avoided. That leaves mild anabolics. Although they are the safest to use, they are expensive, illegal, and require the use of a needle. Which most first time users do not want to use.

I told you that this is not something that should be passed off very easily; you shouldn?t have to make the mistakes that most of us make by using steroids to early in your life. If used correctly, I think they are fine, but look at what it takes in order to use them correctly. Have you been working out for 5 years straight without more the 2 weeks off every 6 weeks? Do you eat every 2-3 hours, 6 times a day without missing a meal? Do you get 8 hours of sleep every night? This is something that can have a huge effect on your body for the rest of your life, so don?t make that choice in 10 minutes. Good luck and keep growing.

[raysmith]

I stupidly used steroids at 18, even though I used them with proper pct, had blood tests etc. I'm afraid that down the line I will run into some problems. Even me using now at 21 is to young.

Can someone please tell me if they think I may run into some issues down the line? The mental issues worry me the most as I keep hearing about them.

Sorry for the hijack Ruban.

[pokerhard16]

Originally Posted by raysmith

I stupidly used steroids at 18, even though I used them with proper pct, had blood tests etc. I'm afraid that down the line I will run into some problems. Even me using now at 21 is to young.

Can someone please tell me if they think I may run into some issues down the line? The mental issues worry me the most as I keep hearing about them.

Sorry for the hijack Ruban.

I did my first cycle at 18 i have had no problems at all.I'm 21 now and about to start my second cycle.21 is not to young at all imo.That whole genetic limit thing is bull.

[raysmith]

Originally Posted by pokerhard16

I did my first cycle at 18 i have had no problems at all.I'm 21 now and about to start my second cycle.21 is not to young at all imo.That whole genetic limit thing is bull.

But the endocrine system is still unstable. Im not so much bothered about having low test levels as to having mental problems.

P.s: Please if your 18 dont pm me like people done before asking if I was ok using at 18, because the ansew is no, its dangerouse!

[The-Adept]

One of my best friends did it when he was 16, He's fine today but now has low test levels as a result.

[kylerhard]

IM sure that one dumbasses post is comming where he says " dont use steroids at a young age bvla bla bla and make the mistake I did, im A serious competitor and had to take a serious risk bla bla dont mess yourself up like me bla bla im so tired of seing that post so kid if your watching,,, save the cut and paste for the teen section

[raysmith]

Originally Posted by kylerhard

IM sure that one dumbasses post is comming where he says " dont use steroids at a young age bvla bla bla and make the mistake I did, im A serious competitor and had to take a serious risk bla bla dont mess yourself up like me bla bla im so tired of seing that post so kid if your watching,,, save the cut and paste for the teen section

You mean Bladen?

[raysmith]

Originally Posted by The-Adept

One of my best friends did it when he was 16, He's fine today but now has low test levels as a result.

I know someone that started using at 15 whos now 20. It started with dbol then went on to dbol deca now dbol deca sus.

And hes a fruit cake. It just gets me wondering sometimes that using at 18 could give me problems.

[pokerhard16]

Originally Posted by raysmith

I know someone that started using at 15 whos now 20. It started with dbol then went on to dbol deca now dbol deca sus.

And hes a fruit cake. It just gets me wondering sometimes that using at 18 could give me problems.

Maybe he was meant to be a fruit cake either way.15 is obviously way to young to start AAS.I think everyone will agree with that.I dont regret taking gear at 18.I turned into a beast in my last year of highschool during football season.Ray why did you bring up the mental problems?..Where did you hear about that?

[zebig]

From my experience, after 25 years old and with at least 5 years f natural training. This way, you should have taken all you can from your potencial.

[jameraquanza]

You arent going to screw your body up by doing some dbol/decca/sust etc. when you're 18, as long as you didnt take massive amounts of the stuff, and/or without doing proper PCT. I see people my age neglect PCT a lot, and that always leads to bad things such as test. therapy for the rest of their lives. Any drug can screw your body up if abused and not used properly, especially at young ages. I agree with people when they say steroids are safe as long as they are used properly. That goes for any medication.

[I3oostedcubes]

I was done growing in height by 17-18 but I didn't 'fill out' my frame until 22ish.

IMO, it's ok once you finish your growth in height, after that it would be prefrence.

[Test-Freak]

Originally Posted by raysmith

I know someone that started using at 15 whos now 20. It started with dbol then went on to dbol deca now dbol deca sus.

And hes a fruit cake. It just gets me wondering sometimes that using at 18 could give me problems.

Ray i'm gonna have to say No on the mental problems.

Arnold.? Hmm seems like a smart guy to me.

Lou well you has had bad hearing his WHOLE life.

Mike: Hmmmmmmmmm was a TEACHER


Alot of Vets to bodybuilding say stunted growth is a myth.

As long as your estrogen doesnt go way out of wack your fine.


And yes stunted growth can happen, there are articles to say that steroid don't, but VERY ahrd to find.



So Ray your saying you have Mental problems.?


Now where talking about USE not ABUSE!

[raysmith]

I have heard before that teens using steroids can lead on to mental complications. From this site I believe.

[Test-Freak]

I don't want to say this, but Ray venture out of this site.


Also this site says that stunted growth " Not may WILL stunt your growth "

IMO, MANY will dissagree, this is not true, some will get away with it, but really i don't recomend playing with fire.

I'm just stated what i have read on MANY other boards, and also i started young @ my first cycle and i kept growing.

I don't get my knowledge from just 1 board.


Note: This is in no way that i'm saying that Teen steroid use is ok by any means

[ratmonkey]

unless you have the ability to become a pro in your chosen sport you shouldn't touch steroids untill your endocrine system is out of it's natural state of flux, you've trained for at least 4-5 years, and your frame has "filled out"(shoulder girdle widening). also you should wait till your brain is fully developed before you flush more androgens into it, this doesn't happen till mid 20's.

steroids can and will cause mental imbalances in many people who would otherwise not have developed it.

don't kid yourselves, these aren't the most dangerous drugs out there but, they do have long term consequences when you don't use right.


the arnold example, how many women and people who knew him came out of the wood work with crazy stories of abuse and harrassment when he was running for governor? how many before then too? it's qute a lot. for all we know he was using some of the "safest" steroids out there at a very early age.

if you're willing to pay the price for your carreer later on, go for it, just don't post on this board if you're under 21.

[Sezer_j]

JUST turned 21 (end of Oct to be precise). I started my first cycle when I had JUST turned 18. I stopped/backed off the gear at 19.

I was 5' 9" when I started. My father is 6' 2".

I am now still 5' 9". And? And that if I had laid off until now, I MAY have grown those extra 2-3 inches.



I wish I had waited, yes.

[Test-Freak]

Originally Posted by ratmonkey

unless you have the ability to become a pro in your chosen sport you shouldn't touch steroids untill your endocrine system is out of it's natural state of flux, you've trained for at least 4-5 years, and your frame has "filled out"(shoulder girdle widening). also you should wait till your brain is fully developed before you flush more androgens into it, this doesn't happen till mid 20's.

steroids can and will cause mental imbalances in many people who would otherwise not have developed it.

don't kid yourselves, these aren't the most dangerous drugs out there but, they do have long term consequences when you don't use right.


the arnold example, how many women and people who knew him came out of the wood work with crazy stories of abuse and harrassment when he was running for governor? how many before then too? it's qute a lot. for all we know he was using some of the "safest" steroids out there at a very early age.

if you're willing to pay the price for your carreer later on, go for it, just don't post on this board if you're under 21.

100% agreed bro.

As i heared he took Primo and D-bol for sure.

Are those safe.?

PM answere , don't want this in the thread.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sezer_j


My father is 6'3"

I thought i was 5'11" tell recently i got measured at Docs office, i took young, and i was 5'11" then.

I'm 6'1 now.

It did not stunt my growth.

[raysmith]

Originally Posted by Test-Freak

100% agreed bro.

As i heared he took Primo and D-bol for sure.

Are those safe.?

And deca.

I'm not sure about test. I have heard mixed verdicts about them using sus and whatnot.

[Test-Freak]

Originally Posted by raysmith

And deca.

I'm not sure about test. I have heard mixed verdicts about them using sus and whatnot.

Test.?

Hmm.

PM sent.

[Rubin Carter]

Originally Posted by Test-Freak

Ray i'm gonna have to say No on the mental problems.

Arnold.? Hmm seems like a smart guy to me.

Lou well you has had bad hearing his WHOLE life.

Mike: Hmmmmmmmmm was a TEACHER


Alot of Vets to bodybuilding say stunted growth is a myth.

As long as your estrogen doesnt go way out of wack your fine.


And yes stunted growth can happen, there are articles to say that steroid don't, but VERY ahrd to find.



So Ray your saying you have Mental problems.?


Now where talking about USE not ABUSE!

You guys are really in love with arnie...GOD ONLY knows how many liver transplants the man must have done by now!

Dont use Vets to set an example, pro BB´s are steroid abusers and are certain to face health problems in the future, not a single doubt about that!
And just because you dont read in magazines the kind of health problems they face doesnt mean they dont have them!

I do also know a couple of teen steroid users who are now mentally unstable. Most of them suffer from depressions.

[raysmith]

On the subject of mental illness, there's one member here we all know well that has some mental problems I believe through an accident but him using aas has 'helped' him feel alot better than the meds docs prescribed.

I know he isn't a teen btw, but I think he started early 20.

[ActionBastard]

At 6'8" im not too concerned about height, I could be a bit broader though...

I want to do another cycle but should probably wait...

[Test-Freak]

Originally Posted by Rubin Carter

You guys are really in love with arnie...GOD ONLY knows how many liver transplants the man must have done by now!

Dont use Vets to set an example, pro BB´s are steroid abusers and are certain to face health problems in the future, not a single doubt about that!
And just because you dont read in magazines the kind of health problems they face doesnt mean they dont have them!

I do also know a couple of teen steroid users who are now mentally unstable. Most of them suffer from depressions.

You mind telling me which Pro of the Golden Days have had problems that cannot be linked to AAS use.

Save me the BS, you have no more proof then me.

[Rubin Carter]

Originally Posted by Test-Freak

You mind telling me which Pro of the Golden Days have had problems that cannot be linked to AAS use.

Save me the BS, you have no more proof then me.

Do you mean wich pro of the Golden Days had problems linked to AAS use?!is that it?
Well i beleive all of them had! Of course i have no proof, thats my point, just because it hasnt came out on the pappers doesnt mean they didnt have it.

Do you really beleive that being on Dbol all year long didnt bring them any consequenses?!?!

[kylerhard]

Originally Posted by raysmith

You mean Bladen?

I take back what I said, It was wrong of me to poke at someone trying to help, so I appologise

[Test-Freak]

Originally Posted by Rubin Carter

Do you mean wich pro of the Golden Days had problems linked to AAS use?!is that it?
Well i beleive all of them had! Of course i have no proof, thats my point, just because it hasnt came out on the pappers doesnt mean they didnt have it.

Do you really beleive that being on Dbol all year long didnt bring them any consequenses?!?!

They usally cycle 12-20 weeks.

Also they ran Primo.


These are, lol "SAFER" then most steroids.

Yes they had sides, but so does Blood presure meds, kid died in College for abusing caffien pills.


Again, show me proof, if it was horrible, i'm sure it would have leaked out.

If you think steroids where so bad back then, where are the bodys.?

[raysmith]

Originally Posted by Test-Freak

They usally cycle 12-20 weeks.

Also they ran Primo.


These are, lol "SAFER" then most steroids.

Yes they had sides, but so does Blood presure meds, kid died in College for abusing caffien pills.


Again, show me proof, if it was horrible, i'm sure it would have leaked out.

If you think steroids where so bad back then, where are the bodys.?

Well Serge Nubret is still alive and kicking in the Ifbb pro section, and he's 68! lol

I asked what the drug use was like back then and he altered my post to "whats the training like back then". lol

[Test-Freak]

^ lol i saw that

I wish more pros would duscuss it, Lee is awesome about it.

[1-Testosterone]

Originally Posted by ratmonkey

unless you have the ability to become a pro in your chosen sport you shouldn't touch steroids untill your endocrine system is out of it's natural state of flux, you've trained for at least 4-5 years, and your frame has "filled out"(shoulder girdle widening). also you should wait till your brain is fully developed before you flush more androgens into it, this doesn't happen till mid 20's.

steroids can and will cause mental imbalances in many people who would otherwise not have developed it.

don't kid yourselves, these aren't the most dangerous drugs out there but, they do have long term consequences when you don't use right.


the arnold example, how many women and people who knew him came out of the wood work with crazy stories of abuse and harrassment when he was running for governor? how many before then too? it's qute a lot. for all we know he was using some of the "safest" steroids out there at a very early age.

if you're willing to pay the price for your carreer later on, go for it, just don't post on this board if you're under 21.

Very ture.

The real thing is why use them if you're not aiming to become a pro?
My theory is: Never do things half-heartedly.

If you want to go for natural bodybuilding, have patience, do all the hard work and reach for your results; perfect example here on boards is Layne (Str8flexed)

Should you wish to go for gear, prepare yourself with adequate knowledge and go all out..

The thing is Never ever blame this and that for iffs and buts