I've had over 30 years bodybuilding experience and there is one thing that I can say for certain: Build your muscles naturally and they will be built to last. I've seen so many bodybuilders and powerlifters make unnatural drug induced gains in power and size only to soon drop out of the game. Why? Because they don't last. As soon as they are cycled off their muscle enhancing drugs the gains that they so quickly made quickly diminish to pre-drug levels and in most cases even beyond. This is because when you obtain testosterone from an outside source the body ceases to produce it's own. Then when the drugs are stopped the body is left with a testosterone void. Often there are other problems as well because there are now more female hormones running through the body than male hormones. This often can produce some embarrassing unwanted feminine side effects. Additionally, there are also many long term negative side effects such as well such as cancer.
If you build your muscles naturally, the right way, without performance enhancing drugs, through hard exercise and proper nutrition it often takes longer to make gains in size and strength. But to me it is more than well worth it. Those gains you will see in the mirror are your own made from your hard work and proper nutrition. And when you have to endure a layoff you will not immediately shrink to pre-workout levels. Additionally, once you hit the weights again your peak form will return much quicker. You can enjoy a lifetime of bodybuilding, lessen the chance of injury and illness if it is done through natural means. To me it was a lifestyle I chose from the very first day I walked in the gym and I've never regretted it since.
