Chad Nicholls has been a prominent figure in bodybuilding for decades, having helped shape the Men’s Open division by guiding several high-profile names to victory. In a recent interview with Desktop Bodybuilding, Nicholls discussed a controversial topic in the bodybuilding community: athletes claiming to be natural while taking selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs).
According to Nicholls, it’s time for these athletes to “get real.” He expressed frustration with those who take SARMs while still claiming to be natural, saying that it’s dishonest and disrespectful to the sport. Nicholls believes that bodybuilding should be a fair competition and that everyone should be on a level playing field.
Cortisol Blockers and Testosterone in Bodybuilding, According to Chad Nicholls
In addition to discussing SARMs and natural bodybuilding, Nicholls also talked about the role of cortisol blockers and testosterone in the sport. Nicholls explained that cortisol is a stress hormone that can hinder muscle growth and recovery. Therefore, cortisol blockers can be useful for bodybuilders who want to optimize their muscle-building potential.
Nicholls also discussed the importance of testosterone in bodybuilding. He noted that testosterone is the primary hormone responsible for muscle growth and strength. As such, many bodybuilders use testosterone replacement therapy to enhance their performance. However, Nicholls stressed the importance of using these treatments responsibly and under the guidance of a medical professional.
Chad Nicholls’ Impact on Bodybuilding and Mr. Olympia History
Chad Nicholls’ impact on bodybuilding and the Mr. Olympia competition cannot be overstated. In the late 1990s and 2000s, Nicholls began working with Ronnie Coleman, a relatively unknown bodybuilder at the time. Under Nicholls’ tutelage, Coleman quickly rose to the top of the sport, winning his first Mr. Olympia title in 1998 and tying the all-time Sandow record with Lee Haney at eight.
Nicholls’ coaching helped shape the Men’s Open division, and his legacy is still felt in the sport today. Many top bodybuilders credit Nicholls with helping them achieve their goals and become champions in their own right. Despite the controversy surrounding SARMs and other performance-enhancing drugs, Nicholls remains a respected figure in bodybuilding, known for his expertise and dedication to the sport.
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Nicholls’ Bodybuilding Successes Spanning Decades
Chad Nicholls’ training expertise has yielded multiple Mr. Olympia champions, including Ronnie Coleman and Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay. While Elssbiay secured a pair of Mr. Olympia titles in 2020 and 2021, he recently placed fourth at the Arnold Classic after coming in fifth in December. Nicholls took some time off from preparing for upcoming contests to participate in a revealing podcast discussion about the use of performance-enhancing substances in bodybuilding.
Nicholls Weighs In on Performance-Enhancing Substances
During his podcast appearance, Nicholls did not mince words about the use of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) among bodybuilders who claim to be natural. He also delved into the practical applications of cortisol blockers and testosterone during the bodybuilding prep process. Nicholls’ insights provide a rare glimpse into the often opaque world of performance-enhancing substances in bodybuilding.
Nicholls Criticizes Athletes Claiming Natural While Using SARMs
Chad Nicholls, a prominent bodybuilding coach, recently criticized athletes who use selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) while claiming to be natural. In an interview with Desktop Bodybuilding, Nicholls argued that such athletes aren’t really “natty” and might as well “jump to the dark side” instead. He also discussed the use of performance-enhancing substances in bodybuilding, suggesting that the gear hasn’t changed much over the years.
“I think the side effects that come with SARMs are relatively close to the side effects of what you would get from the real thing. I think there are a couple things out there as far as cutting agents that could definitely be added to a protocol as far as leanness and conditioning, but if you’re talking you know serious muscle gain and stuff like that, I know a lot of guys like to say they’re on SARMs and still claim natty or whatever, it’s – fuc**ng get real man. If you’re taking SARMs, I don’t care what you’re taking you’re not natty. You might as well make the jump to the dark side there.”
It is Chad Nicholls’ belief that the potency of steroids was higher in the 90s compared to the present. Nevertheless, he posits that the dosages used haven’t undergone significant changes in the past three decades.
“Pretty close. Pretty close. I mean there’s some things that have changed a little bit. Back in the 90s we’re talking about a lot of American pure gear. So, we’re talking about stuff that’s coming directly out of a hospital or a pharmacy versus now we’re talking about stuff that’s not as quite pure, still – those things all factor in, those things all change a little bit.
Purity, amount, how is everything going to be taken, but overall, when you’re talking about how much you’re going to use, it’s pretty close [from the 90s]. There’s always going to be guys that need a little bit more than others and other guys who don’t need very much. I think the key is finding out what is the least amount to get the biggest results right. It’s simple,” Chad Nicholls said.
Chad Nicholls on the Best PED for Muscle Growth and the Use of Cortisol Blockers
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Nicholls emphasized the effectiveness of testosterone as a performance-enhancing drug, stating that it can help an athlete gain muscle in the shortest possible time. He further added that micro-dosing testosterone can lead to great success in athletes.
“Testosterone. You know, but here’s the thing about testosterone, everybody thinks it’s this and that or whatever, but everybody is a little bit different. I think the key is, I’m big on using testosterone as a base. But you also have to see how your body responds to it, some people respond really really well to a slow Ester, so it could be Cypionate, but based off of how well your body metabolizes that and utilizes it within the system and how your body basically sets a baseline of testosterone; sometimes guys run better with that and a combination of like propionate, because of how it kind of spikes but then the one keeps it a little bit more steady.
Other people because of that spike, doesn’t respond well. The key is finding out where your body really gets the best benefit from the testosterone and which one of those esters or which combination of esters is best for you.”
“I’ve seen some guys make some really good progress over that way [testosterone] because you’re still stable. You’re using less but you’re taking it more often. The body is much more stable, especially if you’re just starting out like if you’re just getting started and stuff because a lot of the ups and downs can throw that body so far out of whack and the progression even slows down based off where you should be just natural.”
Chad Nicholls Discusses the Importance of Cortisol Blockers for Bodybuilding and Confirms Some Athletes Use Them
“Ornithine, it was a cortisol blocker. It also blocked estrogen too, so it was utilized as – yeah, it would block estrogen a little bit, it would also block cortisol. The crazy thing about, it would basically it didn’t block it completely but what it did was regulated it. So there was never a high level of cortisol spiking in the system.”
“Some guys have access to it right now. I know, I’ve got some guys that have been using it a little bit and stuff. Again, it makes you feel pretty much like shit. You’re tired as fu**. It’s really hard on the stomach so you have to take it with food. Usually, no longer than four to five weeks, 250-milligram capsule usually, most people don’t go over 500.”
Chad Nicholls Debunks Steroid Dosage Claims
Chad Nicholls claims that the dosages of steroids used in bodybuilding have remained the same since the 1990s. However, some bodybuilding veterans have a different opinion. For example, Rich Gaspari recently suggested that athletes are relying too heavily on drugs instead of focusing on quality training and nutrition.
Bodybuilding Requires Discipline and Hard Work, but Some Use Performance-Enhancing Drugs
Bodybuilding is a sport that requires dedication, discipline, and hard work. However, some athletes may utilize performance-enhancing drugs such as SARMs to gain an edge over their competitors. Chad Nicholls has extensive experience and knowledge in the sport and can help aspiring bodybuilders make informed decisions about their careers.
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Overview
Chad Nicholls, a highly regarded bodybuilding coach known for his contributions to the Men’s Open division, recently shared his thoughts on the use of performance-enhancing substances in the sport. In a podcast interview, Nicholls criticized athletes who claim to be natural while taking selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), stating that they are being dishonest and disrespectful to the competition. He also discussed the role of cortisol blockers and testosterone in bodybuilding, emphasizing the importance of using them responsibly and under medical supervision. Nicholls has trained multiple Mr. Olympia champions, including Ronnie Coleman and Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, and remains a respected figure in the sport despite the controversy surrounding performance-enhancing substances.
Featured Image @ Chad Nicholls & Desktop Bodybuilding (Instagram & Youtube)
