So what age should I wait until? And why? In my opinion I would say about 21. When you are a teenager, boys will have a naturally high testosterone level anyway, which is why we see growth spurts at that age in males. At that age the body is not fully matured. Bones, muscle tissue, internal organs etc are all still undergoing their natural maturity.

Taking exogenous anabolic steroids and other hormones too young can play absolute havoc in the body during this delicate time of development. The main problem is that they can cause premature sealing of the epiphyseal bone closure process which consequently means you will not grow as big as your genetics could allow you. You can actually get a test done to see whether your growth plates have sealed yet. Usually it is safe to say around 21.

During a teenagers development period the antigonadotropic effects of steroids are alot more visible. We also know that hpta (hormone axis) recovers in Adults and with Teenagers it is still unclear. One of the worst outcomes could be a permanent low level of testosterone due to the taking of exogenous sources at 15 when your hpta has still to become fully operational, and it goes without saying that at 21 natural testosterone levels are higher than at 15.

I started to train hard at 15, but although I was aware that some of my friends were already taking steroids, I decided upon the natural route to muscle growth. Just like most young trainers, I was ignorant about the taking of and effects of taking steroids. I had only come across the horror stories that come out of the press so I just carried on with natural supplements until at 18 I began listening to some of the more serious bodybuilders at the gym.

So they told me about the basics which encouraged me to find out more. If I was going to take steroids then there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to do it safely. And as you do, I bought a few muscle mags with articles on steroids and I also talked about it with my father who is a Clinical Biochemist, inorder to get an unbiased opinion.

I realised at that time that I would really be wise to wait until I was at least 21 so that I could maximise on my bone growth (if I had any left) as well as keeping myself as safe as possible. I was at the time 5'11". It was difficult, especially seeing lads my own age growing huge with what seemed like no effort. As I got older I saw younger lads juicing and growing.

So there I was, training at least 10 times harder than the rest but with a resolute determination to get big muscles in the long term rather than with the help of alternative supplements. I knew my time would come, so I just kept my head down and spent the next three years training hard and carry out as much research as possible. I got some excellent advice from Mick's Layman's Guides, The Anabolic Reference Guide and the couple of books out by the late Dan Duchaine. Coming soon Part 3