T: Very interesting! In fact, I think TC wrote about using the Smith machine this way back in the early days of T-mag. I think he called them "Katzenjammers." Anyhow, let's change subjects. What's your general opinion of steroids?
CT: That’s hard to answer in my position, given that I still compete in a tested sport and that I work with a lot of young athletes, but I feel that they’re not as bad as most people think they are. I'd certainly not give them to my athletes, but I know that for 90% of the athletes out there, steroids are necessary to reach the top. In some sports, you just can't win without them. Sad but true.
I do feel that with proper supplementation and nutrition you can approach the effects of steroids, at least as far as strength and power are concerned. I hate to make generalizations, but an optimal supplementation stack could give most people 50% of the results of a steroid cycle. I know it sounds corny, but I’ve seen it work! I’ve had numerous athletes gain 20 pounds of muscle and 10 to 15% on all major lifts in three months from hard training and an optimal supplementation regimen.
However, for athletes who decide to use steroids, I feel that a short cycle approach is optimal. Obviously for bodybuilders it’s another story.
