Quadriceps exercises

It is important not to forget the fitness of the quadriceps, as are the large muscles of the thigh, and represent a very important muscle mass. Unfortunately, as their training is very tired, many people forget to train at the time of going to a gym.

So just because your training is tired so interesting train: muscles are a very important muscle that allow lifting and produce a positive anabolic hormonal response in the body assembly. So even though your workout can be hard, the results will not disappoint.

There are many exercises for the quadriceps question of isolation movements, or basic movements that allow all the muscular thighs. These exercises use machines, bars or just dumbbells, therefore a wide variety of fitness accessories. So it is easy to train the quadriceps of the large number of exercises in the world.

But beware, as a function of each morphology, some bodybuilding exercises quadriceps should avoid, or at least, play a certain way.

Exercises:

The exercises of quadriceps bar offer virtually the 2 functions. For this reason, the work of the thighs with this instrument is an excellent idea: most massively developed quadriceps possibilities, since it is simple and effective.

But the interest in the use of the bar is more important than the simple development of the quadriceps. Indeed, all (or most) will be called closed chain exercises. Thus, muscle imbalances are limited because the other muscles (glutes, hamstring, calves, back …) in synergy intervene or to ensure the balance of power around different joints.

The bar is the basic instrument of the harmonious development of the quadriceps, but also globally thighs: improved efficiency, increased full weight faster and less imbalances, therefore less risk of damage … but as always condition to perform the exercises correctly. The aim should be for the work of muscles cleanly, and not putting the maximum possible weight on the bar.

Body Composition and Optimal Health

More than 60 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and more than 2,600 people die from CVD each day. Hypertension is found in about 50% of individuals above 55 years. Metabolic syndrome (Syndrome X), characterized by elevated blood glucose insulin responses, is one of the most common conditions seen today and is estimated to be present in about 22% of men and 24% of women.

A central factor in all of these conditions is altered body composition. Adults with altered body compositions are at high risk for developing:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• High blood pressure
• Dyslipidemias such as high blood cholesterol
• Metabolic syndrome
• Type 2 diabetes

What is Altered Body Composition?

Body composition is a measure of the amount of body mass (weight) that is present as fat, bone, and lean muscle. Altered body composition may occur from increased fat and/or loss of lean muscle, which result in an increase of fat-to-lean body mass. Although the most common form of altered body composition is excess fat, decreased skeletal mass by loss of bone, such as seen with osteoporosis, is also a form of altered body composition.

Body composition can be determined by:

1. Body Mass Index (BMI): BMI is calculated from weight and height or can be obtained from an easy-to-use chart. Individuals with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, while individuals with a BMI of 30 or greater are considered obese.
2. Waist Circumference or Waste to Hip Ratio (WHR): People who accumulate fat in the abdominal area (apple-shaped body) are at a significantly increased risk for developing diseases as compared to those with fat accumulation primarily in the hips and thighs (pear-shaped body). A waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women or 40 inches for men, or a WHR of 0.8 or greater in women, or 1.0 or greater in men indicates abdominal adiposity.
3. Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA): BIA uses electric signals at different frequencies, which are impeded (slow down) on whether they are moving through the fat or lean muscle mass.

How can I Support Healthy Composition?

An important part of a clinical management program to improve body composition is adequate nutrition to support lean body mass, while appropriately limiting caloric intake. The low-calorie diets commonly used in weight-loss programs may not be beneficial, and such diets may produce side effects of fatigue, dizziness, and weakness, and result in loss of lean muscle mass. Research has shown that clinical programs that include a supplemental meal replacement are more successful for weight loss. Intervention for healthy body composition should always include resistance exercise as well, since increasing muscle mass increases energy needs, helps combat fatigue, and decreases the likelihood that fat mass will return after the program is completed.

Soy Protein, Isoflavones, and Healthy Body Composition
Soy protein is a high-quality protein source that may improve blood pressure and blood lipids. Based on a thorough review of the research literature, the FDA has issued a health claim stating that a daily consumption of 25 grams of soy protein as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of CVD. Specific preparations of soy protein have also been shown to promote healthy body composition. For example, a soy-based medical food has been shown to promote lean body mass over a non-soy based meal replacement in a weight management program. And, perimenopausal women fed 40 grams of an isoflavone-containing soy protein daily for 24 weeks showed increases in lean mass, whereas a control group consuming whey protein did not.

Glycemic Index (GI), Fructose and Metabolic Syndrome
The GI assesses blood glucose response to a food, and research documents that people at risk of diabetes should maintain a diet with low GI foods. Recently, a soy-based medical food was shown to have a low GI, suggesting it could be a suitable source of protein and nutrients while maintaining a healthy blood glucose and insulin levels.

The source of sweetener in any food should be a considered as well, and fructose is a low GI, naturally occurring sweetener. Fructose is suggested as preferred sugar source for diabetics since large doses of fructose (50 grams) only modestly raise blood sugar or insulin levels, and small doses show virtually no effect on blood sugar or insulin.

Fiber and BMI
Fiber is known to promote healthy digestion, blood insulin, and blood glucose levels, as well as maintenance of healthy cholesterol levels; and, fiber associated with lower risk of CVD. In the 10-year-long CARDIA Study of more than 2,000 adults, those individuals with the highest intake of fiber had the lowest body weight and WHR, and those with the highest body weight showed higher blood lipids and blood pressure. Fiber intake of 20 -30 grams per day should be considered in the optimal diet for promoting healthy body composition.

Homocysteine, Folate, Vitamin B12 and Optimal Health
Elevated blood homocysteine is associated with aging and obesity, and is an independent risk factor for CVD. Research also shows that it is associated with altered body composition in both adults and children. Folate and Vitamin B-12 are key vitamins that promote reduction of homocysteine levels.

Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium Balance
Early studies suggested restricting sodium may be helpful in older persons, but more recent data-including those from the large, multi-center Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) trial-suggested calcium, potassium, and magnesium are more important in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Low intake of calcium is also associated with higher levels of body fat, and calcium supplementation had been shown to promote healthy body composition and decreased fat retention in clinical trials and animal studies.

Bone Health and Body Composition
Throughout life, skeletal and lean muscle masses are related. Bone density decreases dramatically after the age of 40, so that by 80 years of age, men have lost on an average of 12% and women 25% of bone. Major factors in bone health are adequate intake of bone-support nutrients, and weight-bearing exercises to promote new bone growth.

Calcium supplementation has been shown to slow or even prevent bone loss in older individuals. About half the weight of bone mineral is from phosphorus, and it is important that intake of phosphorus and calcium be in balance. Low magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin K levels are associated with decreased bone mass and increased prevalence of fractures. Supplementation with these nutrients is important in promoting bone density. In addition, research suggests that soy with isoflavones reduces the bone resorption often during and after menopause.

How Many Carbs Do You Need Post-Exercise?

If a bodybuilder asked  "Do I need carbohydrates in my drink, post-exercise?" they would have said, "You probably need some carbohydrates because of the anti-catabolic actions of the insulin spike." If someone were to ask the exact amount of grams, we wouldn't have an answer. As you know, insulin is an anti-catabolic hormone that suppresses protein breakdown.

In contrast, infusion of a low dose of insulin directly into the brachial artery has been reported to achieve the maximal effect on protein breakdown. It’s interesting that diabetics or patients with insulin resistance have increased muscle protein breakdown and increased muscle atrophy, due to the defects in insulin signaling.The increased breakdown of muscle in diabetics is also due to elevated ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) levels, which create a catabolic scenario.

Carbohydrate supplements reduce muscle protein breakdown, but have no effect on muscle protein synthesis. In fact, even though carbohydrate ingestion reduces muscle tissue breakdown, the net balance of protein kinetics still remains negative. Most bodybuilders recommend incorporating periodichigh-glycemic meals, which spike insulin— especially post-workout. This is not only effective for maintaining an anabolic state, but the insulin spike that results also shuts down the UPP pathway and reduces muscle tissue breakdown.

A recent study  reports that increasing amino acids, or leucine alone, acts with insulin to downregulate muscle protein breakdown and reduce UPP. Thus, the use of l-leucine while dieting seems to be effective for reducing muscle tissue breakdown by reducing UPP. In addition to hormonal stimulators of UPP, resistance exercise also increases UPP, which is a normal adaptation to exercise. For years, bodybuilders have been told to consume a high-glycemic index shake with some added protein/BCAAs after exercise, but a new study will make you ask, do you need a ton of carbs, post-exercise?

How Much Is Enough?

A new study examined both low and high carbohydrate ingestion before resistance exercise to determine how many carbs is enough. The researchers used equivalent amounts of essential amino acids (~20 grams) but differing amounts of carbohydrates (low carbohydrates = 30 grams; high carbohydrates = 90 grams). The male research subjects ingested nutrients one hour after an acute bout of leg-resistance exercise.

30-Gram Rule

The results of the study were quite interesting. Of course, the group that consumed 90 grams of carbohydrates had larger increases in blood glucose levels, but the results in protein synthesis were similar.The researchers concluded that the findings were similar to previous studies, which found that muscle protein synthesis is not enhanced when carbohydrates exceed 30 grams. The researchers did not detect any significant differences in gene expression for markers of muscle catabolism following larger dosages of carbohydrates.7They concluded that the changes in muscle protein synthesis were due to changes in the essential amino acids, while only a moderate dose of carbohydrates (~30 grams) is needed. Furthermore, these changes occur irrespective of the carbohydrate dose or circulating insulin levels.

So when bodybuilders are using post-workout carbohydrate beverages, 30 grams are all you need— and taking more than that does not seem to provide additional benefit in terms of muscle protein breakdown.

The Hidden Secrets to the Clean Bulking

Gaining weight is easy, most of us know that. Sit down and eat pizza, ice cream, and cookies every night for dinner and you’ll be packing on the pounds in no time. But we’re not looking for sloppy weight; we want to do it the right way, the healthiest way possible. There are several techniques I’m going to outline in this article that should put even the hardest of hard gainer down the right path towards adding at least a good ten pounds of lean muscle tissue to his frame this winter.

What’s one thing most hard gainers use religiously? Protein drinks and weight gainers. The reason most of these small guys can’t gain size in the first place is because they are not big eaters. Most little guys have the appetite of an 11 year old girl. Fine, that’s nothing to cry or complain about. Just like a muscle can be trained, so can an appetite – it just takes work. But until you’ve retrained your mind and stomach to crave the chicken and rice like a super heavyweight bodybuilder, there are a few things first I want you to try.

Next time you’re taking scoops of weight gainer or whey protein out of the tub and into your shaker cup or blender, add extra virgin olive oil into the mix. Just 1 tablespoon of the heart healthy oil offers up an extra 170 calories to your shake. If you’re one of those guys that take 3 shakes a day, you’ve now added approximately 500 extra calories to your day that you otherwise never would have known existed. Over the course of a week you’ve now added 3500 additional calories to your diet. Dietetics 101 tells us that 3500 calories is equal to one pound.

Night time eating is next. Whatever you’re used to having as your biggest meal of the day needs to come no more than 30 minutes before bed. This meal needs to have copious amounts of calorically dense macronutrients. A good 8-12 ounce piece of red meat, with pasta, white rice, or potato, and topped off with 2-3 heaping scoops of natural peanut butter are the first things to come to my mind. Now, that’s not to say you can’t still double up and do that same meal for your lunch, dinner, or post workout feast, but you should be mindful and enter it into your meal plan just before bed as well.

And speaking of late night eating, you should consider eating round the clock. Setting the alarm clock and waking up around 3am for food is another great method to increasing overall caloric intake. It has added benefits on top of just more food per day. It will also increase your metabolism by stoking the fire, and therefore making your new weight gains much leaner. If you’re the type who is knocked out cold at night, just prepare a shake to sit next to your bed. If you’re a light sleeper and can get up and heat something up even better. I would recommend a precooked Tupperware meal that you can stick in the microwave. You want to get right back into your REM sleep as quick as possible after eating, so being up for an hour preparing food and eating isn’t the best idea. If you can warm up your food, eat, and be back in bed in less than 20 minutes, you’re on the right track.

The often counterintuitive hidden secret to the clean bulk is doing cardio. One of the most challenging things about being on a diet for easy gainers is that they are forced to do cardio and it makes them extremely hungry when they step off the treadmill. The same rules apply to hard gainers, just with a blunted response. By doing as little as 15 minutes of walking after a workout, you can increase your appetite. Suck down your whey protein isolate immediately after you’re done lifting and then hop right on the treadmill, elliptical, or bike. You don’t even have to go fast; just enough to cool down and let the adrenaline from a hard workout subside. In most cases, this always increases appetite.

Give one or a few of these ideas a try. There’s no excuse to not being able to gain 10 to 15 pounds of new tissue every off season. Most guys can gain double that amount if they’re doing the necessary things to increase their odds. The key is and always will be consistency. If you’re diligent about your eating for 3 days and then slack off for 3 days, you’ll be spinning your wheels all off season. Your diet needs to be 100%, you’re training needs to be 100%, and your rest needs to 100%. There are no shortcuts on either three.

Strength training protects against high blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, many doctors and patients think you shouldn’t be doing strength training. This is not the case write researchers at the Catholic University of Brasilia in a new research. The researchers say strength training actually has a positive effect on people with high blood pressure.

Exercise can help prevent high blood pressure, and people who already have high blood pressure can reduce it a little by starting to do more exercise. The indications that endurance exercise – for example, 40 minutes of cycling at an intensity of 60 percent VO2max – helps reduce blood pressure are strong.

Less is known about the effects of strength training on blood pressure, although we do know that, during sets with heavy weights, blood pressure can shoot up. For people with vulnerable blood vessels, the temporary peak in blood pressure may be too much, although there are studies that suggest that good breathing technique and the use of blood-pressure lowering medicines such as propranolol can help flatten off the peak.

We also know that blood pressure declines a little in the first hour after a strength-training session, in people with normal blood pressure and in those with raised blood pressure. This would suggest that strength training might have a positive effect on blood pressure.

The researchers wanted to know what the effect of strength training would be on women with high blood pressure who were taking medication for this. Would strength training have a positive effect? Or would the women be better off doing moderately intensive forms of exercise?

To answer this question the researchers got 32 women aged between 60 and 75, all of whom had high blood pressure, to do strength training three times a week for four months [EG].

The women trained the main muscle groups each session, doing ten simple basic exercises: lat-pulldowns, leg-extensions, chest presses, hip abductions, leg curls, leg presses and calf raises. The women performed three sets of each exercise. They started off at 60 % of the weight with which they could just manage 1 rep, and built this up gradually to 80 %.

When the women were not taking medication against high blood pressure, their systolic pressure [pressure during the heart beat] was above 140 mmHg and their diastolic pressure [the pressure between two heart beats] was above 90 mmHg.

The first table below shows that the resting systolic blood pressure in the experimental group decreased by 14.3 mmHg. This was a statistically significant effect.

The second table shows that the diastolic resting blood pressure went down by 3.6 mmHg. The effect was not quite significant.

So women with high blood pressure that is under control can happily do strength training the researchers conclude. They must be sure to gradually increase the weight they work with.

Careful strength training can even help to keep blood pressure under control and may even help lower it. “Chronic reduction of resting blood pressure observed in this study may be translated as a significant protective effect on the volunteers cardiovascular system”, the Brazilians write.

Squat produces more growth hormone and testosterone than leg press

Squats create a stronger anabolic stimulus in the body than equally heavy sets on a leg press machine. Sports scientists from the University of North Texas report on this.  The Texans discovered that bodybuilders synthesise more growth hormone and testosterone after a squat session than after a session on a leg press machine.

Strength training done with bars and dumbbells produces better results than using machines. Training with free weights is also better for physical coordination and stimulates more muscle groups than training with machines does. What’s more, the movements you make with free weights tend to be more natural and therefore injuries are less likely to happen.

Whether training on machines or with free weights also has different physiological effects is not known. That’s why the Texans did an experiment with ten well-trained male strength athletes – average age 25 years – who trained their legs on two occasions: on one occasion doing squats and on another using the leg press. Both times the athletes did 6 sets of 10 reps. For each training session they used weights that were 80 percent of the weight at which they could just manage 1 rep.

Immediately after the session and 15 and 30 minutes later, the researchers observed that the concentration of testosterone and growth hormone in the men’s blood was higher than the previous measurement. But the increase in the two muscle-building hormones was considerably higher after the squat training than after the leg-press training session.

The men found both kinds of training session equally tiring.

When the researchers calculated the amount of effort the men had expended during the two sessions, they discovered why the concentrations of growth hormone and testosterone were higher after the squat session. Although the men used more weight on the leg-press machine their exertion was 42 percent higher during the squat session.

That’s because the men also had to work against their own bodyweight during the squats, and because the range of movement is greater during a squat than when using the leg press.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1

Restoring Growth Hormone

It has been argued that the age-dependent decline in sex steroid, Growth Hormone, and IGF-I production is nature’s way of protecting us from cancer and heart disease, but a far more likely scenario is that once we reach our reproductive capacity, nature begins programming us for death.

Such programming begins as the second decade of life draws to a close, the negative consequences of which become more noticeable with each passing year.  We begin to experience a steady decline in immune function. Our bodies increase production of glucocorticoids (catabolic hormones) and cytokines (inflammatory) which negatively impact metabolism, bone density, strength, exercise tolerance, cognitive function, and mood.

The hormones of sex, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), Human Growth Hormone (HGH), and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) are positively correlated with the health and well-being of the body in general and the specific functioning of metabolism, the cardiovascular system, the musculature skeletal system, cognitive function & the immune system. However these hormonal levels naturally decline as we age and as a consequence those systems necessary to maintain optimal health decline as well.

A progressive decline in lean body mass, atrophy of its component organs & reduction in their function and increased deposition of adipose tissue mass characteristic of the aging human body result partially from the body's diminished secretion of HGH. These negative changes resulting from growth hormone deficiency have been shown to be reversible by replacement doses of HGH.

HGH is a vital anabolic hormone whose positive stimulatory effects on protein synthesis (particularly in the liver, muscle, bone, cartlidge, spleen, kidney, skin, thymus, and red blood cells) and on lipolysis (the breakdown of fat stored in fat cells) contributes greatly to growth, repair & well-being.

HGH secretion is primarily regulated by the release of two peptides, Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) and Somatostatin. The hypothalamus region of the brain releases these hormones in response to signals from the central nervous system. GHRH once released makes its way to the receptors on the somatotrope cells of the pituitary gland of the brain where it stimulates HGH release. Somatostatin once released makes its way to the receptors on the somatotrope cells of the pituitary gland of the brain where it inhibits HGH release.

The primary physiological action of somatostatin is to inhibit synthesis and release of GH.  The primary physiological action of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is to stimulate synthesis and release of HGH. The end product of this cascade, HGH once secreted exerts its effect in the body as a whole both directly and indirectly through its initiation of Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) synthesis in the liver. IGF-1 in turn exerts its effect in the body and its rise in turn begins to inhibit any further HGH release.

HGH is released periodically within the body in a controlled pulsating fashion. This periodic pattern plays an important role in transmitting the HGH "growth, repair & well-being" message to tissue. A review of several studies involving HGH replacement in HGH-deficient animals reveals the biological significance of episodic secretion. These studies conclude that HGH released in a pulsatile pattern is far more efficient in improving mammalian growth and repair than the method of HGH administration by constant infusion.

In males HGH pulses occur approximately every three (3) hours, a frequency that appears across most mammals. The secretion bursts are preceded and followed by almost undetectable levels of plasma HGH. In females however HGH pulses occur more frequently and the base level of plasma HGH remains higher than males who have fewer HGH pulses but the amplitude of which are more pronounced.  HGH pulse amplitudes are increased during slow wave sleep such that particularly in males, most HGH secretion occurs at night. HGH secretion is highest during the growing years of youth and early adulthood. In humans the secretion rate starts to noticeably decrease during the third decade of life and strongly decreases during the fourth decade of life. As we age the daytime secretory pulses diminish first, while the sleep associated HGH pulse persists and diminishes gradually.

Nudging Nature

HGH levels may be increased either by exogenically administering HGH or by administering Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone which then endogenically stimulates the somatrope cells of the pituitary to secrete additional HGH. The primary advantage of GHRH is that HGH ends up being released in physiological conformance to the body’s natural biorhythm. This biorhythm is pulsatile.

Studies have concluded that endogenous Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) is the principal regulator of pulsatile HGH secretion in humans and that continuous GHRH infusion augments pulsatile HGH release. Whereas exogenic administration of HGH raises overall HGH levels but has no effect on amplifying the pulses.

People of all ages naturally continue to possess the ability to secrete HGH from stores within the pituitary. Most studies are in agreement on this point. One study in particular examined the effects of administration of GHRH & a Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide on all adult age groups from those in their 20's to those above 75 years of age. They observed substantial increases in HGH release as a direct result of administration of GHRH & GHRP-6. This prompted them to conclude, "...that the lack of side-effects & safety of the protocol and the discovered lack of age-related decline in the 'GHRH-GHRP-6-mediated' GH release opens the possibility of using it as a therapeutical tool to revert some deleterious manifestations of aging in man."

Best Steroids For Fat Loss and Lean Bulk Cycles

Fat Loss Steroids

When it comes to anabolic steroid supplementation, most are generally concerned with bulking or cutting. To truly get the results you desire, you're always best served by focusing on one direction at a time, and when it's time to cut, fat loss steroids are often the answer. Go to any anabolic steroid message board and you'll find a host of threads asking about the best fat loss steroids, and of course, you'll find a host of answers. In truth, all anabolic androgenic steroids are fat loss steroids, but there are some that will have a more pronounced effect. Let's take a look and see what we can find, and through our discovery, you'll be able to maximize your fat loss and cutting needs.

Anabolic Steroids are Fat Loss Steroids:

All anabolic steroids can be classified as fat loss steroids; at least to a degree. One of the most basic actions of anabolic steroids is increasing metabolic activity, thereby enabling you to burn more fat. The more powerful your metabolism is the more fat you'll burn, but the enhanced rate also provides you with another ability. With a more powerful metabolism, you're enabled with the ability to maximize your caloric intake to a greater degree. This means during the off-season bulking period you'll be able to gain new lean tissue while accumulating less fat than you would otherwise.

While an enhanced metabolism makes all anabolic steroids fat loss steroids, by the manner in-which anabolic steroids preserve lean tissue further enhances the process. When we diet, we must consume fewer calories than we burn; by doing so, our body is forced to tap into our reserves. Of course, through this process lean muscle tissue is often lost; it's not uncommon to see someone diet and lose weight, but at the end of the diet, their body-fat percentage hasn't improved all that much. Further, as they are burning through lean tissue this slows their metabolism down; while the body is being forced to tap into reserves it will often tap into lean tissue first if you're not careful and save the fat by its natural survival instinct. At any rate, with anabolic steroids in play, we are able to preserve more lean tissue that would otherwise be lost, and by doing so, we are able to burn more fat. Further, because we'll be at a leaner state while still holding on to the lean tissue we've built we'll simply look and feel better.

The Ultimate Fat Loss Steroid:

While all anabolic steroids enhance the metabolism, effectively making all anabolic steroids fat loss steroids, there is one anabolic steroid that stands above the rest. If we were to label one anabolic steroid the ultimate fat loss steroid, it would undoubtedly go to the Trenbolone hormone. Like all anabolic steroids, Trenbolone as it is commonly known enhances metabolic activity; it simply does it in a more pronounced manner. Further, unlike the majority of anabolic steroids, Trenbolone has a strong, direct effect on lipolysis by the manner in-which it binds so strongly to the androgen receptors which creates a scenario where fat must be burned. Moreover, by its nature, Trenbolone greatly increases nutrient efficiency; simply put, each calorie is utilized to a much greater degree, and far more so than with the use of any other steroid. If that wasn't enough, Trenbolone also promotes the release of the naturally occurring peptide hormone IGF-1; a highly anabolic hormone that affects nearly every cell in the body. Of course, many steroids promote IGF-1 release, but Trenbolone simply does it at a much greater rate. With an increase in IGF-1, as this makes us more anabolic it increases our metabolic rate yet again. As you can easily see, when it comes to fat loss steroids Trenbolone is truly king.

Top Shelf Fat Loss Steroids:

While all anabolic steroids are fat loss steroids, and while Trenbolone is the king of them all, the obvious question is which ones other than Tren will maximize metabolic activity to the greatest degree? When looking for quality fat loss steroids, there are a few things we want; enhanced metabolic efficiency, the ability to significantly preserve lean tissue, and the ability to improve conditioning in a visual sense. With that in mind, we can confidently say while the best of the best is Trenbolone, beyond Trenbolone the best fat loss steroids include:

• Anavar
• Equipoise
• Masteron
• Primobolan Depot
• Testosterone (any form)
• Winstrol (oral or injectable)

Is Testosterone King of Anabolic Steroids?

As the most widely used drug in bodybuilding, testosterone’s rise to dominance did not take place by chance. For over a generation it has been proving itself in the real-world; taking size and strength to never before seen levels in bodybuilders and strength athletes alike. However, it was not until recently that we began to explore and understand the mechanisms by which testosterone produces such powerful effects. This has prompted many scientists to further elucidate on the subject, bringing a greater awareness of testosterone’s ability to enhance the muscle growth process.

At first glance, testosterone doesn’t appear to possess any characteristics capable of securing the #1 spot among performance enhancing drugs. According to Androgens and Anabolic Agents, the traditionally accepted steroid reference guide authored by Julius Vida, it possesses an anabolic rating of 100. This is considered fairly mediocre by today’s standards, as numerous anabolic steroids have exceeded the 1,000 mark and few have even reached a lofty 10,000. In terms of overall side effects it is quite harsh, requiring the concomitant use of ancillary drugs in order to prevent/minimize them.

While testosterone may fall short in these areas, an evaluation of the bigger picture reveals a drug that works through multiple pathways, providing a synergistic effect that is greater than the sum of its parts. In addition, although the side effect profile associated with testosterone use is extensive, it is not a hindrance to optimal dosing, as the majority of its side effects are either cosmetic in nature, or relatively mild in their impact on the internal organs. This allows testosterone to be administered at far larger dosages than would be possible with most other steroids, directly increasing its muscle building potential.

The primary pathway by which testosterone mediates its muscle building effects is through increased protein synthesis via androgen receptor binding, but in order to understand how this works, we must first understand what receptor sites are and what their role is. Receptor sites are proteins which lie on the surface of every cell, serving as docking ports for circulating chemical messengers, such as steroids. Upon uniting with one of these chemical messengers, the receptor receives a set of instructions, or message encoded within that particular chemical. This message is then relayed to the nucleus of the cell, initiating a series of physiological and biochemical changes associated with that chemical.

In this case, the androgen receptor is a receptor site specific to the family of steroid molecules, which is responsible for mediating the physiologic effects of anabolic steroids by binding to specific DNA sequences that influence transcription of androgen responsive genes. Most of the outward effects we experience when using anabolic steroids, both good and bad, are a direct result of it binding with the androgen receptor.

In addition to AR binding, testosterone also increases levels of Insulin-like growth factor, or IGF-1. Displaying structural and functional similarities to insulin, IGF-1 is normally produced in the liver via growth hormone and demonstrates both direct & indirect anabolic activity through several mechanisms, as well as anti-catabolic effects. IGF-1 also plays a role in satellite cell proliferation and differentiation, potentially resulting in the creation of new muscle cells. More commonly, satellite cells are involved in myonuclear accretion, which we will discuss more in second. Lastly, IGF-1 increases nutrient transport into muscle cells, accelerating protein synthesis and enhancing the recovery and growth process.

IGF-1 is considered one of the “Big 4”, which also includes anabolic steroids, growth hormone, and insulin. Today, exogenous IGF-1 is widely sold on the grey-market by peptide/research chemical companies and is frequently included in the programs of many. While exogenous IGF-1 is capable of elevating blood levels of this hormone to a far greater degree than what is seen with exogenous testosterone administration, the increase is still significant, with many achieving a blood level in the low supraphysiological range. It should also be mentioned that unlike the LR3 variant, which is the most commonly used form of exogenous IGF-1, the body will not desensitize to the IGF-1 which is produced as a result of testosterone administration.

Lest anyone assume that this IGF-1 elevating effect is universal to all AAS, let it be known that this is not the case. On one particular study designed to evaluate the effects of both testosterone and nandrolone on IGF-1, the study results show that only testosterone increased IGF-1 levels. However, it is interesting to note that while nandrolone had no effect on IGF-1 levels, it did decrease IGFBP-3 levels; an IGF-1 binding protein which prevents IGF-1 from being used by the body. These study results indicate a possible synergistic effect between these 2 steroids, providing merit for the traditional Test-Deca stack.

Research has also demonstrated the ability of testosterone to increase androgen receptor density (the number of androgen receptors in muscle tissue), thereby increasing the amount of testosterone (or other AAS) which can be effectively utilized by the body. Basically, this effect increases the body’s growth potential. Generally speaking, this benefit will only apply to very advanced BB’rs using large dosages of testosterone and/or other AAS. Still, the ability to modify one’s existing genetic capacity for muscle growth contributes to testosterone’s overall allure among the more hardcore crowd.

One interesting effect of testosterone that was recently brought to my attention, is testosterone’s role in myonuclear accretion. Basically, this term is used to describe an increase in the number of nuclei present within muscle fiber. Why is this significant? Most cell types contain a single nucleus. However, muscle fiber contains an extensive number of myonuclei, which work together to control the programming, function, and development of the fiber. With each nuclei being capable of governing a set portion of each muscle fiber, the number of nuclei present will determine the total amount of muscle volume which can be managed. Therefore, there is a direct correlation between nuclei count and growth potential. The more nuclei a muscle fiber contains, the bigger it can get.

A single human muscle fiber can contain as many of 10,000+ myonuclei, with this number remaining more or less static throughout one’s lifetime. However, supraphysiological testosterone use can increase this number, improving our genetic capacity for muscle growth. More so, once these additional nuclei have been acquired, they remain are permanent fixture of the muscle fiber, regardless of drug or training status.

Another pathway by which testosterone can augment the muscle growth process is through increased satellite cell activity. Upon activation, these cells can contribute to muscle hypertrophy in 3 different ways; by providing additional myonuclei to existing muscle fibers (as explained above), by differentiating into new muscle fibers (hyperplasia), or by fusing to currently existing muscle fibers, thereby assisting in growth & repair process. This effect is dose-dependent, with higher doses leading to greater increases in activity. In one particular study, satellite cell activation continued to increase at each subsequent dosing point of 125 mg/week, 300 mg/week, and 600 mg/week. This highlights the importance of total dose in maximizing this growth pathway, although at this juncture we can only speculate regarding the point of diminishing returns.

Next, let’s take a brief look at the non-genomic actions of testosterone. Non-genomic actions of  anabolic steroids are mediated via non-AR pathways and therefore lack the typical gene transcription actions associated with that pathway. Rather, they involve second messenger participation and demonstrate a rapid onset of action; usually only seconds to minutes. Furthermore, non-genomic actions of anabolic steroids differ from the genomic in that they require the constant presence of the hormone in order to continue exerting their effects. Once the hormone is removed, its effects cease. One such example is the ability of testosterone to improve force production via a direct and acute effect on calcium- dependent components involved in the contractile process. In comparison to AR-mediated effects, the non-genomic actions of testosterone have been poorly investigated, with scientists just now beginning to understand how some of these pathways work to affect muscle growth and function. Further research needs to be conducted in this area before we can fully expound on this mechanism of action.

The ability of testosterone to initiate muscle growth through multiple, independent growth pathways, along with its improved safety profile at higher dosages, combine to create what many claim is the “King of the Steroids”. While this claim is certainly open to dispute, there can be no doubt that testosterone is one of the most myotropic drugs in existence when used within an optimal dosing range. Its reputation as a mass and strength drug par excellence is well-deserved, with the majority of today’s bodybuilders including some form of testosterone in every cycle they run. If your goal is to build your physique to its maximum potential, be prepared for this steroid to play a central role in your PED regimen from this point forward.

Using Steroids in Bodybuilding

With the popularity of bodybuilding assured without let-up, more and more people are joining the bodybuilding bandwagon. When you see those chiseled bodies on World Wrestling Entertainment shows on cable, sports and health magazines showcasing well-sculpted muscles and Hollywood celebrity hunks flaunting their hard bodies, the allure of bodybuilding can be insurmountable, especially for the dreamy teens and young adults wanting a share of the limelight.

It's no secret that just like the cosmetic industry, the bodybuilding market is a multi-billion dollar industry with gym memberships, gym gears for the home, apparels and food supplements that include body-building steroids to comprise the regimen just about every muscle-building enthusiast won't mind spending their money on. And for most people, getting the body they want at the shortest time possible takes them to where athletic associations frown on – the use of anabolic steroids.

Oh yes, they're true alright. Anabolic steroids have long been used by athletes to boost performance right before a contest event as well as enhance muscle mass and strength among weightlifters. This has not escaped bodybuilders who consider them a miracle drug for gaining the muscle mass and endurance they need.

Anabolic steroids are basically anabolic testosterone derived from humans or animals to get the muscle mass they want in the shortest time possible. For the more serious professional bodybuilders, steroids also boost their stamina and endurance to last through the daunting workouts in the gym.

Human anabolic steroids are marketed under various names like Anadrol, Durabolin, Sustanon, and Anavar. Any of these will give you the muscular mass and strength you want. Anabolic steroids belong under Category III of controlled substances which not even doctors can prescribe to athletes under pain of prosecution under the law. They can only be obtained online and from the streets and can be administered either orally or through muscle and intravenous injections.

The desired results from imbibing anabolic steroids are temporary and as such require regular use if the bodybuilder wants to maintain the muscle mass obtained from it. But there are health risks associated with its use.

• Prolonged and continuous use are known to damage internal organs like liver and kidneys and have been documented to contribute to a host of sexual problems, one of which is testicle shrinkage. 
• Overdose in the hope of getting more strength and muscle mass not only harms the body but has limited effects. Unused anabolic steroids in the body are converted to estrogen which can make you look more effeminate. 
• Counterfeit  anabolic steroids are everywhere to take advantage of uninformed bodybuilders too eager to get their muscles up. They range for mere ineffective placebos to powerful ones that do more harm than good. It is best that you take some time to evaluate your sources online before plunging into any steroid regimen. 

People taking anabolic steroids require a more vigorous training regimen to use them up. Protein and non-fat carbohydrate intake needs to be increased to 5000-7000 calories daily if you are on regular steroids. A regular blood test is likewise necessary to check on your anabolic steroid levels to ensure they are within safe levels.