At what point is AAS nessesary?

[xxxkazxxx]

I am quite naive about the whole AAS thing & have absolutely no intentions of ever walking that path. What I am wondering though, is at what stage does a females body stop growing on it's own? I don't want to have goals to acheive that are impossible without the extra help. For example, if I was per say, to aim for the fitness females figure, can I do that via diet and exercise alone?

[dreamgirl]

You can always compete in natural bodybuilding shows to start off with. Then you know you are going up against women who are natural like yourself.

[redsquirrel]

Kaz-

It's not so much that a woman's body stops growing on it's own. In all actuality, it's the fact that women have a much harder time putting on quality muscle. In addition, it takes a woman much longer to put on that muscle. So,that's why many women dabble in it.

You can compete in figure as a natural. As DG said, you should compete in the the natural figure federations. However, I wouldn't really recommend competing in those that aren't natural shows. The main reason being- 99% of those women at those shows are taking, or have taken AAS to better their physique. So, onstage ( no offense of course :) ) it would be like comparing apples to oranges. It really is just a different look. The other women would have much fuller and developed muscles with the help of AAS. While a natural competitor would not. So it would be an uneven playing field. Although, if your physique and conditioning is right, competing naturally at the regional level could give you success. It's really only until you move to the junior or national level that it becomes obvious.

[xxxkazxxx]

Now for the really stupid question. How do they know who has done it naturally and who hasnt? Is there drug testing? Or is there a rule of honesty about it all?

[redsquirrel]

Now for the really stupid question. How do they know who has done it naturally and who hasnt? Is there drug testing? Or is there a rule of honesty about it all?

Well, in the natural shows most of the time, the federation has the option to test ANYONE in the show at random. Most common to be tested are the height class and weight class winners. In fact, I know of someone who won their class, was tested and the federation revoked their placing because they teseted positive.

But, on the flip side, some will test and some won't. So, someone will get on stage who obviously has done something to augment their body and it looks obvious. They may get tested, they may not.

The look for someone who has done AAS vs. someone who hasn't is just an all over fuller, more developed physique. They have fuller muscle bellies and more definition.