Long term benefits of "supplements"

[Spamela]

interesting article.

i competed against one guy in a drug-tested powerlifting contest
who smoked me. however, he was open about his history and
how (he thought) his usage screwed up his health in a major way
(as in almost killing him).

i've read other sources that say the enhanced baseline strength
plateau stays with you more or less permanently even after you stop.

http://www.slate.com/articles/sport...ible_he_s_still_benefitting_from_doping_.html

 

[surfsatwerk]

Neat article thanks!

 

[The Wayfarer]

Just out of curiosity, what class are you? Powerlifting, or Olympic?

Personally, the only drug I've ever supplemented with was caffeine. In three years, I increased my lifts by by at least 150% each. (I was a pretty scrawny guy to begin with.) But after three years of zero training whatsoever - thank you car crash - my baseline strength and body mass went back to exactly where it was when I first started. Talk about depressing.

In my unscientific, anecdotal experience, body type (endo-, ecto-, meso-) has more to do with it than anything.

 

[Spamela]

Just out of curiosity, what class are you? Powerlifting, or Olympic?

Personally, the only drug I've ever supplemented with was caffeine. In three years, I increased my lifts by by at least 150% each. (I was a pretty scrawny guy to begin with.) But after three years of zero training whatsoever - thank you car crash - my baseline strength and body mass went back to exactly where it was when I first started. Talk about depressing.

In my unscientific, anecdotal experience, body type (endo-, ecto-, meso-) has more to do with it than anything.

i compete in the WABDL Master's 54-60 age group, 259lb Men's class (powerlifting only).
i've competed in other federations in the 275lb class (at a body weight of 249, it isn't fun).

 

[bhanson]

I didn't read the article, but I would say it is very possible.

Part of the benefits of steroid use is that you can recover much quicker. Yes, you still have to do the work, but I'm sure 5-10 years of doing training at a volume you wouldn't normally be able to sustain has lasting benefits.

Even the clean elite athletes are able to add a few kilos to the bar every year. In contests where medals are won and lost on bodyweight it's easy to see how that extra volume could be useful.