What you need to know about using Prescription Supplements for fitness/figure competitions

If you are a fitness or figure competitor, especially a pro, you have probably come to the realization that there are supplements not available over the counter that will significantly aide you in your quest for that perfect physique. If you did not know this then you do now. Quite frankly with more girls coming into this sport, especially in figure, you will be at a disadvantage not doing some kind of prescription supplementation. Don't get me wrong I am not advocating the use of these drugs. I am simply stating a fact. That being said, I have come across many girls who are trying to take these supplements without the proper education and help they need, and are consequently doing it very wrong and risking serious side effects. The point of this article is to educate you on the most commonly used drugs and if you choose to use them, suggest a proper pre contest stack.

Aldactone: Photo from Anabolics 2005*

Anabolic steroids are drugs that allow for more or faster than usual muscle gains while weight training. There are degrees or variations in the strength and therefore the side effects of particular steroids. The mildest anabolic agents are Anavar, Primobolan, and Winstrol. They can give you mild to moderate muscle gains with the least amount of side effects. They all must be cycled, usually for 6-8 weeks on and then 6-8 weeks off. With the advent of Figure and so many new girls who are young or have not been weight training very long, steroid use among them has become somewhat popular. In order to compete against girls who have been doing it longer and therefore have developed more quality muscle, girls are using them to put on that extra muscle fast. I do not recommend that you take them , period. If you do choose to use them, however, the 3 mentioned are the ones to use. Any others are too strong and will do you more harm than good.

Clenbuterol: Photo from Anabolics 2005*

There are 3 popular fat loss agents, Clenbuterol, Cytomel, and Nolvadex. All 3 work in totally different ways to help you lose body fat. Clenbuterol works by raising your body temperature, but its effects are short lived. Cytomel is a thyroid hormone that increases metabolism or the rate at which your body utilizes food. This particular drug I do not recommend using. It needs to be monitored very carefully and can have serious side effects if taken wrong, such as nausea, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat and headaches to name a few. It can also alter the normal functioning of the body and can cause a permanent thyroid deficiency.

Nolvadex is an anti-estrogen. It binds to estrogen receptor sites and blocks estrogen from exerting any action. This has the effect of lowering body fat concentrations, especially in the hips and thighs. This can be risky because you are now messing with your body's estrogen levels. If you have a large amount of body fat in these areas, this can be very helpful.

The use of diuretics is also common. Nothing dramatic is necessary. The most common and mild is Aldactone. It is a potassium sparing diuretic so you do not need to take a potassium supplement with it. I suggest you try to get as much water off as possible with cardio and sodium depletion first. Too much diuretic can have the reverse effect.

Nolvadex: Photo from Anabolics 2005*

Now that you have an idea of what is out there, let me give you an example of a pre-contest stack for a female who weighs about 135 lbs, carries most of her weight in the hips and thighs, a little below average in muscle size (compared to other competitors), and her body fat is about 20%.

Starting 12 weeks out: Clenbuterol ,( 2-4 tabs daily) 1 week on , 1 week off ( 8-10 weeks) or as necessary.

5-7 weeks out: start Anavar ( 5mg) per day ( for 4-6 weeks)

3-4 weeks out: start Nolvadex 10-20 mg per day, ( use if needed) for 3 to 4 weeks

The day before and/or the morning of the show take Aldactone ( 75mg) or as needed.

Remember this is just an example. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT! It is in your own best interest to find someone who has experience in preparing girls for fitness and figure shows to help you find out what is right for your body. You should also pay attention to how your body is changing and only use a supplement if you need it. Also remember that you will waste your time, money, and supplements if you do not work hard and have the proper nutrition in place. Training and Nutrition always come first!

Anavar: Photo from Anabolics 2005*

All Photos Copyright Anabolics 2005 an excellent book by William Llewellyn (www.bodyofscience.com)

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