Steroids

[Drago]

The fact that it's not illegal to possess or use them was mentioned as far back as post #2.

 

[Jimidh]

The use of steroids by the gym bunnies are certainly on the rise.

We have a needle exchange in one of my pharmacies. Ten years ago it was almost 99% used by heroin addicts with a small smattering of steroid users.

Now the split is almost 50/50 with a frightening number of young lads in their early 20s using the service.

 

[Kernow_T]

There's every chance 'roid rage' is partly directly, but mainly, indirectly as a result of taking steroids.
Generally people take steroids to 'in the most caveman like sense' position themselves above their peers, gain kudos and to attract a mate(s). When they are challenged in any way, it is a reminder that they are not being seen/regarded as 'who/what they want to be' and this greatly angers them.

I have never used the gym but having played rugby (from frankly pub level to 'semi-pro' just below the national leagues) I know many that do and loads of men (predominantly), in general, are on steroids. My main issue in my experience is the propensity of said men who took steroids solely for social (not performance enhancing) reasons - to basically look massive and have the sleeves of their extremely tight scoop neck t-shirts look like they were about to tear at any point. These 'lads' put themselves under enormous pressure to fit in and it gave them a huge amount of 'false' confidence despite the fact it was covering up crippling low self-esteem. Also, as well as the 'juice' a number of other things were injected to counter the side effects of the roids - something to keep gains, something to protect liver, something to cut fat - it was ridiculous. At one point 8 of the regular starting 15 of my local rugby team (a modest/decent level) were using steroids; crazy. These aren't cases of rugby players taking steroids, rather a case of steroid users happening to play rugby; the same is true of my village (very very modest level where players stub out a rolly just before the game) football team Regular gym goers and particularly local doormen were (and I know still are) pushing all sorts of shoot, not just, test, DECA etc but all sorts of dangerous fat burners from central and E.Europe (don't know why) and I've known blokes lose 2st in a fortnight taking this shoot (oh, and not eating and spending 2 hours a day in a sauna). There is and has been for over 10 years a real problem with the proliferation of, particularly men taking all sorts of shoot (loads popping 3 ephedrine pills a day) to basically get bigger muscles. J honestly believe it is a serious and dangerous issue which isn't being recognised/tackled.

 

[Drago]

They should try the old fashioned method of lifting heavy weights over and over again, and keep at it solidly for a couple of years. I have little trouble stretching the sleeves or chest of a 2XL T shirt, but because I didn't use junk I'll maintain that into my 50s and beyond.

 

[Mugshot]

The whole point of big arms is so your pack of Marlboro is held nice and snug in the sleeve of your white t-shirt. These kids today just want it easy, if you want to develop a good solid twenty a day habit you've got to work for it goddammit!!

 

[Mugshot]

Has nobody told them that it's quicker, cheaper and less risky to just buy a t-shirt that's a size or two smaller?

That was ok when you could get packs of 10 or, for the really weedy amongst us, singles from your friendly neighbourhood newsagent, but packs of 20's are just that bit too bulky for the average sleeve.

 

[Randomnerd]

They should try the old fashioned method of lifting heavy weights over and over again, and keep at it solidly for a couple of years. I have little trouble stretching the sleeves or chest of a 2XL T shirt, but because I didn't use junk I'll maintain that into my 50s and beyond.

You’re part of the problem, perpetuating the myth that you need to be henched to be any good.

 

[vickster]

You’re part of the problem, perpetuating the myth that you need to be henched to be any good.

Good at what?

 

[vickster]

There's every chance 'roid rage' is partly directly, but mainly, indirectly as a result of taking steroids.
Generally people take steroids to 'in the most caveman like sense' position themselves above their peers, gain kudos and to attract a mate(s). When they are challenged in any way, it is a reminder that they are not being seen/regarded as 'who/what they want to be' and this greatly angers them.

I have never used the gym but having played rugby (from frankly pub level to 'semi-pro' just below the national leagues) I know many that do and loads of men (predominantly), in general, are on steroids. My main issue in my experience is the propensity of said men who took steroids solely for social (not performance enhancing) reasons - to basically look massive and have the sleeves of their extremely tight scoop neck t-shirts look like they were about to tear at any point. These 'lads' put themselves under enormous pressure to fit in and it gave them a huge amount of 'false' confidence despite the fact it was covering up crippling low self-esteem. Also, as well as the 'juice' a number of other things were injected to counter the side effects of the roids - something to keep gains, something to protect liver, something to cut fat - it was ridiculous. At one point 8 of the regular starting 15 of my local rugby team (a modest/decent level) were using steroids; crazy. These aren't cases of rugby players taking steroids, rather a case of steroid users happening to play rugby; the same is true of my village (very very modest level where players stub out a rolly just before the game) football team Regular gym goers and particularly local doormen were (and I know still are) pushing all sorts of shoot, not just, test, DECA etc but all sorts of dangerous fat burners from central and E.Europe (don't know why) and I've known blokes lose 2st in a fortnight taking this shoot (oh, and not eating and spending 2 hours a day in a sauna). There is and has been for over 10 years a real problem with the proliferation of, particularly men taking all sorts of shoot (loads popping 3 ephedrine pills a day) to basically get bigger muscles. J honestly believe it is a serious and dangerous issue which isn't being recognised/tackled.

And then they hope the good NHS will pick up the pieces...

 

[Drago]

You’re part of the problem, perpetuating the myth that you need to be henched to be any good.

I could equally argue that you perpetuate the myth that being a skinny weakling is good, but I don't because such accusations are rubbish (not saying you're a skinny weakling, just illustrating a point). I lift to please only one person - me. I'm not responsible for the psychological inadequacies of others.

Next you'll be blaming me for other people having Napoleon complex because I'm tall, or blame me for someone else's hair fetish because I'm completely bald. It's utter pish posh.

 

[Threevok]

You’re part of the problem, perpetuating the myth that you need to be henched to be any good.

I don't think these rioders want to look like Drago

I think they want to look their social heroes - like the ones on their fave TV shows like "No Pants Island"

No offence Drago

 

[Kernow_T]

Yeah @woodenspoons you skinny weakling. Oh god, I apologise, couldn't resist.
Many lifters take their strength/size very seriously/personally and do it for all sorts of reasons. Like anyone with Strava, sometimes a part (be it large of small) is about the kudos of being better/faster then peers are gaining increased sense of confidence and self worth as ave.speed increases or a particular ride is laden with PRs. Most gym bunnies I know go for a mix of health/fitness and as something to give self confidence, sometimes purely intrinsic and sometimes purely felt as a comparison against other, weaker, men!

My BIL for example is a very strong fella (about as strong as most I know who hold down a 9-5 and don't take roids etc) who lifts 5-6 times a week. He takes all manner of pills and potions but won't do steroids etc as he likes to be stronger than most the blokes on the gear and he admits he's a bit of a sad case who has become obsessed with the gym as he gets a thrill out of being bigger stronger than his peers; I think he feels he doesn't have other ways to gain respect or recognition.

 

[Drago]

I don't do vitamins, creatine, L glutamine, etc. Binned all that off years ago. I like the feel of the weights in my hands, I like being strong (and it's useful), I like the resistance to osteoporosis, I like the slowed ageing effect, I like the positive impact on my general health and fitness. It feels good, I like it, and I make no apologies for that. Why should I? After all, I got to make up for my lack of hair somehow.

 

[Threevok]

Talking of Creatine - I am on my fifth day away from it - and already the base of my spine is starting to crunch again and last night saw the return of my sciatica

 

[Randomnerd]

). I lift to please only one person - me. I'm not responsible for the psychological inadequacies of others.

Why keep going on about it then?