While controversial, it’s no secret that IFBB Pro bodybuilders use performance-enhancing drugs to achieve their remarkable physiques. In a recent YouTube video, Stan Efferding discusses whether steroids can boost muscle growth without working out and provides insight into typical dosages for bodybuilders.
With a resumé that boasts titles such as ‘World’s Strongest Bodybuilder’ and having at one point held the all-time raw powerlifting record, Stan Efferding brings an unmatched wealth of expertise. Now that he is no longer competing professionally, Stan Efferding focuses on nutrition and offers valuable guidance on health and fitness through social media.
Efferding developed the renowned ‘Vertical Diet,‘ which is tailored to suit individuals needing higher calories. However, as a nutritionist and former bodybuilder/powerlifter, Efferding also provides insights on topics including, training techniques, weight loss, and supplement intakes.
Stan Efferding Talks Typical Steroid Dosages for IFBB Pros, Reveals If It’s Possible to Grow Muscle on PEDs Without Training
Compiling his vast knowledge of bodybuilding, which includes his familiarity with PEDs, Efferding sat down with Derek of More Plates More Dates to discuss whether it is possible to grow muscle while on steroids without working out.
“Even if you have the potential from all these additional drugs, it may put you in a state of toxicity and just compromised health whereby you would never be able to achieve that potential anyways because you’re just like in a state of dysfunction to begin with,” shares Derek MPMD.
“You could take all the gear and if you don’t eat properly or train, like it’s not going to do much,” said Derek MPMD.
While some studies might suggest it’s possible to grow muscle on PEDs without training, Efferding believes this has more to do with how much food the subjects were consuming.
“People flipped out and started saying well we got these studies showing that people who don’t even work out and take steroids, they build muscle. What people don’t understand is those studies prove my point. Those are over-feeding studies. Those are 170-pound individuals taking in 3,000 calories a day and .8 grams of protein per pound of body weight” Efferding added.
“Those effects didn’t occur at 200 milligrams, I don’t think they occurred at 400, they occurred at 600 milligrams so there was a dose-dependent. And the gains were pretty slight. If you consider some of that is going to be water retention, you’re talking two to four pounds over the period that test was done.”
While on the topic of steroid use, Stan Efferding shared the typical doses that an IFBB Pro bodybuilder would be taking. Efferding expresses that it is common practice to use multiple compounds at a time.
“Pretty common I think that people use multiple compounds as I mentioned in my pre-contest cycle, it was multiple compounds. Usually at a minimum of a gram of week, collectively, that would be a pretty small dose for most Pros, closer to two.”
He adds that he hasn’t seen many athletes taking over three grams of gear in total regularly.
“I haven’t really seen anything north of three personally and I’ve worked with a lot of big athletes. I mean, the most shocking was listening to Chase Iron’s cycle recently.
That’s outrageous. It goes to show you, and I like Chase, Chase is a nice guy, we go back some years, and he’s used the Vertical Diet as well. It goes to show you that genetics reign supreme.”
He underscores that muscle growth has a lot to do with someone’s genetic predispositions. For example, he described former seven-time Olympia Phil Heath as a hyper-responder to PEDs.
“There’s a lot of guys out there using a lot less who are lot bigger just because they are more genetically pre-dispositioned,” shares Efferding.
“Like Phil Heath, he came out of no where. His gains were so fast. You just kind of know there are certain people who have that predisposition and or have both and are hyper responders.”
In regards to athletes using steroids, Stan Efferding previously revealed how much protein they should take in compared to natural individuals. When using PEDs, Efferding suggests they need less protein since their bodies are already working efficiently. However, if in a calorie surplus, he recommends increasing their protein to optimize gains.
Efferding often talks about the importance of protein intake, addressing in the past whether it is safe to eat red meat. While heavily dependent on the individual’s body composition, red meat is still an effective way to ingest protein and vital nutrients such as iron and B12. He also emphasizes that one can suffer from sarcopenia without enough protein, which has a higher mortality risk than eating red meat.
Stan Efferding’s knowledge of nutrition, exercise, and overall health is second to none. With years of personal experience, Efferding has become a dependable advisor in the fitness community, helping guide individuals on their journey to healthier lifestyles.
To watch the full interview, click the link below:
RELATED: Stan Efferding Talks Ideal Rest Periods for Muscle Growth and ‘Strength-Based’ Training Routine
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