Discussion on Anabolic Steroids.

[Glycomann]

I'm out. This guy is either a troll or completely delusional.

 

[ChargerWolf]

I'm out. This guy is either a troll or completely delusional.

Excuse me? I’m not a troll or delusional. I have goals, don’t you call me delusional for being confident in what I want to do with my life.

 

[ChargerWolf]

I'm out. This guy is either a troll or completely delusional.

What exactly do you mean? I came here to hear your opinions, and help because I’m a teen and want to get into professional bodybuilding. How am I delusional?

 

[tommyguns2]

You posted to get people's opinions. Well, you got them.

Look, there are 1,000 guys like you, your age, and your build who have a dream of going pro in bodybuilding. Nothing wrong with that. What people are saying is that of those 1,000 people, may 5-10 of those guys end up going pro. Why is that? Some just don't have the genetics. Some don't have the dedication. Some people have life get in the way (e.g., a sick parent to care for, an unexpected pregnancy, etc.)

If you want to try to make it to the top, go for it. But unless you're a trust fund kid, you need to have a real job to pay for a fairly expensive hobby. Gym bros just pay for a gym membership and a couple cycles of gear each year. Dedicated bodybuilders, likely pay $300/mo in OTC supps (multis, fish oil, blah, blah, blah), over $500/mo in food (at least), $300/mo on a coach, and then several hundred bucks a month for gear (even if you're not running GH). So you're dropping well over $1,000/mo before rent, a car payment, bills. So you need a real job to pay your way. And that means you're training before or after a full, hard days work.

You look at some pros youtube video and you seem them living bodybuilding full time. They weren't doing that for 10-12 years moving up the ladder. So you need to be realistic with yourself. Are you ready and willing to live like a monk, train your tail off, so "no" to many things that all your buddies are doing, etc. to make it? And even with all that, if you don't have the genetics and frame structure, you still won't get a pro card. You'll have a great physique, but there's a big difference.

I say good luck. But the guys here are trying to inform you of what it all really entails. It ain't sexy. It's a long, hard slog. But then again, most things in life that are worthwhile are hard work.

 

[ChargerWolf]

You posted to get people's opinions. Well, you got them.

Look, there are 1,000 guys like you, your age, and your build who have a dream of going pro in bodybuilding. Nothing wrong with that. What people are saying is that of those 1,000 people, may 5-10 of those guys end up going pro. Why is that? Some just don't have the genetics. Some don't have the dedication. Some people have life get in the way (e.g., a sick parent to care for, an unexpected pregnancy, etc.)

If you want to try to make it to the top, go for it. But unless you're a trust fund kid, you need to have a real job to pay for a fairly expensive hobby. Gym bros just pay for a gym membership and a couple cycles of gear each year. Dedicated bodybuilders, likely pay $300/mo in OTC supps (multis, fish oil, blah, blah, blah), over $500/mo in food (at least), $300/mo on a coach, and then several hundred bucks a month for gear (even if you're not running GH). So you're dropping well over $1,000/mo before rent, a car payment, bills. So you need a real job to pay your way. And that means you're training before or after a full, hard days work.

You look at some pros youtube video and you seem them living bodybuilding full time. They weren't doing that for 10-12 years moving up the ladder. So you need to be realistic with yourself. Are you ready and willing to live like a monk, train your tail off, so "no" to many things that all your buddies are doing, etc. to make it? And even with all that, if you don't have the genetics and frame structure, you still won't get a pro card. You'll have a great physique, but there's a big difference.

I say good luck. But the guys here are trying to inform you of what it all really entails. It ain't sexy. It's a long, hard slog. But then again, most things in life that are worthwhile are hard work.

Alright, I do I apologize everyone for getting worked up.
I’m trying to say is, I’m aware.
I know it’s hard, I know what it takes, and that there is a very small chance for the outcome I desire.
But this is my biggest passion. And I know it’s warranted since many teens probably come on here with this dream I say I have. I’m a bit offended all of you guys consider me as a dumb teen who’s like “I’m gonna go to the gym and get big and win my pro card in two years! It’s easy!” Since I’m serious.
I put in the research, I made sure to check everything to see how to do it correctly and not just what’s popular with gym bros because I care.

i know how expensive it is, but I’m willing figure it out instead of giving up. That’s what Arnold did, what Christopher Bumstead did, what Mike Metzer did, and anyone I can think of who’s won a Olympia winner in the past.

What if the only thing holding me back is the thought of me not being able too?
I don’t want to give this up because all of you say “Your probably not going to make it, since this is too expensive for a kid with an average paying job. And you might not have the genetics” and I’m like “oh well”.

 

[ChargerWolf]

You posted to get people's opinions. Well, you got them.

Look, there are 1,000 guys like you, your age, and your build who have a dream of going pro in bodybuilding. Nothing wrong with that. What people are saying is that of those 1,000 people, may 5-10 of those guys end up going pro. Why is that? Some just don't have the genetics. Some don't have the dedication. Some people have life get in the way (e.g., a sick parent to care for, an unexpected pregnancy, etc.)

If you want to try to make it to the top, go for it. But unless you're a trust fund kid, you need to have a real job to pay for a fairly expensive hobby. Gym bros just pay for a gym membership and a couple cycles of gear each year. Dedicated bodybuilders, likely pay $300/mo in OTC supps (multis, fish oil, blah, blah, blah), over $500/mo in food (at least), $300/mo on a coach, and then several hundred bucks a month for gear (even if you're not running GH). So you're dropping well over $1,000/mo before rent, a car payment, bills. So you need a real job to pay your way. And that means you're training before or after a full, hard days work.

You look at some pros youtube video and you seem them living bodybuilding full time. They weren't doing that for 10-12 years moving up the ladder. So you need to be realistic with yourself. Are you ready and willing to live like a monk, train your tail off, so "no" to many things that all your buddies are doing, etc. to make it? And even with all that, if you don't have the genetics and frame structure, you still won't get a pro card. You'll have a great physique, but there's a big difference.

I say good luck. But the guys here are trying to inform you of what it all really entails. It ain't sexy. It's a long, hard slog. But then again, most things in life that are worthwhile are hard work.

@Wallyd @Bricks @Wizbang @Bigtex @LITTLEMAGS

Thank you all for trying to make me see how unrealistic this dream of mine is. It’s good to be aware this dream I want probably won’t happen and I shouldn’t be too confident.
But I’m trying to tell you, i’m aware that it’s unrealistic. And I’m willing to try anyways. And I’m being confident in myself since that is the mindset I need to push myself to the gym everyday to, maybe, work my way towards this dream.
And I also simply do it because I enjoy it. I fell in love with the gym when I started. So I don’t want to give up since you guys are telling me I probably won’t make it.


So I apologize if I was rude to any of you. But I’m taking about my life.
And I’m serious about it.

 

[rawdeal]

Your eloquence is matched only by your innocence ... but it is good to have goals, ChargerWolf.
I like @tommyguns2 's reply above, although imho his 5-10 out of 1000 estimate is a bit optimistic.
Good luck with your dream.

 

[tommyguns2]

It may be a cliche, but this statement is true. "If you fail to plan, you've planned to fail."

So, put together a plan. I'd recommend you hire a coach, and map out a 5 year plan. He/she can realistically evaluate your present condition, size, etc. Then put together a long term plan that puts on X pounds of lean mass on your frame each year. Then, you construct your diet plan, your training plan, and your supplement plan and you execute. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Another cliche. You've got three legs to the stool: diet, training, and supps. You need all three. A coach will hold you accountable on all three. Without the diet and training, the supps won't get you to where you want to go.

I listened to Jordan Hutchinson (the guy who recently won the Tamp and Texas pro shows. I believe he said that he got his pro card in 2021 at about 225 pounds. In the last four years, he's gained 10 pounds of lean mass each year to get to where he is. So getting to the pro card level is just the beginning. You've got to have the frame to be able to add the additional mass, you have to train smart to avoid the catostrophic injuries, and you need to watch your health markers. Copy his style; he put together a plan, and executed it over a long time with his coach and a good support structure (team).

 

[The other Snake]

@ChargerWolf, I re-read your post and gather now youu are a young guy, under 21. You want to be a professional bodybuilder as a career choice. I was a top ranked powerlifter and my wife was a professional bodybuilder. I can assure you that you better choose a more lucrative career and keep this as a hobby. It literally took me decades to start competing at a world class level and I never made a dime from the sport. My wife made IFBB Pro in her early 30's. The last Mr. Olympia winner under 30 was Lee Haney. From 1989 to 2025, the average age of Mr. Olympia winners is 35, It takes years of dedication and hard work to ever place in a meet. Most never make it. If you don't have another career, you will be living in a car eating out of trash cans. As you already observe, being a fitness influencer on the internet is looked on by most of us as a joke. No one takes them seriously except kids who don't know any better. Seriously, this is a great hobby and an excellent way to keep your self out of a doctor's office with bad health/ Getting to the top means you are going to have to spend decades training hard and literally having no life other that working hard to provide money, and training harder. Be prepared for a life with no parties, few friends and few relationships because you are married to the gym and your real job. Quit listening to fitness influencers and start being realistic. Remember too, many of us here started out many years ago My natural hormones got shut down decade ago because of a semi-professional hobby. No regrets but this a serious decision.

I get what you mean. But I’ve decided to moment I started weightlifting with a decade old bench and two dumbbells in my basement that this is what I want to do with my life. I want to make it to the top. I know it’s hard, and will take long, and it will be all I do. I look forward to it. I do also have a job in mind apart from bodybuilding, I know it’s not a steady source of income unless you’re pro. And even then it’s rough. I’m enrolling in an online course to get a certification to be a Personal Trainer, that will be my day job and I will work towards my bodybuilding goal on the side. I have a plan, I’m not just running blind.

CW,

This board is different than most you will find. Unlike most boards, this is made up of seasoned vets who have ran the race. There's plenty of guys here with offspring your age or older. Bigtex has given you the same advice I would give you just like you were one of my sons. Follow your dreams but always have a Plan B.

 

[Wallyd]

I don’t remember dying you couldn’t achieve your goal. I said to be careful listening to all these influencers on TikTok! Well actually I said don’t listen to them.
In the end you do you, I’m just trying to give you some advice from someone who has been around awhile that may save you some trouble later.

 

[Bigtex]

What exactly do you mean? I came here to hear your opinions, and help because I’m a teen and want to get into professional bodybuilding. How am I delusional?

Here is the problem......its probably best at this point that you say I want to get into bodybuilding. Accomplishing long term goals takes smaller steps. Nothing wrong with having goals at all. Work hard and you never know. At this point you have no idea what it is going to be like when you have to start adding drug into the mix. In my wife's case, she was not willing to do what it took to win in pro bodybuilding. So after putting all the work to place 1st at about 15 meets later she finally got over all at the nationals, her IFBB pro card and finally realized she could not do what it took to compete in the pro level. Especially after I introduced her to Betty Pariso. My wife took a lot of drugs to win nationals and was just not willing to take more and look like some of the women who were at the top.

I did an interview with Porter Cottrell back in the late 90's while he was in top shape. He spent over 20 years in the sport winning the Jr. Nationals and Nationals to turn pro. He was just to making it to the top of the game. He told me he had made the same decision my wife had and was not wiling to take the drugs that it would take to the get to the next level. At this point you don't know yet whether or not you are willing to even do steroids. Lots of things can change @ChargerWolf

My advice to you is get a career and keep the bodybuilding as a healthy hobby. I can tell you from being in the industry for many decades that trying to make money as a personal trainer is very hard to do. If you aren't a big name in the sport you will be working lots of hours just to make ends meet. This is a very expensive hobby. Food is expensive, supplements are expensive, airline tickets and hotels to travel are outrageous.

Anyway, don't give up your dream but career first then comes the dedication in the gym. This will be a challenge. Then see what happens.

 

[Bigtex]

One more thing my wife wanted to pass on to you is about criticism. Bodybuilding can be a very crewel sport. Everyone in the audience and especially the judges you stand in front of, will be very critical., when you don't place where you thought you would their comments can be very damaging to your ego. They will look to find the slightest thing wrong just to mark you down in points. If you can't take the comments here, this sport will be much worse. @tommyguns2, I have know of for a while. He is one of the nicest and most helpful people you will find on the boards. His advice should be taken to heart. Most of us here have kids as old as you or in my own case, older. We are telling you things that we would tell our own. The last thing any of us want to see is a young guy like you make a huge mistake with your life. You have a hard road ahead of you and life can be very unforgiving, make sure you prepare yourself.

At some point you have to make the decision as to whether or not you have the genetics to win. If youu don't have that X frame you will never place. Again, judges will be much harsher than anyone here.