WEEK EIGHTEEN :: Should The IFBB Ban Steroids For Real?

[admin]

TOPIC: Should The IFBB Ban Steroids For Real?

For the week of: March 10th - March 17th.

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With the latest controversy surrounding Arnold's involvement in professional bodybuilding and its promotion, some have asked for the IFBB to ban steroids and other illegal drugs "for real". The IFBB says they are not allowed in its competitions, but everybody knows that the pros are using illegal drugs and most of the pros will admit it. Should the IFBB crackdown on illegal drugs and seriously test every athlete for all illegal drugs before and after every competition?

If so, what would be the effects on pro bodybuilding? Would it gain more mainstream acceptance? Or would small, less freaky athletes simply draw less of a crowd until IFBB pro shows are as small as amateur shows? What would be the effect on the entire bodybuilding and fitness industry?

If you do not believe they should ban illegal drugs, then why do you believe this? Do you believe that sooner or later law enforcement will start arresting more of the pros? Or will they ignore it like they do with rappers who admit to smoking weed?

Post your detailed opinions and show off your knowledge!

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Bodybuilding.com

[TheAustrianOak]

No I don't think so

Everyone always says "let's get rid of the drugs, and bring bodybuilding back to how it was in the old days."
But thats the thing, even back in the old days they all admit to having used drugs anyways.
Arnold was known for popping DBols like candy, Sergio Olivia stated in an interview that most of them used Deca and Dbol as their stack.

Also that wouldn't be fair to the current lineup of competitors, who have dedicated their lives to a sport where they knew they were not going to make very much money anyways, but used steroids to get to where they are today. You can't just go in and say "alright guys, we're going to start testing from now on. If you don't like it, quit."

And not all of the recent competitors look bad anyways, just a couple guts here and there.

So what I think they should do is have a waist restriction. Before the competition every athlete has their waist measured. Let's say the cut off point is 36 inches, which is still pretty wide for having 3% bodyfat. Any competitor whos waste is larger then 36 inches is not allowed to compete.

This essentially gets rid of the guts but not the freakish proportions. This way you will have more competitors like Levrone, Flex, and Dexter. Guys who have freakish mass everywhere, yet still have tight waists.

Just imagine Big Ron with his current size everywhere else and a 32 inch waist!

And I do not think the athletes should stop using over legal reasons, they should just keep denying that they use.
To quote Plato, "A just man is he who breaks unjust laws."
I stick by this statement because I believe they aren't harming anyone except themselves.
What difference does it make to my life if some IFBB pro is sticking himself in the delt with some test? Absolutely nothing.

[chad12121]

No. It would literally kill the IFBB, and the IFBB knows this that is why it will never happen. It has been said again and again simple fact, no one wants to see a bunch of swimmers on stage. This is why natural competitions are'nt nearly as popular as the Olympia, Ironman, Arnol Classic, etc.

If the IFBB really enforced their steroid ban, none of the current pros would compete. What you would have is all the Pros going to another organization. Which then the IFBB would have to compete with and would lose. Just like the current situation with natural competitions vs. unnatural competitions. Natural competitions just don't draw enough popularity and money.

[Crear1705]

I totally agree with all you guys, i think its dumb to even consider banning roids in IFBB. Everyone knows bodybuilders use them and they turn a blind eye to it. It maked perfect sence though, there not cheating, there not doing somthing that gives them an edge, i would be willing to be that 99% of guys at the O and Arnold juice. Its the only way to be a "bodybuidler" these days. i dont see anything wrong with that, there not hurting anyone, they all are very well informed and supplied. And i agree, Arnold could kiss our asses, he used roids, hes being a huge hypocrite, and hes trying to save his own ass.

[Tony B]

If IFBB bans steriods its not going to change the culture. In my opinion if there is a ban on steriods there is still the "hardcore" bodybuilding fans and types that will continue to use steriods, "underground" so to speak. These are the people who want to see the big freaky physiques.

The general public opinion of bodybuilders is as "junkies". Banning steriods isnt going to change people using them such as in athletics. There is still the perception though that even some of these so called natural bodybuilders actually do use steriods. Skip La Cour is a good example. Bodybuilding doesnt have the most rosy public opinion and people are often freaked out by these type of extreme physiques. The general community admires to the Men's health cover model physique not a Ronnie Coleman style physique. But having a Men's health cover model as Mr Olympia is not going to do anything but annoying the bodybuilding public and most likely lead to break away bodybuilding leagues.

If the sport wants to clean up its image, banning human growth hormone would be one way to go, as well as changing the judging mentality that bigger is always better. Fitness/health industry is massive and people need to be made aware of the positive benefits of a bodybuilding type diet/fitness approach, to change the public perceptions

[IGF]

Should The IFBB Ban Steroids For Real?

I don't believe steriod use should be ultimately cut off in the IFBB, but the regulation of certain drugs should be brought in. Many of the substances that are used are destroying the sport because their use (and overuse) is clearly obvious on the physiques some of the pro's bring out.

Look at one of the Golden Era physiques, do you see a distended gut? Do you see a person at 4% bodyfat that has muscles smoothened out and softened by synthol use? Do any of the premier participates get put into hospitals afterwards due to the overuse of diuretics. No you don't, not at all. What you do see is a very aesthetic and balanced physique such as Arnold Swarchzenegger (Of course),Robby Robinson and Franco "The Bat" Columbo. That is what I believe should come back today, true freaks that are impressive in size and definition but do not sacrifice their entire lives to the sport.

While I may never know how much steroids today's Professional Bodybuilders are using exactly I believe it would be fair to assume bodybuilders the likes of Ronnie Coleman and Markus Ruhl are taking a gigantic or even astronomical amount to gain and maintain their lean muscle mass. Just look at the 2002 and 2003 season, Ronnie Coleman (who had been training for at least 15 years and using Anabolic Steroids for a considerable amount of time) put on an unprecedented 30 pounds of muscle to consolidate his Olympia crown. How could anything BUT a pharmacy load of Deca,Test and GH cause this? I doubt even a miracle would produce such results. What image does this portray to younger and up and comming bodybuilders you ask, well surely not one of "hardwork and dedication will pay off". Many people do not have the will in themselves to take in such enourmous amounts of drugs just to be able to compete in the higher levels of bodybuilding, which doesn't even pay well. Drugs in these quantities are ruining our sport, the sport that is meant to portray health and fitness not empty syringes and drug dealers.

So what will this mean for bodybuilding? Well I believe it would be a small step forward in making the physiques more appealing (not just to us bodybuilders but to the general public as well) and help bodybuilding reclaim some of it's image as a sport of health. Bodybuilding going mainstream? This will never happen, not in anyones most deslusional fevour dreams. Bodybuilding is the only sport on the planet where the dedicated fans also do what their rolemodels do - lift weights. Not everyone that watches football plays football or anybody who watches basketball plays basketball, instead they like to eat a nice fat hot dog and sit on the couch. Implementing a more strict drug and substance use policy will take bodybuilding into the next era and help it gain more popularity among the general population.

Again I'll finish off by saying I do not believe steroids should ever be taken out of the IFBB scene, but more regulation should start occuring to try and reign in the amount and types of drugs being used in the sport.

[mroussell]

Yup!

[1dayIWillBeBig]

I'll say no, because if they did. Bodybuilders would find a way around it anyway and continue to use. I really dont care if they use Drugs or not, it has no effect on me.

Maybe what they should do is, Ban certain types of drugs.
For Instance:
GH
Insulin
and some types of Androgens, but allow the More Popular(Dbol, Deca, Test e, etc...) But either way, it would still be Illegal

and ban Synthol

[Mr. Shoulders]

Absolutley not

[LukeT]

If you do not believe they should ban illegal drugs, then why do you believe this? Do you believe that sooner or later law enforcement will start arresting more of the pros? Or will they ignore it like they do with rappers who admit to smoking weed?

I do not think that the IFBB should "really" ban steroids. I base my opinion on extremes. Example: If you were a big fan of skateboarding, would you rather watch people who were immensely and unnaturally good or people who were just really good? Myself, I would like to watch the abnormally good people. Say there was a somewhat harmful and illegal drug that enabled these pros to attain that unnaturally good status; I wouldn't mind them taking it as long as they were taking it on their own freewill. I myself would never take the drug (just as I don't ever plan on taking steroids) but it wouldn't change the fact that it'd undoubtedly boost skate boarding’s level of entertainment.

To me the exact same applies to bodybuilding, I'd rather see guys like Dorian Yates, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jay Cutler, ect than .. (drawing a blank). See, I can't even think of a natural bodybuilder who is highly recognized (for bodybuilding anyway). I do believe that there should be some limiting to the types of anabolic steroids permitted, but for the most part leave things the way they are. If they were banned, then it would be very unfair to the current top competitors, as they would no longer be able to compete and many of them dedicated their entire lives to the sport, and you’d be stripping away everything they’ve worked so hard for. The only advantage I can see to having the ban enforced is that a lot of guys guts would be smaller due to less organ enlargement from GH, ect. However guys like Dexter Jackson prove that large-gut can be overcome, as well as a lot of the oldschool icons.

Regarding the overlooking, I do think that law enforcement will overlook this as marjiuana is overlooked, but I do think that in other sports where the majority don't use performance enhancing drugs (MLB) that law should continue (they have been in the past) pressuring drug testing, as well as the olympics drugs do not belong in triathelones for example where many or most competitors wish to compete legit.

If so, what would be the effects on pro bodybuilding? Would it gain more mainstream acceptance? Or would small, less freaky athletes simply draw less of a crowd until IFBB pro shows are as small as amateur shows? What would be the effect on the entire bodybuilding and fitness industry?

If steroids were "really" banned I believe that it would effect pro bodybuilding very negatively, and would make genes even more of a deciding factor than ever before. At least now with steroids you can exceed beyond what your genes had in plan for you. Without them (steroids), guys like Ronnie would arguably be at their natural limit. Now I realize that he’s already surpassed this, but assuming Ronnie was all natural and had the same diet/work ethic/genes as he has now. After a while it'd really be a question of who has the better genes, even more so than now. As far as mainstream acceptance goes I’m probably going to have to say no. The majority of the public these days aren't interested in bodybuilders, they may find the current IFBB pros disgusting, but they wouldn't be too interested in it even if they were all natural because to me it seems that men in general are just not interested in it and females only tend to be into guys like Brad Pitt; much larger becomes gross to them. I think male modeling is something that could definitely fly mainstream, but not bodybuilding, steroids or not. I think if this were to happen that smaller crowds would be attracted to the IFBB shows, but bodybuilding in general as a community wouldn't be hurt too badly, just the entertainment side, and the elite few who are currently in contention to win IFBB pro shows.

[Oxi]

Should the IFBB Ban Steroids For Real:

It appears that any arguement on this issues of steroids comes back to a different arguement. It seems to me that these days, the complaints in the bodybuilding world are based around two groups. One group admires Ronnie Coleman, Yates, and the rest of the mass monsters of today. The other group admires the more "natural" phsyiques of Arnold and Frank Zane.

So, let's look at it objectively, for once. In the 70's and early 80's, balance, and symmetry were what won you a Mr. O. As of recent times, the judging characteristics have shifted to having a more massive, less balanced athlete win Mr. O. Why is this? Some say that steroids and other muscle enhancers have gotten much better and more sophisticated, and even more safe. I would tend to agree.

So, in the seventies and eighties, steroids were used, abused, and reused in the same way they are today. Only today, the wealth of knowledge is much greater, and the products can produce much better results. If one were to look at it from that angle, one would have to assume that the steroids should remain legal, since it "levels" the playing field. All athletes are in a sort of free for all, and none has an unfair advantage over another, as long as they are in the same time period. Arnold, Zane, and the others of the 70's an 80's used whatever they could, and whatever they knew to get huge and win the Mr. O. Yates, and now Coleman are doing the same. It is impossible to compare athletes of different generations in any sport, even though journalists attempt it on a daily basis (who was better Shaq or Wilt)

On the other hand, if the IFBB were able to test for every performance enhancer available, the field would also be level. Many substances can't be tested for, but their direct affects can be. This is how the olympic commitee, and the international bicycling commitee do it. I do not know if there is a way to stay at the forefront of medical technology and be in front of the next underground steroid. But, in a perfect world, let's assume you can. If these rules were implemented, all athletes would be "all natural". Athletes of the previous generations would never be on level footing with today's athletes, and the great heritage of the sport would be separated into a "before" and "after" the rule was implemented. Today's athletes would be banned from all compitition, and all "known" names would be gone from the IFBB.

The sad truth is, no one will ever be able to 100% ensure us that an athlete has never taken a steroid their entire lives. There is no test that is fault proof. There is no possible way that the IFBB can make sure athletes aren't on test, HGH, Synthol or whatever else hasn't hit the headlines yet. There is even less of a chance that they will be able to go back to whther they were used 15-20 years ago by the athlete. For this reason, I believe the rules should stand the way they are as far as steroid testing goes.

Ahh, but there is a catch, there is a simple way to ensure that both sides are happy...to a point. Since bodybuilding is a subjectively judged compitition, there needs to be a way to regulate this. Again, I look to the Olympics (however faulted they were in Figure skating one year). A panel of judges that is large by today's standards, from a large background of nationalities, and with FREQUENT turnover, would give a better indication of what the whole world sees as the person with the "best body in the world". Also, a publicly available scorecard, as they use in boxing, along with realtime scores as they use in gymnastics and figure skating for each judge, will "self govern" this policy. The judges who judge something different that most others will show up and be scrutinized by the media. Many people seem to think that some people "high up on the food chain" in bodybuilding have the ability to manipulate judges to make their sponsered athlete the winner. With public scorecards, much of this talk will either be justified, or thrown out as ridiculous. The "highest" and "lowest" score of each round could be removed, ala olympic diving.

Keith

[ford4life]

A Steroid Ban?
.....................
With all the heat on pro sports in general with the MLB streroid scandal, it is very possible that bodybuilding is next on the government's agenda. When you think about it, who really cares about baseball anymore? After all these issues the past year, even with the excitement of the NY-Boston series last year, I do not think I am going to watch a single game unless I am there in person this year. The reason? frist of all, i loved seeing these juiced giants hit masive home runs. If the same thing happens in pro bodybuilding, I might... I might just as well look back to collegiate wrestlers for their phyiques.

A Reality?
..............
For all intensive purposes, yes, steroids are illegal in the United States as of right now. It seems like everyone blames the problems of our country on roid use right now, too. A recent estimate I saw put actual steroid (not counting prohormones or gH supplements) at over 300,000 high school students. This inflated propoganda is nowhere near the actual amount, and if steroids in IFBB competions are banned, it is obvious that none of the big guns in bodybuilding would continue competing, or if they did at least not in as excellent shape as they are now. Steroids are the only line that separate a bodybuilder and an athlete. If steroid use in the IFBB is discontinued, everyone remotely athletic would be considered a bodybuilder.

[musclefreak]

[Ithink they should be banned,the natural looking physiques are much better to look at rather then the freakyness of tht of a steroid user.Look at whts happened in baseball,and all the trouble this illegal drug has caused.Also i saw a story i think it ws on The Today show about how the use of steroids among teens has risen,which isnt good.Another thing tht has convinced me about how bad and how dangerous they are is the story tht a friend told me about his dad and how he thought the way he took them and the way he ws advised to tke them ws safe and he wound up with i think kidney problems and still to this day has them.In the story from tht report they talked about how its supposingly safe to stack these so called unharmful kinds of anabolic roids,when it isnt.Whose to say tht i wouldnt drop dead from a massive heart attack from injecting or cycling or tking this kind or tht kind or hve to go the hospital the exact same day?Steroidss are and always will be harmful dangerous and they hve dangerous potential side effects too,i certainly dont want my balls to shrink or hve liver and other problems,heck there are probably even some regular supps tht can be harmful.Also a friend told me his take awhile back and tht is tht steriods are a cheat way in getting to where u wanna go,putting on size etc.Natural has and always will be the best route to take.It may tke goingthe extra mile but its well worth it.It may tke time but it will be time well spent.These pros who juice will regret it eventually.So yes the IFBB shold ban them and go with the natural looks which arent those of swimmers.To me all natural bodybuilding rules,the best advice regrding roids is to not even start.The evidence is there,and proves the point tht anabolic steroids are no good,and thts wht i am sticking with along with others who believe in the all natural approach,and there are plenty out there.

Peace


Eric










QUOTE=ford4life]A Steroid Ban?
.....................
With all the heat on pro sports in general with the MLB streroid scandal, it is very possible that bodybuilding is next on the government's agenda. When you think about it, who really cares about baseball anymore? After all these issues the past year, even with the excitement of the NY-Boston series last year, I do not think I am going to watch a single game unless I am there in person this year. The reason? frist of all, i loved seeing these juiced giants hit masive home runs. If the same thing happens in pro bodybuilding, I might... I might just as well look back to collegiate wrestlers for their phyiques.

A Reality?
..............
For all intensive purposes, yes, steroids are illegal in the United States as of right now. It seems like everyone blames the problems of our country on roid use right now, too. A recent estimate I saw put actual steroid (not counting prohormones or gH supplements) at over 300,000 high school students. This inflated propoganda is nowhere near the actual amount, and if steroids in IFBB competions are banned, it is obvious that none of the big guns in bodybuilding would continue competing, or if they did at least not in as excellent shape as they are now. Steroids are the only line that separate a bodybuilder and an athlete. If steroid use in the IFBB is discontinued, everyone remotely athletic would be considered a bodybuilder.[/QUOTE]

[BigLarge]

NO

Who wants to see a bunch of swimmers on stage?

Ban Insulin, HGH, and especially SYNTHOL, but not steroids.

[Psychoholic]

I think alot of the problem with modern professional body building is a lack of aesthetics. While it is interesting to see mass monsters like Coleman and Ruhl, I think that pro's like Lee Priest have far better bodies because they have all of the qualities that the judges used to look for. I miss the days of the V shape instead of the X. I don't think that banning steroids would do any good for the sport, but I think alot of the problems with it would solve themselves if the judges based their decisions on overall appearance and symmetry instead of just mountains of GH induced muscle. Look at Ruhl, his belly button kept popping out! When Big Ron has a sweat shirt on, it looks like he has an enourmous beer belly. How about the scene from Ruhl - Made in Germany when he sticks out his gut?

I don't think they should ban steroids (and actually mean it), but I think that synethol and GH should go.

Just look at the stats on the image galleries. Everyone exalts Arnold for his physique back in the day. Huge wide shoulders, the best pecs ever, and a tight narrow waist; We don't have hardly anybody who does that anymore. History will remember this era of bodybuilding as the age of the gut, and we'll still be googling for pictures of Arnold and Zane when we want inspiration.

Chris

[bucsfan]

Many people feel that the IFBB should ban steroids, many believe they shouldnt. I feel that illegal substances should be banned.


The reason I feel this way is because of the health of the athletes. They are putting themselves at such a risk to look the way they do. The IFBB should do what is in the best interest of their performers health.
I also feel that bodybuilding will become a more respected sport if steroids are banned. Bodybuilding is a underground sport. It is not respected by the general public like it should be. I feel this is because of the use of illegal substances. If these are banned the general public will respect bodybuilding and the athletes who are building their bodies the safe and healthy way.
On the other hand if the IFBB does ban steroids I feel that many suporters of it will protest. The people who support the IFBB like to see the big huge genetic freaks. Even I think they look cool. But I feel that in the best interest of the athletes that illegal substances should be banned.

[youngdurin]

Of course they should be banned. Bodybuilding is a dead sport because of drugs. It is a joke. Get rid of the drugs and create a sport based on hard work instead of pharmacology.

[ScorpioBrat]

Ok, I work at a pharamacy; I used to personal train in a competitors gym--i.e., both sides of the track here..(or so I'd like to think)

People are going to do the drugs regardless--if there is a will there is a way--thus it would be fruitless for the IFBB to ban steroids for "real." As someone previously said there would be another organization accepting those athletes and giving them endorsements--there will always be a home for the people who are at extreme ends of either side of an argument. Not to mention there is always a new drug out of hide or that wouldn't be detected yet...

On the other hand, a wo/man makes choices in his or her life on their own--if they choose to kill or severely incapacatate themselves for a sport ((due to or not due to psychological or insecurity issues)) that is there choice. I knew a bodybuilder who would use steroids everytime he lost a set or rep--but I also knew a pro who only used it when it was time for a competition. Coleman I've heard has trouble functioning--but that was his choice--it is what has made him happy (hopefully). His health has paid for his wealth.

Of course, I think CERTAIN steroids should be legalized--if people are going to do them--doctors should accept that and monitor them. Otherwise you run the risk of people damaging things or possibly killing themselves. Forbidden fruit tastes the best after all doesn't it???

Cleo

[push it 05]

I do not think they should "for real" kick the steroid habbit. If you want to see people compete naturally, then go to an all natural competition. It is widely known that most of the IFBB pros use these illegal steroids, but why is this much of a problem? Pros have a bunch of different people that watch them and make sure everything is going as it should, if any of them where in danger they would find out and either stop or keep going. It would take the edge off of bodybuilding, the reason why people like to watch the Arnold classic, or the Olympia is to see people who are far away from the norm. If anyone could become as massively cut as Ronnie there would be no one who would want to watch that since everyone could do it. Its not like the pros are cheating, they are still putting in the blood, sweat, and the tears into their bodies and these substances just help them get closer to where they want to be. So should the steroid ban be pushed harder? Absolutely not, let the pros keep saying that they are not users and what the world doesnt know cant hurt them.

[IGF]

Of course they should be banned. Bodybuilding is a dead sport because of drugs. It is a joke. Get rid of the drugs and create a sport based on hard work instead of pharmacology.

To get to elite pro level you still have to work very hard and be 100% dedicated. But natural BB'ing will never be successful because you can be huge naturally...you will never get any freakishly huge competitors

[~jAmeZ~]

...

Why bodybuilding needs steroids


I want you to think about how a steroid ban could affect bodybuilding as a whole. Take your mind off the obvious. Sure, the bodybuilders themselves would be smaller. Fans might turn their backs. But this is nothing compared to the bigger picture. A steroid ban could destroy bodybuilding as you know it.

A steroid ban could cost fans more cash to see their heros. A steroid ban could actually increase drug abuse. A steroid ban could splinter bodybuilding into warring federations. And the public would see bodybuilding as an even bigger freak show.

Here’s why.


Steroid ban would cost fans $$$
The IFBB’s first step in really banning steroids is serious testing. And serious testing would cost millions each year. Weider would lose a large chunk of his profit margin. But no businessman likes losing profit. Weider would probably pass the testing costs onto bodybuilding fans by increasing ticket and merchandise prices. And he might also cut his operating expenses—so the 2006 Olympia could be coming soon to a high school auditorium near you.

This is not an exaggeration. The Sydney Olympics spent $4 million on proper drug testing procedures and another $1.6 million on research, just so they could keep up. Four years later, the Athens Olympics spent almost twice as much on testing and research. And the Olympics only happen every four years, for two weeks at a time.

Now, think about how many IFBB shows are held each month all over the world. Hard-to-beat testing costs an average of $100 for each drug tested for. Multiply that figure by the list of possible performance enhancers taken by your average pro bodybuilder. And the list of diuretics. And masking agents. Then multiply that figure by the number of bodybuilders who place in each show.

Weider would not tolerate such huge financial losses. He would probably make the fans pay dearly for his extra bills.

90 million reasons to keep steroids
An IFBB steroid ban would give a business rival the perfect opportunity to start another bodybuilding federation. A federation that allowed steroids.

Why would a rival bother? Well, creating a pro-steroid federation would be highly profitable. Weider currently uses his top bodybuilders to promote millions of dollars worth of merchandise. Weider Nutrition alone turns over an average of $360 million every year. But a steroid ban would make Weider’s bodybuilders smaller. The rival pro-steroid federation would have much bigger guys. And advertisements with big guys can sell more protein powder, home gyms and magazines than ads with smaller guys. The IFBB has proved that to be true with its own marketing practices.

A pro-steroid federation could easily encourage star bodybuilders to leave the IFBB. On one hand, the stars could maintain their reputation (which they built on steroids) and keep their fans. And the rival federation could pay them better, because Weider’s shrinking market share would lead to less lucrative endorsement contracts.

And the situation we are in today repeats itself. The rival federation encourages freakish physiques, so their bodybuilders take more drugs. The problem does not disappear. It just moves sideways.

And what if more than one rival seized the opportunity to start a new federation? We end up with a situation similar to the IFBB vs World Bodybuilding Federation of the early nineties. It was an ugly 18 months for bodybuilding. Even when the WBF folded, the repercussions and bad blood among the athletes were felt for years afterwards.

Far from conspiracy theory
Sure, you have probably not heard this kind of argument against a steroid ban before. But it could happen. Think about the relationship of steroids to bodybuilding. Then think about the relationship of bodybuilding to the $21.5 billion US fitness industry. A steroid ban could drastically change the shape—literally and metaphorically—of bodybuilding as we know it.

A final note: Bringing back the Golden Age
The common argument for banning steroids is based on health and aesthetics. What people really mean when they say steroids should be banned is "I don't like the way steroids are turning some pros into cow-gutted freaks with dangerously high blood pressure". It's true...few modern bodybuilding stars seem to consider symmetry. They strive only for bigness, which means big doses of anabolics.

But bigness is more a symptom caused by IFBB judging than drug abuse. Look at the last two decades of the Olympia. Haney beat Labrada in 1989…because he was bigger, and arguably not better. Ditto for the massive Dorian downing Shawn Ray in 1994. The message from modern judges was clear: if you want to win, you have to be the biggest.

Compare this to the Golden Age of bodybuilding. John Grimek chiseled down his massive physique to win the 1948 Mr Universe over Steeve Reeves. Grimek knew he needed to be “complete” to win over the judges, not just “big”. Schwarzenegger realised he needed more definition when he lost to Zane in 1968. So he cut 15lbs from his huge frame and never looked back.

It would be impractical and virtually impossible for the IFBB to stamp out steroids from bodybuilding. But the IFBB can help prevent their abuse by changing the criteria their judges use to pick winners.

Would fans be turned off by the smaller, more symmetrical physiques? Put it this way: any magazine with Arnie on the cover is still a sell-out. And this guy was 40lbs “smaller” than Ronnie.


...

[tylertommons]

ban the drugs ban the pro hormones ban everything that is not natural.

[Flexer]

if they do, i will become the next Weider and start teh IOBB (international organization of body builders) and they will all come to me, since it won't be a tested organization, problem solved





Phil

[gracurtisce]

Banning steroids from professional bodybuilding could be both good and bad, depending on what side of the fence one sites on, but before any firm decision is made, one way or the other, the pros and cons of this steroid ban need to be determined and debated vigorously. Many would argue that, fundamentally, bodybuilding is a sport that showcases the extremes to which the human body can be taken, and should continue to promote the types of physiques currently on display. It is also common knowledge that steroids are used prolifically among competitors to help create these types of physiques - the massive bodies that actually help to sell magazines, nutritional products and tickets to bodybuilding contests. Irrespective of how well established is the fact that pros use steroids, bodybuilding fans will probably continue to want to see the massive physiques that can only be created chemically, and it is the fans who purchase, magazines, products and tickets, and keep the multibillion-dollar bodybuilding industry ticking along. One could argue that the issue of steroid use ultimately hinges on what the fans want to see, and if the fans are happy with the types of non-chemically assisted physiques witnessed at the natural bodybuilding shows (the types of physiques seen in any gym in any country) then there is probably room to move on the actual banning of steroids. So it probably boils down to a complete paradigm shift in what the paying public want to see before any firm changes can be made - the public, after all, keep the industry growing.

Banning steroids would involve implementing stringent testing procedures for all pro-shows. The cost for doing this would be astronomical, a further cost to an industry already under siege as the crowds become disillusioned with the emphasis on smaller muscles and mediocrity (rightly or wrongly the steroid enhanced physique is at the upper end of what can be achieved in bodybuilding). Drug testing is somewhat of a nebulous process at best, with many avoiding detection, as the methods for detection avoidance become more sophisticated - and they will if the IFBB enforce compulsory testing of all athletes. If the IFBB want to create a level playing field by testing all athletes, the athlete might look to other drug options - ones that haven’t made the banned substances list at the time of testing. It could go on and on until the sport is full of designer drugs and the implications of this are dire as far as cleaning up the sport is concerned.

If the IFBB were to ban steroids, their pro-athletes might choose to compete under the banner of a different federation. Federations might increase in number to accommodate a mass defection, and the athletes would carry on their merry, drug induced, way. However, given the IFBB is the biggest, the message sent might persuade others to follow their lead.

Banning steroids might also rob bodybuilding of some of its allure. The massive (steroid produced) physique can only be seen, at its best, in a pro show. The competitors in these shows are almost exclusively on steroids, to greater or lesser degrees. Take this away, and there may no longer be 250lb ripped physiques sporting 24inch arms and 35inch quads - the types of freaky physique that attract many fans to the sport in the first place. Removing steroids might remove the allure and the shock value of such a physique. The smaller muscular physique can be seen almost anywhere. If pro-shows were comprised of these physiques, attendance rates (and overall fan base) would probably taper significantly, effecting the industry as a whole. Removing steroids could, indeed, cripple the sport.

On the other hand, banning steroids from bodybuilding would possibly help to clean up the sport, in that competitors will be healthier and the public will have more realistic physiques to emulate. However, this would depend on whether the athlete is prepared to make this choice to quit. A young aspiring bodybuilder would never obtain a ‘pro-bodybuilder’ physique without the help of steroids. Pro-bodybuilders undoubtedly inspire beginning bodybuilders and a switch to steroids is often the logical step for these beginners after the inevitable plateau ensues.

The sport of bodybuilding has, for many years, been tainted with the widespread use of steroids and other performance enhancing substances. The general public, often through the media, are presented with an image of bodybuilding, and bodybuilders, which contradicts the healthy principals set out by many of the larger sporting bodies such as the IOC - themselves not exempt from drug-users. Sport and exercise are generally seen as both physically and psychologically healthy pursuits and vigorously promoted as such. Bodybuilding, however, is often seen as a sport of freaks, hell-bent on destroying themselves in the pursuit of physical glory - despite the relative paucity of data to support this belief. The fundamental problem for bodybuilders using steroids is that using them for performance enhancing purposes is currently illegal. By virtue of this use, bodybuilders are committing a criminal act, and, it could be argued, bringing the sport of bodybuilding (a sport that started off as a natural pursuit) into disrepute. For a large number of athletes to be branded as criminals simply presents a very negative image of the sport.


To summarise, steroids should be banned from bodybuilding because, it could be argued:

1: They are detrimental to health. A whole host of health problems are attributable to steroid use (cardiovascular problems and cancer to name but two) and while these problems are occurring, the sport will be viewed in a negative light.
2: Using them for bodybuilding purposes is a criminal act, under current legislation. Steroid use makes criminals out of bodybuilders and this also increases public castigation the sport.
3: Distorted physiques result. The increasing use of steroids, and growth hormone, have been blamed for the higher number of distorted physiques on show. The large gut, Gynecomastia (bitch tits), unrealistic proportions and disproportion could all be attributed to steroid use. These features are unpleasing and serve to turn fans away while further fuelling mainstream condemnation of the sport.
4: It is ethically wrong to use them. Using steroids provides an unfair advantage for the user. The physiques of their non-using counterparts could simply not compete with their chemically assisted physiques. This could be viewed as unfair and the drug-using athletes could be labelled as cheats.
5: Drug-free physiques will enhance the growth of the sport over the long term as beginning athletes will transform their physiques to the required standard, on an even footing with their peers, over a shorter period, given the benchmark for mass and cuts will need to be lowered - drugs enhance these qualities.

However, a case could be made for maintaining the status quo:

1: The bodybuilding industry could be adversely effected if steroids were banned. The spin-offs such as supplement sales, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, and ticket sales, which result from the massive physiques that are produced by steroids would dwindle if a ban was effectively placed on the very physiques that sell these products and services in the first place. A steroid ban could cripple the bodybuilding industry.
2: Banning steroids might rob bodybuilding of its allure, and shock value, both of which attract a fan base. Lets face it: the massive physiques seen at bodybuilding shows have a certain appeal. It has been said that people go to the circus to see lions and tigers, not hamsters and fieldmice. Bodybuilding competition is similar.
3: Banning them would not solve any of the above problems as they will continued to be used and athletes will simply shift to another federation rather than discontinue their use. Federations might increase in number to accommodate the large number of bodybuilders who refuse to bow down to the IFBB’S new policy. This would simply spread, and possibly increase, the problem.
4: The testing procedures designed to detect steroid levels are not 100% accurate. This makes the whole process of testing fatuous at best. If only some competitors are caught, what is the point of testing? Not only is this unfair on those who are caught, but it encourages the athletes who do manage to cheat the system to continue to beat the tests, and the athletes who are caught to devise ways of beating the tests.


So to ban steroids or not to ban steroids? I would personally like to see them banned to promote the health aspect of the sport and encourage a life-long pursuit for fitness and strength. As mentioned, steroids are problematic in many ways, and a ban might encourage newcomers to the sport to emulate a more realistic example. There are many fors and againsts but by banning steroids, a healthier physique will be the result, and the sport will probably have greater appeal to the mainstream public, and this in itself, could go a long way toward improving the image bodybuilding currently has.

However, the problem is an exceedingly complex one, with many of the arguments presented in this essay contradicting one another. Before a decision is reached, many concerns will need to be ironed out.

[black007]

Look guys....this bodybuilding site owes its existence to the IFBB and to steroids. We all like looking at the magazines and going to the contests and arguing over who won that particular show. Would we be all excited to see a bunch of non-juiced up guys on stage? I don't think so. Now, I am the ultimate hypocrite because I do not juice, but I love to see the results when others use the products(go figure..). I guess that I would not begin to tear my body apart unless I felt that there was some sort of a fantastic payday up ahead in my future. The problem is that there is really no real money in bodybuilding except for the top 0.05% of pros today. Now ask me if I would use sterioids if I were a AA baseball player who had a chance of making the majors....of course I would. Hell, give me a good endorsement contract with GNC and I would start juicing today.

The point is that we would all lose interest if the contests consisted of "natural" bodybuilders. Why pay to see a bunch of guys that we can see at our local gyms.

Ed

[antihero]

For many years now steroids have been "banned" from use. Although some arests are made on this, there arent enough steps taken for this "ban" to be taken seriously. So, for a significant amount of time, regular people use them quietly, while pros use them publicly because they know they can get away with it. Recently Arnold Schwarzenegger is pushing to actually enforce this ban at his event (Arnold Classic), and pushing to enforce this in two well-known magazines (Flex, and Muscle and Fitness). But, Arnold has admitted to using steroids, and also has said that he does not regret using them because at the time they were legal. These events are having the bodybuilding community question how they would be affected by this, and how the sport in general will be affected by this.

An event like this would certainly have a tremendous effect on the entire bodybuilding industry, but the effect would be a very positive one. If the bodybuilding industry were no longer based on steroids, these would be the effects:

a) Contestants would appear more aesthetically pleasing. Steroid use can often lead to a 'gut', and many people dont like the appearance of having that instead of the "picture perfect 6-pack" that the guy on the front of a magazine has.

b) Seeing professionals turn away from steroids and promote proper diet and training may lower the amount of children who use steroids to acheive their goals.
8th graders who have used steroids: 1.7% (year 2000) ------------------------> 2.5% (year 2003) *
10th graders who have used steroids: 2.2% (year 2002) ------------------------> 3.0% (year 2003) *
12th graders who have used steroids: 2.5% (year 2002) ------------------------> 3.5% (year 2003) *
Children this young should not even be thinking about steroids, let alone using them. Taking these things can completely screw up their endocrine system.

c) It would promote more people to get into the sport of bodybuilding. If everyone was on a "level playing feild" (so to speak) more people would be allowed a chance to compete. That means that if everyone was doing it naturally (without using substances that would possibly jeopardize their health) then more people would be interested in doing it. When a professional stepped on stage, and he worked naturally, HE WOULD BE SMALLER. But that also means that more people in the audience would say to themselves: "I CAN DO THAT". I feel that too many people are driven away from this sport because they see contestants such as Ronnie Coleman and they say to themselves: "I COULD NEVER LOOK LIKE THAT" So, I think that instead of shrinking the crowds because there are 'less freaky' athletes, it would actually expand the crowd.

But for this to actually happen, we need to take a look at another picture, the bigger picture. What would it take to put this ban into action?

a) What would the current competitors do if they disqualified anyone who uses, or has used steroids? It just wouldnt be fair to them to make a decision that throws away everything that they have worked their whole lives to accomplish

b) Think about every steroid out there, and every form and derivetive. Then consider research and development. Now figure out the cost. YOU CANT. The point is, its not even practical to consider testing for all the steroids on the market, the contest just wouldnt be able to afford it. The amount of money that would go into a venture like that is astronomical.

As much as I'd like to see steroids removed from bodybuilding, it just cant be done. So unfortunatly, I have to say no.


* http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/steroids.html

[dzL p Hr Ea K]

The following content was stolen from:

http://www.wellnessmd.com/anabolics.html

dzL p Hr Ea K - Thanks for wasting our time!

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I believe that the IFBB should definately not begin the testing for steroids. Many bodybuilders today take steroids, and it has helped them get to where they are now with a lot of hard work as well. If steroids are used without the muscles being worked (weightlifting) there will not be an effect on the muscles, and it can just add fatty tissue to the body. It has been said to take steroid using bodybuilders out of competitions to make it like the old days but former bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted to using steroids so this is not a valid statement.

What Steroids Really Are:

Anabolic steroids are testosterone, or testosterone-like drugs which produce anabolic activity by increasing protein synthesis and androgenic activity (enhanced secondary sexual characteristics) in the male. These compounds can produce a significant increase in muscular size, in both males and females. Natural testosterone is produced in larger quantities in the male, but is also present in the female. Anabolic steroids are the most widely detected drugs taken for ergogenic (performance-enhancing) purposes. This group of substances has probably exceeded any other in controversy among those in the super-charged atmosphere of competitive sports. Drug testing and education on the pros and cons of anabolic steroid use are essential to maintain the health of both amateur and professional athletes.

History of Steroids:

Until 1935, no one knew that anabolic steroids were associated with the accumulation of muscle tissue. In that timeframe, two researchers experimenting on dogs discovered that testosterone given under certain conditions would increase muscle mass. The current history of anabolic steroids as abusable drugs began in 1954 among Olympic weightlifters. In 1956, Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) was first marketed in the United States, clearing the way for the use of anabolics by U.S. athletes. At first, only world-class athletes in high-strength sports such as weight lifting abused anabolics. Among Olympic athletes, anabolic steroids were a problem as long ago as 1964.

Different Forms of Steroids:

Anabolic steroids are either taken by mouth or injected into a muscle. The "orals," as they are called, are ingested tablets or capsules. These forms are reportedly more toxic to the liver. Often the orals are taken in conjunction with injectable forms.

The injectable forms are known as "oils" or "waters". The oils refer to the long-acting types. They are injected into a muscle, usually the rearend, and the steroid is released slowly over time. Typically, these drugs are injected only a couple of times a week. The "waters" are short-acting forms. Again, these are injected, usually in the rear end, but they work much faster and are eliminated much more quickly. There are two ways for anabolic steroids administration. Oral steroids are highly potent and are excreted fairly rapidly from the body due to short metabolic half-lives, (usually within weeks). So, oral steroids are the first choice for athletes who want to rapidly improve their performance and try to escape showing positive results on drug tests. These drugs, however, are the most toxic and have more side effects. Injectable steroids are less potent and generally exhibit delayed uptake into the body, especially if they are oil-based diluents. They have less liver toxicity than oral steroids, but they are being less used by athletes because of having a detectability in drug tests for long periods

Side Effects:

Since anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the naturally-occurring male hormone testosterone, they have very similar pharmacological actions and side effects. In mature males, the body secretes 2.5-10 mg of testosterone each day to promote various body processes. Steroid use often introduces up to an additional 100 mg of testosterone into the system daily. When levels become too high, the brain shuts down the body's own production of the testosterone as well as other substances necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Some of the body systems at risk include:

Male reproductive system
Too much testosterone or related substances prompts the pituitary gland to stop producing the hormone gonadotropin. This in turn also prevents the production of other intermediate substances which leads to testicular atrophy (decreased size and function), lowered sperm count, sterility (reversible), painful, prolonged erection, prostate enlargement and frequent or continuing erections. When steroid use ceases, the entire testosterone producing function may remain shut down, possibly leading to a permanent imbalance of the hormone.

Female reproductive system
These side effects are the result of masculinization due to increased testosterone and include enlargement of the clitoris*, uterine atrophy, irregularity or cessation of menstrual cycle, increased body hair*, deepening of the voice*, shrinkage of breast size and masculinization of female fetuses in pregnant women. (*permanent effects)

The heart and blood vessels
Anabolic steroids cause fluid retention, which can lead to high blood pressure. Steroids also lower high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) in the blood. These HDLs help rid the body of cholesterol. In some cases, production of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), which promote the production of cholesterol, increases. Too much cholesterol leads to buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. Clogged arteries can result in strokes or heart attacks. Deaths have been reported in both young and older athletes.

Adolescents
Bone growth is among the body processes that can shut down with steroid use. Adolescents on anabolic steroids may find their muscles bulking up, but bone growth stops with premature fusion of the epiphysis (growth center) of long bones. The result is permanently stunted growth. There is risk until bones stop growing.

Psychological Effects
Steroids change users in many ways, but psychological changes can be the most drastic of all. These include:

Aggression. Feelings or irritability and aggression may appear so subtly that the athlete may barely notice, but his friends or family will. Taking anabolic steroids keeps an athlete constantly "on edge". Situations that normally would not disturb him can, with steroid use, generate strong feelings of anger and hostility (the "roid rage"). Athletes who take anabolic steroids often have difficulty dealing with people because of these uncontrollable feelings. Anxiety can disturb sleep patterns, and users may experience paranoia.

Depression. Anabolic steroids produce psychological addiction. The aggression and other psychological changes accompanying steroid use make the athlete want to take more steroids for even larger muscles. When the athlete goes off steroids and the body decreases in size, depression and other withdrawal symptoms often induce users to take steroids again.

Addiction and Dependence. Users may find they have become dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms of severe depression (including suicidal thoughts), insomnia, loss of energy or appetite, sweating, nausea, headaches and craving for anabolic steroids. Withdrawal symptoms will last one to three weeks. Weight loss will also occur.

If the professional bodybuilders in the IFBB are willing to take all of these risks, then it should not be up to the other people whether they should be aloud to take them or not, it is up the the bodybuilders. They know what the side effects are, and they know what they are doing to themselves, nothing is hidden, and they can find out whatever they want from so many different sources.

I feel that this will be ignored by the law enforcement because as stated, it is ignored by them that all the rappers smoke marijuana. They even tell everyone and show off in their music videos!!! Everyone knows that they smoke marijuana so no one would think of it as a big deal if they were arrested for illegal drug use. This can also be the same with bodybuilders and steroids. Most bodybuilders cant gain as much size as they have by not using any supplements. Steroids are obviously the most effective ones, but also the most dangerous.

If this is not ignored by the law enforcement and they begin to arrest a lot of bodybuilders and get rid of them completely from the bodybuilding industry this will effect millions of people and the bodybuilding mainstream would crash. Although the bodybuilders would be all natural and 100% clean, they wouldnt have made as much gains and wouldnt be even close to as large as they are now because of a lack of steroids. This wouldnt attract as many people to watch different competitions or anything like that because it wouldnt be as impressive to see the bodybuilders and the gains they have made. There may be other alternatives to steroids but the other supplements would not even be close to the effects of steroids on the body.

This is a very sensitive subject with many people, and many steroid users will admit their usage. If the IFBB was to begin to test the bodybuilders for steroid usage, this will greatly effect millions of people, all over the world. I believe that it would have a negative effect and would disappoint many people.

[Tarkana]

It's really easy for lots of you to say no because these unrealistically insane physiques are what bodybuilding needs. Of course without steroids all the pros would be much smaller. But the facts are that steroids are still dangerous and the public doesn't like the idea of using anything with such harmful effects as a necessity to be competitive. So what if genetics wil them become the determinant? Thats how it is for most other sports, along with great training, and thats what all the young athletes aspire to. I know as a high school wrestler that there is so much to work for in this sport, and a muscular and very lean build is one of them. So to the audience being more closely involved in bodybuilding than in mainstream sports, there is one thing that is seperate from them, which is also why steroid use is treated much differently there. In major league sports and things like skateboarding, someone could look at these athletes and think "I wish I could do that". The reason that some magic pill would go over better there is because it would still make the effects more desireable to the general public. I could look at a shot of Frank Zane, and I would love to be built like that, but then I look at Coleman's pictures, with his huge gut and his way-too-veiny arms looking like plastic, and thats not something I would want to look like, so that is a huge problem with public perception. So I definatley think steroids 'should' be strictly banned, the the fact must be accepted that there's no way to afford such testings and keep up with new medical technology, so, even if its still on the bulkier side (as well it should be), bodybuilding should be judged on more aesthectically pleasing builds. It aught to be something that everyone could admire, and think of the path to success as noble, even if there is still some steroid use done in secret, it wouldn't be as huge of doses and be so blatantly obvious.
I just read that interview with Ronnie Coleman, and noticed his comments on Shawn Ray being too small. That's the kind of thing that weirds people out in bodybuilding. I look at Shawn Ray's pictures, and that looks like what they should be judging for, and I definately wouldnt consider him 'too small'.

[lilpoppapump123]

OK ok I can honestly see both sides of this issue. On one hand the sport is called bodybuilding, and by definition we should want to see the people who can "build" the biggest and most defined body on the planet. There is no doubt that is what the sport is called and what is expected out of the competitors. However just as in baseball and all other sports that are currently dealing with this problem, steroids are ILLEGAL! PERIOD! If somthing is illegal to posess, purchase without a doctors consent saying you NEED it, distribute to your budies or anything else, than why should it be allowed to be used by "athletes"? IF they are athletes, than why do they need a leg up or a way to assertain that gargantuon body? They shouldnt be allowed to. All bodybuilding competitions should follow the natural sports guidelines on legal and illegal supplements and rules. If you need to use an illegal supplement to compete with the people who are geneticaly talented and work hard enough to not need them then you SHOULD NOT BE IN THE SPORT! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A CHEATER!

[tylertommons]

Look guys....this bodybuilding site owes its existence to the IFBB and to steroids. We all like looking at the magazines and going to the contests and arguing over who won that particular show. Would we be all excited to see a bunch of non-juiced up guys on stage? I don't think so. Now, I am the ultimate hypocrite because I do not juice, but I love to see the results when others use the products(go figure..). I guess that I would not begin to tear my body apart unless I felt that there was some sort of a fantastic payday up ahead in my future. The problem is that there is really no real money in bodybuilding except for the top 0.05% of pros today. Now ask me if I would use sterioids if I were a AA baseball player who had a chance of making the majors....of course I would. Hell, give me a good endorsement contract with GNC and I would start juicing today.

The point is that we would all lose interest if the contests consisted of "natural" bodybuilders. Why pay to see a bunch of guys that we can see at our local gyms.

Ed

if it was natural the competition would increase because evevryone has a chance. and we still would see massive monsters that are genetically gifted.

[billz015]

No, I believe they shouldn't because the whole appeal of bodybuilding is to individuals who are superbly built in such a way that most people can only aspire to reach their level of fitness or muscle mass.

Banning steroids will result in less fans and more than likely less competitors because lets be realistic here for a minute, most of the people that do get their pro cards become pros without using steroids in some shape or form.

Now in my opinion they should ban them if there is no doubt that the competitor is using roids, what I mean is if they actually have marks on their skin where they shot up or had such a dramatic increase in size over a period of time that there is no way they didn't use steroids.

If IFBB completely banned steroids there'd also be less apeal in even getting into bodybuilding in any shape or form because when you start off you know that you're looking at the pros and hoping that you can be as "big" as they are. If the pros got smaller it is percievable that you'd be less motivated to lift, diet, and supplement yourself to reach their level of "fitness" because they are not gigantic freaks that walk in a room and everyone looks at, they're just guys who are bigger than most.

[bunyan732]

To Ban or not to Ban...isn't that the question?

I have a very strong opinion on this subject especially after having my eyes opened wide after the Arnold weekend.

On our drive to the Expo, I found out that steriods ARE banned, but obviously this is not enforced. You see, Silly blond me...I knew they were illegal and I thought that they were banned in this sport. I thought contests were tested and that it wasn't accepted in the industry anymore. As a newcomer to this industry, I was rudely awoken with, "Kate, you can't be the best in this sport unless you ARE on roids!!"

WOW!

So my main problem is this...how do you go into this "sport" and have realistic goals, unless you are going to be on illegal drugs? The answer is you don't. You either:

1.) Go into this sport, say no to steroids and realize that you will never reach the top. You will never win Mr. Olympia. This will not be because you didn't work hard, but because you refused to do steroids. Sad people, sad! I can just hear my kids...."Mommy I want to be like Dexter...I want to win at Arnold's contest!!!!" Mommy's response..."Sure honey..you can do that....bend over....let me give you your first injection." Or I could say"Sorry son....you will NEVER win!!!! Just say no!"

You can't apply this to other sports even if people are using steroids. You CAN be the best in football or basketball without using drugs. I can say to my kids....You can be the best at football. Stay away from steroids....and you can still be the best. You CAN NOT say that with truth with bodybuilding...it is impossible. Sure, some football athletes use. But it isn't a freaking requirement like it is to be at Mr. Olympia. Those are the best of the best there...and partially because of their steroid use...oh yeah...and their hard work.


2.) Or you compete, do drugs, are a horrible example to everyone else...and are probably very hypocritical. Dexter said at the VIP seminar at the Arnold Expo that he was all natural, until he started doing the more mainstream competitions. And then he obviously had no choice.

So here is the winner, admitting in front of everyone...including ARNOLD...that he is using drugs to win this contest. And the whole audience accepts it. And remember, Arnold had just walked off the stage before him after saying that "We need to get steroids out of this business!" It seems like he is saying it for show...because you know damn well he is smarter than that....and heard what Dexter said.

Being involved in the football industry, you know damn well that if you are caught using steroids, they will have your ass. It is obvious that some people still use in other sports, but it is by no means widely accepted by the spectators like it is in bodybuidling. BY NO MEANS AT ALL!!!

I guess my problem isn't whether or not they ban them. I don't really care. If you want to put that **** in your body...go for it. But then, let everyone be able to do that. Make it legal.

Or the smarter end of it, would be to not allow everyone to use. Keep it illegal, but actually enforce it. The regulators of this industry should grow some balls and actually test....every show. Before...after...randomly...hold the piss cup....draw blood. Whatever they must do. It is the only way to keep it clean. Then everyone has a fair chance. It is a horrible message to everyone involvled.

And then you could actually say that everyone was doing real hard work.....not just working hard and then shooting up and letting it grow. You see, I believe that those in the major competitions work very hard, but they are getting an extra boost that those in tested contests do not have. That is an unfair advantage just as having glue stuck to your gloves if you were a wide receiver....or if you had springs on your shoes as a basketball player. Those guys still would work hard, but have an obvious advantage that no one could beat unless they did it too.

GENETICS--Yes, I understand that genetics play a role in all of the top bodybuilders. That is a major role. They probably wouldn't be on the stage with out their great genes. But, what if those top guys weren't on steroids and all the hormones? Don't you think they would be less built? YES--of course they would be less. Otherwise, why would they take it? They take it to reach that level that they can not without them. They take it for a reason. Without the roids, but with the hard work and genes...they still might win. I don't know. But I do know that they would be more on the level of everyone else, and not onstage as these wondermen representing the unobtainable figure.

Let me end by saying that I don't have an opinion on whether steriods should be banned or not...I don't care what other people want to put in their body. I know they are horrible for you, but it is your body. My problem is if you are going to ban...let's ban.

[ATrainer]

The question proposed in this week’s topic reveals the true facts behind the issue. The IFBB (read Joe Weider) has sought from the beginning to make bodybuilding an Olympic sport. The whole sham of drug testing in the IFBB is based on the presumption that the IOC will allow IFBB athletes (read pro’s like basketball, hockey, etc) to compete for Olympic metal. Not since drug testing began in the IFBB have steroids been one of the tested substances. The only time I recall a champ losing his title for steroids was Shawn Ray losing his Arnold Classic title, and what a fall-out that caused. The IFBB shouldn’t really ban steroids, they just need to stop pretending they test for them.

When you go to a Powerlifting contest and see someone bench press 1000 lbs, you know he ain’t clean. The same goes for IFBB bodybuilding contests. How Ronnie Coleman kept his job as a police officer while supporting an illegal drug habit is beyond me, but is there any doubt he used? Whether or not pro bodybuilders, as well as elite powerlifters, use performance enhancing drugs, is not the question. Why the IFBB continues the façade of drug testing is a legitimate question. Let the sport develop as it has, and let the physiques get freakier every year, but admit that it comes from pharmaceutical enhancement. Just as people want heavier bench presses, squats, and deadlifts, people pay to see freakier physiques.

Will law enforcement continue to escalate a crackdown on steroids? Despite my disappointment at the proliferation of steroids at the high school level because of professional athlete’s examples, there are far greater worries on the mind of law enforcement. My brother is a narcotics investigator. He hasn’t spent much time tracking steroid abuse and sales. But hey, if he did, it wouldn’t be hard to make hundreds of possession and sales arrests.

Face it, bodybuilding makes money because the huge professional bodybuilders help market magazines, which sell products. The poor - what did P.T. Barnum call them….suckers that buy products because it made that particular pro huge don’t realize that steroids is a part of the equation if you want to get that huge. Would products sell without these exaggerations? Unfortunately, not even a fraction of the success would be realized.

So let the sport of bodybuilding alone to wend its way as it has, but just call it like it is. Natural competitions are steroid tested, and pro competitions aren’t.

[minicooban]

Of course they should be banned. Bodybuilding is a dead sport because of drugs. It is a joke. Get rid of the drugs and create a sport based on hard work instead of pharmacology.
steroids should be banned,athlets should be usisng natural suplements,there's so many supplements out there that never exists when arnold was a pro,for me is cheat!!! athlets should use their strengh to prove their phisiques,i think whole foods,multivitamins,creatines,whey protein all together helps a lot,those pro look like laboratory rats,its not natural that a human being look like them,even in sports the should test a single athlet!!if they test positive,out

[freaker]

Testing would be great in some regards, but you have to realize the logistics. The testing is not perfect as one can test positive for nandrolone from 1mg of 19-nor in a can of protein (at least that's what Patrick Arnold said). Not to mention that a lot of these guys have legitamate prescriptions for the stuff, it's very easy to get a prescription, even for high doses, it aint nearly as black market as you think. I'm torn on the issue.

[Big_League]

I don't think there's anything wrong with steroids being used in a sport as long as everyone in the sport is not able to use them. The only problem with steroids concerning sportsmanship is when only a few athletes use them, so they have an unfair advantage. So long as everyone can use them, it's fair, plus it makes bodybuilding a lot more exciting.

[Kill_yourself]

Should the IFBB Ban steroids for real?

This topic is one that is extremely subjective. A good load of people out that would say “yes Of course”, And would follow up by taking out their bible of steroids effect on the body. While others will say that Steroids is an essential part of bodybuilding, And without it, the original essence of it would be lost. So let us just review that facts and try to come out with the decision.

The Picture given to the public about this topic.

The IFBB has portrayed an image that on their rulebook, steroids are banned and not encourage and yet we see 300lbs ripped machines standing on stage. Natural? I Don’t think so. So in order to make a desperate and useless attempt to maintain their creditably, once in a while they will pick out a scapegoat to be “caught” for using a banned substance. A very good example of that would be the disqualification at the Mr Olympia 2001. For those of you that are not sure about what exactly happened, Here’s the story.

“It has now been confirmed that Jay Cutler, 2001 Mr. Olympia runner-up, and Markus Ruhl, 14th at the O, have been informed by the IFBB that their urine samples tested positive for banned diuretics. IFBB rules state that individuals whose samples test positive as a result of the contest's mandatory diuretic test will lose their placing and prize money and that all those athletes finishing below them will subsequently move up in prize money and placings.”

IS THIS FAIR?

You must be asking this question right now. Hell no. Of course not! But since it is know everywhere that bodybuilding is a very political situation, if weider doesn’t like you, You don’t win. After all, it is his competition that you are competing in. So in other words, he is the MAN and he makes the rules. He is able to do that because of the almost similar freaky body shapes that these IFBB pros have. Would a normal joe on the street be able to tell if Dexter Jackson should win or Markus Ruhl should win? The fact is that because their bodies are so huge a ripped it would take more than just average pairs of eyes to determine the winner. So because of this, weider is able to do favoritism judging on the pros.


The Truth
By now most of you would have realized that ALL IFBB Pros use one or another form of banned substances. And for most of us, due to the enormous variety, we just simply call it steroids. It is the core reason behind those massive bodies. Of course a perfect set of genetics, perfect diet, and perfect training is included. But without steroids, you can have the rest perfect your whole life and would never be able to dream of ever becoming so big.

Effects of steroids usage

Their effects are enormous and too much to be able to list each and every one of them.
But just to name a few:
sodium retention, acne, gynecomastia, aggression, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, palpitations, 3 times enlarged heart etc. The list goes on and on. In order to “dodge” these side effects or rather slow down the speed it takes place, users cycle the product to achieve as much gains as possible with as little side effects as possible. But eventually time will catch up with them. Then they can either fight to death or stop with what they got. And also not to mention, one must be implemented with a perfect set of genetics to be able withstand the amount of abuse these steroids can do on the body.

Things that would happen if steroids are truly banned

1. Drug testing for every competitor during competition and not to mention off season random checks to assure fair play.
2. Smaller sized competitors, causing the pro show to turn into any other ordinary amateur Bodybuilding show.
3. Testing cost money and there would be huge drop in the sales of pro- steroids magazines which would in turn mean that less revenues would be made (No one would buy a magazine that has a world champion that has a body that would make you doubt if he should be the world’s best bodybuilder, when you are seeing larger guys in the gym)
4. With the reduce in revenues, the prizes in the annual pro shows would be so miserable that it would even not be enough to cover the transport from state to state just to compete.
5. That would mean there is PRACTICALLY NO money to be made in professional bodybuilding. And yes. Bodybuilding would be as good as shut down..

The whole thing is just one big financial game. Although we all know about the detrimental effects of steroids abuse, It is part of the dark side of the sport that strikes a balance in things. In everything around us, there is a good side and the bad side of things and without either sides the situation will not be balance.

In a matter of months the industry will practically collapse. No big money to be made at all. Expo show will be too expensive to maintain. Without huge bodybuilders present, sponsors will not be interested due to the expected low turnouts at such useless shows.

Non Mainstream acceptance

If steroids are banned and every bodybuilder are so small, would it even require acceptance? They would be like everyone else, who are already naturally accepted. Is there even a sport to begin with in the first place. We could say with natural athletes people would begin to accept bodybuilding, but the truth is that with the cutting of steroids in the pro scene, There is nothing else to watch. We all watch bodybuilding shows to see the huge freaks after years and years of dedication. Not many would pay and fly to las vegas to watch a bunch to jean claude van dam wannbe posing. What they want is a Ronnie and Markus doing a most muscular pose together, Dexter and Melvin do abdominal poses. That is exactly why people pay so much for it.

Running into trouble with the law
The law is “most of the time” very firm and strict and anything that threatens to break it. However in order for the law to operate, money must be used too. Court hearings, state lawyers, policeman, detectives etc. The list of expenses goes on and on. All this money do not magically drop from the skies. These money come from hard earned tax payers money. And every year that is budget as to how much you are allowed to spend. Because of that, It must be used with caution and with great considerations of the pros and cons. So common sense would tell you that the money should be used in ranking of endangerment to the public by the law breaker.

For example: If you could use the tax payers money to crack down on only one of these crimes which would you choose?

1) 3 guys using steroids to pursuer their bodybuilding goals
2) 3 guys robbing a bank.

They both are crimes. And for both you could serve jail term. But would you rather catch the steroid users or the bank robbers. Needless to say it would have to be the bank robbers.

Thus in regards to the theory that more pros will be cracked down upon is highly unlikely. After all, Ronnie got away with it for so long though he was once a cop. Most probably the police will be too over occupied with rapist and murders to bother about some steroid user. It is common sense.

Why steroids should stay

1) It provides a source of inspiration for young kids trying to get into shape. I mean would you be more able to draw passion for bodybuilding from the incredible hulk or brad pitt?
2) Without steroids and huge freaks, there will be not enough revenue to go around because of the drop in ticket ,product, magazines sales. In anything in the modern world today, money runs the system. Passion only goes so far. So without the Massive bodybuilders, it is simply impossible to maintain the sport. If I were possible, NPC would already be as big as the MR Olympia.
3) Although steroids are bad, everyone and I really mean everyone would already have know that it is a harmful drug. Even if someone is not completely sure about how it affects the body, they would know not to touch it. So in the event that you do actually use steroids, you would already be fully aware of the side effects and have accepted it as a risk you are willing to take to achieve what you want.

Conclusion

Steroids though bad should never leave the pro scene. It never must and most probably never will. I am all against the idea of enforcing the rules on banned substances. There are too much disadvantages that would completely smash the small advantages.

[cardioking]

This is a touchy subject in bodybuilding for many reasons. Everyone knows it goes on but its a subject not often talked about openly for legal reasons. Nobody wants to be the person that gives bodybuilding a bad name by linking it to steroids.

Do I think steroids should be banned for real? Yes and no. Why the shady answer? Because I agree with both sides. Since they are illegal and not allowed I think they should enforce the laws and punish the competitors however I also believe that they shouldn't be illegal in the first place. I favor legalizing steroids and leaving it up to the independant organizations (NFL, MLB, IFBB etc) to decide whether or not to allow these substances into there sport.

If the IFBB decided to enforce a drug testing plan I believe it would bring down the sport and eventually giving it a lesser interest to the current fan. I believe the pro's could still hold a large amount of muscle steroid free but it just wouldn't be as impressive.

If the IFBB were to ban steroids and make the pro's take the supplements in which they endorse I think the companies with the best pro's would thrive and the ones with the less impressive pro's would suffer. I think making the pro's take there own supplements would do nothing but great things for the quality of the products and would give the consumers a much needed confidence in what they were buying.

[bunyan732]

That comment to me is so ridiculous. You people are saying that if there were no steroids in bodybuilding that people wouldn't watch? Why?????

I read that someone said it wouldn't be as impressive??

SO, you are that ignorant that you are only impressed by the results of steroids? You are impressed by the fake part of the competition?

That is very sad. I am impressed with the people who work out hard, have great definition, large muscles with great seperation. I enjoy the routines, the poses, the performance. I enjoy the modeling and the pride the competitors take in their physique.

The only thing that would happen to this fan if steroids were gone is that I would feel less guilty and less of a hypocrite when I attend these fitness weekends. It is hard to only support those not on steroids when you go to something such as the Arnold Classic because the roids are everywhere.

[Couldbebigga]

I think they should take a two pronged approach of introducing REAL testing for everything they can think of at major professional comps 12 weeks before the contest and on contest day. You could test competitors slated to be in the comp every 4 weeks.

Outside of that timeframe have only testing for incidentals like HGH and insulin (if there are reliable tests for those). But not for steroids.

This way you get rid of the guts and the ABSOLUTE freakishness and you introduce more realistic guys akin to the golden era. AND because you're only testing Pro's and not ameteurs it gives the guys some time to get some size.

That's my lunchtime 2 cents worth :)

[One and Only...]

I think that the IFBB should create a separate "natural" division, in which steroids and most supplements are banned. The judging for this division should be a return to the so-called Golden Age, where the emphasis was as much on balance and symmetry as muscularity. The odds are that this division will gain more popularity with the mainstream as well.

[tylertommons]

I think that the IFBB should create a separate "natural" division, in which steroids and most supplements are banned. The judging for this division should be a return to the so-called Golden Age, where the emphasis was as much on balance and symmetry as muscularity. The odds are that this division will gain more popularity with the mainstream as well.

there already is natural comps

natural bodybuilders wont get popular until we get rid of the druggies first

[TRICK D]

Why should bodybuilding allow steroids?

As a marketing major at Marshall University, marketing is my life. When looking at the topic of bodybuilding, I find that people are attracted to such events as the Olympia and the Arnold Classic because of the freakish nature of the sport. Promoters market bodybuilding to fitness enthusiast because of how much bigger they are compared to the average man. I went to the Arnold Classic for the first time in my life this year because I wanted to see just how big the pros are. As a 165-pound weight lifter I was shocked at how huge bodybuilders actually are. (Here is a picture of me and bodybuilding great Kevin Levrone http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=179542 )

While looking at the subject of steroids we must see what steroids actually are. The definition of anabolic steroids according to dictionary.com is “any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that increase constructive metabolism and are sometimes abused by athletes in training to increase temporarily the size of their muscles.” I would argue that this doesn’t just temporarily increase the size of muscles, but also contributes to more strength and fat burning properties also. Since many power lifters abuse steroids similar to the pro-hormone m5aa (methyl-dht is what m5aa converts too) to get temporary increases in strength and focus. I will talk more about actual steroids shortly.

Baseball and steroids, a match made in heaven

Instead of talking about bodybuilding to show how anabolic steroids are marketed within the organization, I want to speak about baseball for a brief bit. Baseball players have been taking steroids for years, and within the past 5 years baseball has been smacked around by congress for not doing something about it. In the 1980’s, the average team had around 1.8 million visitors a year. In the 1990’s this figure skyrocketed to 2.1 million fans per stadium a year. So far this decade the average fan attendance per stadium is over 2.4 million. This can be contributed to more excited games, with higher run average, and of course more homeruns. Some of the most famous homerun hitters of the 1990’s and 2000’s are people being subpoenaed to a congressional hearing about steroids. Some of these players are Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire (http://www.mlsd.com/aaron/mack.jpg ), both of whom destroyed the single season homerun record in the 1998 season. And of course steroids could be the culprits that broke Roger Maris’ homerun record.

The funny thing about steroids in baseball is, that the fans love it. Not directly, but they love what the juice does. By looking at the statistics of fan attendance, we can see that the fans want to see an exciting game. Look at the San Francisco Giants since Barry Bonds, an accused steroid user, (see picture here http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/3918.jpg ) has erupted into the record booths. Since 2000, they have averaged over 3,000,000 in attendance a year, which is 700,000 fans over the league average. This means, figuratively people love to see an exciting game, and steroids help this.

Intro to Bodybuilding and steroids

Now I will get into bodybuilding. Using the same principle of baseball, people want to see bodybuilders that are bigger than life. Look at Ronnie Coleman, 5’11 296 pounds ripped. People love to see him. While at the Arnold Classic, I saw that there was a 2-hour wait to get their picture taken with him. 2 hours! (http://bodybuilding.com/fun/big/2005arnold_expo51.jpg )
This proves that steroids are loved by fans, not directly but because if Ronnie Coleman did take steroids, if he stopped he wouldn’t be anywhere close to 296 pounds (also you wouldn’t have to wait 2 hours in line to meet him). Now lets look at a top amateur bodybuilder. Skip LaCour has won numerous bodybuilding titles and is regarded one of the best natural bodybuilders. (See picture here: http://www.skiplacour.com/Neveux%202002/Ironman_Magazine_2002_-_1.jpg ) Skip comes in to competitions at a height of 5’10 and a weight between 210-230 pounds. Markus Ruhl came into the Olympia at 5’10 280 pounds! (See picture of Markus Ruhl and Ronnie Coleman duke it out for most muscular pose here: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/big/2004oly_ian_mro33.jpg ). Although Skip is much smaller than the rest, he is still highly respected by most bodybuilders. But of course he doesn’t have the popularity or the money that most pros have.

Is it possible to be a pro IFBB bodybuilder without steroids?

In my opinion, I would say no. There are rumors that there is some bodybuilders that do not take steroids, but according to accounts of Tom Prince on http://www.bodybuilding.com’s popular message boards. “When EVERYONE is using something, there's no advantage. Steroids just put you on the same playing field as everyone else in this sport.” And also he said this: “The other VERY OBVIOUS point, is that everyone at the national level is using gear. Everyone at the state and regional level is using gear, also. Most LOCAL guys are using gear.”

Natural Competitions? Are they natural?

I won’t get to deep into this subject, but lets just say that I am not buying the whole thing of natural bodybuilding, at least by top competitors. At this year’s Natural Olympia, the highest prestige bodybuilding event for natural bodybuilders, the 1st and 2nd place winners both tested positive of illegal substances. 1st and 2nd! (Site here: http://www.naturalbodybuilding.com/olympia/index.html ). This shows that even though people claim they are natural, this doesn’t mean they actually are. Later I will talk about some steroids that can be used and out of your body in as little as a month and a half!

Now lets pretend that the IFBB did issue a steroid policy that was legit.
There would be some repercussions.

A. Attendance would go down, that would be a given.
Why would attendance be down? Because less people would want to pay good money to see a bunch of 200 pound “natural” (I use that term loosely) bodybuilders. With a steroid policy in force, it would also cost more for the fans because testing is so expensive.

B. There would still be steroids in use.
With many steroids having detection times of less than 2 months, it would be easy for a bodybuilder to use and then stop using prior to a competition. Popular steroids like Deca, Dianabol, Anavar are totally out of your system within a month and a half. This would just cause steroids to be used less obvious. Not to mention most of these are oral steroids that cause added strain on the organs since they must bypass the liver. This means it would be actually be more dangerous for the bodybuilder.

Then there is the role of what would law enforcement do?

With a few pros each year getting nailed for steroid use, I see this trend continuing each year. The funny thing is that Mr. Law enforcement Ronnie Coleman is pointed at to be a steroid user and he is a cop for the Arlington police department. I feel that pros will be getting in trouble more often, definitely if they are selling too.

Would bodybuilding gain more mainstream acceptance if
they issued a legit steroid policy?

That is a question we do not know, but as a forecaster I would suggest that it would be looked at as a more moral occupation, but fan attendance would be way down. Also, I would guess that supplement companies would stop using bodybuilders as promoters and start using pro athletes (and who wants to see them make another dollar). This would then cause no one to want to be a bodybuilder. There would be no money, no endorsements and fewer fans.


Conclusion:

In conclusion I feel that the IFBB would be making a mistake if they do take steroids out of Professional Bodybuilding. This would cause fan attendance to go down, and prices to go up. Although there are health risks involved, bodybuilders understand the risks involved before they inject themselves (Mike Matarazzo open heart surgery, story here: http://www.flexonline.com/news/71 ). I do not condone the use of steroids, and I believe that no one under any circumstance should use steroids as a benefit of having more muscle/strength without a written prescription by a licensed doctor for problems concerning your health.

[chefmatth]

Yes The IFBB needs to ban and test for all anabolics that are unlawful, just like the natural bodybuilding federations. The reason steroids are illegal is they are dangerous, (yea really they are) I could go on and on about the irreversable endocrine system damage or the possibilities of tumors and cancers. As with any drug abuse some escape the dangers and side effects and some dont. I could name dead bodybuilders or bodybuilders with one kidney there are many out there, and I could name bodybuilders who still abuse drugs and are healthy to this day. I could also do the same with people who use cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines and heroin. Illegal drugs are all the same no matter how you might want to tell yourself otherwise. I would like to see natural bodybuilding become an olympic sport someday. As long as the supposed "highest level" of the sport is knowingly drug ridden it will never be an olympic sport. I will compete natural always and never put any drug in my body again. I still live with the side effects of drug abuse and will for the rest of my life. Natural bodybuilding saved my life and should be the "highest level" of the sport, and will be in my eyes.

[bigcalves]

Should the IFBB ban steroids for REAL?

This is a very sensitive topic. Alot of people disagree on it, bodybuilders and 'normals'. In this i will discuss the this topic and come up with a decision, and hopefully by the time you read it, you too will agree with me.

Steroids and what they mean to the general public

What would you think of when someone says 'steroid'? A large percentage of the general public thinks that steroids are extremely bad. They think that steroids will kill you the instant you mess with them, and their advise is just don't mess with them. People always have stories about how their cousin's friend took them and messed himself up. The whole perseption is that steroids are evil, that they kill and that they are one of the things that shouldn't have been made up.

The Media and steroids

The Media is one of the big factors that gives false advise to the general public. How come every story you see AAS is always bad. I mean they always show teens that took them, or fallen stars, heck they even pick on Arnold. Where all this come from? I would say jealousy, misunderstanding, and most of all ignorance.
How come the media never talks about the positive effects of steroids? How they help in operations, or in diseases where people have muscle diseases? Because they are ignorant, and also, in some way, they know the truth, but make the general public ignorant. The media has power, and they have won in this one.

Steroids and the IFBB

Let's be real here. When you hear the word 'bodybuilder', what image comes in your head? Gym rats and people that don't workout will agree on this; a big buy, with a big thick neck, huge arms and a back thats beyond wide. We all know that image, some of us want to be like that, some workout, but don't want that but have respect and admiration for the person that look like that, and some just hate how that looks. We all know that pushing the human body has body has been done since the early Olympics in Greece. Bodybuilders, up until the 70's and early 80's were mostly 'clean' and we saw the human body being pushed to its max muscle potential. Even though the bodybuilders in the 70's and early 80's look huge and amazing, theres something about us, as humans, we want more and more. To be the best and on the top of the mountain, even though sometimes we don't really know the name of it, but we still want to climb it.

Let's cut to the chase

Roughly, the IFBB and steroids go hand in hand. Big bodybuilders that look anything but human, are what the IFBB is all about. Thats how money are made, fans are won, and followers are gathered. Supplement companies make money, the IFBB makes money, bodybuilders have the fun time compeeting, the fans are happy... What could be better? The fact is that anabolic steroids are illigal. But if the IFBB played by the rules, there will be no more big guys, no more money making, no more supplement endorsments... To put it in perspective, if he IFBB played by the rules there would be no IFFB, it would not exist. Sure, steroids are not what the IFBB stand for, but they are a big part of the game.

Conclusion, and should the IFFB ban steroids for REAL

Why are storoids banned in the first place, sure they might be bad for you if used incorrectly, but the real deal is that they are not fair in sports. If the rule book says that you shouldn't be using a certain substance, then it's not fair to the other competitors and it ruins the whole game. But in the pro bodybuiding, the IFBB, that rule is not there. Sure it's in the official handbook that is made for legal interests, but in reality there is not one pro that is drug free. Sure some take small amounts, some go crazy on AAS, but thats not the point, the point is that if they all took a real test, it would find illigal substances. So is that really cheating? I don't think so, if everyones doing it, it will become the norm, just like it has. Something could have been done in the early development of this problem, but now, i think this is beyond repair. So should the IFBB ban steroids? Sure they should. Should the IFBB ban steroid for real, no it would only destroy the IFFB

-- Jon Ivanov ISSA Certafied Trainer

[old time BB]

I don't think steroid use will ever go away and there are too many ways to fool drig tests. I think there's an easier way to decrease some of the worst drugs without testing.

In the old days, any body builder could do a front stomach vacuum pose and pull his stomach in well past his rib cage. Just make this a manatory pose. If you can't get your stomach pulled in enough to outline the bottom of the rib cage, you can't compete.

[MHawks]

Banning steriods could it really be done i doubt it very much . How many different roids are out there know that cant be tested for , all this would succeed in doing is making it harder for the average bodybuilder to get to the top while the ones at the top would just keep getting further and further away.

Its funny the word steriods carries a curse with it , people go in to get there ashma inhalers and the say it has a steriod in it , and the say oh i dont want to take thats got those steriods in it , totally ignorant to the fact that it has nothing to to with building muscle . It carries a stigma and always will.

People forget that there is an aray of other drugs out there that build muscle .IE
GH , IGF 1 , INSULIN , and how long will it be before myostatin inhibitors get into the top ranks of sport . But you here these mentioned very seldom .

Do i think they should be banned no , people want to see freaks they want to see people run faster jump higher and lift more weight , the choice to take them is a individuals , i think athletes should be monitored but at the end of the day the risk is theres to take , ie we dont ban climbers from climbing mountains , or race car drivers from racing , human beigns are always trying to push the limit and they always will , they could try and ban it completely but it wouldnt work . And i dont believe the tests would be totally honest , i had an official say to me once we will only test the guys that we no arnt taking it . So again the gap would get further.

[lilrandy25]

yes because you have allot of younger kids looking up to the pro's and they want to be as big as them... whose gonna tell them its roids???

your basically telling teens its ok to take steroids

[Tarkana]

this has gotten both ridiculous and quite redundant. all in all, everyone that has said ok to steroids has all boiled down to one point: "steroids are needed to keep ticket costs down and attendence and advertising up", in short, to make money. you are all saying that it should be ok to break the law and use illegal substances so people like Weider can get even richer. Isn't that essentially the same concept as the owner of a meth lab or coke plant? Should people be allowed to use these drugs so the people that make them can continue making money? I sure hope no one says yes to that. Now I haven't said that the IFBB should have to have tons of testing, i'm just saying to those of you that advocate it, how can really justify that? please tell me, cause i'd love to hear it.

[LukeT]

this has gotten both ridiculous and quite redundant. all in all, everyone that has said ok to steroids has all boiled down to one point: "steroids are needed to keep ticket costs down and attendence and advertising up", in short, to make money. you are all saying that it should be ok to break the law and use illegal substances so people like Weider can get even richer. Isn't that essentially the same concept as the owner of a meth lab or coke plant? Should people be allowed to use these drugs so the people that make them can continue making money? I sure hope no one says yes to that. Now I haven't said that the IFBB should have to have tons of testing, i'm just saying to those of you that advocate it, how can really justify that? please tell me, cause i'd love to hear it.
Before I say anything, this isn't argumenitive, you posted in a mature manner and not flame baiting, so i'll try my best to answer your question just as insight but not to tell you you're wrong, because to each his own.

There are a few things that seperate steroids as a "drug" from say speed (crystal methamphetamine). One of the big reasons is because they were banned for two very different reasons. Steroids were primarily banned due to their abuse leading to unfair advantage in athletic preformance. Methamphetamines were banned along with other drugs such as salvia, phencyclidine (angle dust, pcp), Ketamine, D-lysergic acid diethylamide, and so on were banned due to leading to potential harm of both the user and the people around the user. I'm positive you don't disagree with me as to why these should be banned, so I need not go into that. Steroids on the other hand I aleady said the main reason they were banned. The positive thing about steroids compared to the other drugs I mentioned above is that they don't directly lead to physical harm of others when taken correctly, however I do realize that they can provoke a "'roid rage" and they can also harm the user. If the user is smart though and their body negatively reacts to steroids pretty strongly then they can have the common sense to stop, however like everything theres problems, because not all will. There are definitly cons to steroids, don't get me wrong. The other main reason why they are different from trip-drugs is because they are more entertainment based (or cheating based, but I definitly don't think they shouldn't be properly tested in olympics, ect). But as we all said IFBB would severly fall if they were properly tested and it would hurt the bb'ing community in the sense that there would be no longer a "top dog" to follow, because natural athletes simply can't highly surpass each other the way that Ronnie can surpass other competitors. Genes would be your limit, and you couldn't push yourself beyond your genes the way you can with anabolics. Hope this helps a little, and as I said i'm not trying to make you change your opinion. Also, I do not condone steroid usage, and would never consider doing them myself. I do however turn a blind eye over the IFBB as a small exception, just as marjuana where it may still be used medically, but it still can harm the person taking it, ect. however its more controlled.

[TRICK D]

I argued that steroids were the reason why baseball and bodybuilding is entertaining. Looking at the attendance of such attractions can prove this.

[Red Rooster]

They will never ban steroids in IFBB...The IFBB is in the business of making money..and we know we all want to see the biggest freakiest guys out there..

SO if they stop the drugs the athletes will become subpar....THus no money for the IFBB...The IFBB does not car about the health and wellfare of the athletes....They just want money.

[crotchrocket]

I don't think any drugs should be illegal. If alcohol, cigarettes, and overeating aren't illegal, why should drugs be? There's a lot more deaths from booze, smokes, and fat asses than all the illegal drugs combined.

[Tarkana]

well, the reason for drugs being illegal and not what you've mentioned is drugs can easily lead one to inflict harm to other people, while being fat is just hurting yourself (although i am definately against cigarettes since other people have to breathe that crap in too). And I too think that marijuana should be allowed for medical purposes with a prescription, just as steroids are, in fact, i think mdma (ecstacy) should be legal by Rx too, since it has beneficial effects for post-trauma victims, but all of these are all by prescription, and so, even if the purpose is somewhat better, using steroids illegally is similar to getting high off cough medicine (yeah, i watch too much south park). but i still think drug abuse is drug abuse, either way, but they should still use things like 1-AD (and i would never use ph's either). and if myostatin inhibitors ever actually worked, i'd be fine with those since the only real side effect known would be you wouldnt last as long in a famine. Just as any other athletes are limited by their genes, if steroids were really gone, then bodybuilders would just have the same problems other athletes do, but with sponsoring they would still be able to use massive amounts of other supplements, downing 400g of protein a day and many grams of tribulus and dhea and stuff, even if they aren't quite as big, they will look better to the average person. do you ever wonder why natural bodybuilders look more pleasing than steroid abusers? its because nature made it that healthier ppl would be considered better looking, and ppl who abuse steroids have gone over the line of healthy to a dangerous point. so my point is basically with out steroids (or even if there were still a little, but not so harshly abused) then 1, bodybuilding would be more attracting to regular people since it actually looks good and people would want to look like that and 2, even if you have the genetics of dorian yates, right now u'd still have to use steroids to compete, and even if everyone who competes now is ok with using them, there could be lots of people out there who would like to, and may be very capable, but dont want to have to suffer th risks of steroids.

[One and Only...]

there already is natural comps

natural bodybuilders wont get popular until we get rid of the druggies first

It is true that there are natural competitions, but they are not sponsored by the IFBB. In my opinion, the resources available to the IFBB would likely enable natural bodybuilding to make faster headway.

As for the second part, I would have to disagree. I think that natural competitions, once introduced to the mainstream and with proper judging, would draw in a different crowd: one looking for highly aesthetic and balanced physiques over purely massive ones. Sure, size will still need to be considered, and true, the bodybuilders of the Golden Age did pop steroids - but we know far more about the way the human body works now than we did before, and great gains can be made without them. Case in point? Skip La Cour.

[tylertommons]

It is true that there are natural competitions, but they are not sponsored by the IFBB. In my opinion, the resources available to the IFBB would likely enable natural bodybuilding to make faster headway.

As for the second part, I would have to disagree. I think that natural competitions, once introduced to the mainstream and with proper judging, would draw in a different crowd: one looking for highly aesthetic and balanced physiques over purely massive ones. Sure, size will still need to be considered, and true, the bodybuilders of the Golden Age did pop steroids - but we know far more about the way the human body works now than we did before, and great gains can be made without them. Case in point? Skip La Cour.

skip la cour is a druggie too he takes pro hormones which means he is far from natural

[tylertommons]

http://steroidsviciouscycles.com/HTMLobj-1422/SVC3.html

[One and Only...]

It depends on what you consider natural. The main goal of (many of) the naturalists is to get rid of illegal steroids in the sport so as to clean up it's image. With this view, prohormones are perfectly fine because they are legal alternatives to steroids. I think that is the view that is supposed to be discussed in this thread based on initial post.

[bigcalves]

It depends on what you consider natural. The main goal of (many of) the naturalists is to get rid of illegal steroids in the sport so as to clean up it's image. With this view, prohormones are perfectly fine because they are legal alternatives to steroids. I think that is the view that is supposed to be discussed in this thread based on initial post.
excuse ME, but pro hormones are illigal in natural bodybuilding, and in 'real life', they were banned. shows how much u know :rolleyes:

[Teflon Don]

like everyone else. i think it would be a bad idea, drugs have been around for so and have become so a cruial part of it ( at pro level ) this is just a knee jerk reation. Its too little too late. and as for law enforement getting involved
the newspapers would read like a "who's who". I really don't want to see Lou Ferrigno holding a board with a prison number on it. If the sport is in that much need of clearing up, changing the judging criteria.

[GWAR129]

No. They Shouldnt

[costasoldatos]

The only difference between steroids in bodybuilding compared to baseball. In baseball steroids are cheating because not everyone uses them, so the users have an unfair advantage, in bodybuilding its not cheating cuz everyone uses them, lol just thought i add that thought in

[Teflon Don]

The only difference between steroids in bodybuilding compared to baseball. In baseball steroids are cheating because not everyone uses them, so the users have an unfair advantage, in bodybuilding its not cheating cuz everyone uses them, lol just thought i add that thought in

You're absolutely 100% right.

The other thing to note is bodybuilding originally was based around health. It aint these days. My point being the amount of "serious" casulaties ( let alone deaths ) that are generated in each year in each city around the world, in the name of a sport which is supposed to be about health. How does that work?

[musclefreak]

ban the drugs ban the pro hormones ban everything that is not natural.

Thts my point and i thank u and the others who are backing me up on it.Natural is the only way to go,its the best way to go.It may tke more time to get to where u wanna go but it will be time well spent.

Eric

[skimmer]

Yes, the IFBB should "really" ban steroids. However, that will never happen.

Bodybuilding today, for those of us who love, is about becoming that massive. The freakish size of those competing in the IFBB. The size that would not be possible with out steroids. It also provides us motivation to keep working, because there is always that someone bigger than you. Also, if the IFBB banned steroids, they would become legal somewhere else. This would lead to a splintering of the bodybuilding community, if not a total exodus from the IFBB setting.

With all that said, steroids are wrong, simple as that. It furthur estranges us from the main stream world, and gives us a negative image. People stereotype us as steroid users. It is also down right cheating, which is the reason the rest of sports has banned their use. It also gives youth an unreal idea of how big they should be, and among other things may lead to a detrimental abuse of steroids. More people might even enjoy a show where people show off what they did without the use of steroids, something they may be able to attain.

Conclusively, steroids will never be gone for good. They will always be there, whether in the IFBB or not. The majority of people are not out to see a pretty beach body when they go to a bodybuilding show, they want to see a beast. They want to see people pushing the limits of the human body via any way possible. They want to see something like the monster of Ronnie Coleman, and with that desire will fuel the use of steroids for years to come.

[musclefreak]

[
Excellent Skimmer,those steroid induced physiques are way too freaky,the natural ones are the best .Those bodybuilders who are juicing will face health problems later down the road;it all will catch up to them.

Eric











QUOTE=skimmer]Yes, the IFBB should "really" ban steroids. However, that will never happen.

Bodybuilding today, for those of us who love, is about becoming that massive. The freakish size of those competing in the IFBB. The size that would not be possible with out steroids. It also provides us motivation to keep working, because there is always that someone bigger than you. Also, if the IFBB banned steroids, they would become legal somewhere else. This would lead to a splintering of the bodybuilding community, if not a total exodus from the IFBB setting.

With all that said, steroids are wrong, simple as that. It furthur estranges us from the main stream world, and gives us a negative image. People stereotype us as steroid users. It is also down right cheating, which is the reason the rest of sports has banned their use. It also gives youth an unreal idea of how big they should be, and among other things may lead to a detrimental abuse of steroids. More people might even enjoy a show where people show off what they did without the use of steroids, something they may be able to attain.

Conclusively, steroids will never be gone for good. They will always be there, whether in the IFBB or not. The majority of people are not out to see a pretty beach body when they go to a bodybuilding show, they want to see a beast. They want to see people pushing the limits of the human body via any way possible. They want to see something like the monster of Ronnie Coleman, and with that desire will fuel the use of steroids for years to come.[/QUOTE]

[Mefisto]

Bodybuilders use steroids because steroids exist. If something it is used and it is good , you see real results from it and you can never go back . Lets say that steroids will be banned. Could anyone look at a newer drug free bodybuilder and say : " That is a top bodybuilder" after seeing Ronnie , Dorian , Markus, etc. Lets be serious. These guys would be smaller than Arnold was in the 70's . Can we go back to that?? Arnold had problems from steroids and he realises that steroid freaks are not healthy men or women. Bodybuilding has it's place but it will never be a real sport. It will never be alowed in the Olympics. Cause in a long term it damages your health. Me , I hope Arnold will succed but I am skeptical he will!

[Demonicat]

This is a question of the utmost import in the sport and world of bodybuilding. It is a question that affects everything from our public image to the appearance of our competitors. Consider for a moment the shifts that have occured in recent years. Men such as Arnold, Columbo, Ferigno, and Yates strived not for the largest form possible but for the best form possible. Our current crop of pros, while incredibly impressive, lack a certain elegance, grace, and symetry seen in the past.
It is also important to consider our public image. Much of the public considers bodybuilders to be freaks and criminals. They laugh at our strict diets and funny clothes, they scowl at our single-minded focus, and they even outlaw the tools of our sport (supplements). If we do not pay attention to our public image we may find ourselves pushed into the deep dungeons of society. We, as bosybuilders, are not criminals. We believe in the beauty of the human form. As such, we believe in the power of the human body- not in the power of chemical supplements. We must make society realize this! The IFBB banning steroids and other illegal drugs is a needed step in this process! If the IFBB does not ban ILLEGAL drugs society will NEVER recognize us as anything other than degenerates! Our sport will NEVER again retain the grace and elegance of the past! The IFBB must realize this, and it must ban drugs.

[tek.]

don't wanna see natural "pros" sure they're big to the average joe, but then you see juicers around the gym that are as big, close, or even bigger then them and they lose the freak appeal.. there will always be steroids anyway, just short esters and i think that'd do more damage cause it's more dishonest. peace

[musclefreak]

[i rather see natural pros,natural bodybuilders,PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I hve nothing more to say other then thank u to everybody who backed me up and is very supportive of this measure for the IFBB to ban steroids.A friend of mines father is on kidney dialyis for the rst of his life due to tking ther stuff!!!!!!!!!!!,and he followed all the so called safety measures too.Need i say more?For those who are in favor of roids,u really hve alot of issues.Natural is and always will be the best way to go!!!!!NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!!!

Eric












QUOTE=tek.]don't wanna see natural "pros" sure they're big to the average joe, but then you see juicers around the gym that are as big, close, or even bigger then them and they lose the freak appeal.. there will always be steroids anyway, just short esters and i think that'd do more damage cause it's more dishonest. peace[/QUOTE]

[mightymouse37]

yes because you have allot of younger kids looking up to the pro's and they want to be as big as them... whose gonna tell them its roids???

your basically telling teens its ok to take steroids

This is the one point that most folks seem to overlook. These pros aren't just hurting themselves; they're hurting all the young newbies and wannabes out there who read the magazines (most of which never once mention steroid use, unless it's to denounce it) and follow the "pro" routines without results, then turn to steroids out of frustration. Yeah, if you're 25 and start using steroids, then I could blame your own stupidity, but if you're 14, you're likely to be tremendously naive and uninformed. So, while you ultimately still are to blame for using steroids, the influence of professional bodybuilding, major league baseball, etc, also counts for a lot.

I've heard stories of morons at my university taking horse steroids to get bigger for tugs during greek week ("We won tug-of-war! We are the ultimate males!"), and I scoffed and said, hey, let em, they deserve whatever side effects they get. But when it's some poor high school or even junior high school kid who's talked into it by a friend or magazine or news report, he's not the only one responsible.

I personally don't give a $hit about the bodybuilding industry losing money, I'm more concerned about our youth slowly killing themselves because "Ronnie does it, so I should too." These guys make themselves role models and never think about the consequences.

[musclefreak]

This is the one point that most folks seem to overlook. These pros aren't just hurting themselves; they're hurting all the young newbies and wannabes out there who read the magazines (most of which never once mention steroid use, unless it's to denounce it) and follow the "pro" routines without results, then turn to steroids out of frustration. Yeah, if you're 25 and start using steroids, then I could blame your own stupidity, but if you're 14, you're likely to be tremendously naive and uninformed. So, while you ultimately still are to blame for using steroids, the influence of professional bodybuilding, major league baseball, etc, also counts for a lot.

I've heard stories of morons at my university taking horse steroids to get bigger for tugs during greek week ("We won tug-of-war! We are the ultimate males!"), and I scoffed and said, hey, let em, they deserve whatever side effects they get. But when it's some poor high school or even junior high school kid who's talked into it by a friend or magazine or news report, he's not the only one responsible.

I personally don't give a $hit about the bodybuilding industry losing money, I'm more concerned about our youth slowly killing themselves because "Ronnie does it, so I should too." These guys make themselves role models and never think about the consequences.


Well said Mighty Mouse 37,well said!!!!!!!i agree with u 100%!!!!!!

[greco grappler]

steriods are part of bodybuilding. a philospher once said, if you not bending the rules you arent dedictaed enough (not in those exacvt words)

[musclefreak]

steriods are part of bodybuilding. a philospher once said, if you not bending the rules you arent dedictaed enough (not in those exacvt words)

i will say it again natural is and always will be the best way to go.I agree with Mighty Mouse 100%,so your simple answer is pretty lame.

[bluoval1]

Time for my $.02 worth.

Should they ban drugs in the IFBB? Damn skippy. What message are they sending out to the youth who would like to become bodybuilders? Ok, it IS up to the parents to raise the child not the sports heroes or actors or whatever. But they do get influenced by what they see. Will they ban drugs? Probably not. Too many people enjoy the "freak of nature" look.
Should they have a whole new "IFBB"? Sure! Three years clean and then compete. Three years of testing every 6 months. Then you get to compete. It is still no guarentee that the guy/girl was ever clean, but it is a lot closer than some of the big guns in Pro Bodybuilding are to "clean".

[musclefreak]

Time for my $.02 worth.

Should they ban drugs in the IFBB? Damn skippy. What message are they sending out to the youth who would like to become bodybuilders? Ok, it IS up to the parents to raise the child not the sports heroes or actors or whatever. But they do get influenced by what they see. Will they ban drugs? Probably not. Too many people enjoy the "freak of nature" look.
Should they have a whole new "IFBB"? Sure! Three years clean and then compete. Three years of testing every 6 months. Then you get to compete. It is still no guarentee that the guy/girl was ever clean, but it is a lot closer than some of the big guns in Pro Bodybuilding are to "clean".

I hve no idea why u all feel they shouldnt be banned,and those freaky muscles are disgusting!!!!!!!!Its sending the wrong message out to youths if they dont look into it,thts why its very important to stress to young bodybuilders how dangerous anabolic steroids are,and they are dangerous .tHT Story i mentioned awhile back regrding the boys dad ws true.Wht more proof do u all need?The boys dad has to be on kidney dialiyis for the rst of his life.There is no safe ****ing way to stack them,to inject them,or swallow them,and why some of u cant understand tht is beyond me.Natural is the best and ONLY HEALTHY WAY TO GO!!!!!!Get used to it,because all natural bodybuilding is geting more popular and mainstream and its here to stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bye!!!!!

Eric

[fitness4fun]

I don't think roids should be banned, because if people want to use it, then so be it, but I do think that the IFBB should give more interest in the "natural" bodybuilder (which may get more people thinking twice before thinking they should take steroids). I beleive anyone can use roids and get huge, therefore it doesn't impress me as much as the one who has worked his butt off without the stuff, and looks great! I give the latter the biggest respect (plus natural just looks better...sexier....yes, I am a female). Just my two-cents.

[musclefreak]

I don't think roids should be banned, because if people want to use it, then so be it, but I do think that the IFBB should give more interest in the "natural" bodybuilder (which may get more people thinking twice before thinking they should take steroids). I beleive anyone can use roids and get huge, therefore it doesn't impress me as much as the one who has worked his butt off without the stuff, and looks great! I give the latter the biggest respect (plus natural just looks better...sexier....yes, I am a female). Just my two-cents.

I agree with u natural does look better,and it means u got to your goals without cheating.

Eric

[fitness4fun]

Absolutely! I'm glad to hear someone agrees with me...natural is way more impressive, and sexier!

[fitness4fun]

steriods are part of bodybuilding. a philospher once said, if you not bending the rules you arent dedictaed enough (not in those exacvt words)

So we should all be "bending the rules"? Cheating in school, or on your loved one is okay, according to you? So those of us who choose to lift and train (or live everyday life) without cheating are simply "not dedicated enough"?? That is quite insulting to me, and I see that you must be one who uses, therefore have to make yourself seem better for doing so. I work hard on my training program, and every day see more and more improvements...with my lifting and my body, and I don't have to use to see that. I feel that it is to each their own, whether you use or don't use, but I don't think that if you don't use it means you're not dedicated enough...just smart.

[musclefreak]

So we should all be "bending the rules"? Cheating in school, or on your loved one is okay, according to you? So those of us who choose to lift and train (or live everyday life) without cheating are simply "not dedicated enough"?? That is quite insulting to me, and I see that you must be one who uses, therefore have to make yourself seem better for doing so. I work hard on my training program, and every day see more and more improvements...with my lifting and my body, and I don't have to use to see that. I feel that it is to each their own, whether you use or don't use, but I don't think that if you don't use it means you're not dedicated enough...just smart.

Well said fitness4fun well said,and everything u said in your post before this one is 100% true!!!!!!!

Eric

[fitness4fun]

Thank you!

[musclefreak]

Thank you!


Your welcome,i tell u this debate regrding roids has really gotten on my nerves especially since there are several tht support this dangerous drug.Do u hve yahoo messeger,aim,or msn?If so lets chat sometime,we can also exchange email addies too.No matter what,natural is the best only way to go!!!!!!!!!!

Eric

[Brad4321]

musclefreak you dont take any supps at all?

[ArmstrongMike]

i'm 15 i follow the IFBB very closely and do you know how many times its crossed my mind to start taking steroids so that i too could have the chance to compete with the ronnies and the cutlers? but i stayed smart and decided i would stay natural and still compete and win against them. But i believe that is each bodybuilders individual decision on what they're going to do. I think it should be banned but i also know it will never happen and even if it does there will always be somebody creating the next blackmarket "system cleanser" that will clear it all out and also make somebody's heart explode. there's my input

[hachi]

hahaha that sounds like banning bats from baseball...good luck

[fitness4fun]

i'm 15 i follow the IFBB very closely and do you know how many times its crossed my mind to start taking steroids so that i too could have the chance to compete with the ronnies and the cutlers? but i stayed smart and decided i would stay natural and still compete and win against them. But i believe that is each bodybuilders individual decision on what they're going to do. I think it should be banned but i also know it will never happen and even if it does there will always be somebody creating the next blackmarket "system cleanser" that will clear it all out and also make somebody's heart explode. there's my input

You sound like a smart person! Glad you're not taking the easy road, and when you achieve your goal, it will be even better knowing you did it all on your own!

[JumpyTwoLegs]

oO Yahh
oh i meant no they shouldn't ban steroids in IFBB because steroids are there to stay and then they can create a new IF natural BB where everyone is natural and look natural

[Rock_hard]

I sure hell do not agree with the banning of steroids in the IFBB. I mean, think about it, steroids have, and will always will be a part of this industry and it has made it bigger and more profitable for the athletes and the promoters and the ones who runs the shows. Think about this: consider how much bodybuilders were payed in the '70s by how much they are payed now, it's a very noticeable difference ( if you ever see old vintage photos of arnold, dave draper and mike katz training in the "dungeon" days, they are wearing torn and dirty sweatshirts, tanks, shirts, whatever. The reason why for this was this was all they had!! They couldn't go out and purchase clothes to train in as they were poor). Also, one of the things that make bodybuilding so unique in my opinion is because of the size, density, and conditioning the pros display that makes a person think: holy ****! I can't believe what i'm seeing! is that guy for real! This might actually encourage them to take up the sport (well, atleast it did me) and see if they could get as big as they could. Plus, the whole thing about banning steroids is stupid in business terms as the IFBB would lose money if their shows didn't have sold out crowds.

[musclefreak]

I sure hell do not agree with the banning of steroids in the IFBB. I mean, think about it, steroids have, and will always will be a part of this industry and it has made it bigger and more profitable for the athletes and the promoters and the ones who runs the shows. Think about this: consider how much bodybuilders were payed in the '70s by how much they are payed now, it's a very noticeable difference ( if you ever see old vintage photos of arnold, dave draper and mike katz training in the "dungeon" days, they are wearing torn and dirty sweatshirts, tanks, shirts, whatever. The reason why for this was this was all they had!! They couldn't go out and purchase clothes to train in as they were poor). Also, one of the things that make bodybuilding so unique in my opinion is because of the size, density, and conditioning the pros display that makes a person think: holy ****! I can't believe what i'm seeing! is that guy for real! This might actually encourage them to take up the sport (well, atleast it did me) and see if they could get as big as they could. Plus, the whole thing about banning steroids is stupid in business terms as the IFBB would lose money if their shows didn't have sold out crowds.



I am not even going to go there other then the fact stupid is and stupid does.Natural is and always will be the best!!!!I also think creating an all natural IFBB is a good idea too,wouldnt u agree fitness4fun? Eric

[Dakene Issa]

Of course they should be banned. Bodybuilding is a dead sport because of drugs. It is a joke. Get rid of the drugs and create a sport based on hard work instead of pharmacology.

I couldn't agree with you more,do get me wrong guys like Ronnie Coleman,Jay Cutler,Markus Ruhl are beast and do work hard,but like you said you'll fine out who's the true beast if they all had to do it the natural way and i think it would bring some life back to bodybuilding if they did. Get rid of all illegal drugs and have them bust their asses in the gym. Sure they wouldn't be anywhere near the size that there are now but at least they could scratch they own asses if they weren't so damn big,lol!!!!

[fitsupps]

Yes, we all know they do it. Does it make it right ethically and morally? No. It's juice heads competing against other juice heads. Plain and simple. It's all about the dollars at the end.

[caracasv]

no they should not."illegal" steroids are not illegal in most countries, and most pros (USA) get their medication from HRT clinics, so they are not doing anything illegal anyway, for the most part.Prohibition is a tragedy.as one of the few countries(USA) where steroids are actually criminalized, we have BY FAR the highest rate of consumption of these drugs in the world.
In places where you can buy these medications over the counter, there is no huge lines in front of pharmacies by crazed roiders looking for a fix(except maybe americans) but definetly never locals.
I believe the prohibition of steroids has had a huge impact on the demand for these medications in the US,making the problem far worse.
If the IFBB treid to ban steroids for real, it would make problems worse, with athletes taking more untested and dangerous substances to beat testing
and mask results.

[Tr0ublesome]

When I first started body building I couldn't help but look up to pros and imagine myself joining the ranks of Body building's top dogs. The more I started to lift and learn about nutrition and workout routines I started realizing that bodybuilding is no joke. It takes extreme desire and dedication. Everybody wants to look like their hero/role model. But not everybody is willing to do what it takes to make it happen. Being a San Francisco Giants fan I read a lot of garbage about Barry Bonds and Steroids. I would argue with friends that it wasn't steroids that taught Barry to hit a baseball. And even if he was guilty of it, he tested negative for eight years until he broke the record and was let go. I applied the same thing to bodybuilders. Someone would say 'hes juicing' and I would just think their lazy and incompetent. Months after that mind set; in a nut shell my mind expanded a whole lot since then. There is no doubt that a lot of pro bodybuilders are using illegal steroids. And to imagine myself being in their ranks with hard work just doesn't cut it. It hasn't turned me away from admiring pro bodybuilders though. I still think their amazing. Even if I know its impossible to make it into their ranks with out a little 'help' I still have the dedication to reach my own personal goals and I'm satisfied with being all that I can be. IFBB and Steroids will always be an issue, but as far as banning it I don't think that day will come any time soon. Reason being is because we can still admire them for having the desire and busting their ass in the gym, making their life revolve around the sport. So I can appreciate what they do and why they do it. For that reason IFBB will never ban the use in their sport nor acknowledge it. It is part of its history from generations of body builders and it will stay that way.

[fitsupps]

I can agree with many of the comments here regarding IFBB. I think it could either way. However, it's the "nature of competion" that is striking. Excellent posts!!

[omnisjdi]

I see a common problem relating steroids to cheating.
The people who derive benefits from steroids do so because they are pushing them selves beyond "normal limits." The ones who are cheaters are those who deny using steroids while the do use them. The reality is that steroids do help in the healing process. I was prescribed anabolic steroids when I had bronchitis a few years ago. Now that I lift would I be a cheater if I were prescribed them because of that again? Another reality check is that Barry Bonds would still be prolific home run hitter with out steroids. Everyone forgets his rigorous works, and great hand eye coordination before he even started taking steroids (allegedly).

Jeff

[Douglar02]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/03/06/news.excerpt/index.html

[nickboy333]

I dont understand steroids. I am saddened that the sport I love dearly is made into a circus of chemicals.

[JabCross]

I dont understand steroids. I am saddened that the sport I love dearly is made into a circus of chemicals.

without roids, guys would barely be able to get to the size of frank zane. without roids, there is no bodybuilding.

[pokerkingcrew]

Look I don`t like the idea of banning steroids,That`s why they are so freaky,that`s what i won`t to be,It gives people like me hope and we look up to these pros.Naturally or chemically enhance bodybuilder,WHO CARES!

This is what bodybuilding is all about and people dream of it,If you are not a BODYBUILDER you won`t understand!

THIS ISN~T THE OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DON~T KILL BODYBUILDING!!!!!

[Behemoth1]

Look I don`t like the idea of banning steroids,That`s why they are so freaky,that`s what i won`t to be,It gives people like me hope and we look up to these pros.Naturally or chemically enhance bodybuilder,WHO CARES!

This is what bodybuilding is all about and people dream of it,If you are not a BODYBUILDER you won`t understand!

THIS ISN~T THE OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!




DON~T KILL BODYBUILDING!!!!!

x2. 2 minutes watching a natural show and im bored as ****.

[patsie]

There is NO way that steroids will be banned. Why? There is way too much money in the supplement business. The less shocking the competitors look, the less inspired people will be to buy the product to look like the pros. That's a huge loss of money, and no intelligent corporation will ever allow that.

[jamesphua89]

Well, in my point of view, steroids should actually ban. Everyone loves bodybuilding and wanted to build good physic. I agree that bodybuilding is a highly respected sport. Bodybuilder should build a natural body but not steroids. It's illegal and causes side effects. I understand that if steroids are well monitored and well cycle, the side effect will minimize. However, it still a drug and of course who want to see a bunch of swimmer. But, i believe it can be change and do something. Bodybuilding should create a healthy life style and away from drugs. Now i understand why Olympic does'nt have any bodybuilding competitions. Ther is no pride using steroids.

[Neals91]

idc it doesnt matter to me. if they want that muscle bound bloated look that should be up to them

[ladygagaishot]

This topic rocks

[driven18]

Look I don`t like the idea of banning steroids,That`s why they are so freaky,that`s what i won`t to be,It gives people like me hope and we look up to these pros.Naturally or chemically enhance bodybuilder,WHO CARES!

This is what bodybuilding is all about and people dream of it,If you are not a BODYBUILDER you won`t understand!

THIS ISN~T THE OLYMPICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DON~T KILL BODYBUILDING!!!!!

I TOTALLY AGREE BRO! Jay, Ronnie, Wolf, etc. yeah those guys deffinantly juice but they BUST THEIR A$$ stroids or not! steroids dont make the sport unfair. one could juice all they want and still never get a fraction of a pro's size if they dont bust a$$ and have great genetic. plus, they already have all natural shows.

[RebrnMotivation]

No I don't think so

Everyone always says "let's get rid of the drugs, and bring bodybuilding back to how it was in the old days."
But thats the thing, even back in the old days they all admit to having used drugs anyways.
Arnold was known for popping DBols like candy, Sergio Olivia stated in an interview that most of them used Deca and Dbol as their stack.

Also that wouldn't be fair to the current lineup of competitors, who have dedicated their lives to a sport where they knew they were not going to make very much money anyways, but used steroids to get to where they are today. You can't just go in and say "alright guys, we're going to start testing from now on. If you don't like it, quit."

And not all of the recent competitors look bad anyways, just a couple guts here and there.

So what I think they should do is have a waist restriction. Before the competition every athlete has their waist measured. Let's say the cut off point is 36 inches, which is still pretty wide for having 3% bodyfat. Any competitor whos waste is larger then 36 inches is not allowed to compete.

This essentially gets rid of the guts but not the freakish proportions. This way you will have more competitors like Levrone, Flex, and Dexter. Guys who have freakish mass everywhere, yet still have tight waists.

Just imagine Big Ron with his current size everywhere else and a 32 inch waist!

And I do not think the athletes should stop using over legal reasons, they should just keep denying that they use.
To quote Plato, "A just man is he who breaks unjust laws."
I stick by this statement because I believe they aren't harming anyone except themselves.
What difference does it make to my life if some IFBB pro is sticking himself in the delt with some test? Absolutely nothing.


You make great points all the way around, i think its more of a matter of judging that could change it, if it became more about the functionality of the muscle, the definition, and proportion and not about size, vascularity and width/thickness, steroids may become obsolete

[RebrnMotivation]

I feel as if i am on the cusp of both sides, though i would never take juice, i dont look down upon people who do. As with that i also feel that bodybuilders these days dont have the astetically pleasing physiques of the latter years (this could say was ruined by lee haney and yates haha). Even though we may be past the mass monsters of recent years (Coleman, Ruhl (who i feel looks just rediculous) and Cutler etc.) athletes these days still have overmassed bodies. One example is Phil Heath, hes around 5'10" i believe, wide clavies and he still is able to bring his mass up to aorund 280-260, Arnold competed at 6'2" 230, thats just an incredible difference. Theres a reason why people constantly go back to the 60s-70s and relish in the physiques and the unity those men had. Not only were they all in great shape, but the positive aura all these men gave off as they trained toghether was wonderful. Today, the ego of bodybuilders have take a front seat as all these men train with trainers now and few have the personal relationships that these people used to have.

And now back to the roids part haha
Now, synthol should be banned, period, that does not promote hard work, its a shortcut.

Now steroids are not a shortcut as it takes ones hard work and dedication to give the results that steroids creates.

This topic is only coming up as the US government has such an H-O on this topic since baseball and seeing them go after every sports organization but the most obvious (bodybuilding) is quite puzzling. But bodybuilding will end up getting its turn as it continues to become more mainstream and a strong revenue builder with supplement companies, magazines and other venues in the health competition area. It is only time before we hear of FBI grunts breaking down doors of the major bodybuilding gyms across the country

[RaveBDK]

I don't think they should be banned....the playing field is level IMO because everyone has the opprotunity to use steroids...

regardless...most people who lift and take steroids never get close to ronnie and jay, etc.

so its not like they put no effort.

They're amazing, even when steroids are taken into account.

EDIT: personally I don't juice (as you can tell..lmfao) but i do believe that they should be allowed in sports of building and powerlifting.

[Bouldershld]

if it was natural the competition would increase because evevryone has a chance. and we still would see massive monsters that are genetically gifted.

here is something to consider, its not a sport anymore it has become a matter of who can afford the most drugs. show me the winner in any pro competition and you will find the pro with the biggest drug budget. sorry guys but this is a fact.

[pharmamarketer]

My question is why would they. There is no financial benefit to doing so. The IFBB doesn't care because these "freaks" help the sport and make them money. At the end of the day the concequences of steroid use are something any individual will all have to deal with. I am not against steroids at all. If you want to take em go for it. What I am against though is the sob story later for the negative effects they had on your body.

[pharmamarketer]

here is something to consider, its not a sport anymore it has become a matter of who can afford the most drugs. show me the winner in any pro competition and you will find the pro with the biggest drug budget. sorry guys but this is a fact.

It is not about the most drugs. It is about the right drugs. Which to your point is all about the money

[christos_swc]

First of all, should IFBB ban roids tomorrow and competitors actually stop using them and not cheat, BB will not become a natural sport.
Having taken banned substances throughout your whole life that gives you an advantage even if you stop.
You've built a foundation of muscle that gives you an edge.
That's why I laugh at the "natural" BB competitions.
They've all used them at some point and used them a lot.
Not testing positive at a competition means they're not going to be freaky but it also means you're dreaming if you think you can go on stage and beat them without ever having taken anything to speed up your progress.
I don't care if you still can because somehow you have far superior genes, it's still not a level playing field.
In the hypothetical scenario that everybody stayed clean from now on, it would still take decades to rid off the BB who have made heave roid use in the past.
In classic sports athletes don't get tested at competitions only, they get tested year round and there's a reason for that.
Second, it would be both funny and inappropriate watching people at the gym bigger than a Mr Olympia.
There has to be a step forward however.
You can't let roids rule and do nothing about it.
A small step in the right direction would be to ban Growth Hormone.
It changes even your bone structure and at the same time kills ones proportions.
This ban would go against the previous logic that having taken that in the past you have an advantage.
Well, that advantage would turn into a disadvantage if you threw off stage those effing ugly thick bellies.
Would I then cry for the current athletes who have devoted their life to BB?
No.
How can I cry for them when thinking about the benefits to thousands upon thousands of people who won't follow in their current footsteps.
People invest money and lose it out of bad luck and incorrect timing every day.
It could happen to you and me tomorrow.
That's not even worth mentioning as a reason for not doing something about roids in BB, at least to the point where it gets silly.

[pharmamarketer]

no they should not