Should bodybuilders use steroids?

I would like to know what you think about the subject

This is a broad question that I think needs to be elaborated on a bit more. What do you mean by "should."? Are you asking if they should be completely banned from all competitions? Are you asking if even non-competitors should use steroids? Are you asking if we believe steroid use is ethical?

Bottom line is steroid use is kind of like an arms race in professional bodybuilding. On the IFBB level, it's pretty much a guarantee that everyone is using, and on the NPC level, you pretty much have to be on at the very minimum a mild compound like Anavar or be on testosterone in order to be competitive. Even bikini competitors are on PEDs, and I would gather that a good number of the women featured on this site are on something.

We all know they are and what gets me are the ones that take it past being a girl with muscle and are one shot shy of gender switching. Nothing appealing about that but its their body. Arms race is right because a lot of the young ‘gram crowd is mainlining some serious stuff and even ones who say “I’m only using sarms” like Carolyn Marquez are gambling with their long term health.

99% of the women on this site are on "something" and most are on a LOT of "something".

If you like the way these girls look, then of course they should keep using steroids because their look is unattainable without them.

I agree that they use them I like their physique I was just curious about what others think

99% of the women on this site are on "something" and most are on a LOT of "something".

If you like the way these girls look, then of course they should keep using steroids because their look is unattainable without them.

Exactly, and just like your name, unless they have superior genetics, they have to resort to certain substances to achieve their looks, especially for competitions.

We all know they are and what gets me are the ones that take it past being a girl with muscle and are one shot shy of gender switching. Nothing appealing about that but its their body. Arms race is right because a lot of the young ‘gram crowd is mainlining some serious stuff and even ones who say “I’m only using sarms” like Carolyn Marquez are gambling with their long term health.

That seems to be the new trend. It used to be the fake natty argument of "I don't use steroids, that's for cheaters!" Now, it has turned to admitting they use, but seriously downplaying just how much they use, like "Oh, I use a little bit of Var, or a little bit of Test, but I only started when I turned pro, and I only use them when I'm in-season."

The thing is, they all use them Do you know a FBB who doesn't use steroids?

@Luis66 Exactly. Male bodybuilders couldn't achieve or maintain their physiques without using steroids. What are the odds that women can?

I don't even like the women who use the hard core stuff that turns their face and voice masculine! The women on anavar look a lot better to me, but I'm not sure if that's any better for their long term health.

All I know is it is getting ridiculous. Katie Cook was absolutely huge at 16 or 17, so she must have been using for a few years prior to that. How would a 14 year old girl get her hands on steroids? It must be everywhere.

Hmm. The social stigma against steroids is mostly an American thing, due to our sports culture and tendency to equate proficiency in sports with success and strength of character. Steroids don't automatically make someone good at sports, but the fact that they improve performance makes it less cut and dry how much one's individual ability truly matters, and people hate that. We want to admire our sports idols without steroids being a part of the discussion. They are also genuinely dangerous for kids to use, and also for adults if misused.

Unfortunately, with sports and bodybuilding, there is incentive to exploit every advantage possible. So it will always be an arms race. Achieving a physique naturally is seen less as an accomplishment, and more of a waste of time nowadays. I believe the idea that steroids are "cheating" is hopelessly outdated, and leads to a culture of utter delusion, pandering to the misinformed public that sports are pure and clean.

But should bodybuilders use steroids? It's just personal choice, but I do find the consequences of abuse deeply disturbing. I'd rather that PEDs with less side effects be developed, so that drugs like Tren can be put to rest for good.

Through whose eyes are you looking at it. Those selling them, would want to sell even more. Doctors understanding the adverse effects, would in the majority be against. And the voyeuristic admirers would want them to take more to see them get even bigger.

Personally, I think they shouldn't be taking these harmful drugs or other doubtful supplements. It's a scam for the pushers. In the end, most of these bodybuilders will probably be left with empty pockets, broken lives, failed relationships, and disease riddled bodies in exchange for a brief period of what? I'll leave it for you to say.

They're getting swindled.

Through whose eyes are you looking at it. Those selling them, would want to sell even more. Doctors understanding the adverse effects, would in the majority be against. And the voyeuristic admirers would want them to take more to see them get even bigger.

Personally, I think they shouldn't be taking these harmful drugs or other doubtful supplements. It's a scam for the pushers. In the end, most of these bodybuilders will probably be left with empty pockets, broken lives, failed relationships, and disease riddled bodies in exchange for a brief period of what? I'll leave it for you to say.

They're getting swindled.

The biggest market for steroids are not bodybuilders and athletes, but instead your average person wanting to improve their looks. Given that beauty is 100% subjective, and a societal construct, it's disturbing that an artificial standard of beauty is pursued with the help of drugs. Then again, cosmetic surgery is also common.

Unfortunately, where there's demand, suppliers will follow. Steroids are actually quite cheap due to the competition among the numerous sources.

That said, there's no foul play or swindling. People choose to take steroids on their own for the most part.

I don't even like the women who use the hard core stuff that turns their face and voice masculine! The women on anavar look a lot better to me, but I'm not sure if that's any better for their long term health.

All I know is it is getting ridiculous. Katie Cook was absolutely huge at 16 or 17, so she must have been using for a few years prior to that. How would a 14 year old girl get her hands on steroids? It must be everywhere.

Steroids are very easy to get. Most online sources even deliver more reliably than Amazon. It's a lucrative business, and they want repeat customers. Unfortunately this means even kids can get their hands on them. Hell it's even easier to get steroids than most other abused prescription drugs.

Long term heavy users end up looking nasty, for the most part. I think the whole goal on this is to look and be fit and healthy. You don't need 17 inch arms to be fit and healthy. Working out should just somehow fit into an overall lifestyle. If you are working your muscles hard and eating good you will certainly stand out in a crowd especially today.

It amuses me whenever the anti-steroid brigade comes out of the woodwork on a website dedicated to muscle. The irony is a bit silly. The truth is that 99% of serious competitors use them.

And at the end of the day, it's their body and their choice. People say things like "They're putting their longterm health at risk!" pretending they have these women's best interests at heart.

And yet you wouldn't think twice about pounding down a greasy burger and fries. A lot of things people choose to do impact their health but we still have the freedom to make those choices for ourselves.

It’s not even a question of “should.“ The question seems to imply that anabolic steroids are optional, when a serious bodybuilding competitor cannot meet modern aesthetic standards without them. Bodybuilders look as they do because of anabolic steroids.

Of course.

If they want to win

If they are well informed about all the pros and cons and realise the consequences.

There's the ANBF (American Natural Bodybuilding Federation). Natural FBB's look great, but they sure aren't a majority on this site, and they are closer to what the IFBB calls figure. See Patricia Beckman:

Yes, as much as they can.

There's the ANBF (American Natural Bodybuilding Federation). Natural FBB's look great, but they sure aren't a majority on this site, and they are closer to what the IFBB calls figure. See Patricia Beckman:

Keep in mind that "natural" often means "not appearing in tests", which means many users cut the cycle months / weeks before competition. Beckman clearly uses steroids.