Tag: TRT
Best Foods to Boost Testosterone
Testosterone one of the key male sex hormones that is required for so many bodily processes, including sexual desire and energy levels. While numerous elements might contribute to a drop in testosterone, age is one of the most prevalent causes. A few additional factors that influence it are nutrition and, in some cases, underlying medical…
Testosterone Enanthate: History and Bodybuilder Dosages
Testosterone enanthate is a widely used anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) among athletes and bodybuilders to enhance muscle mass, strength, and endurance. It is an ester form of testosterone, which means it is a testosterone molecule with the enanthate ester attached to it. This modification slows the release of testosterone from the injection site, allowing for…
Difference Between “Cruise Steroid Cycles” and a “Bridging Steroid Cycles”
Understanding the Difference Between a “Cruise Cycle” and a “Bridging Steroid Cycles” in Bodybuilding The world of bodybuilding is rife with various techniques to maximize muscle gains and fat loss. Among the more controversial and often debated topics are the concepts of “cruise cycles” and “bridging steroid cycles.” These strategies involve the use of anabolic…
Flex Lewis Shares Top 3 Movements to Build Olympia-Worthy Chest: “Control Is Key”
Welsh bodybuilding legend Flex Lewis presented arguably one of the best physiques of all time in the Men’s 212 category during his best days of competition. While he no longer competes, he’s revered for educating fans on a range of topics related to bodybuilding. In a recent Instagram post, Lewis shared his top three movements for building an Olympia-worthy chest.
Flex Lewis’ passion for bodybuilding was discovered early in his teenage years after taking inspiration from icons Tom Platz and seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger. He made a name for himself on the UK regional circuit before joining the IFBB Pro League.
While he was well respected for his overall look, he was renowned for his insane arm development. After placing runner-up in the Men’s 212 event at the 2011 Mr. Olympia, Lewis secured the coveted title before the division limit was raised to 212 pounds the next year.
Lewis enjoyed a dominant run at the top as he managed to ward off budding talent and became a seven-time 212 Olympia champion. What’s more impressive is the fact he went essentially undefeated from 2012 to 2018, winning every show he participated in. Although he flirted with the idea of switching to the Open, he decided against it and hung up his posing trunks following a final win at the 2018 Mr. Olympia.
Flex Lewis / Instagram
In July 2022, Lewis reported positive findings after receiving the results of his blood work. He gave fans a look into his downsized physique at a lean 210 pounds post-retirement and revealed he’d start TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). Then, he delivered another impressive physique update after getting on TRT.
As far as training goes, Lewis showed off his gigantic biceps and triceps in an intense arms workout session last November. He followed up with a collaborative quads training session with rising Men’s Open sensation Andrew Jacked weeks later. The pair got together for a heavy back workout in prep for the 2022 Mr. Olympia as well.
Flex Lewis left the fans in awe of his jacked physique with an update where he tipped the scales at 200 pounds earlier this year. He laid out an updated diet and training program he’s using to pack on muscle after dropping 60 pounds.
There has been speculation about whether Lewis would ever return to competition given his high fitness levels. He left the door open for a potential comeback but mentioned a caveat: that he’s rewarded with seven-figure prize money.
Flex Lewis shares the top 3 movements to build an Olympia-worthy chest
In a recent Instagram post, Flex Lewis shared his top three movements to build a muscular chest fit for an Olympia champion.
Lewis discussed the reloaded vertical chest press as his first movement of choice.
“Exercise number one is the reloaded vertical chest press,” said Lewis. “As I preach many times, foundation is key. You find the height of the seat in accordance with your biomechanics. So, what I try to do is line up my chest with the handles, get a little bit closer range. People will say you’re incorporating triceps. I’ve been doing this a long time. There’s ways of me trying to switch off that button but the wider you go the less triceps you’re going to hit. Pinching myself against the pad and my shoulder blades. I’m not squirming in the chair, plain motion. Chest up high squeeze at the top.”
His next movement is the reloaded incline fly.
“Exercise number two is the reloaded incline fly. This is pretty much as close to a dumbbell fly as a machine can be. Chest up high, I’m arching my body. There’s a little definitive distance between the lower of my back and the pad on my shoulder blades firmly on the pad, full stretch at the bottom. Contraction with the flys all the way through squeezing at the top, opening them up, controlling the weight. Ninety degrees and up again. You can open your hands up or close them out depending on your preference and what you’re trying to achieve during the workout.”
Finally, Lewis detailed using an incline chest press machine effectively.
“Exercise number three is one of the GOATs, it’s one of the old Flex piece, this is [incline chest press machine]. Chest up high, feet in a solid foundational position and we’re going to drive through squeezing at the top. As you can see I’ve got a suicide grip which is something I don’t advise but this is how I train and feel best. Contraction all the time, control is key.”
Flex Lewis opened up on his steroid use during his prime last month. He backed himself to come out on top of a hypothetical matchup with 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan and runner-up Derek Lunsford if he decided to make a comeback. Then, he teamed up with four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead for a brutal back workout weeks ago.
Lewis laid out the secrets to his training, diet, and recovery protocols earlier this month. He also revealed his plans to take on a body transformation challenge for his 40th birthday. In addition, he recently listed his top three movements for building the triceps last month.
RELATED: Shaun Clarida Plans to Break Flex Lewis 212 Olympia Record, Says Nick Walker’s ‘Streamlined’ Look Cost Him
Given his ability to remain on top for so long as a 212 competitor, when Lewis offers insight for building a muscle group, fans listen.
Published: 14 June, 2023 | 11:35 PM EDT
Grappling Phenom Gordon Ryan Shocks Fans with Crazy Reverse Body Transformation
American grappling phenom Gordon Ryan is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and arguably the greatest no-gi grappler of all time. What makes his achievements even more impressive is the fact that he has been battling a stomach condition called gastroparesis for the majority of his career. In a recent Instagram post, Ryan shocked fans with his reverse body transformation where he looked significantly downsized from health challenges.
Gordon Ryan found his passion for grappling in his teenage years. He started learning from fellow standout Garry Tonon and joined the renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach John Danaher to improve his abilities. Danaher’s gifted mind for the game combined with Tonon’s skills and Ryan’s insane athleticism saw them forge a solid partnership. The group went on to achieve unparalleled heights in the sport with Ryan at the helm of the now-disbanded ‘Danaher Death Squad.’
Ryan won the coveted ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship, considered the most prestigious submission grappling competition in the world, in the -88-kilogram weight category in 2017. The following year, he came out on top of the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) World No-Gi and Pan No-Gi Championships, winning both at his weight category and the absolute class.
The 27-year-old scored his second ADCC title in 2019 with a dominant performance. He defeated his training partner Garry Tonon on his way to winning the -99 kg group as well as the absolute division. Besides his grappling talents, Ryan made headlines for his insanely jacked physique transformation. He packed on the pounds to boast impressive muscle mass, size, and conditioning.
Ryan had been dealing with stomach issues since the early days of his career. After a faulty diagnosis, it was revealed he was suffering from a fungal growth in his small intestine and a bacterial imbalance. The issue stemming from 2019 worsened due to his high exposure to antibiotics and other illnesses. Danaher and Ryan later explained that he competed while dealing with excruciating pain. Although Ryan signed a deal with ONE Championship in 2021, he did not get to compete under the banner due to gut issues.
Gordon Ryan created history by becoming the first competitor to participate in both the super fight and the weight class at the 2022 ADCC. He handily dispatched the competition in the +99kg group, setting a new record for the fastest submission in the show’s history at 11 seconds, and also won the super-fight against prolific grappler Andre Galvao.
Ryan joins forces with iconic Strongman Hafthor Bjornsson and Martins Licis for a training session last December. Despite the massive size difference, Ryan tapped out both giants in a friendly rolling session. ‘The King’ has been on the sidelines this year because of his stomach problems. He pinned the blame on antibiotics demolishing his healthy gut microbiome, which ended up exacerbating his GI issues.
Ryan documented his health conditions on his social media channels. On May 22, he revealed he suffered “a severe case of strep throat” which did not heal from penicillin. He said his stomach worsened, prompting surgery for a tonsillectomy and to fix his deviated septum. Then, he got IV liquids to speed up his recovery following the surgery.
Gordon Ryan shocks fans with insane reverse body transformation
In a recent Instagram post, Gordon Ryan gave fans a look into his reverse body transformation with a snap where he looked significantly downsized from his previous jacked self.
“Everyone posts their best. Be confident enough to post your worst,” wrote Ryan. “This post is simply to update everyone on my current athletic status. I’m not asking for sympathy or help, and in fact, would prefer if you lose faith in me so I can prove you wrong like I always do. The last time I was this size,(201 lbs,20+ lbs this week) I was 21 years old. When I got the strep in early March, my ears became so inflamed that every time I elevated my heart rate I felt my head would explode. It’s been 2 months since I’ve been able to do any intense activity. I spoke with my doctor and got the silicone stints taken out of my nose and I’m told I cant start lifting for another 3 weeks and training for roughly 2 months. This will make 3 months of 0 activity and 5 months of no training. That, coupled with the fact that over 40 days of antibiotics wasn’t great for my stomach, it’s safe to say I have a long road back to competition. My focus now, as an athlete, is on getting healthy and helping my team mates/students prepare for matches. No matter how ill I’ve been, there’s nothing worse than not being there to help them prepare for upcoming matches, and not being there to give @danaherjohn the Gordon he deserves.
My goal in this sport is simple- double gold in ADCC until I’m 40 years old and have more ADCC medals than Buchecha has world titles. That being said, for 5 years now, my body, specifically my immune system and stomach have been barely cooperating with this plan. Given the time ive missed to nurse my pathetic body back to health, it may be difficult long term to stay ahead of the curve I was once far ahead of. I have done so thus far and have no intention of letting those down to depend on me. The goal isn’t to be in the mix having fun. Winning, that’s what’s fun for me. I will attempt to, and succeed at staying on top until my body quits on me completely. Doctor prescribed antibiotics are as much a gift as they are a curse. Theyve saved my life a fair amount of times, yet also ruined it. Antibiotics have done my body more harm than anything else in my life. Thank you for being patient with my competition schedule. Just know, when I come back, boy, will I be back.”
Seven-time Men’s 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis weighed in with his best wishes for Ryan.
“You be back bigger and stronger than ever. Let your body heel,” wrote Lewis. “Always here to help in anyways I can CHAMP.”
The photo drew a lot of heat from fans who theorized steroid use caused the condition. It’s important to note PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs) are suspected to be rampant in the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, it’s only Gordon Ryan suffering from such health challenges which could suggest his gut issues are to blame for the change in his physique as opposed to getting off steroids.
“Bro came off the GH and test too,” commented one.
“Damn I knew he was juicing but I didn’t know he was JUICING,” wrote a user.
Another said, “A health crisis doesn’t rob you of your physic. Not being on cycle does lol.”
“I didn’t know stopping steroids was a health crisis,” wrote one.
“Health crisis. Getting off steroids is not a health crisis, abusing steroids to the point your internal organs almost explode is not a health crisis. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes,” commented another.
“Bro you need to stop taking steroids, it’s killing you,” said one.
“Stop taking/cycling roids then.. Your body is screaming for help bruh,” wrote a user.
RELATED: Martial Arts Calories Burned Calculator
Gordon Ryan is expected to spend the remainder of the year out of competition in recovery. While the change in his physique is quite drastic, he’s confident he could turn things around and get back to his best self with time.
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 2:08 AM EDT
Dorian Yates Reveals His Contest Prep, Training, Steroid Cycles & TRT Use after Retirement
Bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates stands out as a six-time Mr. Olympia champion with a distinct training philosophy. In a recent Rob Lipsett interview, Yates revealed his competition prep, training, and the steroid cycles he used as a competitor. He also opened up about his reasons for getting on TRT after stepping away from professional competition….
Jay Cutler Calls Out Steroid Stigma in Film Industry, ‘Figures’ The Rock Is on TRT
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler was a key figure in the Men’s Open division during the 2000s. In his latest interview, Cutler discussed the stigma of steroid use in film, Dwayne ‘The Rock Johnson, and his rivalry with eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman.
In 2006, Cutler finally dethroned Coleman at Mr. Olympia after multiple second-place finishes. Competing actively, Cutler separated himself from the rest of the Open class with exceptional size and conditioning. He’s known for the iconic quad stomp pose and is regarded for having some of the most detailed quads in the history of the sport.
Cutler retired from bodybuilding in 2013. Even though he’s not seen a competition stage in years, Cutler takes his health, fitness, and longevity seriously. He routinely shares motivating workout sessions with fitness influencers. In a collaboration with Lexx Little, Cutler’s physique went viral. Fans immediately questioned if a return was possible for the 2023 Masters Olympia in August.
Unfortunately, Cutler quickly shot down any chance of a comeback days after his progress photo circulated online. Instead, the four-time Mr. Olympia shared that he was transforming his physique as part of a ‘Fit for 50’ challenge. In his most recent undertaking, he joined the Factz Podcast to shed light on his career, Dwayne Johnson, and his experiences with TRT/performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Jay Cutler Talks The Rock, Popularity of TRT & Steroid Misconceptions in Film : ‘Everyone’s Protocols Are Different’
Cutler said he was able to offset his wide waist by building his legs and shoulders, which helped his x-frame.
“It’s just really hard to compare the physiques, the structure is usually different. The smaller waist, I wasn’t blessed with a super small waist so I had to really offset by building my legs outwards and my shoulders outwards to make that x-frame.”
Given the availability of equipment, food, and PEDs, Cutler believes bodybuilders today carry more size than in Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s era.
“As you know, the guys got a lot bigger than in Arnold’s day. Food, you know, equipment, drugs, everything. The science has become a lot deeper but at the same time, guys have paid great money to do this for a living, sponsors, the supplement game is huge, it’s a big support of sports and nutrition for the industry. So guys can get paid to literally eat sleep and train. That’s their job,” Cutler said.
“Oh, I can look at someone [and tell right away] yes. I can tell,” said Cutler. “The truth is I feel like diets and everything else, many guys can really dominate without having to struggle as hard if that makes sense.”
Cutler stressed that there are misconceptions about TRT/steroid use and said the compounds ‘never made him crazy.’
“No. It [steroids] wasn’t like that. Usually, the build up, that’s the thing with the films and everything, they portray like a guy takes a shot of testosterone and he gets aggressive; that’s a misconception. I can tell you that. It never made me crazy. And listen, we talk about TRT which is popular now and I know there’s a lot of accusations of who or who isn’t on TRT. Obviously, Dwayne’s name comes up a lot and whatever else.”
“Like I said, all my blood tests and I was very monitored. I had – my ex-wife was a nurse practitioner, so she was very up to speed on like what the protocols were and what we needed to test. Blood work can only show so much.”
When asked about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s alleged use of PEDs, Cutler had the following to say:
“He doesn’t ever go out there and to give him some sort of respect factor, like he doesn’t go out there and say I’m natural. He just doesn’t talk about it. You know, I know his work ethic, I would figure that at his age, I mean it’s so common, that a lot of people are on TRT. What he does is number one his business. I come out and say, ‘Hey I’m on TRT.’ Because let’s be real: looking at my physique at the wildly muscled look of 300 pounds and I was winning Olympias at 270, if I claimed I was natural, you would have killed me.”
“Everyone’s protocols are different. So guys genetically don’t have to use what other guys may have to use.”
“You had different compounds that kind of would be thrown into a protocol and not everyone would use the same thing but your base would basically be testosterone and then you just, nutrition would have to be on point, and you give yourself four months to get in the best shape possible.”
Cutler Touches on Ronnie Coleman Rivalry & Chasing Size During Career
Before praising Ronnie Coleman as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, Cutler named Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone as early inspirations.
“I was overly big, I wouldn’t have been attracted to it, remember, I was married for most of my career. And my whole goal was to be the best bodybuilder,” Cutler said. “In the beginning, Arnold was. Honestly, Van Damme and Stallone were my first heroes. I just thought their physiques were unbelievable at the time.”
“He [Ronnie Coleman] arguably, people question but probably the greatest ever. Arnold obviously, he’s huge. But Coleman had a crazy physique but for me, the first couple were like wow I’m actually second-best. I hate the term you’re the first loser because you’re still right there, right. You’re kind of in line, the problem is there was a curse in bodybuilding where a guy that places second — he usually doesn’t win. So, that was a curse and I actually broke that curse.”
As of late, Jay Cutler discussed which former Mr. Olympias would have held their own against today’s lineup of Open talent. Cutler and Milos Sarcev agreed that six-time winner Dorian Yates and Coleman would contend for gold even today.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Discussed 2023 Physique Goals and Steroids in Bodybuilding: ‘Cycle On, Cycle Off Work Well.’
The last time the 49-year-old looked at The Rock’s alleged use of steroids, Cutler said he respected the superstar for choosing not to talk about the subject publicly. Meanwhile, podcast giant Joe Rogan recently called on The Rock to come clean about his use after Brian Johnson’s (Liver King) steroid cycle was leaked online.
Check out the full video below courtesy of the Factz Podcast:
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 1:48 PM EDT
Chad Nicholls: ‘If You’re Taking SARMs & Claiming Natty, Fuc**ng Get Real Man’
For decades, bodybuilding coach Chad Nicholls helped create Mr. Olympia champions. In a Desktop Bodybuilding interview, Nicholls discussed athletes pretending to be natural while taking selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs). In addition, he explained the utility of cortisol blockers and testosterone.
Guru Chad Nicholls shaped the Men’s Open division, having guided several high-profile names to gold. During the late 1990s and 2000s, an unproven Ronnie Coleman connected with Nicholls following the advice of his rival Flex Wheeler. Within a year of their bodybuilding partnership, Coleman won his first Mr. Olympia title in 1998. Under the tutelage of Nicholls, Coleman tied the all-time Sandow record with Lee Haney at eight.
In addition to working with ‘The King,’ Nicholls started training Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, who went on to secure a pair of Mr. Olympia titles in 2020 and 2021. While Ramy came up short in fifth place last December, he made a quick turnaround at the recent Arnold Classic in fourth.
Taking a rest from contest preparations, Nicholls took part in a candid podcast to discuss the inner workings of a bodybuilding prep, most notably, the use of SARMs, testosterone, and cortisol blockers.
Chad Nicholls Takes Shot at Athletes Using SARMs Claiming Natural, Says Gear Hasn’t Changed Much Era-to-Era
According to Nicholls, athletes who use SARMs and claim natural aren’t ‘really natty.’ He argued that they might as well ‘jump to the dark side’ instead.
“I think the side effects that come with SARMs are relatively close to the side effects of what you would get from the real thing. I think there are a couple things out there as far as cutting agents that could definitely be added to a protocol as far as leanness and conditioning, but if you’re talking you know serious muscle gain and stuff like that, I know a lot of guys like to say they’re on SARMs and still claim natty or whatever, it’s – fuc**ng get real man. If you’re taking SARMs, I don’t care what you’re taking you’re not natty. You might as well make the jump to the dark side there.”
During the 90s, Nicholls shared that the purity of steroids was higher than it is today. He believes the doses haven’t changed much in the last 30 years, however.
“Pretty close. Pretty close. I mean there’s some things that have changed a little bit. Back in the 90s we’re talking about a lot of American pure gear. So, we’re talking about stuff that’s coming directly out of a hospital or a pharmacy versus now we’re talking about stuff that’s not as quite pure, still – those things all factor in, those things all change a little bit.
Purity, amount, how is everything going to be taken, but overall, when you’re talking about how much you’re going to use, it’s pretty close [from the 90s]. There’s always going to be guys that need a little bit more than others and other guys who don’t need very much. I think the key is finding out what is the least amount to get the biggest results right. It’s simple,” Chad Nicholls said.
Nicholls Says Best PED to Grow Muscle With Is Testosterone, Touches on Cortisol Blockers
Nicholls credits testosterone as the best PED for growing muscle in the shortest amount of time. He also said he’s seen athletes find great success micro-dosing testosterone.
“Testosterone. You know, but here’s the thing about testosterone, everybody thinks it’s this and that or whatever, but everybody is a little bit different. I think the key is, I’m big on using testosterone as a base. But you also have to see how your body responds to it, some people respond really really well to a slow Ester, so it could be Cypionate, but based off of how well your body metabolizes that and utilizes it within the system and how your body basically sets a baseline of testosterone; sometimes guys run better with that and a combination of like propionate, because of how it kind of spikes but then the one keeps it a little bit more steady.
Other people because of that spike, doesn’t respond well. The key is finding out where your body really gets the best benefit from the testosterone and which one of those esters or which combination of esters is best for you.”
“I’ve seen some guys make some really good progress over that way [testosterone] because you’re still stable. You’re using less but you’re taking it more often. The body is much more stable, especially if you’re just starting out like if you’re just getting started and stuff because a lot of the ups and downs can throw that body so far out of whack and the progression even slows down based off where you should be just natural.”
Next, Nicholls discussed the utility of cortisol blockers and mentioned some of his athletes currently use them.
“Ornithine, it was a cortisol blocker. It also blocked estrogen too, so it was utilized as – yeah, it would block estrogen a little bit, it would also block cortisol. The crazy thing about, it would basically it didn’t block it completely but what it did was regulated it. So there was never a high level of cortisol spiking in the system.”
“Some guys have access to it right now. I know, I’ve got some guys that have been using it a little bit and stuff. Again, it makes you feel pretty much like shit. You’re tired as fu**. It’s really hard on the stomach so you have to take it with food. Usually, no longer than four to five weeks, 250-milligram capsule usually, most people don’t go over 500.”
Nicholls says the dosages of steroids haven’t changed much since the 1990s, but there are some bodybuilding veterans from that era who disagree. Rich Gaspari recently took aim at Open Bodybuilding by suggesting that athletes are over-depending on drugs rather than quality training and nutrition.
Bodybuilding is a sport that requires dedication, discipline, and hard work. However, some athletes may utilize performance-enhancing drugs such as SARMs, to gain an edge over their competitors. Nicholls’ experience and knowledge can help aspiring bodybuilders make informed decisions about their respective careers.
You can watch the full video below, courtesy of the Desktop Bodybuilding YouTube channel:
RELATED: DEA Reveals Proposal to Change Telehealth Law, Threatening TRT Accessibility in U.S.
Published: 23 April, 2023 | 10:31 PM EDT
Andrew Tate Denies Steroid & TRT Use Amid Fan Speculation: “Never Taken Them in My Life”
Andrew Tate, the controversial social media influencer, has denied taking steroids, and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In a recent Twitter post, Tate showcased his ripped physique and underscored that he’s never touched steroids or TRT. Andrew and his brother, Tristan Tate were arrested last December in Romania, Bucharest for alleged human sex-trafficking crimes until the…
Rich Gaspari Promotes TRT Use & Defends Telehealth Law Proposal: ‘It’s Not A New Law’
Bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari has found a place as a respected analyst in the sport since moving on from professional competition years ago. In a recent episode of Fitness, Fame & Fortune, Gaspari shared his thoughts on the proposal to update telehealth laws for restricting access to controlled substances. He also shared the benefits he reaped from using TRT (testosterone replacement therapy).
Rich Gaspari became a mainstay of the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division in the mid-1980s through the 1990s. He was renowned for his insane muscle definition, stellar conditioning levels, and glute striations. While he did not win the coveted Sandow trophy, Gaspari scored silver in three Mr. Olympia competitions. He was the inaugural champion at the 1989 Arnold Classic. He got inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004 and received an Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Since stepping away from competition, Gaspari has become a revered analyst known for his outspoken personality and hot takes. He regularly shares his expertise in fitness online. Two months ago, Gaspari issued a passionate message motivating his fans to challenge themselves in the training room. He called on them to focus on amping up workout intensity to get the best results.
Gaspari also opened up about his decade-long experience of using TRT earlier this year. He’s a strong proponent of the substance and stressed the importance of getting your blood work done to minimize the risk of any side effects.
The 59-year-old took issue with the prevalence of harsh diuretics used by athletes who intend to achieve a drier look on stage. He shared his take on the adverse effects of extreme dehydration and revealed Insulin and other diuretics weren’t a part of his protocol as a competitor.
In retirement, Gaspari laid out a peptide stack he’s utilizing for anti-aging benefits last month. Then, he followed that up with some of his favorite exercises to enhance the quality of calf muscles.
Rich Gaspari defends telehealth law update proposal
Earlier this month, DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) announced a proposal to limit Telehealth prescriptions, including testosterone. The update would require patients to make at least one in-person visit to the doctor to obtain a prescription.
In a recent YouTube video, Rich Gaspari shared his thoughts on the proposal that could restrict access to controlled substances. He explained how the rule isn’t a change in the law but rather enforcement of the pre-existing one.
“Right now any type of telemedicine on testosterone, the laws will be enforced,” said Gaspari. “This is what I’m seeing is that they think this is a new law. It’s not a new law. This is a law that’s been in effect but because of COVID, the law was very lax because as we know it was very hard and difficult to see doctors in person so they kind of let that go and let you see doctors online.
“What we’re saying here is that they’re now enforcing the laws on those class III, IV, and V. I guess because it started just getting I think anytime where there’s less regulations, people take advantage of the system. There’s people doing it right. You get blood work first and then meet with the doctor and then the doctor goes over that via zoom and sees if you’re low in testosterone, he prescribes you the testosterone. I think what was happening, where the government gets involved, you have the greedy people out there that are saying we don’t need to get a doctor involved.
“Maybe we don’t even have to get the blood work, or they can do it once and then we don’t check after that. You can keep getting testosterone in perpetuity like that every month.
“It’s not a new law. It’s a law that’s been in effect since 2008. They’re just following the guidelines of that law.”
Gaspari shares the benefits of using TRT
Rich Gaspari shared the benefits he reaped from using TRT.
“The testosterone for me makes me feel first of all very alert,” said Gaspari. “When I had low T, I had bouts of depression and a lot of people don’t realize that if you have a 200 total T, you’re going to feel like crap. You don’t want to get out of bed. I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning and go to the gym. I train. I work all day and I believe a lot of it has to do with using testosterone. I don’t believe I would want to go above that high normal range because it wouldn’t be beneficial to me health-wise.”
“It’s just the convenience of injecting yourself with testosterone is so much easier for me.”
While Iain Valliere had mentioned that TRT isn’t a necessity for everyone, Rich argued that the substance is important, especially as you age.
“Iain Valliere put out anyone older should not be on TRT except the fact that you’re old and it lets your testosterone go down. I go yeah because you’re freaking young. Let’s see how you feel when you’re in your 50s. Let me see how you’re going to feel if you’re depressed, you feel like sh*t and you’re saying anyone above 50 shouldn’t be using testosterone. Let the natural aging process happen to you and let your T go down to 100.”
Rich Gaspari gave his take on building bigger leg muscles with some techniques to incorporate into training sessions last week. Additionally, he isn’t a fan of the way the Open class evolved over the years and credits Classic Physique for preserving the art of the sport.
RELATED: Rich Gaspari Favors Chris Bumstead’s Physique Over Men’s Open Look: “You Look At These Guys and Their Physiques Are Unattainable”
His latest offering will help add clarity to the telehealth law proposal for many who feel concerned with the recent developments.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 9:00 AM EDT
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