It is best to hit your natural peak before touching any AAS and I would say for most and when you began training and what not. Most 28 years of age or older. Once you cycle it is completely the law of diminishing returns....you will have to cycle again to get back and again and again. If you wait to packed on 10-15 years of muscle it is much lower doses and easier to maintain at least you can always go back to your natural peak but never your cycled peak without cycling.
I agree with the first part. Why use steroids to reach your "natural peak" when proper training and nutrition can eventually achieve the same results?
It may take 5 years without AAS compared to 2 years on AAS. But in the former case, the individual most likely knows how train effectively and can easily maintain the natural peak.
In the latter case, it seems that the majority of individuals who use AAS simply to reach what could have been achieved "naturally" don't know how to train and eat. Even though they achieved quicker results than the "natural" trainer, they will often be at a disadvantage due to their negligence of proper training/nutrition.
I can understand why so many people impulsively and impatiently resort to steroids. But training/nutrition are the most important key to muscle-building goals. Like any advanced skill, it takes time to acquire the education and learn its practical application. Five years is not an unreasonable length of time for its acquisition.
Premature AAS use hijacks that education. So many AAS users NEVER really know how to train because they started steroids too soon. They think they do because they take AAS and they see results. They will never admit otherwise. The only thing they have really learned is that AAS make EVERY training protocol work no matter how misinformed or poorly-designed it may be.
Consequently, the individuals with the discipline and perseverance to train unassisted for the first five years will usually have the long-term advantage over the individuals who start using AAS right away.