When should I start taking prohormones? That’s a common question among lifters and men looking to take their training to the next level. When is the best time to start taking prohormones and is there ever a bad time to take them?
Here are some common mistakes people can make with prohormones.
Starting Prohormones When You’re Not Old Enough
This is important so listen up. If you’re under 25, you probably shouldn’t even be thinking about prohormone supplementation. If you’re training consistently, eating right, sleeping well and generally living like a young buck, your body doesn’t need extra hormones.
That’s because you are producing enough testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) to support hard training and muscle building/strength gains not to mention your rampant sex drive. So do yourself a favour and stop reading this site.
Come back in a few years when you’re not going to be at risk of wasting money on something your body doesn’t want and can’t use.
If you suspect that your testosterone levels are low and you’re still a young man (teens or early 20s) you might have a medical condition.
In which case, prohormones are not the answer. You should see your doctor or general practitioner who can organise a blood test to determine your hormone levels.
If your T levels are low, you may need to go on Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
I ran my first prohormone cycle when I was 26 and I noticed very limited results other than a slightly increased pump. However when I ran another cycle 2 years later I noticed big changes in muscle size, fullness and strength.
Waiting until your body is receptive to the additional boost from prohormones is smart. Messing up your endocrine system in your early 20’s is not.
When You Haven’t Been Training Long Enough
If you’ve been training for five years or less, you probably shouldn’t be thinking about supplementing with prohormones.
That’s because it takes years to build up the skills and knowledge required to effectively build muscle and strength – I’ve been training for nearly 7 years and I’m still learning.
When you start out weight training you should focus on the basics of:
- Learning and using proper form and technique
- Finding a programme and sticking with it (I like Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1)
- Learning all you can about nutrition, eating right and avoiding junk foods
Once you’ve got five years of solid training and nutrition under your belt, then (and only then) should you even consider going down the prohormone route.
Why? Because prohormone supplementation shouldn’t be seen as a a short cut or ‘easy street’. It’s not. Put the hours in the gym and the kitchen then come play with the big boys when you’ve finished kindergarten.
When You Don’t Know What You’re Doing
“Knowledge is Power” – so said someone very knowledgeable. It’s true though. If you don’t have good knowledge of what you’re doing or what you’re about to do, you shouldn’t really be thinking about prohormone supplementation.
When I started out, I didn’t know what I was doing. I knew nothing about cycle support, post cycle therapy or even the difference between natural testosterone supplements and prohormones.
It’s only through a combination of wide reading, a bit of a science background (I have a degree in biological science) and a number of years personal usage that I’ve been able to gather the information that I’m presenting to you now.
If you’re new to prohormone supplementation, read everything on this site FIRST before you decide whether the prohormone route is right for you or not. Acquire the knowledge first before you take any actions.
Final Thoughts
Remember: This is not medical advice. If you need medical advice you should speak to a medical professional. Always speak to a doctor before starting a new supplement regime or training programme.
I’m never going to tell you that you should take prohormones. But I will give you hypothetical advice and inform you from my own experience or that of others.
Happy Training!
Jack
P.S. If you’re unsure what prohormones are read this: What exactly are prohormones?
