Possiblities

[specklefish]

I have been lifting for almost 3 years now and have joined the ranks of the gym rats. I have reached a point in the last 6 months where it has become very hard for me to gain weight. I train very intense with my partner and have refined my diet over the last couple years which has really helped. I have really up-ed my calories and am working even harder than before. I consider myself very knowledge in the gym and have begun questioning my workout pals on the gear. I'm 20 in college and don't feel like I have reached my genetic plateau but have begun doing my research on the gear game. I am gonna give it another year or so before deciding to make the jump into the new. My question is regarding lifting without gear. With an ectomorphic body type, strict intense training, high calorie high protein diet, and adaquate rest, how far can one take bodybuilding? Is it possible to continue to make drastic gains over the years of work? I have become completely engorged in the world of bodybuilding and will continue for my life. Sorry for the long life story but I want to make my decision based on the facts.

Currently I am 5'8" 165 about 8%bf. I get complemented on my lean muscular build all the time and am rather happy. Personally I would like to add alot more size. Will time satisfiy this goal or is gear inevitalble to reach that certain point?

Thanks bros,
Jeff

[Relentless]

why don't you post your current lifting routine and diet for critiquing?

[Severed Ties]

You have alot more room for growth before you should even consider gear.

ST

[specklefish]

I feel the same way about me not being at that point to try gear. If I continue like I have been the last year and a half for another few years, I feel I will still make great improvements. I guess my question was more on the lines of gear being unavoidable to make gains lets say after 3 or 4 more years of hardcore training.

[Severed Ties]

If you want to look like the freaks you see on the cover of magazines like Flex and Muscular Development then yes gear is unavoidable. If you want to build something less freakish yet dam impressive like some of the guys featured in men's fitness or muscle and fitness then no you don't need gear....just alot of commitment and determination.

ST

[Budiak]

I have really up-ed my calories

Its spelled 'upped' and its still an incorrect colloquialism.

Anyways.


ST's right dude, 165, 8% isnt bad at all. I'd say you could put on another...50-75lbs naturally if you work hard enough. But who wants to work hard?

[Power-BB]

First off congrats about your hard work and dedication. Seems like your very dedicated; training hard and eating lots. It's really a personal decision whether to juice or not. All I can say is your doing the best thing doing research first (which you are doing now) and deciding if it's really right for you. Hopefully from all that you make the right decision. Good luck.

[smalls]

LOL at 75lbs. Of course he could put that much weight on but for it to be muscle he would have to be the most gentically gifted individual the world has ever known, and that includes goliath.

It sounds like you are doing very well, if you are having a hard time continueing to gain weight you need to eat more. Keep up the good work bro, I'm sure you will do well, naturally.

[galileo]

Originally posted by Budiak
Its spelled 'upped' and its still an incorrect colloquialism.

To be fair, it is spelled it's

[GonePostal]

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[rookiebldr]

Originally posted by Budiak
Its spelled 'upped' and its still an incorrect colloquialism.


Originally posted by galileo

To be fair, it is spelled it's

Not just once, but twice!