Steroids vs. Naturals: A 100-Day Muscle Experiment

When it comes to bodybuilding, there’s always been this burning question: do steroids really give you such a massive advantage that natural lifters don’t stand a chance? We’ve all heard the debates, seen the Instagram photos, and watched countless YouTube videos. But can a “natty” lifter (someone who trains naturally) really keep up with someone who’s hopped on gear? Well, we’re about to find out!

Over 100 days, one natural lifter will train using science-backed strategies, while another lifter dives into the world of steroids. Their progress will be tracked to see who comes out on top. Exciting, right?

And who are these lifters and who decided to document this experiment? Jeremy Ethier uploaded a video on YouTube with his friends Brandon and Todd.

Jeremy Ethier is a fitness enthusiast, certified kinesiologist, co-founder of Built With Science, and the creator of the fitness-focused YouTube channel “Jeremy Ethier.” He is known for providing evidence-based fitness and training advice, backed by scientific research. Jeremy shares workout routines, exercise tutorials, and nutrition tips to help individuals achieve their fitness goals. His content often emphasizes the importance of proper form, effective workout strategies, and understanding the science behind fitness practices

Let’s dive into the experiment and uncover what really happens when you put steroids up against natural gains.

The Beginning: Setting the Stage for the Challenge

Initial data: DEXA scans, ultrasounds, and body fat measurements
The participants: A natural lifter vs. one on steroids
Their goals and challenges

On day one, the two participants – Brandon (the natty) and Todd (the enhanced lifter) – stepped up to get their starting stats. To make the results as accurate as possible, the team used DEXA scans and ultrasounds to measure fat, muscle mass, and growth potential in all the major muscle groups. Todd, already an aspiring bodybuilder, started with a weight of 183 lbs and 19% body fat. Brandon, meanwhile, weighed 148 lbs with a lean 13.6% body fat.

From the get-go, you might think Todd has the upper hand. After all, he’s bigger, more experienced, and ready to start cutting for his bodybuilding competition. But Brandon had a few key advantages. First, because he was lean, there was more room to bulk up. Secondly, he wasn’t as serious about lifting before, meaning his newbie gains could kick in hard. However, things weren’t going to be that straightforward.

How Did Pre-Steroid Bodybuilders Get So Jacked?

Science-Based Strategy for Brandon

Exercises chosen for maximum stretch
The principle of training to failure
Nutrition and calorie increase for muscle growth

The experiment for Brandon revolved around a science-driven training plan designed to help him supercharge his growth naturally. One major focus was the choice of exercises. Jeremy, the coach behind the plan, explained that exercises that maximise the challenge in the stretched position, like overhead tricep extensions, lead to more muscle growth. This was backed by research from 2022 showing that triceps grew 1.4 times faster with this exercise compared to traditional pushdowns. Every exercise Brandon did targeted this stretch element across all his major muscle groups.

And that’s not all. Brandon also had to learn to truly train to failure – something most people don’t realise they’re missing out on. Instead of stopping when he couldn’t do a full rep, Jeremy pushed him to continue with half-reps or even just shrugs at the end of a set. It’s painful, no doubt about it, but “teaching Brandon how to actually train to failure was going to be key.” This strategy was designed to make sure he squeezed every bit of potential out of each session.

Todd’s Steroid-Fuelled Training

How steroids affect muscle cells
The ability to train longer and recover faster
Expected results based on research

While Brandon was struggling through every rep, Todd’s body was about to experience a huge transformation. Steroids bind to androgen receptors in muscle cells, boosting protein synthesis and speeding up recovery times. This means Todd could not only train harder and longer but also recover faster than Brandon.

According to research, natural lifters can expect to gain around 3.7 pounds of muscle in 100 days of hard training. In contrast, enhanced lifters like Todd typically gain about three times that – roughly 13 pounds of muscle in the same period. It was clear from the start that Todd had a huge advantage. But the real question was: just how much of a difference would it make? And could Brandon close the gap?

Do Steroids Keep Working After You Stop Taking Them?

The First 30 Days: Who’s Making Gains?

Todd’s rapid gains: 2 cm added to his shoulders
Brandon struggles to eat enough and increase calories
The role of supplements: creatine as a secret weapon for Brandon

After just 30 days, Todd’s progress was already looking shocking. He’d added 2 cm to his shoulders, and every workout was resulting in faster muscle growth. Steroids were clearly working, as expected. But for Brandon, the challenge wasn’t just about lifting; it was also about eating enough. Despite consuming 3,000 calories a day, his activity levels, including hours of tennis, meant he wasn’t gaining weight as quickly as they hoped. To fix this, Jeremy had to push Brandon’s calories even higher, but it wasn’t easy.

To give Brandon a boost, the team also incorporated a key natural supplement: creatine. While Todd had his “special juice,” creatine was something Brandon could use to help improve his muscle mass naturally. Although it might seem like just a small bump, a 1-2 pound muscle gain from creatine could make a significant difference by the end of the experiment.

60 Days In: The Plot Twist

Todd’s competition prep – calorie deficit and muscle maintenance
Brandon’s slow and steady gains start to add up
Unexpected benefits for Brandon’s delts, biceps, and legs

By the 60-day mark, something unexpected happened: Todd began dieting down for his bodybuilding show. This calorie deficit was designed to shred fat, but it also slowed down his muscle growth. Meanwhile, Brandon’s consistent training and boosted calorie intake were starting to pay off.

While Todd’s muscle growth started to taper off due to his competition prep, Brandon was still building, and his newbie gains made his muscles more sensitive to growth. Brandon’s ultrasounds showed that he’d actually gained more muscle than Todd in some areas, specifically his delts, biceps, and one leg muscle. It turns out that focusing on those special exercises that hit the muscles at the stretch really helped Brandon’s progress.

The Final Push: 100 Days and the Results Are In

Todd’s massive gains: 13 pounds of muscle, 7% body fat
Brandon’s impressive results: 5 pounds of muscle, 13.5% body fat
Ultrasound results: more growth in certain muscle groups for Brandon

On the final day, it was time for the results. Brandon, after 100 days, had managed to gain 5 pounds of pure muscle, and his body fat stayed steady at 13.5%. Not bad at all for a natural lifter! But Todd? Todd had transformed. He’d gained an incredible 13 pounds of muscle and dropped to just 7% body fat, a massive shift from his starting point. As expected, the steroids had given him a huge edge.

But despite Todd’s win, the story wasn’t that simple. While he might have gained more muscle overall, Brandon’s approach had its victories too. In some areas, particularly his delts and biceps, Brandon had outgrown Todd. The focus on stretch-based exercises and training to failure had clearly made a difference.

Conclusion: Is Steroid Use Worth It?

The risks vs. rewards of steroids
Natural gains can be impressive with the right approach
Long-term health considerations

Todd’s transformation was nothing short of impressive, but it came at a cost. Steroids, while effective, carry serious risks, and unless you’re committed to competing professionally, the potential health problems aren’t worth it.

Brandon’s journey, on the other hand, showed that natural lifters can make significant gains with the right training and diet. Sure, he didn’t gain as much muscle as Todd, but he still made impressive progress, and most importantly, he did it without risking his long-term health.

In the end, this experiment proves that, yes, steroids offer a huge advantage, but with a smart, science-backed approach, natural lifters can still achieve fantastic results. So, unless you’re ready to risk it all, it might be worth sticking to a more natural path. “Brandon is proof that with the right approach, us ‘natties’ can still make incredible progress without putting our health at risk.”

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Source link: https://www.boxrox.com/steroids-vs-naturals-a-100-day-muscle-experiment/ by Robert Born at www.boxrox.com