As we get older, really starting in our early 20s, our natural hormone production decreases exponentially. This makes it far more difficult to build muscle and lose fat. Training naturally means you must have realistic goals. Can you have a visible six pack? Yes. Can you have 17" arms? Probably. Can you have both at the same time? Highly unlikely. Testosterone and other anabolics are really the only thing that allows the body to support a solid amount of muscle at a low body fat. If you are inent on maintaining natural status, you just need to recognize natural limitations, otherwise your journey will be rife with frustration, the primary reason people give up on their goals.
Come on dude, this is rubbish. Testosterone and Human Growth Hormone don't begin to decline in earnest until the mid 30s at least. I had 16 1/2 inch arms and a visible four pack when I was 16 1/2 years old, without the help of any drugs. It helps that my mom has large arms, which explains why me and my two brothers also have big arms. The thrust of your post is correct, but your argument is a bit too aggressive. I guess it depends on what you mean when you say "highly unlikely." For the average cat who doesn't want to put in the hard work, I'll agree that there's literally no chance of developing such a physique. For someone who spends a good chunk of money on quality foods and supplements and gets enough sleep while eating and working out consistently over the course of 2-3 years, these results are DEFINITELY attainable. You just have to work out properly and eat the right foods such as oatmeal, eggs, tuna, turkey, chicken breast, whole wheat bread, yams, lean steak, whey protein, low fat milk, cottage cheese, casein protein, etc.
The problem is, how many can devote the time to working out properly, spending money on good foods, and not getting sidetracked? Not many. I have personally witnessed people in the gym for TWO years, doing the same thing time after time -- the same routines day after day -- with NO visible progress. These people are in the vast majority.
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1249921&d=1207892806
That's me at 16 1/2 years old, all natural.
And you may as well check out my profile about 3 years later, when I took test cypionate for 10 weeks (250 mg per week) to overcome an amphetamine addiction.
http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/M1991/
I've since lost about 2-3 points of body fat since the latest picture but I think I looked MUCH better at 16 1/2 when I was natural because then I was actually working out five days a week and eating an optimal diet, week in and week out, like a maniac. Now, I have more responsibilities and I'm lucky if I get in the gym three times a week. Steroids don't change anything. They make you more bloated, more lazy, and more complacent. Ask someone coming off of steroids how hard it is to attack the weights when they're off the shit as compared to when they're on it. It's just a quick fix and you lose almost all of it once you come off because you've been conditioned to only work out with drugs. I was much more motivated when I was a natural bodybuilder. Now, I feel like I cheated myself by doing that ten week cycle several months ago.
Steroids only make sense once you've already pushed your genetics to about 80%+ at least. You have a strong foundation to build off of and there will be great synergies. The BULK of lean body mass can be attained naturally, so to argue that steroids are the jack in the box behind it all is ludicrous. They're only responsible for the last 25 lbs of muscle, in ELITE athletes.
End rant.