Is it possible to regain gains made from steroids?

**Atomini** · 07-06-2007, 07:15 PM

Let's say a person who has been training naturally for 5 years decides to do a cycle and goes through with it. Then perhaps several months later (after doing his cycle) something comes up such as a business trip overseas where he cannot maintain his current food intake and/or perhaps even train for an extended period of time (say 1-2 months) and it is expected that he will lose muscle due to this.

Is it possible that said person upon returning from his trip, would be able to regain not only the natural muscle he built up prior to his cycle, but also regain the muscle he gained from the cycle he did? Note that upon returning, he would be training naturally. Of course, with muscle memory, he will regain quick, but again, what about the muscle gained from that cycle?

I understand muscle built is muscle built - natural or not. Muscle is muscle. But can that which was built WITH steroids be regained again WITHOUT them?

(Note we are not talking about massive amounts of steroid -induced muscle ala Ronnie Coleman or something, but lets consider this person was 230 lbs at 7% bodyfat or something.)

**highrise** · 07-06-2007, 07:59 PM

It would be great if it were true, but most likely not. There are too many variables to consider to give a definitive answer. You can go back at it with optimism and enthusiasm, but realistically your body is not going to have the resources to respond to intense training sessions like it does when you have altered its chemistry advantageously.

**Atomini** · 07-06-2007, 08:01 PM

I was thinking the same thing, but when you bring the issue of muscle memory into it, it sounds like it could be possible.

**Wizeguy** · 07-06-2007, 08:13 PM

I would like to think that the down time will do you in. But I believe that you'll hit your natural max again and maybe a bit more.

**Igifuno** · 07-06-2007, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Wizeguy

I would like to think that the down time will do you in. But I believe that you'll hit your natural max again and maybe a bit more.

That being said, I've found that the natural max post cycle is always better than the pre-cycle natural max. So, although you may not be able to acheive the same amount of muscle natually, you should be able to acheive a superior natual state post cycle due to additional mass put on during the cycle.

IG

**buffgator** · 07-06-2007, 09:00 PM

I have seen it go both ways myself. I have taken a 2 months off, and could not get back to what I weighed without using a cycle. Then another time I took 5 months off and bounced right back to where I left off without needing the aid of a cycle.

**naturalsux** · 07-06-2007, 09:21 PM

i think it depends how big you get.
your body will only hold so much muscle with out the help of gear.

**Second2None** · 07-06-2007, 11:18 PM

next cycle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Musicman** · 07-07-2007, 05:41 AM

well before the war i was 5'11 260 and now im down to 200... strength is still there tho

**Atomini** · 07-07-2007, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by buffgator

I have seen it go both ways myself. I have taken a 2 months off, and could not get back to what I weighed without using a cycle. Then another time I took 5 months off and bounced right back to where I left off without needing the aid of a cycle.

THat's interesting, I wonder why that happened. Did you have any changes in your diet?

**vitor** · 07-07-2007, 09:12 AM

Imo only one type of gains are permenant, hyperplasmia(new muscle cells).

Steroids cant cause hyperplasmia according to studies. Thats why I will always add in GH with my AAS cycles from now on...

**big_dubya33** · 07-07-2007, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by vitor

Imo only one type of gains are permenant, hyperplasmia(new muscle cells).

Steroids cant cause hyperplasmia according to studies. Thats why I will always add in GH with my AAS cycles from now on...

interesting.

would you mind posting a link or reference for the studies?

thx

**Atomini** · 07-07-2007, 12:16 PM

I'm interested in knowing this, too.

Are you saying that GH stimulates the growth of new muscle cells rather than the growth of existing ones, which you are implying testosterone merely does?

**Lejes** · 07-07-2007, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by vitor

Imo only one type of gains are permenant, hyperplasmia(new muscle cells).

Steroids cant cause hyperplasmia according to studies. Thats why I will always add in GH with my AAS cycles from now on...

Testosterone does this too, yes, we are talking about hyperplasia / satellite cell activation etc. Which means that some of the gains you make with certain steroids are permanent. This is great! Unfortunately some of the side effects could be permanent too!

**Atomini** · 07-07-2007, 03:12 PM

Hmm so how does HGH factor into this?

**king6** · 07-07-2007, 03:17 PM

I didn't lift for almost 2 months after my cycle, too much shit came up. But when I started lifting again, I got it all back pretty quick.

**outofthebox** · 07-07-2007, 03:27 PM

for those of you who say you got the gains back after a time off from the gym and got it back without the use of aas, how long did it take to get back your size/strength?

**king6** · 07-07-2007, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by outofthebox

for those of you who say you got the gains back after a time off from the gym and got it back without the use of aas, how long did it take to get back your size/strength?

Takes me about a month to two months, depending on the length of time off, and how often I am going to the gym now. Lot of times, I come back stronger. I think that some time off is good for you in making new gains.

**outofthebox** · 07-07-2007, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by king6

Takes me about a month to two months, depending on the length of time off, and how often I am going to the gym now. Lot of times, I come back stronger. I think that some time off is good for you in making new gains.

thats certainly good to hear about even the possibility of coming back stronger. time off works wonders

**yahya1966** · 07-07-2007, 11:24 PM

arnold, levrone, and some other old pros would always shrink in the offseason then blow up for competitions. the opposite of what we see today where most guys blow up then slim down.