In today’s social media landscape, we’re constantly bombarded with images of “perfect” physiques—movie stars with impossibly chiseled abs, fitness influencers with year-round vascularity, and athletes with superhuman recovery abilities (something I would like 🙂 ). What many followers don’t realise is the significant role that Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) and steroids play in achieving and maintaining these physiques.
Let me be clear upfront: I personally have no issue with those who choose to use steroids, its a free world and each to their own, personally I would never take them and I always recommend staying away from steroids, largely due to the health implications when it comes to hormone regulation, but i get why people do use, especially those in competitions where it has unfortunately become necessary to level the playing field.
However, for the average person looking to improve their fitness, understanding the difference between enhanced and natural physiques is crucial for setting realistic expectations and maintaining both physical and mental health.
How PEDs Transform Physiques
When someone uses steroids or other PEDs, their body undergoes changes that simply aren’t possible naturally, regardless of genetics, diet, or training intensity, I have first hand experinec of training with guys on PEDs, my physique massively improved trying to keep up, but the reality was their speed of recovery, growth and look out stripped mine by miles, so let look at what PEDs can do
Physical Attributes and Benefits
- Accelerated Muscle Growth: Build muscle 2-3 times faster than naturally possible
- Enhanced Recovery: Train the same muscle groups with much higher frequency
- Reduced Body Fat While Building Muscle: Simultaneously gain muscle and lose fat (nearly impossible naturally)
- Increased Muscle Fullness: Retain more glycogen and water in muscles, creating that “3D” look
- Superhuman Vascularity: Achieve prominent veins year-round, even at higher body fat percentages
- Greater Muscle Density: Develop harder, denser-looking musculature
- Higher Training Capacity: Work out longer and more intensely with less fatigue
- Dramatic Strength Increases: Gain strength at rates not possible naturally
- Ability to Exceed Genetic Potential: Surpass natural genetic limits for muscle mass
For women specifically, certain PEDs can cause:
- Increased muscle definition while maintaining feminine shape
- Ability to achieve extremely low body fat percentages while maintaining muscle
- Enhanced strength gains far beyond what’s naturally possible for females
The Downsides: Short and Long-Term Effects
Using PEDs isn’t without significant consequences, which is why informed decisions are critical.
Short-Term Side Effects
- Hormonal imbalances
- Acne and skin issues
- Hair loss (in genetically predisposed individuals)
- Mood swings and potential aggression
- Liver stress (with oral compounds)
- Cardiovascular strain (elevated blood pressure, altered cholesterol)
- Suppression of natural testosterone production
- For women: voice deepening, facial hair growth, clitoral enlargement
Long-Term Consequences
- Potential permanent hormonal dysfunction
- Increased risk of cardiovascular issues (heart enlargement, arterial plaque)
- Liver damage (primarily from oral compounds)
- Kidney stress
- Potential fertility issues
- Psychological dependency
- For women: irreversible masculinisation effects
Coming Off PEDs: Post-Cycle Reality
What many don’t discuss is what happens when someone stops using PEDs—especially important for those who might consider using them temporarily to “get ahead.”
The Post-Cycle Process
- Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT): Required to restart natural hormone production
- Hormone Recovery Period: Can take months to years for complete recovery
- Muscle Loss: Significant portion of gains will be lost
- Psychological Impact: Dealing with physical changes and hormonal fluctuations
- Health Monitoring: Ongoing bloodwork to ensure system recovery
Coming off steroids isn’t simply a matter of stopping—it requires careful management to minimise health impacts and maintain as much progress as possible. Many users find themselves caught in cycles because the transition back to natural training can be physically and psychologically challenging.
Again I have first hand experience with friends (and not the in quotes friends) coming off steroids to face the challenges of balancing hormones not to mention the constant reference point of physical differences on and off
Setting Realistic Goals Based on Your Natural Potential
So how should you approach fitness if you’re committed to staying natural? Here are my recommendations:
Know Your Genetic Starting Point
- Assess your natural body type (ectomorph, mesomorph, endomorph)
- Look at family members to understand muscle-building tendencies
- Consider your natural hormone levels (can be tested), for those low on testosterone there are key markers mentioned in my post on naturally boosting testosterone
- Acknowledge bone structure limitations (wrist/ankle size, shoulder width)
Focus on Progressive, Sustainable Approaches
- Set milestone-based goals rather than physique-based endpoints
- Track strength increases and performance improvements
- Celebrate consistency over transformation speed
- Understand that natural progress comes in waves, not linear gains
Professional Guidance Makes a Difference
For those really serious about their training and optimising their natural physique, consider the following (where budget permits)
- Personal Trainers: A qualified trainer can design programs that maximise your natural potential while preventing injury. Look for trainers who specialise in natural athletes and have realistic perspectives.
- Nutritionists: Nutrition is arguably more important for natural athletes. A registered dietitian or sports nutritionist can create meal plans that support your goals without the recovery benefits PEDs provide.
- Health Monitoring: Regular checkups including hormone panels can help you optimise your natural potential and identify areas where you might need support – I know quite a few people who have benefitted from this, personally I am yet to feel the need to do this, as for me, it would make it ANOTHER thing to check/complete.
Finding Inspiration in the Natural Fitness Community
Instead of comparing yourself to enhanced physiques, seek out verified natural athletes and fitness personalities who are open about their journeys, including:
- The timeline of their progress (natural transformations take years, not months)
- Their fluctuations throughout the year (natural athletes can’t stay contest-lean year-round)
- Their realistic approaches to training and nutrition
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with admiring the dedication of enhanced athletes—using PEDs doesn’t diminish the hard work required to build impressive physiques. However, using them as your benchmark for success can lead to disappointment, unhealthy behaviors, or the temptation to use PEDs yourself.
The most rewarding fitness journey is one that enhances your life, improves your health, and builds sustainable habits. By setting realistic expectations and focusing on your personal progress rather than comparing yourself to potentially enhanced physiques, you’ll enjoy the process more and create lasting results you can be proud of.
Remember: Your fitness journey is unique to you. Embrace it, enjoy it, and let your progress be measured against your previous self—not someone else’s highlight reel.
