steroid use ...
4leighbee
Posts: 1,275 Member
I am not "in the conversation" on this issue and would like to have a general picture - based on what you've observed and heard among younger athletes at the gym - about steroid use. Is this finally taboo now - or is it still an issue in certain circles? I'm not considering using steroids and have a valid reason for my inquiry. I think this is a good audience to ask and gather decent, real-world answers about the prevalence of steroids among young people. Thanks in advance. Moderators, hopefully I'm not breaking any rules by asking about this.
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Replies
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Maybe this thread is silent because no one wants to comment; maybe it's because I posted it at 3:47 a.m., lol ... so I'll just bump it up once to see. Thanks again.0
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Steroids are seen just the same as many of the drugs in the market. Some people like them, use them to achieve there goals - its what works for them.
How ever, I think alot of people frown upon Steroid use. It's a shortcut with MANY side affects and problems.0 -
Thank you.0
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I am not "in the conversation" on this issue and would like to have a general picture - based on what you've observed and heard among younger athletes at the gym - about steroid use. Is this finally taboo now - or is it still an issue in certain circles? I'm not considering using steroids and have a valid reason for my inquiry. I think this is a good audience to ask and gather decent, real-world answers about the prevalence of steroids among young people. Thanks in advance. Moderators, hopefully I'm not breaking any rules by asking about this.
If the question is whether people can get access to steroids or other drugs in a gym, the answer is it depends on the place, but in general yes, if one is interested there is a way to find them. It happens. So, if e.g. you suspect someone around you is using steroids, chances are, it is entirely possible.0 -
Yep - that's helpful. The two answers together are kind of what I was trying to figure out ... if it is still done and if it is easy to acquire/do. Thanks for your responses.0
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Based on my experiences -
Is it taboo? That depends on the group. There is a group in the gyms here of recreational gym users, primarily young males, where it is not taboo. It is talked and joked about openly.
Among the bodybuilders, it is more taboo, mostly because it is not legal in the sport. A lot it is just not talked about openly.
I have found there are different levels as well. Some things are more acceptable. I'm not familiar with all of the drugs but I was offered one type but declined. It was not a cycle of steroids but not legal for use either. It was considered much more acceptable and the attitude was everyone was doing it.
They are available and easy to get.0 -
I know people that still use. Pretty common here in Vegas. Especially before pool season. Also, I never did or will ever try that stuff. I have different goals. I run long distance.0
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If you ask someone what they take they will tell you they are natural. That is my experience in the figure world(when I did figure shows) I had the least amount of muscle than almost all of the other competitors and some were unrealistically muscular for a women in my opinion. Maybe they actually were natural and trained alot longer and harder than me. who knows. I never did it and never will. It is common in the gay community among men but I think that may be HIV related since it deteriorates muscle. Not trying to say all gay men have it and maybe it is just because of vanity reasons. I just know that there was always talk of it when I worked at a gym that had alot of gay men as members.0
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Sorry, but this isn't true. While not "legal" in the sport, bodybuilding is the OBVIOUS "sport" that steroids are the most rampant. And while the IFBB (organization that holds the most contests for pros and amateurs) state that it's "illegal" for PED use when competing, there's absolutely hard core use and the federation does NOTHING about it. And it is talked about openly especially when guys talk about stacks, dosage, etc. What they don't talk about is how they get them.3dogsrunning wrote: »Among the bodybuilders, it is more taboo, mostly because it is not legal in the sport. A lot it is just not talked about openly.
While I don't condone the use of them for getting fit, it's apparent that they do work. Many famous actors use them now in mainstream Hollywood to get parts in movies.
Like any drug, it can be attained if someone really wants it.
As for the younger athletes now, I would think that usage has toned down quite a bit with probably the exception of football.
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Steroid use seems to be more common now than it was when it was legal. A lot of youtube fitness gurus are talking about dosages, how to use etc. Basically, if a competitive sport has a lot of money involved, then the top elite in the sport are using. It is a reality that some dismiss or ignore. Also, steroids are not magic they won't turn a 5'4 white guy into the next NBA star.0
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In the endurance sports world it is this dirty little secret that everyone knows about. Pro cycling is still rampant with doping use and although never condoned, it seems still to be quite common even though everyone is tested all the time. It seems the dopers are always one step ahead of the tests.
It tarnishes my enthusiasm for watching an amazing performance. I always have that niggle in the back of my mind that the guy I am watching climb like a beast up Alp D'huez or whatever might just be on something. Sure enough, look what happened to Astana just last week, getting their UCI license pulled for this year's tour even though their lead rider (Nibali) won the Tour de France last year.
Triathlon seems less tarnished with this, although it happens. The drive to compete is strong and anything that can give you an edge can be seen as fair game. However lifetime bans for getting caught seems to have helped.
My current issue is, as an amateur, how many people am I competing against that have decided to dope? I don't know. It is easy to get a prescription for testosterone these days. Clenbuterol can be obtained through some veterinary circles, and if you are willing to go the really shady route you can get EPO. At my age it is less of a worry but as people get older they may be looking to help boost their age-related performance sags.0 -
I don't think so. When I first got into lifting in the gym, it seemed everyone was on them except me because at the time I was broke and had no way to attain them. I wanted to do them at 19 just like any other male trying to get buffed. Fortunately lack of funds kept me doing it naturally.Steroid use seems to be more common now than it was when it was legal. A lot of youtube fitness gurus are talking about dosages, how to use etc. Basically, if a competitive sport has a lot of money involved, then the top elite in the sport are using. It is a reality that some dismiss or ignore. Also, steroids are not magic they won't turn a 5'4 white guy into the next NBA star.
Youtube just made it more available to view. Back then, you only heard from it from the local guys in the gym. So maybe the perception is that it's more common, but before they were illegalized, dudes were bringing gym bags of them and selling them and injecting them in the locker rooms before workouts. I've witnessed this many many times between the 80's and early 90's.
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Just a quick note here though: If you see or hear of anyone selling them at gyms or highschools, they should be reported right away. Chances are they are underground manufactured and someone could get seriously ill since there's no way to verify if they are legit. Not to mention it's illegal to sell without a prescription.
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Sorry, but this isn't true. While not "legal" in the sport, bodybuilding is the OBVIOUS "sport" that steroids are the most rampant. And while the IFBB (organization that holds the most contests for pros and amateurs) state that it's "illegal" for PED use when competing, there's absolutely hard core use and the federation does NOTHING about it. And it is talked about openly especially when guys talk about stacks, dosage, etc. What they don't talk about is how they get them.3dogsrunning wrote: »Among the bodybuilders, it is more taboo, mostly because it is not legal in the sport. A lot it is just not talked about openly.
While I don't condone the use of them for getting fit, it's apparent that they do work. Many famous actors use them now in mainstream Hollywood to get parts in movies.
Like any drug, it can be attained if someone really wants it.
As for the younger athletes now, I would think that usage has toned down quite a bit with probably the exception of football.
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You took my quote out of context. I was talking about my experience and I said "at the gyms here". I wasn't applying it to higher levels. I have no knowledge of that.0 -
This is all so helpful - thank you. Interesting role that the youtube vids, etc., are playing - my middle child (16) is working hard and very focused on weightlifting at the moment. We're very open with one another, and I am simply trying to be proactive. But it's not like he's face to face with a trainer (who I know) in our local gym ... he's listening to - whoever - on youtube. It makes me a little nervous - he's a full-steam-ahead (workout in the garage before school) kid, and he's seeing results quickly. I'm proud of him - not suspicious. Just cautious. I appreciate your comments.0
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Sorry, but this isn't true. While not "legal" in the sport, bodybuilding is the OBVIOUS "sport" that steroids are the most rampant. And while the IFBB (organization that holds the most contests for pros and amateurs) state that it's "illegal" for PED use when competing, there's absolutely hard core use and the federation does NOTHING about it. And it is talked about openly especially when guys talk about stacks, dosage, etc. What they don't talk about is how they get them.3dogsrunning wrote: »Among the bodybuilders, it is more taboo, mostly because it is not legal in the sport. A lot it is just not talked about openly.
While I don't condone the use of them for getting fit, it's apparent that they do work. Many famous actors use them now in mainstream Hollywood to get parts in movies.
Like any drug, it can be attained if someone really wants it.
As for the younger athletes now, I would think that usage has toned down quite a bit with probably the exception of football.
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Ok, stupid question, do they not test body builders at competitions? I know there are natural shows, but do they just take peoples' word for it? And is it different for powerlifters? Do they typically test for those competitions?0 -
I am willing to wager that 80% of the elite athletes in most sport is using some kind of PED.
But no, it isn't uncommon at all. The usage is actually growing as there is a growing following that believe it is safe to use in "moderation".0 -
Lol, they "randomly" test and usually when they do, it's not at competitions. The reality is that body building is a cultish type of industry and people like to see the "freakish" (not a disparging word in bodybuilding) size and shape attained by the competitors. There was ONE year I remember they implemented suspensions for those that tested positive and it was the one year that the whole federation almost went bankrupt since no one of high fame in the competition made attempts knowing they would be suspended if tested. It's still about the money and it's ACCEPTED that in the body building world, drug use is fine. Sad but true.
Sorry, but this isn't true. While not "legal" in the sport, bodybuilding is the OBVIOUS "sport" that steroids are the most rampant. And while the IFBB (organization that holds the most contests for pros and amateurs) state that it's "illegal" for PED use when competing, there's absolutely hard core use and the federation does NOTHING about it. And it is talked about openly especially when guys talk about stacks, dosage, etc. What they don't talk about is how they get them.3dogsrunning wrote: »Among the bodybuilders, it is more taboo, mostly because it is not legal in the sport. A lot it is just not talked about openly.
While I don't condone the use of them for getting fit, it's apparent that they do work. Many famous actors use them now in mainstream Hollywood to get parts in movies.
Like any drug, it can be attained if someone really wants it.
As for the younger athletes now, I would think that usage has toned down quite a bit with probably the exception of football.
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Ok, stupid question, do they not test body builders at competitions? I know there are natural shows, but do they just take peoples' word for it? And is it different for powerlifters? Do they typically test for those competitions?
Can't tell you as much about powerlifting competitions since I don't attend those as much, nor did I ever compete or train that way. I know a lot about body building because I "grew up" in it.
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What's sad in the USA is that congress illegalized them due to "athlete" use, to set and example for our youth and promised any pro using them would suffer by being imprisoned. I still haven't seen one prominent athlete who was busted using them going to jail. Who did go to jail? The average gym goer who used them to better themselves.
As I mentioned, they obviously work and the average person using them will likely not even use the dosages or stacks that professional body builders use.
My personal feeling on them is that even though I could use them, I'd fear that I'd never get off them once I start. I still am in contact with many of the guys I used to work out with back in the day and many of them who used are still using.
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So you are saying you are not cheating because you use a banned substance to make you bigger, but it is ok because you still train?
That is the worst logic I have ever heard.
Since his goal is to look good, not sure I would consider it "banned" (going by what he said. Not sure it's illegal there)
I get what you are saying though.
That brings up the question though, is it cheating if everyone is doing it?
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I think they're assuming competitions. If you are claiming you are clean to compete against other people who are, it would be cheating. If you are using them because you want to be bigger and you just workout for you, eh, that's your business.How am I cheating anyone? I train for myself, compete in no sports, not governed by any bodies. You cant say hey you're bigger than me you're cheating. Cheating what?
And I'm assuming (based on what they are), the side effects would be more severe in younger teens since they can inhibit development. Of course, you know what they say about assumptions...0 -
If I were a young athlete, one of my reasons for not using might be that eventually I'll be elite enough to be regulated/tested/caught/penalized for using it. Not the best reason to avoid using steroids, of course, but certainly something to consider ...0
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The side effects usually occur when people do too much and don't cycle on and off properly. That is usually young teens and early 20s I would assume.
It is funny when you think about it. Steroids are used to help old people, young people, sick people, but the second a healthy individual wants to take it to get to a higher performance level, it becomes illegal...0 -
Don't think so. Cheating is deemed as an "unfair" advantage. If everyone is doing it, then the playing field is level.So you are saying you are not cheating because you use a banned substance to make you bigger, but it is ok because you still train?
That is the worst logic I have ever heard.
Since his goal is to look good, not sure I would consider it "banned" (going by what he said. Not sure it's illegal there) I get what you are saying though.
That brings up the question though, is it cheating if everyone is doing it?
Funny that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens probably won't get into the Hall of Fame due to admitting use of steroids, but they were Hall of Famers well before the 90's drug fiasco. And for the other Hall of Famers calling them a disgrace because of enhancement must have totally forgot about all the use of amphetamines during their tenures in the 50's through the 80's. Of course back then, drug testing wasn't even thought of.
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How am I cheating anyone? I train for myself, compete in no sports, not governed by any bodies. You cant say hey you're bigger than me you're cheating. Cheating what?
Never mind then. Carry on. I really don't care what anyone does to themselves. I thought we were talking about competition.0 -
I wouldn't think that's cheating. It's not banned in many countries overseas and really isn't any different than someone getting Lasik if it's just to better themselves personally.So you are saying you are not cheating because you use a banned substance to make you bigger, but it is ok because you still train?
That is the worst logic I have ever heard.
If any sport were truly "natural", there would be no speed suits, helmets, etc.
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I think that it's subjective to a point. Tiger Woods got Lasik. Depth perception is a big factor in golf. So by getting Lasik, did he attain an unfair advantage over his peers? Had he just kept the eyesight he had, would he have attained the status as a pro as he has now?
I think they're assuming competitions. If you are claiming you are clean to compete against other people who are, it would be cheating. If you are using them because you want to be bigger and you just workout for you, eh, that's your business.How am I cheating anyone? I train for myself, compete in no sports, not governed by any bodies. You cant say hey you're bigger than me you're cheating. Cheating what?
And I'm assuming (based on what they are), the side effects would be more severe in younger teens since they can inhibit development. Of course, you know what they say about assumptions...
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Side effects like everything else vary from person to person.
Abuse of steroids is the same as abuse of anything really, they will hurt you. But you drink too much you pickle your liver, kidneys etc. Moderation is the key to everything in life.0 -
Oh, and it is banned in England but noone really cares. People are far more interested in bashing coke and cannabis.0
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I think that it's subjective to a point. Tiger Woods got Lasik. Depth perception is a big factor in golf. So by getting Lasik, did he attain an unfair advantage over his peers? Had he just kept the eyesight he had, would he have attained the status as a pro as he has now?
I think they're assuming competitions. If you are claiming you are clean to compete against other people who are, it would be cheating. If you are using them because you want to be bigger and you just workout for you, eh, that's your business.How am I cheating anyone? I train for myself, compete in no sports, not governed by any bodies. You cant say hey you're bigger than me you're cheating. Cheating what?
And I'm assuming (based on what they are), the side effects would be more severe in younger teens since they can inhibit development. Of course, you know what they say about assumptions...
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True. I'm just thinking if they've specifically said you can't take x, but 80% of the people take x anyways because they know they can get away with, I feel really sorry for that other 20% that likely just rules themselves out of the competition because they decided to follow the rules.
I guess it comes form working in regulation. I'd be in that 20% because I like to follow the rules.
Now, determining what should be banned and whatnot, I think that would be much harder. Just like bench shirts and belts are legal in powerlifting competitions, they give an advantage over those who choose not to use them.0
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