However, when I had my last physical 3.5 years ago, my testosterone was low. I discussed that possibility with my doctor this time, and he mentioned something about prescribing testosterone….

Would THAT be cheating? Aside from being able to build more muscle, what would the medical benefits be from taking it? Would taking a low dose of a legally prescribed medication for and actual deficiency in my body really pose a serious health risk? Would the benefits outweigh the risks?

As a guy who’s never had a drink in his life, and who’s always intended to see what my natural genetic limits are, it looks like something I’d say no to. However, as guy who lifts 6 days a week, eats right and wants to look like I lift… dude… it sure is tempting.

Kevin, I’m really curious to hear what you have to say. If you were me, and your own testosterone was low, and the Dr. recommended it, would you do it?

Thanks,

trev

Although I understand the need for keeping competitive sports clean, the argument that it’s cheating simply does not stand up for someone who is looking for positive changes in body composition.

Who is the casual steroid user cheating?
Where is the competition I am missing?… Is it between clean gym goers and the guys who take drugs?

Beyond that, who is to say that hormone supplementation is different from protein supplementation? How about phyto-androgens (like tribulus) to boost endogenous hormone levels? Or products like Biotest’s Res-V that control estrogen?

If you think about it, creatine supplementation artificially provides muscle energy and strength. If you forget about the mechanisms and concentrate on the fact that it’s sythetic, how is it different from performance enhancing drugs?

Barry Bonds, or Alex Rodriguez are simply superior athletes who used similar means to get the best out of themselves as a number of very good MLB athletes. It is impossible to know the difference steroids made when coupled with the fact that almost every other form of performance enhancement from equipment through to training through to professional environment inevitably leads to higher quality anyway. Some estimates say that up to 80% of MLB used some kind of performance enhancer during the recent era and it didn’t level the playing field.

Whether someone does or does not agree with using steroids (I haven’t decided) it is totally and completely unfair and unethical to single out only those who were the most successful and ostracise them for it. Barry Bonds would have been great with or without steroids and the proof is in the number of people who used and never came close to his production. Athletes like Mike Mamula on one end of the scale and any number of NFL guys who fail to impress physically at the combine but go on to be studs have proven that strength and physical development are not linearly correlated with success.

Just my 2 cents.

I could never look my kids in the eye, tell them to obey the law, and at the same time be taking steriods. I’m also one of those people who never copies a CD or DVD from someone else.

But even if someone wants to argue that there are shades of grey in “illegal”, I really question where people are coming from when they consider steroids. What’s the motivation? Is it just to get bigger in a shorter period of time? Why? Just simply “to be bigger”? That’s sad. Sounds like they are setting up every other male as their “competitor”.

Is it because they were scrawny as a kid and now want to prove to everyone they can be a big man? Pathetic.

Although still twisted, I can at least understand the motivation for professional athletes – “everyone else” is doing it, and their livelihoods depend on them performing at an inhuman level. I still don’t agree with it, and it still says something about the weakness of that athlete’s self-worth, but I can understand it.

For me, the motivation for lifting is to be healthy for my kids and grandkids, to look good, and certainly see how far I can push my body safely. Weight training is pretty much unparalleled in this regard. There’s a real thrill in seeing progress and knowing that it’s purely my willpower and hardword getting me there.

If you want to take steroids, I think you really need to question your motivation and find something else in your life worth striving for. When you strip down to the basic motivations involved, I would argue that there’s nothing admirable about anyone’s primal drive that would lead them to take illegal steroids.

p.s. I can hear some people saying “yeah, but adding protein powder to your meals isn’t natural either”. You really can’t compare them. Unless you’re taking some weird shit, protein powder is the same stuff you are eating anyway. And protein powder isn’t illegal.

I really don’t believe it’s that big of a deal for anyone to use steroids. It’s a relatively harmless drug and compared to other drugs out there, it’s abuse potential is rather low and it isn’t much different in my eyes than taking a the multitude of other drugs/powders/and pills that a lot of regular joes take.

Should gatorade be banned? Should we stop researching food’s effects on an individual’s hormones? You know, if we do that, we just get into the same territory as steroids. Eat to produce hormonal results, etc. Steroids are just a really effect way of achieving a result.

I am not a steroid user, for many reasons, but to demonize their use or call those that use them cheaters is to me, unnecessary. It is what is is; effective and efficient at producing a muscle/strength enhancing result.

Let’s put a cap on people’s protein intake too, since we’ve banned steroids?

Why not do away with Pixar’s software, Renderman? You know, because cartoonists should just use pen and paper, like the old days!!!

Come on…

Is it it because steroids incredibly effective? Or is it because they are illegal? Why are they illegal? Is a strong pro-hormone cheating? Why or why not?

And yes, steroids can be safe if you know what you’re doing. But if you don’t they can be dangerous.

Let me ask you this Kevin, what about the people who are prescribed steroids for hormone replacement therapies? If it is then legal in the eyes of our government, is it still cheating?