Just like in BB'ing, everyone is different. The entire..."What do the pros use?" question is non-sensical. The answer: They use exactly what we use...and don't ask what dosages or combinations of drugs they use...an certainly don't ask if there are any secret drugs...because there is no set dosage, no set drug combo, and no secret drugs.
What someone decides to use, professional or not, will depend on numerous factors, some of which are: personal preference...personal response...willingness to assume risk...finances, genetic predispositions, etc, etc, etc. Like most of us, thre are general guidelines most people follow, but there is still quite a bit of variability in the pro ranks, just as there is on the boards. pros are pros not because they have secre drug knowledge. They are pros because they have the following things working in their lives: genetics, drugs, diet, and training. In other words, the same us. Most serious drug-using BB'rs/strongmen never get as big or strong as they could be because they simply don't eat enough. Taking monster dosages is not necessarilya prerequisuite, as personal response to drugs and other genetic factpors play a big role, as well.
For example, regardless of how much food or drugs a 5'6, rail-thin, small-framed wanna-be pro strongman eats or uses, he will never look or perform like today's world champiomn strongmen....they just don't have the genetic qaulities necessary for excelling at that level. Now, there are LOTS of guys, either in terms of BB'ing or strongman, who do have the genetic ability to go quite far, but because they never learn what it means to eat for these sports, they never come anywhere close to reaching their full potential. The world is loaded with guys who never amounted to anything, even though they wanted to, because they did not learn the simple lesson of food qaunitity and consistency.
When it comes to BB'ing, drugs are obviously super important...and it is going to be very fifficult for a guy to get as far using only AAS, as a guy with equal genetics using AAS, GH, and insulin at optimal dosages. Still, plenty of guys use plenty of drugs...and plenty of guys have pretty good or even great genetics, but they never come anywhere close to achieving even a fraction of their potential due to their failure to learn and apply the basic principles necessary for success.
As far as needing to be a certain BF% before starting ASS...hogshit. Now, having excessive BF levels will increase estrogen levels, but this can easily be controlled with aromatase inhibitors, neutralizing any negative effect those BF levels might have had an a person's ability to avoid side effects. Obvioiusly, excessive BF can lead to other health problems unrelated to AAS, but that is an entirely different topic. the only reason for getting down to 10% or some other arbitray number is if you WANT to. For competitive BB'rs, staying lean makes it way easier to get in shape without losing lean mass...and you have the dual benefit of loloking good all year-round, but is it necesssary from a growth or strength building standpoint? No. If you doubt this, just look around at the strongest and many of the biggest men in the world and you will see some real-life examples.
