THE CLASSIC ANABOLIC Steroid STACK - WHAT THE GUYS FROM THE 70'S USED
Written by Daniel Gwartney, M.D.
The Classic Anabolic Stack
What the Guys from the 70's Used
Among veteran bodybuilders from the so called Golden Era of the ‘60s and ‘70s, often when the topic of drug use is raised, a barrier goes up and the conversation becomes charged. The reason is that they are extremely proud of what they accomplished and do not want their success defined by drug use. That is the universal theme. Not individual amnesty, not outright denial, but protecting how future generations will view their accomplishments, their art.
Dedication, Discipline and Drive
So, harkening back to past conversations, and comments by people who claim to have been “in the know,” at that time as well as published interviews, we can “reverse engineer” much of the training and some of the drug used by classic legends. Prior to that, it is important to acknowledge that it is the same dedication, discipline and drive that creates any champion that made these men great. As fascinating and important as it is to read of their general drug use, remember their efforts, sacrifices and aspirations as their legacy.
The equipment used in gyms was evolving greatly during this time, and like any expanding field, improvements marched in side by side with the weird or dangerous techniques. The classic bodybuilders were not “specialists” as they are today. Most had a background in powerlifting; the majority had participated in sports. Older readers may recall Franco Columbu and Lou Ferrigno competing in the first World's Strongest Man competition that aired on CBS in 1977.[SUP]3[/SUP]
The training programs were brutal, often lasting over two hours, and would have been catabolic— were it not for the support of immense quantities of protein, fat and anabolics. With the advent of bodybuilding-focused gyms, open and available throughout the day, the protocols instituted two-a-day resistance-training sessions. Powerlifting and Olympic lifting-focused gyms are slower paced, with the distraction of noise, taunting and “preening” in front of the mirror doing poses not being tolerated. You get the pleasure of a magnesium carbonate high from inhaling chalk dust instead. As the drive to become larger grew, the ambition of these men was such that they tolerated living on scarce budgets, performing menial jobs and punishing schedules to excel against their peers. And their peers were right there. The legends of that day were clustered in focused areas, many training in the same gym, alongside or within eyeshot of each other. The concentrated power of competitiveness and camaraderie charged the atmosphere. Some of this can be seen in the classic documentary, “Pumping Iron.”
Classic Legends and AAS
Just as the majority of their predecessors from the golden age of bodybuilding, and nearly all of their successors in professional bodybuilding, the classic legends used anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), along with other drugs to achieve their superhuman form.[SUP]2[/SUP] This was a time when that class of drugs was not a controlled substance, teenagers were not using AAS outside of collegiate sports programs and accessibility made it widely available, so that all bodybuilders had a “level playing field.” This is not to say that it was any safer, or that bodybuilders of less than elite caliber didn’t feel compelled to use AAS if they wanted to advance as a bodybuilder, but many of the moral arguments were not present at that time. Further, the awareness of adverse effects caused most men to view these drugs with respect, monitoring dose and cycle duration closely.
Yes, these men cycled their AAS to avoid harmful changes to the liver, testes, mood, breast development and a litany of other effects that were possible in that day.[SUP]4-6[/SUP] A vast number of today’s professionals are always “on,” whether it be a full-out cycle or bridging, to avoid the loss of newly earned muscle. Recall that the availability of oral AAS, their rapid action on muscle/strength increases, and clearance, made them very appealing in the classic era. Someorals were great to stack in bulking cycles, and others in cutting cycles. Yet, it is oral AAS that induce cholestatic hepatotoxicity (liver damage from a “backup” of bile). Many is the time that one could tell a bodybuilder was “on” just by the yellowing of his eyes, a sign of bilirubin concentration building up in the blood. Several examples exist of classic bodybuilders falling from favor due to gynecomastia, or breast development under the nipple (i.e., “man boobs”). Effective aromatase inhibitors were not available at that time.
Short Cycles, Big Men
Most cycles were fairly short, eight to 12 weeks in duration. During this period of time, some long-acting injectable steroids would not have built up to anabolic concentrations for a few weeks. Recall too, that many men would pyramid up and down in a cycle. However, to attain early gains, many used short-acting injectables with orals to get a rapid increase in androgens, and make best use of the limited time “on cycle.” The rapid swing from low or normal testosterone, to supraphysiologic concentrations of AAS, often has negative effects on mood. As a depressive effect can occur, along with a sudden loss of strength and change in body composition with the rapid withdrawal of AAS, cycles typically ended with a tapering dose schedule.
"Off cycles" were rigorously adhered to, typically lasting the same number of weeks as the preceding cycle. Of course, there is much more to the pharmacodynamics of AAS cycling than that, but that was the common “field” experience. The men would time their cycles according to their competitive schedule. This, along with binge eating or overfeeding, led to some bodybuilders being criticized for falling into a sloppy “off-season” look. The “post-cycle” recoverywas primarily dependent upon hCG, and time.[SUP]7[/SUP] Testicular atrophy was very common, and the return to normal size of the “boys” was often a sign of successful recovery of natural testosterone production. As opposed to today, when hCG is used during cycles to reduce/avoid testicular atrophy, it was only used post-cycle in high-dose injections. Unlike today when hCG is injected subcutaneously, it was injected into the muscle, though there is no benefit to the intramuscular shot. Clomid was used, but not all competitors were fully aware of the post-cycle benefits of this drug. Nolvadex was actually used commonly in later years, though it is not an equivalent drug for this purpose. Further, Nolvadex can aggravate gynecomastia in rare cases, especially as androgen levels fall post-cycle.
Classic Anabolic Stack
It is probably easiest to suggest what a typical AAS cycle may have looked like for the classic-era bodybuilder. Recall that hGH was very expensive, and limited in availability; insulin was not being used in bodybuilding circles with any prevalence; the more exotic growth factors were not yet developed. Realize also that in addition to the AAS, fat-cutting drugs were being used pre-competition, such as clenbuterol and Cytomel. So, with the caveat that this example of the classic anabolic stack is a general representation of only the AAS, and not the complete drug repertoire, here are two cycles. The first is an off-season cycle intended to aid in building muscle mass, while the second is a cutting cycle used in the pre-competition time frame. For further information and descriptions of these cycles, readers may find William Llewellyn’s Anabolicsreference guide a valuable resource.
As you read the following, which is not advice, nor does it suggest any element of safety or moral acceptance, consider how moderate the doses of AAS were used to acquire what many feel was the pinnacle of physique development. Recall also, that the drugs only worked in the conditions of intense training and disciplined dieting, and that many of the bodybuilders of this era did experience adverse side effects. To those who claim that the pros used way more in those days, what they admit to and actually used may be two different lists. Also, the less talented were much more dependent on drug use for their gains, and likely more willing to take greater risk (as they do today).
Bulking Cycle – 10 Weeks
Sustanon 250. 1 cc, week 1; 2 cc, weeks 2-10
Dianabol, 5 mg tablet. 1 tablet daily, week 1-2; 3 tablets daily, weeks 3-8; 2 tablets daily, week 9; 1 tablet daily, week 10.
Anadrol 50. 1/2 tablet daily, week 2; 1 tablet daily, weeks 3-9.
Note: the cycle above will result in rapid weight, muscle mass and strength gains. Mood may become affected with irritability. Gynecomastia may develop or become more pronounced. Post-cycle treatment typically delayed for two to three weeks to allow longer-acting ester component of Sustanon 250 to dissipate sufficiently, to allow for hypothalamic-pituitary suppression to diminish. Changes in liver function are common with Anadrol 50 and Dianabol, and should be monitored. Skin changes (e.g., acne) will be common.
Cutting Cycle – 12 Weeks
Nandrolone phenylpropionate, 100 mg. 1 cc, week 1; 2 cc, twice weekly, weeks 2-11; 1 cc, twice weekly, week 12.
Primobolan, 100 mg. 1 cc, twice weekly, week 1; 2 cc, twice weekly, weeks 2-12.
Winstrol, 5 mg tablets. 2 tablets daily, week 1; 3 tablets, twice daily, weeks 2-12.
Note: the cycle above may cause joint soreness. Post-cycle treatment may begin within two weeks, as the phenylpropionate ester of nandrolone is much shorter acting than the decanoate ester. Liver toxicity may be experienced due to Winstrol.
References:
1. Wyke M. Herculean Muscle! The Classicizing Rhetoric of Bodybuilding. Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics. Third Series, 1997 Winter;4(3):51-79.
2. Augé WK 2nd1, Augé SM. Naturalistic observation of athletic drug-use patterns and behavior in professional-caliber bodybuilders. Subst Use Misuse 1999;34:217-49.
3. 1977 World’s Strongest Man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OA_aqIAg1s, accessed February 11, 2016.
4. Gurakar A, Caraceni P, et al. Androgenic/anabolic steroid-induced intrahepatic cholestasis: a review with four additional case reports. J Okla State Med Assoc 1994;87:399-404.
5. Coward RM, Rajanahally S, et al. Anabolic steroid induced hypogonadism in young men. J Urol 2013;190:2200-5.
6. Aiache AE. Surgical treatment of gynecomastia in the bodybuilder. Plast Reconstr Surg 1989;83:61-6.
7. Martikainen H, Alén M, et al. Testicular responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotrophin during transient hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism induced by androgenic/anabolic steroids in power athletes. J Steroid Biochem 1986;25:109-12
- The Classic Anabolic Stack - What the Guys from the 70's Used
Written by Daniel Gwartney, M.D.
What the Guys from the 70's Used
Among veteran bodybuilders from the so called Golden Era of the ‘60s and ‘70s, often when the topic of drug use is raised, a barrier goes up and the conversation becomes charged. The reason is that they are extremely proud of what they accomplished and do not want their success defined by drug use. That is the universal theme. Not individual amnesty, not outright denial, but protecting how future generations will view their accomplishments, their art.
Dedication, Discipline and Drive
So, harkening back to past conversations, and comments by people who claim to have been “in the know,” at that time as well as published interviews, we can “reverse engineer” much of the training and some of the drug used by classic legends. Prior to that, it is important to acknowledge that it is the same dedication, discipline and drive that creates any champion that made these men great. As fascinating and important as it is to read of their general drug use, remember their efforts, sacrifices and aspirations as their legacy.
The equipment used in gyms was evolving greatly during this time, and like any expanding field, improvements marched in side by side with the weird or dangerous techniques. The classic bodybuilders were not “specialists” as they are today. Most had a background in powerlifting; the majority had participated in sports. Older readers may recall Franco Columbu and Lou Ferrigno competing in the first World's Strongest Man competition that aired on CBS in 1977.[SUP]3[/SUP]
The training programs were brutal, often lasting over two hours, and would have been catabolic— were it not for the support of immense quantities of protein, fat and anabolics. With the advent of bodybuilding-focused gyms, open and available throughout the day, the protocols instituted two-a-day resistance-training sessions. Powerlifting and Olympic lifting-focused gyms are slower paced, with the distraction of noise, taunting and “preening” in front of the mirror doing poses not being tolerated. You get the pleasure of a magnesium carbonate high from inhaling chalk dust instead. As the drive to become larger grew, the ambition of these men was such that they tolerated living on scarce budgets, performing menial jobs and punishing schedules to excel against their peers. And their peers were right there. The legends of that day were clustered in focused areas, many training in the same gym, alongside or within eyeshot of each other. The concentrated power of competitiveness and camaraderie charged the atmosphere. Some of this can be seen in the classic documentary, “Pumping Iron.”
Classic Legends and AAS
Just as the majority of their predecessors from the golden age of bodybuilding, and nearly all of their successors in professional bodybuilding, the classic legends used anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), along with other drugs to achieve their superhuman form.[SUP]2[/SUP] This was a time when that class of drugs was not a controlled substance, teenagers were not using AAS outside of collegiate sports programs and accessibility made it widely available, so that all bodybuilders had a “level playing field.” This is not to say that it was any safer, or that bodybuilders of less than elite caliber didn’t feel compelled to use AAS if they wanted to advance as a bodybuilder, but many of the moral arguments were not present at that time. Further, the awareness of adverse effects caused most men to view these drugs with respect, monitoring dose and cycle duration closely.
Yes, these men cycled their AAS to avoid harmful changes to the liver, testes, mood, breast development and a litany of other effects that were possible in that day.[SUP]4-6[/SUP] A vast number of today’s professionals are always “on,” whether it be a full-out cycle or bridging, to avoid the loss of newly earned muscle. Recall that the availability of oral AAS, their rapid action on muscle/strength increases, and clearance, made them very appealing in the classic era. Someorals were great to stack in bulking cycles, and others in cutting cycles. Yet, it is oral AAS that induce cholestatic hepatotoxicity (liver damage from a “backup” of bile). Many is the time that one could tell a bodybuilder was “on” just by the yellowing of his eyes, a sign of bilirubin concentration building up in the blood. Several examples exist of classic bodybuilders falling from favor due to gynecomastia, or breast development under the nipple (i.e., “man boobs”). Effective aromatase inhibitors were not available at that time.
Short Cycles, Big Men
Most cycles were fairly short, eight to 12 weeks in duration. During this period of time, some long-acting injectable steroids would not have built up to anabolic concentrations for a few weeks. Recall too, that many men would pyramid up and down in a cycle. However, to attain early gains, many used short-acting injectables with orals to get a rapid increase in androgens, and make best use of the limited time “on cycle.” The rapid swing from low or normal testosterone, to supraphysiologic concentrations of AAS, often has negative effects on mood. As a depressive effect can occur, along with a sudden loss of strength and change in body composition with the rapid withdrawal of AAS, cycles typically ended with a tapering dose schedule.
"Off cycles" were rigorously adhered to, typically lasting the same number of weeks as the preceding cycle. Of course, there is much more to the pharmacodynamics of AAS cycling than that, but that was the common “field” experience. The men would time their cycles according to their competitive schedule. This, along with binge eating or overfeeding, led to some bodybuilders being criticized for falling into a sloppy “off-season” look. The “post-cycle” recoverywas primarily dependent upon hCG, and time.[SUP]7[/SUP] Testicular atrophy was very common, and the return to normal size of the “boys” was often a sign of successful recovery of natural testosterone production. As opposed to today, when hCG is used during cycles to reduce/avoid testicular atrophy, it was only used post-cycle in high-dose injections. Unlike today when hCG is injected subcutaneously, it was injected into the muscle, though there is no benefit to the intramuscular shot. Clomid was used, but not all competitors were fully aware of the post-cycle benefits of this drug. Nolvadex was actually used commonly in later years, though it is not an equivalent drug for this purpose. Further, Nolvadex can aggravate gynecomastia in rare cases, especially as androgen levels fall post-cycle.
Classic Anabolic Stack
It is probably easiest to suggest what a typical AAS cycle may have looked like for the classic-era bodybuilder. Recall that hGH was very expensive, and limited in availability; insulin was not being used in bodybuilding circles with any prevalence; the more exotic growth factors were not yet developed. Realize also that in addition to the AAS, fat-cutting drugs were being used pre-competition, such as clenbuterol and Cytomel. So, with the caveat that this example of the classic anabolic stack is a general representation of only the AAS, and not the complete drug repertoire, here are two cycles. The first is an off-season cycle intended to aid in building muscle mass, while the second is a cutting cycle used in the pre-competition time frame. For further information and descriptions of these cycles, readers may find William Llewellyn’s Anabolicsreference guide a valuable resource.
As you read the following, which is not advice, nor does it suggest any element of safety or moral acceptance, consider how moderate the doses of AAS were used to acquire what many feel was the pinnacle of physique development. Recall also, that the drugs only worked in the conditions of intense training and disciplined dieting, and that many of the bodybuilders of this era did experience adverse side effects. To those who claim that the pros used way more in those days, what they admit to and actually used may be two different lists. Also, the less talented were much more dependent on drug use for their gains, and likely more willing to take greater risk (as they do today).
Bulking Cycle – 10 Weeks
Sustanon 250. 1 cc, week 1; 2 cc, weeks 2-10
Dianabol, 5 mg tablet. 1 tablet daily, week 1-2; 3 tablets daily, weeks 3-8; 2 tablets daily, week 9; 1 tablet daily, week 10.
Anadrol 50. 1/2 tablet daily, week 2; 1 tablet daily, weeks 3-9.
Note: the cycle above will result in rapid weight, muscle mass and strength gains. Mood may become affected with irritability. Gynecomastia may develop or become more pronounced. Post-cycle treatment typically delayed for two to three weeks to allow longer-acting ester component of Sustanon 250 to dissipate sufficiently, to allow for hypothalamic-pituitary suppression to diminish. Changes in liver function are common with Anadrol 50 and Dianabol, and should be monitored. Skin changes (e.g., acne) will be common.
Cutting Cycle – 12 Weeks
Nandrolone phenylpropionate, 100 mg. 1 cc, week 1; 2 cc, twice weekly, weeks 2-11; 1 cc, twice weekly, week 12.
Primobolan, 100 mg. 1 cc, twice weekly, week 1; 2 cc, twice weekly, weeks 2-12.
Winstrol, 5 mg tablets. 2 tablets daily, week 1; 3 tablets, twice daily, weeks 2-12.
Note: the cycle above may cause joint soreness. Post-cycle treatment may begin within two weeks, as the phenylpropionate ester of nandrolone is much shorter acting than the decanoate ester. Liver toxicity may be experienced due to Winstrol.
References:
1. Wyke M. Herculean Muscle! The Classicizing Rhetoric of Bodybuilding. Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics. Third Series, 1997 Winter;4(3):51-79.
2. Augé WK 2nd1, Augé SM. Naturalistic observation of athletic drug-use patterns and behavior in professional-caliber bodybuilders. Subst Use Misuse 1999;34:217-49.
3. 1977 World’s Strongest Man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OA_aqIAg1s, accessed February 11, 2016.
4. Gurakar A, Caraceni P, et al. Androgenic/anabolic steroid-induced intrahepatic cholestasis: a review with four additional case reports. J Okla State Med Assoc 1994;87:399-404.
5. Coward RM, Rajanahally S, et al. Anabolic steroid induced hypogonadism in young men. J Urol 2013;190:2200-5.
6. Aiache AE. Surgical treatment of gynecomastia in the bodybuilder. Plast Reconstr Surg 1989;83:61-6.
7. Martikainen H, Alén M, et al. Testicular responsiveness to human chorionic gonadotrophin during transient hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism induced by androgenic/anabolic steroids in power athletes. J Steroid Biochem 1986;25:109-12
