Hi, im a 16 yr. old male and want to get started on bodybuilding. How long will it take to look like some of the guys in the pics? Also do they take steroids to look that way or supplements or just high protein diets?

thanks

By Bryan Healey on Sunday, January 09, 2000 - 08:24 pm: Edit

I am a 16 year old bodybuilder who has been training religiously for nearly 2 years now. I have had remarkable success in my physique in these last 2 years, and I would like to give you young bodybuilders some advice.

First of all, DO NOT USE STEROIDS! They are the worst possible thing you can take to help your training. It is true that they make you look big when in effect, but after they wear off, they make you look smaller than when you first took them (in other words, the muscles are not permanent, as are those you develop from years of training), and the side effects of steroids are not worth the easy, temporary muscles (you can even die from their use!). None of the really good bodybuilders (Arnold, Franco, Bertil...) do not use them, and neither should you. If you want to get big, you need the good, old fashioned work ethic (in other words, train your muscles until you can't move!).

Second, don't worry about looking like the bodybuilders you see in pictures and in competitions. They have been training for many, many years to attain that physique. Simply worry about your own progress. Compare you to you as you go along, and see how far you've come. But also know, it takes usually around three months to see any noticeable changes in your physique (although you will see immediate increases in strength).

And last, supplements are great for some people, but I don't recommend some of them, such as creatine. I find it more exciting and thrilling to know that you completed a workout all on your own, and the results belong to only you and your effort, and not the aid of some power supplement. Instead, use the simple things, like PowerBars or caffeine, that don't make you work harder, but rather give you the ability to work harder.

I hope this helps you as you train. If you have any further questions, feel free to e-mail me at SkiHealey@aol.com.

Good luck! Hope to see you in the Mr. Olympia someday!

Bryan Healey

By Paris on Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 07:10 am: Edit

Patience is the key-followed by a workout which recruits large muscle groups through basic movements-shaping movements should be incorporated into a workout only after you have the necessary mass to shape out your muscles-the single best movement for a beginner is the squat-it raises your GH levels (growth hormone levels) as well as the body's entire metabolism is jumpstarted so that you start growing!

I started bodybuilding 5 months back and stuck to the beginner's routine-you need only workout three times a week no more than an hour each session-you train all the body parts-your protein and carb intake if adequate is all you need to make gains plus proper technique in your exercises-don't venture into steriods!

Should you need more info, e-mail me at

sanepk@madmail.com

G' luck pumping iron!

By emreustaoðlu ( - 212.174.63.243) on Saturday, January 06, 2001 - 11:23 pm: Edit

is it true that the hairy chest don't grow(ý have heard a lot abaut this.)

By anonymous ( - 212.174.63.243) on Saturday, January 06, 2001 - 11:26 pm: Edit

ý have heard a lot abaut that the hairy chest dont
grow well!!!!is it true?