1. drugs - Every Mr Olympia since Larry Scott won the first Olympia in 1965, has used various steroids and BB drugs.
It has been as common in hardcore BB, as barbells and protien powder. Despite what the gurus and dealers claim, no amount of drugs can ever turn you into a top pro , if you lack the basic genetic talent. It is not much different then benchpress contests with the new space age bench shirts. EVERY top lifter is going to get a 200-300 lb increase wearing a shirt ( depending on body wt).
It all comes back to YOUR genetic starting point and drive to win shows. I have seen plenty of guys , juiced to the gills look like bloated warthogs and never win anything. Then , I have seen some genetic freaks on little to no drugs look like they could walk in and win a local NPC show with 2-3 weeks of diet. I used moderate amounts of basic steroids from 1984-86 and they helped precontest. I was bummed out to see they were not magic pills that guranteed I would win the contest. If you decide to juice, start out small and take the advice of an experienced older lifter. Stick with proven basic stuff and avoid gimmicks at all times. The reality is you can't compete on the biggest stage without doing the vitamin S.
It may sound crazy, but I think a moderate , basic drug cycle is a LOT better buy then most supplement stacks ( which are gimmicks).
Moderate , careful steroid use is no worse then drinking a few with your buds each weekend in the club.
2. Judging-
I have judged at every amatuer level from the old AAU Mr America to local and regional NPC contests. Despite what you may have heard, 99.9% of all judging has little to do with politics or fixing contests. The judges don't decide to fix a show for or against some guy in the state meet. there just isn't enough at stake to do that and no body is that impotant in a BB contest. Like most I have heard about politics in the pro events, but rarely seen anything we could prove. I can't say from my own experience what goes on with the IFBB judges but I suspect it is similar to my experience. I was never an IFBB pro judge so I can't answer those questions or concerns.
It is the exact opposite of any , neat, well planned conspiracy. At ANY time during the judging you mark down the place of each bodybuilder on stage. The "points" are when the head judge adds up each individual judges placements. There are no extra points for: calfs, certain poses, conditioning, etc.
Picking the overall winner is even more casual. Each judge has a notecard size pc of paper for the overall winner posedown. At any time during the posedown you write down the number of the bodybuilder you think should win plus 2nd and then 3rd in a big close contest.
You hand your pick down to the head judge and he totals up each judges pick, low score wins ( 1st is 1 pt, 2nd is 2 pts , 3rd s 3 pts).
The wt class winners NEVER have their posedown or routines judged as the wt classes are 100% determined during the prejudging.
* The NPC nationals (ONLY) does reserve the right to change places after the prejudging if someone comes back way off for the finals.*
Most judges take pride in making good objective picks but to be honest it is more art then science. It isn't that different from having a bunch of guys decide who is the hottest girl in a bar.
3. supplements vs food - Most basic supplement ( whey pro) are just concentrated food but still can't replace a good diet for making gains. You are a lot better off spending your hard earned $$ on quality lean meats, veggies,grain breads, etc. Supplements are meant to be "in addition" to an already good diet to fill in any gaps. Here is what I think any good BB program should have:
a. thermogenic pre workout with caffiene (or green tea) , I love Hemorage concetrate and 1MR myself.
Take your pick, but thse really help you FEEL like tearing up the wts and staying on your diet.
b. vitamin/mineral pack - not exotic but a must for total nutritional needs.
c. Glucosomine/ Chrondrotin - start young and stay on it for joint health, we all get older haha.
d. whey pro - I prefer the isolate versions as they digest in me better BUT they cost more. A basic scoop in water in a shaker helps keep feeding your muscles without needing to eat a chicken breast every 2-3 hrs. A fruit or veggie like carrots is good to add while drinking it .
e. creatine - proven record to help gains and train harder.
That's it, and avoid gimmick stuff like most of the test boosters.
4. Training - I have tried just about every system out there in my 36 yrs of bodybuilding. It all comes down to a combination of useing some decent hvy wt and ending with a good pump in the muscle worked. For example a good bicep workout would be:
* barbell curls - 3 warm up sets where you pyramid up to a set (or 2 )to failure of 6-10 reps
* preacher curls - 1-2 warm up sets, 2 sets of 8-10 reps
* concentration curls - ( cable or DB) 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps PUMP.
5. drive and motivation -
Genetic freaks like Phil Heath with ideal shape will always be at at/near the top of the pack. But we also have the Branch Warren's doing well. This is becuase bodybuilding has a lot to do with building freakish mucle mass on your frame and deep, ripped cuts. Not every bodybuilder who compete can endure the combination of a rigid diet combined with intense training. In the end, the top bodybuilders really wanted to be champion bodybuilders. They were willing to endure the diet, training and yes even drug regimes to win the big shows. That drive to win can't be fabircated. You either have it, or you don't. No drug, no supplement, no guru can ever give you THAT.
Face it folks, in bodybuilding the rewards are ONLY for a very few at the top . Most of the female BB pros and a fair % of the pro men make very little off bodybuilding shows or supplement contracts. We all know what kind of stuff they do to get by and pay the bills.
Bodybuilding is fun and I would have love to be a pro. BUT, I knew I lacked the basic talent and tunnel vision drive it takes to make it.
Most bodybuilders would a lot better off if they had a career and life OUTSIDE of the gym/supplement/ BB industry. For most of us bodybuilding is great lifestyle that can keep you younger looking and more fit then your peers. My only advice would be to bodybuild on YOUR terms and decide just how much you are willing to give to it.
