Tom Platz like Dorian Yates are both extremely intelligent individuals and their openness and honesty should always be respected. I’m glad both of them are still around and looking healthy.
@steroidsR4losers no one cares. you can do it till the day you die no one pays any attention to you . You ain't making any difference . All you project is jealousy and envy for these guys it's very obvious.
OldNatty you can’t compete in the most prestigious leagues in ANY sport without some sort of PED. Sorry, brother. This is the cold truth. I am never touching a steroid, but I accept the fact that Olympic level athletes and bodybuilders use steroids.
To clarify his earlier statement: Yes, all the top athletes would still be the top athletes without steroids, on the condition that NONE OF THEM were taking steroids. Otherwise, the ones taking would beat the ones not taking.
@@apuuvah Yes. All top competitors are part of that small percentage of the population who have superior genetics for building proportionate muscle mass, but even within that elite group exist significant variations. That genetic variance includes responsiveness to PEDs. Genetic variance - - for two examples, in the quantity and distribution of testosterone receptors, and, in the percentage of aromatization - - among people cause different, sometimes substantially different, responses to anabolics and other performance drugs. Some people respond phenomenally, some respond moderately, and some respond minimally. Many dedicated, hard-training/properly-eating "gym rats" run cycles and doses equivalent to or even longer and higher than top bodybuilders, yet, even after several years, or decades, never attain the results that the few top bodybuilders achieve. It's probable that many or even most of the top competitive bodybuilders would still be "top" without PEDs, but not necessarily place in the same order. A top competitor who responds substantially better to PEDS might be outplaced by another who doesn't respond quite as well, whom he usually outplaces, if they were both naturals. And, in rare instances, it's even possible that someone places among top competitors simply due to responding incredibly to PEDs, so would be comparatively mediocre and out of the top placings altogether if natural.
I dunno, there are some people that are hyper responsive to anabolic steroids. And there are people who barely respond. You’ll probably know after your first cycle if you’re going to be a great bodybuilder.
I was one of many naive kids who thought all bodybuilders were natural. I read Flex magazine and followed all the suggested protein supplements basically whatever Joe Weider and the boys were peddling at the moment. It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered a documentary you had done called Tom Platz “Secrets of the Pros”. It was like a ten pound sledgehammer to the face. I truly had no idea and I wrestled, played football and was training at Golds, Flex and Worlds in Colorado. Obviously I never ask anyone around me or was totally blind! Anyway it was so refreshing to hear you and Lee Priest not blur your face or EVER try to hide the facts about steroids. You guys have always been straight as a grizzly’s dick in a world of smoke and mirrors. I have followed you guys ever since and learn something new every time I listened to you guys speak. I even went on to get a degree in kinesiology and a minor in nutrition. Thanks for all of your wisdom, so glad to see both of you continuing to be pioneers in strength, supplements and nutrition.
Thanks for taking the time to read our comments! I haven’t taken enough time to share my thoughts with you guys until unfortunately it’s to late. I shared with Franco and it made his passing a little easier knowing I got a chance to express how deeply you guys affect us. As always thank you.
It’s interesting how steroids were legal for a long time and every guy back then took pharmaceutical steroids, there wasn’t such thing as underground lab made junk steroids in some guys kitchen using raw materials from China like today. Despite it not being illegal and all top bodybuilders using them, they chose to never mention their use or protocols in the popular bodybuilding magazines… Is this solely because Weider and others wanted to trick naive natties into believing that the top pros look that way from special workout programs and protein powders to make more money? Or did they feel it would be too controversial to let everyone know that the top guys are using pharmaceutical drugs to look that way? I suppose it could be a combination of the two. But for the naive natty who thought they could build giant muscles naturally with just hard work and eating lots of protein… they definitely probably feel betrayed and scammed. Another part of the controversy is when steroid use in bodybuuilding actually began. Steve reeves, Leroy Colbert, and reg park all claim lifetime natty. But steroids were already being made in the mid 1930s… were they truly natural and unaware of these anabolic agents? If they were truly natural and it’s possible for some to attain physiques like theirs naturally, is it okay then to advocate nutrition and training to naturals rather then teaching them about steroids?
@@lovesgibson Although the first anabolic steroid to be developed, testosterone was available between 1935 and 1950 (all the others including Nilevar, Dianabol, Primobolan, and DecaDurabolin did not exist until after 1950), science/medicine hadn't discovered all its properties before 1950. Based on the limited research on the sick, on middle-aged men, and on young healthy men done until 1950, it was mistakenly believed that administering testosterone was only useful for restoring and normalizing the T levels of men whose bodies couldn't produce enough T, people whose bodies were severely depleted of T due to serious injuries and burns, and for middle-aged men whose T levels had fallen below normal (same as TRT today). The conclusion then was that administering T to young healthy adult men was like adding water to a glass already full of water: "Any added spills off." The testosterone marketed then in oral and injectable forms was marketed exactly that way: for middle-aged men and for unhealthy patients. Consequently, scientists, doctors, the public, and bodybuilders until 1950 were unaware that testosterone taken in high enough supratherapeutic doses (at least three times the therapeutic 100mg/week injectable dose) for long enough cycles could stimulate significant, visible hypertrophy. About 1950, the Soviet Union's further research for their Olympic athletes discovered that testosterone in those much higher doses can produce substantial mass and strength gains. During the 1950s, all the other AAS, which are all chemical derivatives or siblings of testosterone, were first synthesized then marketed. So, AFTER 1950 is when anabolic steroid use began among bodybuilders. A fact that corroborates bodybuilders' ignorance of the effects of high-dose testosterone until after 1950 is this: while dozens of bodybuilders have admitted AAS usage during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980, 1990s, et cetera, not a single bodybuilder has ever stated, "I used/tried testosterone during the 1930s/1940s". In contrast to bodybuilders after 1950, no bodybuilder who has been asked if he used drugs during the 1940s has ever stated he did; for examples, Steve Reeves, Jack LaLanne, and Dan Lurie all deny using testosterone during the 1940s. John Grimek states that the first time he used testosterone or any AAS was AFTER 1950 after he became aware of them. The top physiques of the 1930s/1940s such as Bobby Pandour, Billy Ralph, George Eifferman, John Grimek, Clarence Ross, and Steve Reeves are not possible to achieve for most of us, due to most of us not having the rare genetics they had. But those 1930s/1940s top physiques WERE possible naturally, meaning that, although rare, such physiques are still possible naturally today. And, I've observed one additional reason along with the ones you listed for bodybuilders preferring to remain silent about their drug use: many of them are genuinely concerned about minors using AAS. Many bodybuilders, while fine with adults choosing to use and to accept the health and legal risks of the drugs, don't want teenagers and minors following their example.
Well at least he is being honest about everything especially considering the irony of truth. You are speaking like you have never lie about anything Cmon mate learn to respect instead trying to throw shade. Just giving my two cents. Hahahah
80's they didn't use as high of doses as guys do now days, I'm convinced bodybuilders worked a lot harder in those days and didn't depend on the drugs to do as much.
Ur not convinced brother. U are spot on in fact. They trained for 3 to 4 hours. That was their life after work. There was no internet or netflix or tv.
That's not true. Even Dorian Yates talk about that. Back in Golden era they used about same dosage as today, nothing change in dosages only fact that today steroids is not strong as before. Reason is that dealer and manufacturer of roids put something inside to make more profit. I know a guy who used roids on regular basis from the street, and one time he used roid from real medical lab, he said that one was nothing close as roids from the street. It was 10 times stronger and better, more pure and he didn't have any side effects.
@@NickChase Smart BBers don't buy bunk shit that's 10x weaker than Rx. Plus it's usually contaminated with whoknowswhat. I am prescribed T Cyp and *the T E/P I used to buy was just as strong, as it gave great results and was also hplc tested.*
Tom is the most honest guy in bodybuilding: He always has been. He 's the most engaging and inspirational of athletes and should have been a multi Mr. O winner. A true ambassador fot the sport.
I think some people in the comments didn’t watch and listen to the whole video, because he definitely said that it helped with recovery, NOT ONLY about polish and skin texture etc.
The biggest issue is that people have their hypocritical sense of morals.. Pathetic.. I won’t even say it’s jealousy because well, they seems to really dislike that body idea, I mean, most of them are average dudes with over 14% bodyfat or if they’re under, they don’t hit 180 pounds bodyweight, if not, both. My father used to tell me all the time, _if you’re going to do something wrong, do it right, because in life, if you want something a few people have, you must be willing to do what few people do_ - and well, it can be applied everywhere. Not only in the gym.
I grew up in awe of Tom and I was too young to ever enjoy or see presentations like this...what an amazing man...ridiculously intelligent. If only they were all as honest...still my Hero.
Tom, you will always be one of my old time heros, together with just a handful more people from your era, and I will always respect everything you’ve done for the sport, Thank you. All the best to you Tom Platz. Sincerely Johan Karlsson a former elite bodybuilder from Sweden 🇸🇪.
Wow, I became a big fan of Platz many years ago, but had never seen this seminar before. It’s amazing for a guy at his level to be discussing steroids on such an in-depth level. They probably still weren’t illegal at this point yet, but it seems as though steroids always had a taboo vibe around them - likely why they were never mentioned in bodybuilding magazines in the 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s. Admitting to steroid use and discussing the effects of particular steroids would be heavily shunned upon in the 90s and 2000s. It wasn’t until people like Ric Drasin or Rich Piana started discussing steroids that steroid transparency started to be seen as something appropriate or admirable. But it seems like Tom was way ahead of the curve. Majority of top bodybuilders like Arnold, Franco, Lou ferrigno, Frank Zane, etc might somewhat acknowledge their steroid use, but they all would only mention it is as briefly and minimal as possible… my guess is Joe Weider told them to never discuss it even back in the day. Also I’m guessing Tom’s talk about anabolic vs androgenic agents went way over the audience heads unless they were experienced steroid users lol, but it doesn’t sound like it.
xXAlmdudlerXx Supplements were all over the place back in the 70s and 80s...I used to buy plenty of powders and pills when I lifted. Weider built his empire selling that junk. Bodybuilders found out early on that steroids delivered much quicker than natural diet.
It’s a hard pill to swallow but if someone is at the top of the fitness industry there is a 99% chance they are on PEDs, that’s not being salty, it’s being honest. If an athlete is at the top of their game chances are (albeit a lower percentage if the drug testing format is thorough) that they are using or have used drugs. If something is legal as a supplement it just means it’s something you could get from your diet, supplements (other than creatine and caffeine) are wastes and don’t do anything. The supplement industry feeds lies and false information by using athletes on gear to act like the supplement has made any difference on their performance or physique. If someone is in the Olympia they are on PEDs there is no debating it.
So grateful for your transparency and integrity and character. When knowledge is outright demonized without proper investigation, all of society is held back, oppressed by those who benefit from ignorance. Me. Platz, you’ve always handled yourself like a true gentleman warrior in every sense of the word.
When he said he took steroids, I wasn't really surprised just because he competed in a high level sport. Regardless, his honesty, his passion, and his character is the reason I greatly respect him, regardless of him taking steroids.
Tom Platz, you have always been my favourite bodybuilder together with Dorian Yates. Mr Olympia 1981 was maybe the biggest robbery in bodybuilding history. Tom Platz should have won the Mr Olympia 1981. I admire your, because your are so honest about your steroid use. And you seems to be a very friendly, intelligent human being. It would be nice to meet you some day.
Seems this man was destined to be a legend. I had no idea this man was as wise and humble at such a young age as he is. I just assumed he gained that over time. He handled that closed minded heckled with such professionalism
Flex magazine and Platz got me into bodybuilding, still have a few editions where Tom speaks about his Berserker mentality when training....... "the steroid sting" article in flex got me into gear for a while then I went natty...... Platz will always be Legendary 👍
Steroids launch athletes to higher levels. Period. They work and that's why many elite athletes use them. They are also harmful to the body after long term use. And when the athlete discontinues their use,esp bodybuilders,they get dramatically less muscular. I met Platz at the California NPC state bodybuilding contest,which he emceed. 1987 I think. He admitted he was "off the juice" himself,from the podium. Very honest,and chuckles rippled through the crowd. Btw....Mr Platz was very normal sized looking in his street clothes at his table in the lobby. Cool guy,he even gave me a free signed pic of him leaning on his Corvette.
Wow, I notice that - at least in Germany - more and more people are talking about steroid. You did it already in 1985 and I am impressed not only by this fact, but also by the detail and intensity in which you did it.
This should help put things in perspective in terms of steroid use in bodybuilding today. In this interview Tom just said he takes 100mg at a time of anabolic steroids. Today it is commonplace for guys to take 1200 to 1500 mg! In the golden era they were taking steroids, and it was not the best thing for them, but it was not life threatening like it is now. Bodybuilders are dying left and right from pushing steroids to the extreme.
This dude is awesome ! I bet there are a flew of bodybuilders today that can open up honestly and talk about steroids among other things easier thanks to this guy Tom. I like him already !
Never has a guy like the Golden Eagle been more of a beacon for a sport. When all those guys/gals in the 70's and 80's were coyly hiding steroid use, the public knew or surmised different. I was one who didn't talk about use. However, looking back, when the Eagle talked openly about it, it elevated him in the eyes of those who disparaged bodybuilders simply because of their denials. Today, if you don't use steroids, (as all these young kids do), you are the exception, and sadly, what Platz was trying to expose, the abuse, occurs all the time. (Because they all want instant gratification).
The Eagle has landed. He is by far one of the most well-perceived, well-liked and most of all, well-respected professional bodybuilders of all time. By no means should The Eagle ever be looked at with disdain because he was truthful about drug use, it was a part of his (and the BB communities) altruism at the time, just as it is a foundational element without a second thought, in serious bodybuilding today. For a man to discuss it as openly as the the Golden Eagle did, back in the day, was a profile in courage and honesty. Too bad bodybuilding doesn't have these types of personalities today. GE has my utmost respect.
@@the_golden_eagle Just as I do you. You were an inspiration to me back in the 80's and you still drive me to go into the gym today, at 63 years of age.
He was always one of my favorites. I started lifting in the Shawn Ray Lee labrada and of course Lee Haney. But I was 20 years old and believed them when they said they were natural. I don't fault them . It was the sport. After years of educating myself and knowing what the pure natrual bodybuilder tops out at. And what the top end of the test HGH and IGF cocktail. It was money. Mass sold. Mass was awarded and size matters. Who was going to sell more protein powder the 290 monster. Or the 180 lbs guy? Endorsements pay the bills. But only if you win show or place. And he sure wasn't getting his IFBB pro card at 180/190. So we really helped create the monsters. But he is correct. The dosage levels for most were nothing like what there spiked to now.
Cool. When Tom was giving these talks (late-80's ?) not one bodybuilding magazine - Flex, Muscle and Fitness, MuscleMag, Iron Man was reporting that bodybuilders were admitting to doing cycles. In the mid 90's MM 2000 was the first to even start to tell the truth.
Damn man, the more I see of Tom Platz the more I respect him, going into detail talking about this stuff back then probably wasn’t the easier thing but he chose to be honest
This is amazing. Platz is a breath of fresh air. I really wish this was in the present. Although, with the current stupid laws on gear in North America, it isn't going to happen. However, this piece shows that even before the were outlawed in N.A. in the early 90, it shows that the general public essentially viewed 'steroids' in the same way that they do today. They feared them, were ignorant to them and looked down upon them. So it wasn't only the law and the propaganda the US government instituted around the time of the introduction of the anabolic control act. It is crazy to think that they are demonized here in North American (i'm Canadian), yet they are over the counter medications in good number of countries around the world. They realize that they really aren't that bad for you. Think, what happens if you take a whole bottle of Tylenol? You'll have liver/kidney/organ failure or even die. But...what would happen if you injected a whole bottle testosterone?? Absolutely nothing. If it had a long ester..you would be waiting to week or so to see what was going to happen. hahaha Then you would get stronger and maybe, just maybe..get a few zits.
@steroidsR4losers Of course he's going to say that. People looked down on them back then than they do now. He didn't have to bring a negative image to them and have them become illegal even though they eventually did thanks to people that think like you.
Dorian said Food, Training, Rest then gear and gear should he the last thing you think about not the first. Tom is a class act and any bodybuilder that is open and honest has my 100% respect.
You still have train with the intensity like he trained and eat good food and rest - champions come from good genetics, and the discipline and hard work....... 2 people can take them and get totally different results....they add harness and vascularity and size when combined properly
Using steroids is totally ok. Using them is a personal choice. There is no reason for pro bodybuilders to deny or admit or even discuss using them. We all know they take them. The only time steroids should be discussed is if they provide someone an unfair advantage over another person. In bodybuilding competitions, this would be equivalent to someone like Phil Heath or Dorian Yates competing against a natural athlete. But that doesn’t happen. They compete on a level playing field, it’s like starting a hundred meter dash at the ten yard line, but everyone is doing it
Bodybuilding is like drag racing. Enhanced engines, builders trying to get an edge to go faster, nitrous oxide, nitro methane, bigger cam, ect......bodybuilding is modifying the human body for extreme performance and build.
@@skmotorcycles8123 abuse of any drug is harmful. Doctors prescribe steroids because they can be beneficial. If they were unhealthy they would not be allowed to be prescribed. Like other drugs, the problems start if a drug is misused. I don't know if my words sound at all harsh... my goal is to pass along information from personal experience, but words don't allow for tone. Please know I speak without malice nor anger, this is just one person's opinion.. When people are forced to hide steroid use they turn into human Guinea pigs, which will lead some to mistakes, which can cause health problems. When someone that used steroids has a health problem the public concludes steroids are dangerous. Even if the sick person was taking multiple drugs, the one that gets the attention will be the steroids because they are a mystery to so many people. Keeping use secret and underground can lead to health problems and abuse. Athlete's should be able to talk with Tom's openness, but in our climate of secrecy, very few people will speak out. I am older than Tom, and I used steroids in my 30's. Looking back I was fortunate to fall into a group with good information. A lot of meatheads will speak with complete authority on subjects they know nothing about. It's scary to think what could have happened if I'd come across someone with the wrong information on safe dosages and best types. If I'd misused steroids back then I could have easily destroyed my liver. My liver, and my other organs, are very healthy. Obviously this is subjective, but that's how most information about steroids is passed along... in secret and based on subjective accounts from self experimentation. I'd prefer information from a large double-blind study, but I don't think that happens with steroids (unless something has changed, which would be great). I've had medication make me feel nausea, cause a headache and get lightheaded. But none of those things ever happened while on a steroid cycle (and it's important to cycle on and off, not just stay on - that will shrink the gonads). When I was using them I recovered from workouts quickly, never got a cold or flu, and added muscle. When I chose to stop there was no withdrawl or other issue that goes along with stopping many legal drugs cold turkey. I don't advocate their use, but I'm not going to criticize their use, either. The only thing I'd say is learn as much as you can before starting, and have everything available for a complete cycle before starting, don't just start thinking you'll get the rest later.
They produce an overbuilding effect, and provide the recuperation above what the body can do naturally. Orals have to be alkylated or methylated to survive the 1st pass through the liver. Injectibles don't have to be treated that way, and won't harm the liver. Unless it's dianabol or winstrol, which are alkylated/methylated in either the oral form OR the injectible.
![Tom Platz Seminar | Body Power Studio [UNCUT]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_BWHh848m00/mqdefault.jpg)
![Tom Platz Seminar | Body Power Studio [UNCUT]](/img/tr.png)
Tom Platz like Dorian Yates are both extremely intelligent individuals and their openness and honesty should always be respected. I’m glad both of them are still around and looking healthy.
Tom platz doesnt look healthy at all
@κων/νοσ φωτ What do you expect! He got old!
@steroidsR4losers no one cares. you can do it till the day you die no one pays any attention to you . You ain't making any difference . All you project is jealousy and envy for these guys it's very obvious.
yes, Tom looks really sick. i wonder what's wrong with him
@Scott DuPont but he looked "normal" just 2 years ago. i think there is something else going on besides the normal aging
I love Tom Platz, his intelligence, passion, and honesty are so admirable.
Are you serious?
@@rolandtomassi3486 yea he is intelligent ..a lot of classic body builders are...he had passion and desire for his craft as you need in any profession
Love how Tom asked the crowd to help guide him in the discussion to avoid going off on a tangent. The mark of a true leader.
Tom Platz looks like the ultimate 80's movie villain.
Hero
Villian
He-man
Streetfighter Ken
his name is like a villain too lmao
Tom Platz is a real class act. Every video I see of him he's always a super cool dude.
Read my mind!
That's why he's so loved
Respect to the quad father .
hussain-
No respect. He was a cheater like all the others, but I do think he was sincere unlike arnold.
OldNatty its not cheating when every one else is doing it !.
That's the responce that someone that lacks character and honor would give.
OldNatty this is a fact that you need to realize .
OldNatty you can’t compete in the most prestigious leagues in ANY sport without some sort of PED. Sorry, brother. This is the cold truth. I am never touching a steroid, but I accept the fact that Olympic level athletes and bodybuilders use steroids.
To clarify his earlier statement: Yes, all the top athletes would still be the top athletes without steroids, on the condition that NONE OF THEM were taking steroids. Otherwise, the ones taking would beat the ones not taking.
wadayaduin that’s right it’s just a level playing field. Now the thing is to not get caught these days. It is still present.
Wadayaduin
Precisely!
To clarify, peoples response to PEDs is vastly different. So, it's not that simple.
@@apuuvah Yes.
All top competitors are part of that small percentage of the population who have superior genetics for building proportionate muscle mass, but even within that elite group exist significant variations. That genetic variance includes responsiveness to PEDs.
Genetic variance - - for two examples, in the quantity and distribution of testosterone receptors, and, in the percentage of aromatization - - among people cause different, sometimes substantially different, responses to anabolics and other performance drugs. Some people respond phenomenally, some respond moderately, and some respond minimally. Many dedicated, hard-training/properly-eating "gym rats" run cycles and doses equivalent to or even longer and higher than top bodybuilders, yet, even after several years, or decades, never attain the results that the few top bodybuilders achieve.
It's probable that many or even most of the top competitive bodybuilders would still be "top" without PEDs, but not necessarily place in the same order. A top competitor who responds substantially better to PEDS might be outplaced by another who doesn't respond quite as well, whom he usually outplaces, if they were both naturals.
And, in rare instances, it's even possible that someone places among top competitors simply due to responding incredibly to PEDs, so would be comparatively mediocre and out of the top placings altogether if natural.
I dunno, there are some people that are hyper responsive to anabolic steroids. And there are people who barely respond. You’ll probably know after your first cycle if you’re going to be a great bodybuilder.
I was one of many naive kids who thought all bodybuilders were natural. I read Flex magazine and followed all the suggested protein supplements basically whatever Joe Weider and the boys were peddling at the moment. It wasn’t until much later in life that I discovered a documentary you had done called Tom Platz “Secrets of the Pros”. It was like a ten pound sledgehammer to the face. I truly had no idea and I wrestled, played football and was training at Golds, Flex and Worlds in Colorado. Obviously I never ask anyone around me or was totally blind! Anyway it was so refreshing to hear you and Lee Priest not blur your face or EVER try to hide the facts about steroids. You guys have always been straight as a grizzly’s dick in a world of smoke and mirrors. I have followed you guys ever since and learn something new every time I listened to you guys speak. I even went on to get a degree in kinesiology and a minor in nutrition. Thanks for all of your wisdom, so glad to see both of you continuing to be pioneers in strength, supplements and nutrition.
Thanks for taking the time to read our comments! I haven’t taken enough time to share my thoughts with you guys until unfortunately it’s to late. I shared with Franco and it made his passing a little easier knowing I got a chance to express how deeply you guys affect us. As always thank you.
It’s interesting how steroids were legal for a long time and every guy back then took pharmaceutical steroids, there wasn’t such thing as underground lab made junk steroids in some guys kitchen using raw materials from China like today.
Despite it not being illegal and all top bodybuilders using them, they chose to never mention their use or protocols in the popular bodybuilding magazines…
Is this solely because Weider and others wanted to trick naive natties into believing that the top pros look that way from special workout programs and protein powders to make more money?
Or did they feel it would be too controversial to let everyone know that the top guys are using pharmaceutical drugs to look that way?
I suppose it could be a combination of the two.
But for the naive natty who thought they could build giant muscles naturally with just hard work and eating lots of protein… they definitely probably feel betrayed and scammed.
Another part of the controversy is when steroid use in bodybuuilding actually began.
Steve reeves, Leroy Colbert, and reg park all claim lifetime natty. But steroids were already being made in the mid 1930s… were they truly natural and unaware of these anabolic agents?
If they were truly natural and it’s possible for some to attain physiques like theirs naturally, is it okay then to advocate nutrition and training to naturals rather then teaching them about steroids?
@@lovesgibson Although the first anabolic steroid to be developed, testosterone was available between 1935 and 1950 (all the others including Nilevar, Dianabol, Primobolan, and DecaDurabolin did not exist until after 1950), science/medicine hadn't discovered all its properties before 1950.
Based on the limited research on the sick, on middle-aged men, and on young healthy men done until 1950, it was mistakenly believed that administering testosterone was only useful for restoring and normalizing the T levels of men whose bodies couldn't produce enough T, people whose bodies were severely depleted of T due to serious injuries and burns, and for middle-aged men whose T levels had fallen below normal (same as TRT today).
The conclusion then was that administering T to young healthy adult men was like adding water to a glass already full of water: "Any added spills off." The testosterone marketed then in oral and injectable forms was marketed exactly that way: for middle-aged men and for unhealthy patients.
Consequently, scientists, doctors, the public, and bodybuilders until 1950 were unaware that testosterone taken in high enough supratherapeutic doses (at least three times the therapeutic 100mg/week injectable dose) for long enough cycles could stimulate significant, visible hypertrophy.
About 1950, the Soviet Union's further research for their Olympic athletes discovered that testosterone in those much higher doses can produce substantial mass and strength gains. During the 1950s, all the other AAS, which are all chemical derivatives or siblings of testosterone, were first synthesized then marketed.
So, AFTER 1950 is when anabolic steroid use began among bodybuilders.
A fact that corroborates bodybuilders' ignorance of the effects of high-dose testosterone until after 1950 is this: while dozens of bodybuilders have admitted AAS usage during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980, 1990s, et cetera, not a single bodybuilder has ever stated, "I used/tried testosterone during the 1930s/1940s".
In contrast to bodybuilders after 1950, no bodybuilder who has been asked if he used drugs during the 1940s has ever stated he did; for examples, Steve Reeves, Jack LaLanne, and Dan Lurie all deny using testosterone during the 1940s. John Grimek states that the first time he used testosterone or any AAS was AFTER 1950 after he became aware of them.
The top physiques of the 1930s/1940s such as Bobby Pandour, Billy Ralph, George Eifferman, John Grimek, Clarence Ross, and Steve Reeves are not possible to achieve for most of us, due to most of us not having the rare genetics they had. But those 1930s/1940s top physiques WERE possible naturally, meaning that, although rare, such physiques are still possible naturally today.
And, I've observed one additional reason along with the ones you listed for bodybuilders preferring to remain silent about their drug use: many of them are genuinely concerned about minors using AAS. Many bodybuilders, while fine with adults choosing to use and to accept the health and legal risks of the drugs, don't want teenagers and minors following their example.
People like reeves took them. Just a very small amount
There is a beautiful irony to Tom Platz doing this talk in front of a sign with the slogan "The Natural Way To Better Health"
Well at least he is being honest about everything especially considering the irony of truth. You are speaking like you have never lie about anything Cmon mate learn to respect instead trying to throw shade. Just giving my two cents. Hahahah
@@LightWeightHercules I'm not disrespecting Tom, I just think sign placement is hilarious.
80's they didn't use as high of doses as guys do now days, I'm convinced bodybuilders worked a lot harder in those days and didn't depend on the drugs to do as much.
Ur not convinced brother. U are spot on in fact. They trained for 3 to 4 hours. That was their life after work. There was no internet or netflix or tv.
Drugs only get you so far, you still have to train extremely hard and eat sufficiently to be 300lbs at 5'6" and be 5%.
@@stevecook6136 thats what he just said
That's not true. Even Dorian Yates talk about that. Back in Golden era they used about same dosage as today, nothing change in dosages only fact that today steroids is not strong as before. Reason is that dealer and manufacturer of roids put something inside to make more profit.
I know a guy who used roids on regular basis from the street, and one time he used roid from real medical lab, he said that one was nothing close as roids from the street. It was 10 times stronger and better, more pure and he didn't have any side effects.
@@NickChase Smart BBers don't buy bunk shit that's 10x weaker than Rx. Plus it's usually contaminated with whoknowswhat.
I am prescribed T Cyp and *the T E/P I used to buy was just as strong, as it gave great results and was also hplc tested.*
He became so much more confident and well spoken as he got older
Honesty = Respect
Tom is the most honest guy in bodybuilding: He always has been. He 's the most engaging and inspirational of athletes and should have been a multi Mr. O winner. A true ambassador fot the sport.
I think you forgot about Arnold :)
@@wyldeyoutharnold is a ambassador of himself
WAY ahead of his time. What a great watch! I’m subscribed !!
Tom , Thankyou for your painful honesty in this video .
Many , like Chris Dickerson and Arnold could never be so honest .so Thankyou
I think some people in the comments didn’t watch and listen to the whole video, because he definitely said that it helped with recovery, NOT ONLY about polish and skin texture etc.
The biggest issue is that people have their hypocritical sense of morals.. Pathetic..
I won’t even say it’s jealousy because well, they seems to really dislike that body idea, I mean, most of them are average dudes with over 14% bodyfat or if they’re under, they don’t hit 180 pounds bodyweight, if not, both.
My father used to tell me all the time, _if you’re going to do something wrong, do it right, because in life, if you want something a few people have, you must be willing to do what few people do_ - and well, it can be applied everywhere. Not only in the gym.
For sure. I think he explained them fine. Think what he means with the skin and all that was conditioning. Being polished.
Steroids are yummy
@@enanthate no. you are dismissing guys who have been in the game for 50 years because you don't want to hear it. no morals...denial.
Attention spans and reading comprehension are at all time lows
What a warm and natural interaction with the audience,and a truly honest opinion. Very humbling and quite inspirational!
Had this video for years.Still watch it today because he's so entertaining, honest and truly loves his sport/ life style.
We got to remember this was at a time where it was more taboo to talk about this. Always have respect for platz
I grew up in awe of Tom and I was too young to ever enjoy or see presentations like this...what an amazing man...ridiculously intelligent. If only they were all as honest...still my Hero.
It’s impossible to not love Tom Platz
Absolutely
Love this guy. Articulate, intelligent and a legend.
Tom, you will always be one of my old time heros, together with just a handful more people from your era, and I will always respect everything you’ve done for the sport, Thank you. All the best to you Tom Platz.
Sincerely
Johan Karlsson a former elite bodybuilder from Sweden 🇸🇪.
Wow, I became a big fan of Platz many years ago, but had never seen this seminar before.
It’s amazing for a guy at his level to be discussing steroids on such an in-depth level.
They probably still weren’t illegal at this point yet, but it seems as though steroids always had a taboo vibe around them - likely why they were never mentioned in bodybuilding magazines in the 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s.
Admitting to steroid use and discussing the effects of particular steroids would be heavily shunned upon in the 90s and 2000s. It wasn’t until people like Ric Drasin or Rich Piana started discussing steroids that steroid transparency started to be seen as something appropriate or admirable.
But it seems like Tom was way ahead of the curve.
Majority of top bodybuilders like Arnold, Franco, Lou ferrigno, Frank Zane, etc might somewhat acknowledge their steroid use, but they all would only mention it is as briefly and minimal as possible… my guess is Joe Weider told them to never discuss it even back in the day.
Also I’m guessing Tom’s talk about anabolic vs androgenic agents went way over the audience heads unless they were experienced steroid users lol, but it doesn’t sound like it.
Tom Platz took all concerns to explain 360 degrees and with such tones and concern is so respectable of him. Respect to this Legend!!!
Tom Platz is a legend. A humble champion
with the poster ''THE NATURAL'' in the back!! LOL
Ya! What a joke.
Hahahahahahaha
🤣🤣🤣
It's "Nutra"-Life not "Natural-Life"
Ironically, he said that while standing in front of a banner promoting something “natural”.
He would have been the perfect He-Man.
"I learnt about steroids from swimmers in College".
There are lots of folk who are deluded and think all pro athletes are clean never mind swimmers in college!
Had no idea Tom had a channel. I’m instantly subscribing. Totally a stand up dude. Thanks for keeping it real Mr. Platz
R Leota fan page not the real Tom
He is a wonderful ambassador for the sport of bodybuilding.
One of the greatest of all time. And incredibly gifted.
And he’s still around today!
Wow, was I fooled about bodybuilding, growing up in the 80's. I thought these guys got huge by drinking protein powder and supplements.
They didn´t have supplements back then. In the 80´s the supplement industry just slowly started.
xXAlmdudlerXx Supplements were all over the place back in the 70s and 80s...I used to buy plenty of powders and pills when I lifted. Weider built his empire selling that junk. Bodybuilders found out early on that steroids delivered much quicker than natural diet.
@@MrSapplease Didn't know that. All I knew was that Arnold and co mixed their own stuff with milk powder
It’s a hard pill to swallow but if someone is at the top of the fitness industry there is a 99% chance they are on PEDs, that’s not being salty, it’s being honest. If an athlete is at the top of their game chances are (albeit a lower percentage if the drug testing format is thorough) that they are using or have used drugs. If something is legal as a supplement it just means it’s something you could get from your diet, supplements (other than creatine and caffeine) are wastes and don’t do anything. The supplement industry feeds lies and false information by using athletes on gear to act like the supplement has made any difference on their performance or physique. If someone is in the Olympia they are on PEDs there is no debating it.
ckaz007 yeah the muscle mags really deceived us. I believed it all too. Feel a bit cheated .
WHEN YOU LISTEN TO GREAT BODYBUILDERS SPEAK THEY ARE VERY INTELLIGENT THERE HAS TO BE GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO BUILD YOUR BODY
Not all of them are intelligent
The best and most honest bodybuilder. Respect Tom Platz.
Tom should have won Mr O at least once.
He was 5 ft 8 he knew he didnt have the height to win. Hes like an action figure.
I agree
@@JohnDoe-sx7zb but Franco did?
@@tigirao5926 franco wasn't meant to win the mr olympia youre right
@@JohnDoe-sx7zb fr
Says a lot about a man who tells it like it is. Much respect my good man. Been there myself. Knowledge is power!
Dropping good honest knowledge. Safety in the honest approach to teaching. I respect this man so much for this.
Truer words have never been spoken. Tremendous guy.
So grateful for your transparency and integrity and character. When knowledge is outright demonized without proper investigation, all of society is held back, oppressed by those who benefit from ignorance. Me. Platz, you’ve always handled yourself like a true gentleman warrior in every sense of the word.
When he said he took steroids, I wasn't really surprised just because he competed in a high level sport. Regardless, his honesty, his passion, and his character is the reason I greatly respect him, regardless of him taking steroids.
Tom Platz, you have always been my favourite bodybuilder together with Dorian Yates. Mr Olympia 1981 was maybe the biggest robbery in bodybuilding history. Tom Platz should have won the Mr Olympia 1981. I admire your, because your are so honest about your steroid use. And you seems to be a very friendly, intelligent human being. It would be nice to meet you some day.
Seems this man was destined to be a legend. I had no idea this man was as wise and humble at such a young age as he is. I just assumed he gained that over time. He handled that closed minded heckled with such professionalism
Its great to hear someone talk about sarcoplasmic and miofibril hypertrophy that long ago
What a great clip. Tom talking sense that is still truth now.
Back in the day when being open didn’t mean you’d lose your sponsors, endorsements etc.
Love the real talk here Tom! You’re so calm and collected 💪🏼
This guy is intelligent and honest
Brilliant!!
This guy was years ahead of his time!
this legend is talking 300% truth about bodybuilding.
The sign right behind him💀
DAMN THAT'S RARE HONESTY, SALUTE MR PLATZ.
Thank you Tom. This is very well articulated, thoughtful and informative !
Tom had balls to be honest in that time.
He is truly an inspiration personality while everyone else is into Arnold.
Flex magazine and Platz got me into bodybuilding, still have a few editions where Tom speaks about his Berserker mentality when training....... "the steroid sting" article in flex got me into gear for a while then I went natty...... Platz will always be Legendary 👍
Steroids launch athletes to higher levels. Period.
They work and that's why many elite athletes use them.
They are also harmful to the body after long term use.
And when the athlete discontinues their use,esp bodybuilders,they get dramatically less muscular.
I met Platz at the California NPC state bodybuilding contest,which he emceed. 1987 I think. He admitted he was "off the juice" himself,from the podium. Very honest,and chuckles rippled through the crowd.
Btw....Mr Platz was very normal sized looking in his street clothes at his table in the lobby. Cool guy,he even gave me a free signed pic of him leaning on his Corvette.
The Quadfather is so awesome! It’s hard to find athletes as honest as he is!
He is very intelligent !
He also reminds me of Lee Priest !
I LOVE HIS HONESTY! MUCH RESPECT TO TOM PLATZ !!
One of the smartest and most honest bodybuilders ever! 😃👍
I thought this guy was just a muscle. Knowledgeable and charming. He sounds cool.
I like your honesty on the issue Tom. You have always been a hero of mine. Stay healthy and happy mate.
Such knowledge yet so humble. Love his honesty.
Wow, I notice that - at least in Germany - more and more people are talking about steroid. You did it already in 1985 and I am impressed not only by this fact, but also by the detail and intensity in which you did it.
This should help put things in perspective in terms of steroid use in bodybuilding today. In this interview Tom just said he takes 100mg at a time of anabolic steroids. Today it is commonplace for guys to take 1200 to 1500 mg! In the golden era they were taking steroids, and it was not the best thing for them, but it was not life threatening like it is now. Bodybuilders are dying left and right from pushing steroids to the extreme.
I love body building but to much drugs involved but he's still around use and abuse but he's very shy speaking about the issue
This is true but i heard a few of the old pros say how much stronger the stuff was back then so needed less.
This guy is such a genuine person
14 skinny men disliked the video
And one busybody noticed.
Ya...keep telling yourself that....
probably the ostrich and chickens people dislike this vid and yea maybe the stick people too XD
This dude is awesome ! I bet there are a flew of bodybuilders today that can open up honestly and talk about steroids among other things easier thanks to this guy Tom. I like him already !
Never has a guy like the Golden Eagle been more of a beacon for a sport. When all those guys/gals in the 70's and 80's were coyly hiding steroid use, the public knew or surmised different. I was one who didn't talk about use. However, looking back, when the Eagle talked openly about it, it elevated him in the eyes of those who disparaged bodybuilders simply because of their denials. Today, if you don't use steroids, (as all these young kids do), you are the exception, and sadly, what Platz was trying to expose, the abuse, occurs all the time. (Because they all want instant gratification).
Who doesnt love Tom Platz ... ? Most wonderful person in Bodybuilding , Tom and Reg Park
Honestly mindblowing to hear him say the most he'd take is 700mg of test a week. There's dudes out there who'd consider that a intermediate dose
He didnt take test. They used nandrolone and dianabol
A man ahead of his time !
The Eagle has landed. He is by far one of the most well-perceived, well-liked and most of all, well-respected professional bodybuilders of all time. By no means should The Eagle ever be looked at with disdain because he was truthful about drug use, it was a part of his (and the BB communities) altruism at the time, just as it is a foundational element without a second thought, in serious bodybuilding today. For a man to discuss it as openly as the the Golden Eagle did, back in the day, was a profile in courage and honesty. Too bad bodybuilding doesn't have these types of personalities today. GE has my utmost respect.
Reed Allyn I highly appreciate your comments and admiration sir.
@@the_golden_eagle Just as I do you. You were an inspiration to me back in the 80's and you still drive me to go into the gym today, at 63 years of age.
He was always one of my favorites. I started lifting in the Shawn Ray Lee labrada and of course Lee Haney. But I was 20 years old and believed them when they said they were natural. I don't fault them . It was the sport. After years of educating myself and knowing what the pure natrual bodybuilder tops out at. And what the top end of the test HGH and IGF cocktail. It was money. Mass sold. Mass was awarded and size matters. Who was going to sell more protein powder the 290 monster. Or the 180 lbs guy? Endorsements pay the bills. But only if you win show or place. And he sure wasn't getting his IFBB pro card at 180/190. So we really helped create the monsters. But he is correct. The dosage levels for most were nothing like what there spiked to now.
Thank You Tom...Great pleasure to have attention from You. Do not work too hard at gym, save yourself for us
Platz comes clean...about skin texture.
One of the best to ever do it folks
I believe one statement to be true with this topic. You wouldn't be AS competitive without them. It is definitely an advantage to SOME degree.
Love Tom…..so genuine….met him in Toms River, NJ at Golds Gym opening around 87’ and spent time together talking🧡
Cool. When Tom was giving these talks (late-80's ?) not one bodybuilding magazine - Flex, Muscle and Fitness, MuscleMag, Iron Man was reporting that bodybuilders were admitting to doing cycles. In the mid 90's MM 2000 was the first to even start to tell the truth.
Damn man, the more I see of Tom Platz the more I respect him, going into detail talking about this stuff back then probably wasn’t the easier thing but he chose to be honest
One hell of a man.
This is amazing. Platz is a breath of fresh air. I really wish this was in the present. Although, with the current stupid laws on gear in North America, it isn't going to happen. However, this piece shows that even before the were outlawed in N.A. in the early 90, it shows that the general public essentially viewed 'steroids' in the same way that they do today. They feared them, were ignorant to them and looked down upon them. So it wasn't only the law and the propaganda the US government instituted around the time of the introduction of the anabolic control act. It is crazy to think that they are demonized here in North American (i'm Canadian), yet they are over the counter medications in good number of countries around the world. They realize that they really aren't that bad for you. Think, what happens if you take a whole bottle of Tylenol? You'll have liver/kidney/organ failure or even die. But...what would happen if you injected a whole bottle testosterone?? Absolutely nothing. If it had a long ester..you would be waiting to week or so to see what was going to happen. hahaha Then you would get stronger and maybe, just maybe..get a few zits.
Michael R. 100% true that
steroidsR4losers 👋
@steroidsR4losers Of course he's going to say that. People looked down on them back then than they do now. He didn't have to bring a negative image to them and have them become illegal even though they eventually did thanks to people that think like you.
steroidsR4losers yeah that's why they give them to HIV and cancer patients. .... smh...your pure ignorance
I love how open Tom is about the subject.
Class act!!!
Dorian said Food, Training, Rest then gear and gear should he the last thing you think about not the first. Tom is a class act and any bodybuilder that is open and honest has my 100% respect.
You still have train with the intensity like he trained and eat good food and rest - champions come from good genetics, and the discipline and hard work....... 2 people can take them and get totally different results....they add harness and vascularity and size when combined properly
What a friggin beauty, you can’t beat the wholesomeness of The Golden Eagle
Tom Platz, cool dude, being honest!
Wow! What an exceptionally well articulated discussion. Very watch worthy.
Using steroids is totally ok. Using them is a personal choice. There is no reason for pro bodybuilders to deny or admit or even discuss using them. We all know they take them. The only time steroids should be discussed is if they provide someone an unfair advantage over another person. In bodybuilding competitions, this would be equivalent to someone like Phil Heath or Dorian Yates competing against a natural athlete. But that doesn’t happen. They compete on a level playing field, it’s like starting a hundred meter dash at the ten yard line, but everyone is doing it
There IS a reason for pro bodybuilders, athletes or anyone to deny using steroids. It's illegal in the US and some other countries.
@@1manforequality Isn't that what most people do anyway, steroids or not?
Very funny the poster behind of Tom while he's speaking about steroid usage lol
The reason bodybuilders looked better before was because they used less androgenic and more anabolic compounds. And of course gh and insulin
I totally respect toms honesty and knowledge and explaining the topic in an understandable way
Bodybuilding is like drag racing. Enhanced engines, builders trying to get an edge to go faster, nitrous oxide, nitro methane, bigger cam, ect......bodybuilding is modifying the human body for extreme performance and build.
all sports are about this... except bodybuilding is only the appearance.. watch 100m sprint in the Olympics.. now theres your human drag race
Pretty much a safe analogy.
6th
@@skmotorcycles8123 abuse of any drug is harmful. Doctors prescribe steroids because they can be beneficial. If they were unhealthy they would not be allowed to be prescribed. Like other drugs, the problems start if a drug is misused.
I don't know if my words sound at all harsh... my goal is to pass along information from personal experience, but words don't allow for tone. Please know I speak without malice nor anger, this is just one person's opinion..
When people are forced to hide steroid use they turn into human Guinea pigs, which will lead some to mistakes, which can cause health problems. When someone that used steroids has a health problem the public concludes steroids are dangerous. Even if the sick person was taking multiple drugs, the one that gets the attention will be the steroids because they are a mystery to so many people. Keeping use secret and underground can lead to health problems and abuse.
Athlete's should be able to talk with Tom's openness, but in our climate of secrecy, very few people will speak out.
I am older than Tom, and I used steroids in my 30's. Looking back I was fortunate to fall into a group with good information. A lot of meatheads will speak with complete authority on subjects they know nothing about. It's scary to think what could have happened if I'd come across someone with the wrong information on safe dosages and best types. If I'd misused steroids back then I could have easily destroyed my liver. My liver, and my other organs, are very healthy. Obviously this is subjective, but that's how most information about steroids is passed along... in secret and based on subjective accounts from self experimentation. I'd prefer information from a large double-blind study, but I don't think that happens with steroids (unless something has changed, which would be great). I've had medication make me feel nausea, cause a headache and get lightheaded. But none of those things ever happened while on a steroid cycle (and it's important to cycle on and off, not just stay on - that will shrink the gonads). When I was using them I recovered from workouts quickly, never got a cold or flu, and added muscle. When I chose to stop there was no withdrawl or other issue that goes along with stopping many legal drugs cold turkey. I don't advocate their use, but I'm not going to criticize their use, either. The only thing I'd say is learn as much as you can before starting, and have everything available for a complete cycle before starting, don't just start thinking you'll get the rest later.
I absolutely love this guy.
One of the true greats of the iron game.
Genuine man
They produce an overbuilding effect, and provide the recuperation above what the body can do naturally. Orals have to be alkylated or methylated to survive the 1st pass through the liver. Injectibles don't have to be treated that way, and won't harm the liver. Unless it's dianabol or winstrol, which are alkylated/methylated in either the oral form OR the injectible.
This is one of my favorite humans
The banner behind him is irony at its finest
Was that last questioner drunk - WTF - Platz is great,always love hearing him talk - very passionate and honest