# What Taking 3x Less Steroids Did to My Body Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP4ZXwoYItE Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/CP4ZXwoYItE Generated: 2026-01-28T17:44:49.525+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Dr. Mike Israel experienced significant health benefits and maintained muscle mass while drastically reducing his anabolic steroid intake to one-third of his previous peak dose (from over 2000mg/week to 750mg/week), attributing this success to using Tirzepatide and Retatrutide during his fat loss phase, which allowed him to reach a similar physique peak with vastly lower androgen exposure and better health markers. **Key Points:** - Dr. Mike's peak 2022 steroid dose was over 2000mg/week, while his 2024 peak was 750mg/week, a three-fold reduction. - Despite the massive dose reduction, he achieved a peak physique of 222lbs at 6.3% body fat, yielding 208lbs of lean body mass (LBM), which was only 10lbs less LBM than his 2022 peak. - The 2024 peak involved a year-long 'low-gear' phase where he took a break from bodybuilding for half of 2024 and half of 2025, focusing on podcasts and mobility work for legs while training arms/delts intensely. - During the 2024 fat loss phase, his androgen load was intentionally kept low (150mg to 500mg/week), and he avoided increasing it further due to the diminishing returns and increased side effects. - The 2025 peak (750mg/week) was achieved while using newer non-androgenic compounds (Tirzepatide and Retatrutide), which significantly reduced visceral fat (VAT) and improved overall health. - Psychologically, he felt 'so much better' on the lower dose (1/3rd the previous peak), experiencing less anxiety, anger, and bloat, leading to better long-term progress. - His recommended titration strategy for new users involves starting super low (e.g., 150mg total androgens), checking bloodwork every 3 months, and increasing by only 100mg total if health markers are good. ![Screenshot at 00:34: Title card for the section "MY 2024 SUMMER PREP GEAR INTAKE" detailing the context of his previous high steroid use.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/CP4ZXwoYItE/00-00-34.jpg) **Context:** Dr. Mike Israel, a bodybuilder and likely fitness expert associated with RP Strength, discusses his personal experience of drastically reducing his anabolic steroid intake from a peak of over 2000mg/week to 750mg/week and achieving a comparable physique peak in 2025, attributing the success to better body composition management, the use of non-androgenic compounds like Tirzepatide/Retatrutide, and a slower, methodical approach to dosing. ## Detailed Analysis Dr. Mike Israel contrasts two different peak bodybuilding periods: one in 2022 (Summer) using over 2000mg/week of steroids, and a recent peak in Summer 2024/2025 using only 750mg/week of gear, plus newer non-androgenic compounds. He explains that the myth that more gear equals exponentially better results is false, especially for experienced lifters. His 2022 peak resulted in 233lbs with 6.3% body fat and 0.4lbs of VAT, while his 2025 peak (on 750mg/week) was 222lbs with 6.0% body fat and 0.0lbs of VAT, meaning he gained 10lbs of LBM while using 3x less androgenic compounds. He attributes this success partly to taking a year-long 'low-gear' phase break from heavy leg training and using compounds like Tirzepatide and Retatrutide, which significantly improved his health markers (like VAT and bone density). He strongly advises newcomers against starting high, recommending a slow titration process: start at 150mg total androgens, check bloodwork every three months, and bump by 100mg total if health markers are good. He concludes that for experienced users, the diminishing returns on high doses are severe, and the side effects (psychological and physical) far outweigh the minimal muscle gain difference between, for example, 750mg and 2000mg weekly doses. ### Myth Busting - The Big Myth in Bodybuilding: The belief that more gear equals better results is false; higher doses yield diminishing returns and greater side effects. ### My 2024 Summer Prep Gear Intake - Used 3x less gear (750mg peak vs. 2000mg+ previously); focused on low androgen load (150-500mg/week) and leg inactivity for recovery/fat loss. ### My Body Fat Percentage, Weight, and Lean Body Mass (2022 Peak) - 233lbs, 6.3% body fat, 0.4lbs VAT, 4.8 bone density T-score. ### My Body Fat Percentage, Weight, and Lean Body Mass (2025 Peak) - 222lbs, 6.0% body fat, 0.0lbs VAT (undetectable), 5.0 bone density T-score. ### My Low-Gear Phase for a Year After - Took a break from bodybuilding for half of 2024 and half of 2025 to focus on podcasts and mobility work for legs while training arms/delts. ### Recent Climb Back Up Strategy - Post-surgery recovery led to a 6-month recomp/dieting phase starting at 150mg total androgens, followed by a 3.5-month phase at higher gear, culminating in 750mg/week. ### Insights from This Experience and Those of Others - Recommends starting super low on androgens (e.g., 150mg) and bumping slowly (100mg every 3 months) based on bloodwork; TRT is safer than high-dose AAS, and new non-androgenic compounds may offer gains without the risks of high-dose steroids. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Dr. Mike Israel speaking directly to the camera in his office setting.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/CP4ZXwoYItE/00-00-00.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:27: RP Strength logo reveal during the transition to the main content.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/CP4ZXwoYItE/00-00-27.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:30: Title graphic: "WHAT TAKING 3X LESS STEROIDS DID TO MY BODY BY DR. MIKE ISRAEL"](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/CP4ZXwoYItE/00-00-30.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:20: On-screen text detailing his 2024 peak gear intake \(over 2000mg/week\) and DEXA scan results \(233lbs, 6.3% body fat\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/CP4ZXwoYItE/00-01-20.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:08: On-screen text detailing his body fat percentage, weight, and lean body mass from the 2024 peak.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/CP4ZXwoYItE/00-02-08.jpg)