Coach,
I realize that there are a lot of factors that enhance the muscle building capacity of a human being (genetics playing a large role). This question is mainly referring to the potential of a human without using anabolic steroids (prohormone or injection) to gain muscle. Is there any hope of achieving the muscle mass of someone like Arnold, or the classic bodybuilders, without using anabolic steroids? And if so, how long of a transformation is this? It really seems like anabolics run rampant among young lifters. How does optimal peri-workout nutrition compare with using anabolic steroids?
Any comment is appreciated. I just wanted to pick your brain on the topic.
Not CT but in his book “Beyond Bodybuilding” Pavel Tsatsouline promotes powerlifting training style to build the body contrary to popular bb styles. He clearly states “A functional and realistic physique for a drug free bodybuilder, say a hard 210 at 5’10, can be easily and naturally achieved with powerlifting style training without the headaches of complicated routines”
I guess it also depends on your perception, if you think 210 is not big enough (a lot of people here don’t) then you will either go down the road of eating crap to be bigger or turning to roids if you want pure muscle. Please don’t do roids
The fact is that Arnold actually wasn’t “that” big. YES he was big and muscular don’t get me wrong. But there are plenty of college football players nowadays that are just as big muscularly and sometimes even leaner.
What made Arnold great was his structure and some muscle bellies shape. He had biceps shaped like baseballs and big rounded pecs which gave an impressive illusion.
I’m not saying he wasn’t good or large. But his “show muscles” as well as great posing made him look much larger than he was.
I was talking to an IFBB pro that I train and he commented how Arnold wouldn’t even place at Quebec’s provincial championships with his former physique.
Arnold at his peak competition shape was 225 on 6’1" (or 6’2" depending on your source) and he was far from being as lean as today’s competitors. In most of his movies he was 215. You have NFL and college cornerbacks who are that size and leaner than he was. So if you have amazing genetics it is possible to have the same amount of muscle and even more. Yet that wont make you look like Arnold.
I don’t like to put limitations on human beings. That illustrates a wrong mindset IMHO. 220 on 6’1" is equivalent to roughly 200-205 on 5’10", 185-190 on 5’8", 170-175 on 5’6", etc. at around 6-7% body fat.
These are attainable quantitive-wise without drugs. In solid muscular shape they represent a super solid physique that is way way above good. But it can’t be done rapidly. And even if you reach these numbers you wont look like Arnold who appeared to be 20lbs heavier than he was because of the way he was built.
Also one thing to consider. Many people claim that Arnold was a genetic freak. I personally beg to differ… Sergio Oliva was a freak, Casey Viator was a freak and even Columbo was more of a freak than Arnold IMHO. Arnold had gifts when it comes to (1) muscle bellies (2) structure (3) physiological and psychological capacity to tolerate a ton of volume and frequency. Also it is known that Arnold starting steroids as early as 16 years of age. So we can’t say that he’s a freak because he was a muscular teenager.
I’m not dissing Arnold. He worked harder than anyone in his day, but I wouldn’t say that he was a freak.
Thanks for the response! It is very encouraging that a physique of a classic bodybuilder can be achieved without steroids. However, I do need to gain about 30lbs of staight up lean muscle. I’m 23 and roughly 190lbs and probably 12-15% body fat. I love doing your programs ie. Ibodybuilder 3x, Indigo project strength and performance, and now six weeks to superhero.
I have also done some Jim Wendler 5/3/1 in the past as well (however I seem to have gym ADHD with the 5/3/1 and end up going back to one of your programs within a few months. I know Jim, go ahead and call me bad names, I deserve it). How would you suggest going about gaining that 30lbs of lean muscle?
Thanks and you’re awesome as always!,
TW