The First Steroid Transformation - Bill Pearl

[@mitchhamrick3117]

Thanks!

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thank you, your support is very much appreciated 😊 🙏

[@billbinnings4347]

I met Bill Pearl in 1960 at age 11. He was an actor in a really cheap "B" movie produced by my father in Louisiana. I remember him as a very nice man, he came to our home and my Mother was very impressed with his genteel manner. He even took a photo posing with my little brother who was just a baby, he was smiling while holding him on his massive arm with my Brother's head in his hand. The man was massive and was wearing a light blue tee shirt as I recall with muscles bulging everywhere. He was a most imposing presence, especially to an 11-year-old !!

[@bigblockjalopy]

Interesting. What was the name of the movie? Is it possible to watch your fathers Films somewhere? I Like 50s/60s B movies.

[@andrewjackson3959]

@@bigblockjalopy According to IMDB, the only film Bill Pearl starred in in the 1960s was Voodoo Swamp, released in 1962. There was also an actor, Bill Binnings, who I assume is related to the OP, that played a main character in the movie.

[@bigblockjalopy]

@@andrewjackson3959 oh, thank you very much for the research and letting me know.

[@jessfrankel5212]

I heard that Arthur Jones of Nautilus fame was the director, although I'm not sure.

[@christopherjames9843]

Yeah Arthur speaks about the movie in his Nautilus Bulletins. He talked rather badly of Bill Pearl in them. @@jessfrankel5212

[@lbmuscle]

Bill did not die of natural causes. On April 7, 2022, Pearl was involved in an accident where he and his rider mower tumbled down an embankment, resulting in the mower landing on top of Pearl, who was "face-down in the grass." His initial diagnosis was a "compression fracture of his T-10 Vertebrae, among other things." Another neck fracture was discovered a few days later. Pearl died on September 14, 2022 at his home. May he rest in peace.

[@rdallas81]

Wow. Didn't know that. RIP Bill.

[@christopherjames9843]

Didn't Bill have dementia and should not have been on the mower?

[@jessfrankel5212]

@@christopherjames9843 I thought he had Parkinson's. Maybe dementia, too. After all, he was over ninety.

[@gb8814]

Bill Pearl was a great bodybuilder.Especially his tricep development was off the hook.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Out of this world

[@thomasgilson6206]

"Off the charts"

[@gsp3428]

I actually think his triceps look too big and doesnt look good at all. I thought he looked better before steroids.

[@DrGreenthumb820803]

​@GSP I think his bicep is too small compared to tricep, looks out of proportion, still a beast though!!!

[@PROKURGAN]

off the chain

[@MrJudo2go]

Wonderful video report. I was around and competing during the 70's and early 80s. I trained at a gym in Arizona where there were some pretty good bodybuilders, Universe winner's. Everyone knew that they were doing something that gave them an edge and it's so true that they never discussed how they were making such fast gains and were able to maintain the amount of muscle mass they carried throughout the year. The only person who ever told me about any steroid use was Sergio Oliva at the old Duncan Y. It was a very wonderful time for bodybuilding and the enthusiasm was elevated across all of the U.S.A.

[@willhelmberkly3025]

Thanks for ruining sports for everyone mate. I salute your service.

[@carlosluis820]

​@@willhelmberkly3025 I didn't understand

[@willhelmberkly3025]

@@carlosluis820 Your generation burned the bridge behind you. What's not to understand? Wasn't that your intent?

[@lilythepig]

I met Bill Pearl and got to spend some time with him - and a photo of Bill and me is on the dedication page of a well-known bodybuilding book. He was everything you would expect, and also had a very deep and authoritative voice. Sad to hear that he is gone.

[@johnkelley6278]

I seen Bill Pearl guest posing in a 1977 or 78 Mr.USA which Tom Platz was a finished 2nd . Bill Pearl was far better built than any of the competitors.Keys to the Universe is an all time great book for all levels of bodybuilders.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

I agree, an encyclopaedia of every bodybuilding exercise you could think of

[@richbrake9910]

You did not even mention who the winner was? My guess is you're a Platz fan? Was the winner Kalman Szkalack?

[@discernment8963]

​@@richbrake9910 I believe it was that Universe show. Why it happened this way I've no idea. The USA sent the typical 3 competitors, One lightweight, Danny Padilla (I believe), and Two (2) Heavyweights, Mike Mentzer, and Kalman Skalack. That's correct, 2 in the same weight class. I believe Mentzer got a perfect score, but Skalack still got the victory.

[@loydkline]

Bill peal without steroids vs Sergio Oliva ?? Sergio Oliva would've won 🏆

[@counterbalancelife4305]

@@loydkline What if they both were natural?

[@terrorent]

When I started training I did not know the people I wanted to emulate used steroids. I followed their routines in magazines and books. Tried many. I was just over training. When i did not see similar results I trained more and tried pushing even more weight that just led to injuries that hamper me even today. If these guys were honest I would have know gains like theirs was unrealistic drinking milk. This was before the internet. Now I know doing 48 - 64 sets a week like Arnold's Mr Olympia routine for a body part naturally will make you smaller.

[@rgk9999]

Me as well. I followed the magazine workouts not realizing I just did not have the genetics, let alone the anabolics these guys used.

[@rufust.firefly6810]

Started in late 1990 - and until 1994 I followed the routines, issued in Sportrevue and M&F ... if I had only knew ... 3 days Fullbody or 2 day-splits on 3 days/week with much less volume would have suited me a 100% better... although I gained 45 pound of muscle with that whacky type of training. But all the time lost, the shoulder joint damage etc - crazy.

[@richardlawson6787]

​@@rufust.firefly6810you may have gained 45 pounds sir but it wasn't muscle ..in a lifetime of natural lifting you may ..I said maybe...gain 25 pounds of solid muscle

[@rufust.firefly6810]

@@richardlawson6787 ... I should've mentioned that I started at 15 at 135 lbs, skinnyfat and reached 180 lbs at 19, sw between 12-15 % bodyfat. For today, at 48, I'm surely fat at 205 with very little added muscle weight since then 😉 still, I wonder what I could've achieved if I had followed a reasonable and consistant diet.

[@richardlawson6787]

@@rufust.firefly6810 that's a common misconception...once you reach your genetic potential there is nothing you can do to pass it...and even steroids have a limit or you'd see guys with 35 inch arms.

[@SEAKPhotog]

Interesting, thanks. Getting Stronger was my workout bible for years when I first started out in the gym. Pretty sure I still have it lying around someplace 40 years later.

[@maia3420]

He looked phenomenal before the gear.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

He did actually

[@MrClassicmetal]

Yes, he sure did. He had _great_ genetics for muscle building. That, combined with his hard training, explains how he blew up like that when he took the gear.

[@andrewreed1329]

looked better, steroids have a balooney look

[@adamkane7513]

​@@andrewreed1329 Agreed. His lines & athletic look were superior before taking the naughty "supplements".

[@majicogarcia8417]

@@andrewreed1329 You are out of your mind. He looked like a teenager compared to a full grown man after the roids.

[@berserko2008]

You're channel is my encyclopedia to the all-time greats of bodybuilding......... Nick's Strength and Power started out with this agenda...... glad you stuck with the old-school guys, I identify with them better than these contemporaries of today......... keep up the great work my friend.......... always a fan..........

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thank you

[@nedkelly2035]

Anyone who is a really big Bill Pearl fan should be aware that there is a fine art photography book of him, hardcover expensive book. Don't know what it is called, but it is of him at his best under studio lighting, etc. He used to sell it for something like $100. Really super quality photography and printing.

[@theironforce3000]

Haha, you're awesome Carlos. You literally put in the clip of the same one that I was thinking of with Mr Baldwin and Jerry talking about Bill and admitting that he was using PEDs / why he never talked about it openly. Good timing as always ⚡ I also appreciate the additional clip from the old man muscle gentleman. Great trivia. As I said before, there's not that many old-timers left that can remember and retell those ancient stories from such prolific eras. Great vid !

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thank you mate, they were great interviews. From me to you, I asked Bill several times to come clean, but he refused me more than once. He kept hiding it til his dying days, but I respected his position...it was to protect the youth

[@theironforce3000]

@@GoldenEraBookworm I'm sure you've tried more than once to at least get a handful of minutes worth of interview. And even then he still held on to that self-promise of his of not revealing anything to the youth , despite what generation we are in. It's commendable, however you look at it. Thnx otherwise 👏

[@taylorwelch9209]

great investigative work carlos, I had never seen a before picture of bill pearl like you have showed. Honestly I admire the 1953 natural vacuum shot of Bill much more than the version of Bill we are all familiar with though both are great. Something about that fantastic waist that wasnt bloated or enlarged. Silver era bodybuilding in the early stages (drug free) was really exceptional. knowing what you know now, would you say that photo of delinger was probably enhanced?

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

I would be very inclined to think that post 1956, many competitive bodybuilders were starting to experiment. It is possum that Delinger was one of them. The thing is, you can tell...they just had this bloated look

[@nedkelly2035]

Boyer Coe said "In the 1970s, if everyone on steroids was gone, there would have been no one on the stage."

[@philliponfitness]

loving all this content

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thank you

[@rohitgeorge8879]

Very nicely done episode 👍

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thanks

[@_SkyEye]

If it’s good enough for the bull, it’s good enough for me” - the sentence that initiated bro-science.

[@lorddeathspit1124]

Bill Pearl had great genetics. I’d take his natural build and his enhanced was amazing.

[@patrickbuckley344]

Great program! I always enjoy your information about vintage bodybuilding! I always admired Bill Pearl growing up, and still do- he still was a great champion!

[@bodybuildingpodcastofficial]

Bill Pearl and the 60's guys all had the DBOL cosmetic effect of sterons look

[@fresh0678]

I think he looks better than Arnold in that picture where Mr. Pearl and Arnold were up on stage together

[@johnkelley6278]

I Agree 100 percent! He could have beaten Arnold on the day of that photo

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

He was better than Arnold in that era, no doubt...Arnold was fresh from Germany and lackt refinement

[@frankbarberio8149]

@@johnkelley6278 he did wi mr universe 1967 arnold won amatuer

[@odessafile75]

Arnold was 20 years old in 1967. So yes Bill who was 37 years old in 1967 looked better at that time as he had a more mature physique. In 1967 Arnold won the amateur Nabba Universe and Bill Pearl the Pro Nabba Universe.

[@blueodum]

@@odessafile75 Even then, you could see that Arnold's shoulder width to waist ratio would make him tough to beat when he filled out his frame.

[@lazur1]

Reg Park, already an elite bodybuilder, put on a *_lot_* of new muscle when he came to the US.

[@mattyhartley9079]

Reg won his first universe title in 1951, no chance he could of got hold of anything at that time, he also had the amazing genetics to be the second man to bench press 500lbs in 1953 at around than 225lb bodyweight… his physique and weight didn’t drastically change much throughout his career a part from the very early days were he’s ripped but looks fairly underweight around 1948-49 What I will say is by his 1958 universe win until the end of his career we will never know for sure, but definitely not his first time in the states, dr Ziegler only found about the soviets use of testosterone in 1954 and it took a few years for him to develop americas first steroids.

[@lazur1]

@@mattyhartley9079 Compare ‘51 & ‘58. I see a meaningful difference.

[@mattyhartley9079]

@@lazur1 Reg actually weighed a few pounds less in his 58 win. The photo qualities are a bit different and the lighting/shadowing seems better in 58 as bodybuilding shows were becoming better organised perhaps. He doesn’t really look any bigger and records of his measurements show minor differences which supports that. I’m not saying he never used anything as I can’t ever know, but he definitely never had a transformation like Bill Pearl did and even in his last universe completion in 1971 he didn’t look like any better or larger than the 1950s

[@ibberman]

@@mattyhartley9079 Not true. Google some of the products shown in the video.

[@mattyhartley9079]

@@ibberman all the products shown and talked about in these videos before diannabol either were snake oil or didn’t really do anything other give you side effects, this is the entire reason why Dr Ziegler wanted to develop a drug that would work and would allow American athletes to compete against the soviets who were experimenting too. In addition to this, my point that Reg didn’t really have any sudden transformation when he first went to the states shows even if it did try anything around at the time, it clearly didn’t do a fat lot.

[@SalsBodybuildingArchives]

Great photos of Bill along with historical background info. ThanK you for posting. I always learn something new when I tune into your great channel. Peace, Sal 💪🏻

[@richardbranson8658]

Great pearls of wisdom about bills steroid use

[@dspada67]

Great work mate. RIP the amazing Bill.

[@georgevue8175]

Bill Pearl - I thought he was great. I trained hard for high school sports and at the age of 24 I did a 6 month cycle of Dbol (Dianabol) & OMG it was awesome. Dbol allowed me to train 7 days/week, I made huge strength gains, my appetite for sex was insatiable, mentally I felt invincible and I can see why so many get hooked on performance enhancing drugs.

[@christopherjames9843]

I did a few cycles of steroids in the mid 1980's. Dbol only. Turned me into a monster. I started getting more outgoing, started getting lots of earwax. Got insanely strong. Pain threshold went thru the roof.

[@nightrider5109]

What a beautiful build Billy Pearl had! Perfect combination of mass cuts and symmetry A phenomenal BB 1 of the greatest

[@willielambert4323]

Enjoyed the supporive offering of Accounts. Good research and well detailed Video submission. Thank-you very kindly. Look forward to further work you aim to post, here !!

[@fredazcarate4818]

I enjoyed your video lecture on Bill Pearl and his transformation through the judicious use of steroids or what pass as steroids. Brilliant from start to finish! Await your next video lecture.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thank you, when I touch on the topic again, I'll be talking about Chris Dickerson, and then Larry Scott and Don Howorth

[@fredazcarate4818]

@@GoldenEraBookworm 👊👍🙏

[@tayejupa7589]

Bill was my hero, I trained and hung out with him in Phoenix, OR. Bill is a Warm Springs native American, he was a vegetarian and lived a Spartans Life, as he use to say. I miss him already.

[@lionheart93]

even richard baldwin was on gear.

[@jayjaydaka5497]

Beating Sergio Olivia, Frank Zane and other great bodybuilders at the 1971 Mr Universe says it all about how his physic was a awesome sight to see.

[@exercisetherapy]

Thank you Carlos for this great content. Yet I have to wonder, was he so strong because of the enhancements? I have heard enhanced bodybuilders say “but we work harder than anyone else” and my question has always been, and if you do is that because of the fact that you are enhanced? I for one was also a believer that these were honest hard working men, and that if I bought their courses I would have 21 inch arm like them if I diligently followed their instructions on how they did it. They never included their chemical supplements in their courses or literature. No wonder despite my hard work and dedication- I never landed on the cover of any of the muscle magazines of the 1970’s, or 1980’s.

[@bodybuildingpodcastofficial]

yes being enhanced makes bodybuilders be able to train harder than naturals. that is 100% true. you know this if you blast and cruise steroids. you can train hard as fuck and take more stress wit high volume training with heavy weights and dominate.

[@WFSmith]

I used to buy Weider supplements when I was a kid believing I would look like the bodybuilders in the advertisements Used to mow lawns to make extra money to buy his products and Im sure I wasn't the person to fall for his false advertising

[@MisterOcclusion]

​@@WFSmith Weider was the progenitor of today's "fake natty" influencer. I went through those days as well. So much BS and lies...

[@JasonNapalm72]

When I first started weightlifting aged 16, I used Bill’s book on how to train…it was good but I didn’t reach my goal of looking like him 😆

[@charlespayne1707]

Hi, Carlos. With your collection of BB magazines and connection to Iron Man I wondered if you've ever come across an editorial by Peary Rader from the early 60's (maybe 1962) where he discusses steroids and is already urging young men to avoid anabolics? I think I read it in Muscle, Smoke and Mirrors. It's definitely significant in Bodybuilding history and might make an interesting episode.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Yes, I may talk about this

[@ukestudio3002]

Incredibly impressive physique before steroids ..! Prior to today’s supplements, advanced machines and training information. Hard work and food, works.

[@chrismoll6862]

GEB ,u too are now a legend .. bringing us all the best content of the greatest greats .. i am happy to tell you that knew Reg Park when he was in his 70s working as a personal trainer in Morninside Johannesburg ..Reg was the best !

[@user-pe4xb1gj4x]

25 years ago he was lecturing on training and nutrition at my medical school. Great speaker, verry friendly, and a quality person.

[@johnspartan98]

If you don't think the the skin bursting pumps and the fullness of the muscles is due to roids then you haven't spent enough time in the Gym. Anyone who has spent time in the gym can tell who is on roids, and even when they go off the roids.

[@AbdulGhani-vm6oq]

My favourite bodybuilder. He NEVER trained to failure. Yet was massive. I follow his advice of not training to failure..

[@NemeanLion-]

Damn, I thought I was the only one that knew of Bill Pearl’s existence. I never expected to find an in depth explanation of his gear use.

[@martinnichols45]

Bill was not taking only Nilevar . He was also using testosterone and dbols . That's why his blood pressure was through the roof and he gained 30 + pounds .

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

And he became a vegetarian

[@ANJIN79SAMMA]

Great video 👍

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Thanks

[@richbrake9910]

The Mr. Olympia Slayer...and the one bodybuilder Arnold backed down from.

[@GoldenEraBookworm]

Hasta la vista Arnold

[@karimzaid9726]

Awesome video! where can you find that jerry branium interview?

[@inquisitor4635]

Excellent presentation.

[@scottlapointe9682]

Great show

[@solo2778]

Great breakdown 👍🏼

[@malethor8822]

I am about to cry...Never thought that bodybuilders would use steroids...

[@larrydowling]

wonderf Carlos for your amazing work here for all of us ,aussie aussie aussie.Golden ERA BOOKWORM NO 1

[@mje9000]

Thanks for this excellent research. Your work is amazing.

[@What-he5pr]

He looked way better before the gear. Post gear his triceps are so disproportionately big he looks like he took synthol.

[@chicagojeff]

The transformation is amazing. Big fan of Bill Pearl.. loved his books..

[@geraldek4948]

Met Bill at a guest appearance in a retail store . I was the only one there Nobody knew he was there. the ad was just a small little square in a insignificant weekly paper. Nobody saw it otherwise he would have had a crowd. Must have been at least 60 massive at least 260lbs. Even more impressive than his physique were the size of his hands Biggest I've ever seen. I heard he did an exhibition in India bending rail road spikes and people would faint. I remember him expressing his disdain for nautilus. Built not only for show but for go an impressive old time strong man . Very friendly a gentle giant. When I left I shook his hand and couldn't see mine. Told me he hoped to see me in the magazines someday. Never happened Oh well

[@countrydawn418]

Great stuff.

[@fnbtwo]

Terrific video and tribute to the Great Bill Pearl. Thank you for doing that. Would you happen to know the name of the channel of Mr. “Old Man Muscle” who was featured briefly in your video?

[@howardmenkes2926]

I met Bill in 1996. A gentleman.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

Those triceps were off the hook, particularly the back head. He must’ve done a lot of work with overhead extensions. Doing those at a cable machine is one of my favourite exercises of all time. A lot of people neglect that area, but if you want big arms it’s a must.

[@CequalsRN]

Hack yea I love hearing about the old school tactics to build muscle

[@gxtmfa]

I read his book, Getting Stronger, to cover probably a hundred times as a youth.

[@NORTH_CAROLINA]

Great work 💪🏿

[@calvinjackson8110]

He told Bill, "I won't say anything". Right. That's how much you can trust people with secrets you don't want anybody to know. You may as well put it on the internet.

[@budo972]

That dudes triceps are awesome his triceps. Tom plats. Legs Franko Columbo chest. Dorian Yates back. Frank Zane midsection. I just built the prefect body builder

[@Alley00Cat]

His triceps were so massive they made his shoulders disappear. You wouldn’t see that today but that’s only because today’s competitors take an insane amount of PEDs and shoulders tend to hyper respond. His look was way more natural. He also didn’t have a big gut as it wasn’t common to take HGH and insulin back then. Guy looked great older too and lived to an impressive 91 even with Parkinson’s. Legend

[@majicogarcia8417]

The main thing guys shoulders are hyper responding to today is Synthol.

[@daveseemerollin6357]

Early era steroids were predominantly anabolic in nature, Nandrolone, Dianabol, Anavar, and test bases were less common. Modern day Bodybuilders use Testosterone, Masteron, and Trenbolone in high quantities, all of which are androgenic and bind to the androgen receptors in the deltoids. When I used mild amounts of Testosterone, my deltoids would blow up despite minimal shoulder training, and Masteron/Trenbolone are far more androgenic.

[@Alley00Cat]

@@daveseemerollin6357 oh interesting. What were the mostly anabolic steroids used then and do some still use them today?

[@lw216316]

No one questions the hard work involved. That is not the issue. Where there is competition for money there is motivation to cheat. The more the money the more likely the cheating. When everyone is cheating then you feel compelled to cheat to in order to compete. The officials in charge should control it. But what if they are making money too? They want more customers so they are motivated to allow more cheating. The customers like to see and be like the big stars so they buy the tickets and the products. Meanwhile young kids are drawn in and risk their health. Seems there is top down responsibility, starting with the officials, then the performers and then the customers. Do not allow and do not buy into the illegal drug use.

[@ronnygross7980]

I thought he said he tried it once but didn’t contribute to his universe wins? And he didn’t like how it made him feel too

[@mattyhartley9079]

That’s John Grimek who said this about himself

[@lonemapper]

You are right. Pearl absolutely said that.

[@soofitnsexy]

everyone lies about this stuff

[@jacksongents4993]

Arnold had open heart surgery 3X (on life support 3X)

[@Ve-suvius]

Really? 3 times? And 'the' or his claim was that it was some genetic defect. Wasn't that said?

[@odessafile75]

I understand Arnold like Boyer Coe and other's had heart surgery and/ or a bypass but is there any objective evidence he was on life support?

[@Ve-suvius]

@@odessafile75 Boyer Coe also? Steroids are 👎.

[@odessafile75]

@Ve suvius Yes, Boyer had some type of heart surgery years ago. Boyer advised that he started taking steroids at age 17. However I believe Boyer was in his 60s/ 70s when he had surgery and my late father who was a smoker and never took steroids also had a triple bypass in his mid 60s.

[@Ve-suvius]

@@odessafile75 My father also had a triple bypass. Smoking till in his 60's. Smoking is cancer and heart problems. Steroids are not healthy either.

[@joeshmoe7967]

One thing about golden era 'users'. They didn't go nuts, still looked normal but big, but not freaky AND they lived a long time. Pearl was almost 92! Arnie is still here, etc.

[@theconsolekiller7113]

Even a little bit of a CONSISTANT boost to recovery, muscle building over the long term is all it really takes to make large size gains in a short period. It really adds up. It has to be combined with consistant, adequate training and eating of course. Aslong as its enough of a boost to maintain a slow steady upward progression.

[@roderoda1758]

Besides modifying his workouts and becoming a vegetarian, I read back in the 80's he added 40 minutes on an exercise bike early every morning. All these changes no doubt helped contribute to a longer, healthier life for Mr. Pearl.

[@Stockfish1511]

Dam Frank Zane was an absolute unity. What a symetry and balance. Till this day i have not see anyone as appealing as mr Zane. Bodybuilding legend and staple

[@samuelstanley7738]

To be honest, I think Bill Pearl looked better before the steroids. If I looked like he did in 1953 I'd be more than satisfied.

[@50ver]

После августа 1935 года верить никому нельзя про стероиды, первая книга вышла в 1939 году

[@christopherseat9871]

1971 Mr. UNIVERSE.......had a wonderful body.

[@Magneticlaw]

Other videos on Bill claimed he took Winstrol. Good video 👍

[@johnkelley6278]

Watched this video today for the 2nd time and I think Bill Pearls Genitics were so good that it only took minimal amounts of a weak steroid for him to get jacked so quick ! I can't think of any heavy steroid user living beyond 90 other than Bill Pearl. Probably with Bill it was 60% hard work, 39% genetics and 1% steroids.

[@jessebrown1400]

Nilevar looks like a great compound as far as the androgenic ratio is concerned very weak androgen receptor affinity which tells me the productivity of anabolics is not directly tied to the androgen receptor, there is a lot of speculation that the nandrolones build muscle via a different receptor possibly the progesterone receptor alone. Weird thing is certain cancers rly like progesterones so its a hard case to crack. So far only thing ive seen thats safer as an anabolic strictly regarding androgen receptor expression is boldenone but you still have a nephrotoxic effect there.

[@nomad6086]

Interesting info but not surprising: *30 lbs of lean muscle mass in 3 months* - that's insane!...The power of anabolic steroids! It's funny how these juiced up bodybuilders want to credit their monstrous physiques to their genteics, hard train training & some protein powder that they're marketing when in essence it's the juice that was the game changer. Lol. These guys simply get their masculinity from a bottle - not impressed. Btw, Nilevar has a similar chemical structure to *nandrolone* - which is a very powerful anabolic compound & was extremely popular with the Golden-era steroid users.

[@dhart5752]

You could copy their exact cycle and training program and not come anywhere near looking like them. It’s how their genetics respond to the training,food,and drugs…. Not at all trying to be argumentative.

[@nomad6086]

​​​​​​​​​​​@@dhart5752 That's what they want you to believe - that it was their superior "genetics," their "diet" & their "hard work" while undermining the power of steroids that had the real effect on their transformation! I've even heard some professional bodybuilders say that they could have achieved their impressive physique without steroids but took them anyway to cut corners & speed up the gains. Lol. Genetics & nutrition doesn't play as big as role as you have been led to believe. Steroids are the catalyst that gave them that massive muscularity & size.They couldn't have achieved those physiques *without* the drugs...period.These guys are fakes - they achieve their masculinity from a bottle. Lol. And that they would have the audacity to tell *natural* competitors & fitness enthusiasts how to train is laughable (keep your training advice & instruction restricted to other steroid users). Steroids & testosterone are so powerful - I don't think a lot of people really understand their true efficacy on protein synthesis, nitrogen retention & anabolic activity of muscle tissue. The late Ric Drasin has a video explaining that the first steroid he ever took was a moderate dose of Dianabol where he says in a few months he got so massive he could no longer fit into his VW! I was a competitive natural bodybuilder in the 1980s. I worked out with a friend & colleague of mine who pursued powerlifting & experimented with steroids. He started off with a moderate dose of Dianabol & Deca. He didn't have great genetics, didn't eat that healthy and drank & partied a lot but grew like a weed developing a powerful, massive physique in just about 6 months time. His strength increases & recovery from brutal workouts was incredible! - I couldn't keep with him at all & he eventually transferred to a steroid gym where he could better train with other roid monsters. Lol There's a mind blowing study from the NEJM back 1996 ( *The Effects of Supraphysiologic Doses of Testosterone on Muscle Size and Strength* ). The testosterone + excercise group substantially increased fat free mass & muscle size over the naturally trained no testosterone group (no surprises there.). However, the shocker here is that the *testosterone + NO excercise group* also increased lean muscle mass & muscle size by a greater margin over the *naturally trained group* by simply doing absolutely nothing! This shows how powerful these synthetic hormones are if the sedentary testosterone group increased strength & lean muscle mass over the natural exercise group by not even doing any strength training at all!

[@peaceformula5830]

It's interesting how the golden era doesn't over do legs. It's very aesthetic

[@brandonocasio651]

"I won't say anything... just between you and me." - Jerry Brainum

[@jimmyjohnson6232]

One of my favorite bodybuilders.

[@johnr.7906]

Wow I was so gullible believing that these early bodybuilding pioneers were natural. Your series of videos on this topic Golden Era really opened my eyes - thank you!

[@MR12AMAZING]

His natural look on the left was still phenomenal though.

[@johnr.7906]

That's a great point - he still looks phenomenal. Anabolics just takes things to the next level.....

[@rgk9999]

Me too! I fell hook, line and sinker for the magazine workouts.

[@jamesodonnell9769]

@@MR12AMAZING Yes, he was also 23 in the all-natural pic from 1953. He likely would have improved somewhat even without enhancement.

[@ελευθερία-ε2ο]

Used steroids and lived to 91? That is amazing!

[@fatboitino2]

And they speculate he purposely starved himself after his accident, where a tractor fell on him- which he survived as a 91 year old

[@N1120A]

And he did it mostly as a vegetarian, with his protein sources almost exclusively focused on dairy, eggs and legumes.

[@byzantineroman2407]

My opinion: he definitely looked better before steroids

[@__-wm9lu]

Youd be wrong

[@tf7223]

idk abt that one

[@fresh0678]

Definitely wrong

[@josephperkins4857]

I agree, he did

[@samueltaylor9935]

I disagree, but he did look good

[@bobjohnson1633]

When you're already that damn good, you only need that little extra push to look like the genetic elite.

[@danielwhyte9172]

I wonder how young Doug Brignole was when he started using steroids….I’m guessing late teens and it was probably Bill who hooked him up with the gear

[@mrxmry957]

Super skinny, kneecaps bigger than his non existent quads, ribs poking out ... he was a prime example of some one who would gotten nowhere without steroids ... even the youngest photos out there of him is when he already started on them.

[@mrxmry957]

He started at 16

[@nomad6086]

Did Brignole pass last year in just his early 60s?

[@mrxmry957]

@@nomad6086 Sadly yes, apparently the report states he had arthrosclerosis or otherwise cardiovascular disease, add in the covid shot, and the deadly combination was made. By the time he was on the third booster it was too late though he knew something was wrong.

[@danielwhyte9172]

Sadly yes. And sadly Doug passed away about 10 days after his 3rd Covid shot…yet they want us to believe it was Covid that took him down. A huge loss and Doug’s book is an absolute must have

[@tayejupa7589]

It was legal back in the day, Bill is very competitive and gear was for horses and cows. His brother was bigger, naturally.

[@duanetucker]

You won't say anything? You just did! 5:21

[@asniffer6532]

How much Triceps you want Sir YES

[@danielx555]

1:15 Syndrox is methamphetamine. You used to be able to buy tablets of meth over the counter in a drugstore. They called it diet pills.

[@robertthompson5501]

Started Weght Training in 1989 thanks to Bill Pearl article Excercise for Dumbells. Followed with his book Getting Stronger. Now training has evolved to Mark Rippetoe Getting Stronger. As an Old guy am prescribed Topical TRT. Very effective. A long and lonely road. 🙏🏻👹🏋🏻🏊‍♀️

[@paulcox2447]

triceps are nuts. looks shopped in the thumbnail, although I'm fairly sure it isn't. He is just thick there, both muscle and a little bit of fat. Looks awesome.

[@terrystrand]

Spot on re the chronology... Bottom line is that fifties bodybuilders were fooling around / experimenting with roids, especially the York lifters / bodybuilders... Dianabol grew the power of the lifters, but outside of Pearl it seems few bodybuilders grew muscles with them... But Dianabol was the real deal and 'worked'. Cheap, easy to get.

[@jamesvelie8541]

I have 23 inch arms and 50 inch chest and never touched steroids.

[@lukeskywalker7461]

You mean there's no magic training routines that the "pros" are using and keeping secret😅? Then why does everyone keep asking (and will continue to do so)?

[@Noutelus]

He went from looking good to something a baloon artist would make.

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

Steven Reeves look fantastic….no roids

[@majicogarcia8417]

Roids. Definitely roids.

[@jakehoward1160]

I doubt Bill Pearl was a heavy user. The man lived to be 91 and continued to workout most of his life. The bodybuilders these days barely make it past 50.