Dorian Yates Mini-Seminar | On Blood Tests, Steroids & More

Written by Team MD

16 May 2019

Dorian Yates Mini-Seminar

On Blood Tests, Steroids to Get Ripped, Free Weights vs. Machines

Get Blood Work Done If You Suspect Low Test Levels

Q: I am 27 years old and I think I have a testosterone deficiency. I went to my doctor and asked for some tests, but they are very expensive and I can’t afford them at this time. I have all the symptoms of low natural testosterone. Some time ago I took tribulus and D-aspartic acid. When I took them, I felt like another man, like I took my head and put it on another body. After that I had like a medium crash, felt bad for one week and then returned to my normal state. And honestly, I’m thinking about taking PEDs, more exactly testosterone. PLEASE, tell me what do you think about all this?

A: Unless you actually went and had a blood test, you can’t say for sure whether or not your testosterone levels are low. At your age, it’s rare; but that’s not to say it doesn’t happen. Self-diagnoses are sometimes accurate. If you felt the symptoms of low T and these were reversed with the use of those supplements, this does indicate that you very likely do have a deficiency. Typically, bringing a man’s test levels up from low to normal results in increased muscle mass and strength, as well as improved energy and a higher sex drive.

I should note for the reader’s sake that all tribulus products aren’t equally effective. Those with higher saponin levels of the plant are better, just as marijuana with higher THC levels has a very different effect as opposed to hemp, the same plant but lacking THC.

As for your question about self-administering testosterone, I can’t condone it as a legitimate means of replacement therapy only because you would need blood tests to confirm you have low T, and then follow-up blood work to be sure the amount you are taking is bringing your T levels to the proper range. You can “wing it” as many do, but if at all possible you’re better off doing this under the supervision of a doctor.

Steroids Don’t Get You Ripped

Q: What are the best steroids for cutting?

A: The idea that there are certain steroids for “bulking” and others best suited to “cutting” is a longstanding misconception. The fact is, all steroids are synthetic versions of the hormone testosterone. The various types do fall more to one end of the anabolic/androgenic ratio. The ones that are further on the androgenic end of the scale would include testosterone, Dianabol, and Anadrol. These give greater gains in muscle mass and strength, but they also have a higher conversion rate to estrogen. As such, they will cause greater water retention as well as side effects like acne, hair loss and gynecomastia in many individuals, unless other drugs to counter the estrogen are used in conjunction with them.

Steroids that are more toward the anabolic end of that scale include items like Anavar, Winstrol and Primobolan. They don’t tend to give the same gains as the previously mentioned steroids, but they won’t raise estrogen levels or cause extreme water retention. Because of this, gym lore decreed that these were the best drugs for “cutting.” The truth is, if you take those particular steroids and don’t eat a clean diet and add in cardio, you won’t be getting any leaner regardless. Steroids build muscle or at least maintain muscle when dieting to lose fat. They don’t get you ripped, sorry to say.

Free Weights vs. Machines

Q: Years ago Arthur, Jones used to prescribe all-machine workouts, using his Nautilus brand of course. Now we have so many other excellent makes and models of machines. Assuming that muscles only know resistance and can’t differentiate between weight on a barbell or dumbbell versus weight on a Hammer Strength or Cybex machine, do you think it’s possible for a bodybuilder to get the same results with his physique using all machines as if he used both machines and free weights? Why or why not?

A: First off, I think it’s worth noting that even though there are a much wider variety of machines today, I wouldn’t agree that they have advanced so much. In fact, some of the old Nautilus machines produced in the 1970s and early 1980s with the kidney-shaped cams are still among the best ever, as they provided even resistance throughout the entire range of motion. It’s also interesting to note that the original Hammer Strength machines, also considered some of the best machines ever produced, were designed by Arthur Jones’ son, Gary Jones. That being said, both machines and free weights have their pros and cons.

The best feature about free weights is that barbells and dumbbells allow you to move in your body’s own natural planes based on your own particular structure, the length of your limbs, and so on. You and I might not do our barbell curls the exact same way because we aren’t identical. Machines force you to follow one predetermined plane of motion, which may or may not be ideal for you. Another selling point of free weights is that they tend to overload the mid-range of most exercises, which usually gives better results than the resistance being evenly distributed over the entire range of motion as machines do. One advantage of machines is that techniques like forced reps and negatives are easier to perform safely.

I do believe it’s possible to build a great physique using all machines. Throughout my pro career, my leg workout was done entirely with machines: leg extensions, leg press, hack squats or squats on the Smith machine, leg curls and calf raises. My back workout was mostly done with machines and cables: Nautilus pullovers, Hammer pulldowns, barbell rows, seated cable rows and deadlifts. I simply felt some free-weight exercises were superior to the machine version, but I am pretty sure I could have been Mr. Olympia using all machines. Muscle growth is all about overloading the muscle with sufficient weight and intensity of effort, regardless of the tools you use to achieve that.

Shadow Warrior DVD

Check out my DVD, “Dorian Yates: Shadow Warrior”, it’s quite comprehensive. It features early photos and video footage of me, seminar and contest clips, as well as footage of me training Chris Cormier, Evan Centopani, Kai Greene and others. It’s available now and you can get yours at www.DorianYates.net. You can watch a trailer at www.theshadow-warrior.com.

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