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This is a discussion on Steroids within the Supplements forums,----- [COLOR="DarkGreen"]Hello,
I'm new to the site and have had a look but can't seem to find a thread on steroids, ...
I'm new to the site and have had a look but can't seem to find a thread on steroids, so here goes:
What do you think of them? Are they ok or not?
I studied Sport Science for a year, before changing my degree to physio. In Sport Science there was so much heated debate about whether performance enhancing drugs should be legalised or not.
To be honest I see pros and cons of legalising them. But don't we already use supplements to enhance our performances? E.g. creatine? Energy drinks? Pre-workout cocktails? NOS? Why are steroids on the banned list, whereas other supplements/drugs are ok to use?
Anyone tried them? Know of others who have? What are your experiences?
Pros: Muscles are built easier
Becoming leaner is easier
Shorter recovery period for muscles
Cons: Loss of Feminine curves
Balding
Coarser skin
Deeper voice
Damaged Live
Heart problems
Immune system problems
infertility
Ligaments and tendon problems, they cant keep up with muscle growth...
As for protein powders, aren't they naturally made from Cheese curds, well the whey anwyays?
I don't have much to say about Creatine, because I've never really thought about using it. But that to is produced in the body aswell. Im not sure how it is produced and turned into a supplement like Steroids.
So obvi I'm against steroids...In my own opinion and what I've read about them, they enhance your performance yes, but why screw around with your genetics really? Its just like illegal drugs people take, they are illegal for a reason, they screw around with peoples brain chemicals, they wreck the human body they cause all forms of problems. I'd rather work for something then take the easy road, just like if they legalized steroids and I competed in a figure comp and the girl next to me is on these drugs, who obvi going to win hands down she is.
The people that are in the Olympics are there because they are natural athletes that have talent, and work hard to be there. Steroids take the talent out of that.
I would never use steriods and personally when I find out the someone I respect used them, I am very disappoined. To me, there is a HUGE difference between supplements and anaboic steroids. I take care of my body, and if I'm not going to put sugar, trans fats ect in it...then I surely wouldnt put anything in my body that would mess with my hormones ect...
I have only competed in tested shows...I dont like the idea of there not being a level playing field.
For women? Our hormones are such a delicate balancing act as it is...it's like playing Russian roulette with your body.
I don't know...I had a lot of other stuff written, but I can easily see the opposing argument to my own, so I'm just going to delete those bits. Really, I just don't like the idea of anabolic steroids. I feel like it is in opposition to what athleticism should embody. Meh.
I know what you're both saying. I feel the same. I have come across so many athletes who take/have taken them & there are so many different opinions out there.
I think that a level playing field is what it's all about. Over here in the UK the federation I compete for is not tested. Therefore you don't know whether the other competitors have taken anything to enhance their physiques or not. The reason I compete in my federation is because it is a platform to an eventual IFBB pro-card. The other British federations don't offer the same route, so it makes them less attractive choices.
My off season goal is to get a better set of shoulders. I am going all out on them and eating more protein than I ever have. They are definitely coming along! But it does make you think that others out there will have had to do half the battle to come up with the same results. Somehow it seems a little unfair.
You guys are lucky over in the states that there are so many girls wanting to compete: it means that there are federations to suit your choices, to an extent.
My ultimate goal is to earn my pro card and right now, I am focusing that energy on a natty org. Maybe sometime in the future I will compete in untested shows but that really depends on my physique and how far I can (naturally) take it. I can see why people take the steriod route, I honestly think if you want to be a successful IFBB pro...then it would be VERY hard to do it naturally.
To me its an easy way out...yes, steriods are not a miracle and wont do shit if you arent eating/working hard but they allow you to push your body further than it can naturally go.
I agree with Artisima...using goes AGAINST having a fit/healthy body.
I must admit, back when I was young and dumb, I tried Anavar. Artemisia is sooo right about our hormones. I definitely had strength gains, but man, did it ever jack with my system. It took at least 6 months for my skin to clear up...not just my face, but my shoulders and arms...it was awful. Not to mention..I was not myself at all.
I have a different opinion on steroids. For some people, ya it is an easy way out (I picture the 20 yr old guys who do it for looks at the bar). But I know guys who have busted their ass in the gym for years, put in the time and the hard work, then decided to try the steriods. They are still busting their ass as hard as ever in the gym, yes the gear is helping them built the physique they need to be competiive, but they are working just as hard or harder then the natual guys out there.
I dont consider it cheating in the least. They are not claiming they are natural, that is why there is natural federations. What does really bother me is guy/girls on gear who go into the natural shows and manuipulate the system and state they are natural. Now that is cheating.
Alot of athletes in other sports use gear as well. To be honest if it came down to taking steroids or not getting million dollar contract, I would be taking the gear.
I have competed in no tested shows in the past, and once I get past the regional level it is to hard to compete. This year is my first time doing a natty show so it will be neat to see how I do.
The Following User Says Thank You to BeanBabe For This Useful Post:
I know what you're both saying. I feel the same. I have come across so many athletes who take/have taken them & there are so many different opinions out there.
I think that a level playing field is what it's all about. Over here in the UK the federation I compete for is not tested. Therefore you don't know whether the other competitors have taken anything to enhance their physiques or not. The reason I compete in my federation is because it is a platform to an eventual IFBB pro-card. The other British federations don't offer the same route, so it makes them less attractive choices.
My off season goal is to get a better set of shoulders. I am going all out on them and eating more protein than I ever have. They are definitely coming along! But it does make you think that others out there will have had to do half the battle to come up with the same results. Somehow it seems a little unfair.
You guys are lucky over in the states that there are so many girls wanting to compete: it means that there are federations to suit your choices, to an extent.
Hey R2D2....if your fed in the UK isn't tested then you will be up against a lot of girls who are using. Are you IFBB (I'm guessing) or NABBA?
Although I don't personally take gear I do know several figure athletes in the UK that do. From what I know I don't think it is, in any way, shape or form, a short cut. It's a delicate balancing act to minimise sides and there will always be sides, some of which can be permanent, with increased muscle development. Of course, the term steroid is also used to cover things like T3 for fatloss.
You have 3 choices, 1. move to a tested federation....but that may deny you the pro-card you seek.
2. get to your physical peak then think about gear.
3. work with a pro, they can guide you and improve your training and diet. They can also be honest as to whether in all honesty you have the genetics, or will need to resort to gear. In fact talking to someone established in the field might be a good idea anyway, as you'll get a better idea of what it's gonna take to get that Pro-card in the UK.
What category are you looking to compete in? If it's physique then you will probably have to accept that steroids may be necessary.
Please note, I am neither condemning nor advocating the use of steroids, I can understand why some people do take and some people choose not to.
The Following User Says Thank You to Gymbunny For This Useful Post:
Oh yes and as for better shoulders, prioritise them in training...maybe post up a thread with questions. From what I've seen here some of the ladies have cracking delts.
The Following User Says Thank You to Gymbunny For This Useful Post:
In the UK I compete in UKBFF. The reason I chose my fed is because a friend used to compete there and she could help me with contest prep advice.
Knowing what I know now, I probably wouldn't have started there...but such is life! Hindsight is a good thing!
The reason I wanted to get some discussion going on steroids is because there is such a strong association with bodybuilding and steroids. I have been asked so many times whether I take/have taken steroids...and also there are so many people out there who assume that if you have ANY muscle that it's through 'roids...
I do think that BeanBabe's point is valid, though. I do know non-competitors (guys) who eventually take something to help them get over plateaus...but I wouldn't want to take anything which would mess with my body. Nor would I want to be taking the easy way out. At the moment I strive for lifting heavy, training smart, eating well and getting as many results as I can through my own hard work.
Never say never...I've learned that! Being in a science-based profession I have learned that evidence is always changing for different things. If we weren't open-minded and constantly seeking on finding out more about things, then we would have never discovered some things which, nowadays, are taken for granted. I always use the example of cigarettes: cyclists in the Tour de France used to smoke during the race as it was believed that cigarettes made you breathe better. Now we know to the contrary! If the research hadn't carried on we may still have seen athletes smoking during sports. Can you imagine that nowadays??!!
Steroids
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