Fitness Exposé

Bodybuilding Secrets Exposed

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Training
    • Diet & Fat Loss
    • Supplements
    • Experiment
    • News
    • Resources
    • Reviews
    • Contest Prep
  • Podcast
    • Fitness Freedom
  • Coming!
You are here: Home / Archives for Supplements

Saturday Sharing: My Thoughts on Anabolic Steroids

October 4, 2014 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT 1 Comment

ss-anabolic-roids.fw

Anabolic steroids are a topic often discussed within and outside of the bodybuilding community. They create a very negative impression with many people. I would like to offer my opinion on this somewhat controversial topic.

In the bodybuilding community a battle rages between the natural (“natty”) bodybuilders and the enhanced (“gear head”) bodybuilders. It is so intense that many gear heads claim to be natty when, in fact, they are using anabolic steroids (“gear”) on a regular basis. My feelings on this are my own and should not be attributed to anyone else.

Gear is part of the sport of bodybuilding, like it or not. I believe that anyone who wants to compete at a high level must use gear to do so. It simply levels the playing field a great deal. I am one who even thinks that sports that currently ban steroid use (ie. Major League Baseball) should just allow them. What will happen is that the entire playing field will be leveled and eventually nobody will need to use gear at all.

There are many myths about gear that drive me crazy. One of those is that gear causes rage. I am sorry, but there is no proof of this. It is my own opinion that anyone on gear who is raging has that in his personality before using the gear. It is also said that gear is addictive and will lead to other drug use. This is patently false. People routinely cycle on and off gear all the time.

I believe that the use of gear is a personal choice. If you want to get big and you have no problem taking any of the risks associated with gear, go for it! Bodybuilding is a sport wherein you truly compete against your personal best and if you can improve that using gear then go for it. It is your life and your decision to make. Please note that I am in no way suggesting that everyone reading this article go out and get on gear. All I am saying is that if you are so inclined you shouldn't be embarrassed by it.

If you happen to decide to use gear be sure to read all about what you plan to take before you start. Learn about how to keep things sterile so you don't get a horrible infection. Learn all about the side effects of gear. Get involved by reading discussion boards on the topic (Google this one). Ask questions of people who have experience. They will be invaluable to you as you move forward.

Your foremost concern should be your own health. If you feel completely different while on gear you might need to reevaluate that situation. Whatever you do, don't pretend to be natural when you're not. That just encourages people to go out and try to replicate your workouts when they really can't do so without the gear.

Be responsible. Dispose of your needles and syringes the proper way. Never just throw them in the trash. If you are going to take this path, make sure you don't hurt anyone else along the way.

Gear can definitely improve your gains and give you strength you never thought possible. It can take your training to all new heights. However, it should not be entered into lightly. Think it over and make an informed decision. You won't be sorry if you do so.

Related Posts:

  • Saturday Sharing: A Rant on Lying to Make Money
  • Saturday Sharing: My Opinion on Jerks at the Gym
  • Saturday Sharing: My Thoughts on Fat Burners
  • Saturday Sharing: My Thoughts on Physique Transformation
  • Saturday Sharing MeMe: #7

Filed Under: Featured, Supplements

Saturday Sharing: The Importance of Liver Detox

February 15, 2014 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

liver-detox

If you are serious about changing your physique chances are you utilize various supplements. Anything ingestged orally has the potential to be a problem for your liver. This is why it is important to do a regular liver detox to keep it as healthy as possible.

There is a major reason why people who use anabolic steorids tend to use injectables. The injectable form of anything is less stressful on the liver. Continued stress on the liver can have very serious consequences.

The liver is the gateway to the body.  Thousands of chemicals are added to food and over 700 have been identified in drinking water. Plants are sprayed with toxic chemicals, animals are injected with potent hormones and antibiotics and a significant amount of our food is genetically engineered, processed, refined, frozen and cooked. All this can lead to destruction of delicate vitamins and minerals, which are needed for the detoxification pathways in the liver. The liver must try to cope with every toxic chemical in our environment, as well as damaged fats that are present in processed and fried foods.

The liver is the cleanser and filter of the bloodstream and is of vital importance. It is the largest organ in the body and has an enormous amount of blood flowing through it every minute of our lives. It is between 8 – 9 inches in its greatest diameter, 5 – 6 inches in its greatest height and 3 – 4 inches in its depth, weighing around 42 to 56 ounces.

I do a regular liver detox (30 days on, 30 days off) using Liv-52 by Himalya. I should first note that this is an independent article and I have received nothing for writing it.

Liv-52 is a very small tablet that has natural ingredients that help clean up the liver. I like Liv-52 because it is extremely effective and is easy to take. Simply follow the directions and you will help restore your liver to normal functioning.

Related Posts:

  • 4 Reasons to Lift Weights
  • Average Guy's Guide to Supplements

Filed Under: Featured, Supplements

Saturday Sharing: Thoughts on Steroids

September 28, 2013 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT 1 Comment

Saturday Sharing

Steroids are a topic that most people prefer to avoid. They are a topic that cause people outside the bodybuilding community to jump to some serious conclusions. We hear about “roid rage” and how a guy on steroids will have shrunken balls. People hear “steroids” and they generally react in a negative way.

What Are Steroids?

steroid-defined

Steroids are used to aid with recovery and protein synthesis. These factors help to grow muscle faster. Yes, there are many other types of steroids used for medical reasons, but they are not the focus on this article, anabolic steroids are. These hormones that are generally injected deep into the muscle help with many different aspects of training. They provide extra strength during the workout, enabling you to lift more weight. They help with recovery, enabling you to train harder and more often. They assist with protein synthesis, helping your body use more of the food you eat to grow the muscles.

My Thoughts on Steroids

steroidsI believe that steroids are a personal decision. Yes, I know people have the opinion that they are dangerous, and in uneducated hands steroids are very dangerous. I believe that if you make the personal decision to use steroids then you should do your research. Make sure you understand what you are doing and how to use the steroids properly. Use the proper dosage. Follow the sterility guidelines when giving yourself an injection. All of these precautions will help you get the maximum benefit out of steroids.

As a personal decision, steroid use is not something that should be looked down upon. One does not inject themselves with steroids and then immediately grow large muscles and get ripped. It still takes much consistent hard work to get to the body you want. Steroids just help you get there a little faster.

Roid rage? It has been closely studied and the conclusion is that roid rage is not as real as you might think. Every single TV show or movie makes it look like everyone who takes steroids gets roid rage. The facts are different. Only a very small percentage of those who take steroids actually have their mood altered. Again, even this problem can be alleviated by hitting the gym on a regular basis.

The facts are simple. People want to look bigger. As a bodybuilding competitor they don't want to wait for the length of time it takes when going “natural” so they supplement with other things. Steroid use is on the rise because of the benefits derived from them. Baseball players, football players, basketball players and hockey players all benefit from the use of steroids. The “problem” is that these sports have banned their use. Imagine is that were not the case. Like with anything else where you say “no, you can't do this” the playing field would be leveled if you allowed steroids in these sports. Eventually nobody would use them because there would be no point. Each person would realize that they were no longer getting an edge.

I say don't look down on people who use steroids. It is a tad bit hypocritical to go out and drink, but then look down on people who use anabolic steroids. Drinking is dangerous and has serious health side effects. Smoking causes cancer in many people. However, as a society we have no problem with people who do these things. Steroid use should fall in that same category. Personal decisions are just that–personal. Nobody should make someone feel bad for making the choices they feel are best for them. Nobody tells you that you should not drink, so nobody should tell you that you shouldn't use steroids.

Advocating the Use of Steroids?

Please understand that I am not saying run right out and use steroids. I am saying that if they are a consideration, sit down and do all your research first. Find out the side effects. Understand how they work. Make sure you are going to be able to afford the amount of food you are going to need to grow. Learn how to properly inject yourself in a sterile manner. If, after doing your research, you decide that steroids are for you, by all means make that personal decision. Just don't make the decision lightly. Ask yourself why you want to use steroids. Is it just to “get big”? If so, that's not really a good reason. Be careful. Make your decision with great care and consideration. There are other ways to boost your testosterone and grow your muscles. They take longer, but have far less side effects.

Conclusion

Society needs to stop being hypocritical. You want to get on people who take steroids then stop drinking, smoking and having unprotected sex because all of those things are even more dangerous than anabolic steroids. Here in the United States we preach freedom. Well give your friends the freedom to make their own choices!

 

Related Posts:

  • Increase Growth Hormone Naturally
  • Bad Bodybuilding Information
  • Saturday Sharing: My Opinion on HIT Training
  • The NPC Nationals Update
  • How to Track Your Goal Progress

Filed Under: Featured, Supplements

But he uses steroids!

March 20, 2013 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT 1 Comment

Anabolic-Steroids

I hear that exclaimed all the time about someone who is jacked — “But he uses steroids!” Like somehow that negates the hard work he has done to get to where he is.  People seem to be of the belief that all you do is take some drugs and grow like a weed. People seem to think that the training and diet are secondary to the drugs. That simply isn't true. I will attempt to give you a very brief overview of anabolic steroids and their effects in this article.

What Are Anabolic Steroids?

Anabolic steroids are steroid hormones based on androgen testosterone. They are also known as AAS (anabolic androgenic steroids). AAS is also known as performance enhancing drugs.

What Anabolic Steroids Do

Anabolic steroids increase protein synthesis. This means that the body is more easily able to utilize the protein you feed it. In addition they emphasize masculine characteristics like hair growth and vocal chords. 

How Anabolic Steroids Work

Anabolic steroids have an effect on muscle mass and strength through two processes. AAS will cause an increase in the production of proteins, which are the building blocks of muscle. AAS will also block the effect of the hormone cortisol on muscles. This will cause existing muscle to be broken down at a slower rate. This is known as a muscle saving tendency. AAS will also lead to cells differentiating into muscle more readily than fat. In a nutshell, AAS will encourage muscle growth.

The Magic Pill Syndrome

The reason, in my opinion, that so many people think that all you have to do is take “steroids” and you get big is that they want that “magic pill” that solves all their problems. I am here to tell you that pill does not exist in any form. Yes, AAS will give you an edge you might not have had, but it doesn't come without risks (risks I cannot go into in this article, but will in a future article). However, you still need to eat clean and train hard in order to see gains. In fact, in my opinion, if you use AAS and you do NOT eat clean and train hard you are wasting your time completely. 

Stop looking for a magic pill. You can take an AAS and grow, but you aren't going to do it with the AAS alone. Get yourself into the gym and get back to the basics. That's what works. It worked for the old time bodybuilders and it will work for you as well. 

 

Related Posts:

  • Book Review: Better Than Steroids
  • Bad Bodybuilding Information
  • Saturday Sharing: My Opinion on HIT Training
  • The NPC Nationals Update
  • How to Track Your Goal Progress

Filed Under: Featured, Supplements, Training

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2

News

Toronto Pro Supershow 2016

June 12, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

IFBB Arnold Africa 2016

June 9, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

IFBB California Pro 2016

June 5, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

Coming Soon!

Featured Video

Regaining Focus!

Find out what I am doing to regain my focus.

We Recommend

Increase the internal rotation of your shoulder with the Rotater

New eBook!

Copyright © 2025 by Fitness Expose