5 Possible Ways You Can tell If the Person In the Gym is On Anabolic Steroids.
Ever wonder if the person next to you is on anabolic steroids? As a fitness progressional I am always attempting to educate those middle-aged executives who I train on a regular basis to put in the work to master their body. I remind them that they have been able to accomplish their professional goals by a steadfast approach, often by sacrificing time, nights and family relations to reach the pinnacle in their careers. However, as most of us, we want results quick, fast and efficient (see my meta-analysis on Rapid Fat Loss).
So sometimes at the gym, I will be asked, is that person on anabolic steroids. Here are a few conceivable things to look for, with one being the gold standard and my meta-analysis summary to back of my opinion.
#1 of 5- Capped Shoulders- This is often a sign of an individual who is spewing 'hot piss". The medial delt, rear delt and upper trap are significantly capped, rounded or well defined. Although this is a possible sign, with hard work, good genetics some individuals can obtain some of this capped look. So, it is not officially guaranteed, but it is red flag #1.
#2 of 5- Discoloration, scarring or pigment changes in arms, shoulders or back region. Due to the rapid changes that occur with the use of anabolic steroids, most individuals who cycle on to them will demonstrate some form of unnaturally discoloration is these areas. Again, just because someone has some discoloration, acne, stretch marks does not mean they currently or previously used steroids, as they could just have bad skin or sunburn. It is red flag #2.
#3 of 5- Gyno or Gynecomastia. It is the enlargement of the breast gland. This is often the case when someone is utilizing steroids as high testosterone is converted to estrogen, creating an imbalance that promotes breast tissue growth. Which is often common in steroid users. Again, this is not necessarily the case with all situations. If someone understands the origins and insertions and target the entire chest (clavicular head, sternal head, pec minor and serratus) you will be able to grow a decent set of chest muscles or breasts. My wife often states my boobs are bigger than hers and I have never touched steroids. It is just red flag #3.
#4 of 5- Significant muscle gain, I often use me when explaining this. When I was in high school, I weighed 185 lbs. I am not 49 years old and weigh 195 lbs. I have put on 10 lbs. of muscle in 30 years. If you bump, literally bump into someone you knew in high school and they have a significant amount of added muscle, especially in a short period of time. It might be red flag #4.
#5 of 5- The Gold Standard and why I decided to summarize this meta-analysis. The FAT FREE MASS INDEX (I have also attached a FREE Fat Free Mass Index link, so you can test for yourself at the bottom).
The abstract on this study compared 157 athletes, comprising of 83 users of anabolic steroids and 74 non-users.
The non-users official number extended up to a well-defined limit of 25 on the Fat Free Mass Index, never exceeding this number. I even tested this on myself at 6'1" and 195 lbs. at 16% bodyfat. My number comes in at 21.6. If I was potentially on steroids and based upon a FFMI of at least 25, my bodyweight would be 226 lbs. Meaning I would have about 31 more pounds of muscle at the same body fat percentage. Hell yeah!!! But, unfortunately for me, I still am an official scrawny non-user at 195 lbs. and have no plans to inject myself with anabolic steroids in my career.
STEROID USERS: I placed this is capitalized letters as I want to bring attention to the abstract numbers of those 83 tested individuals. Many of the steroid users tested in this study easily exceeded 25.0 on the FFMI and some even exceeded 30.
Taking my same numbers, for me to exceed 30 I would weigh in on the scale at 285 lbs. Wow, I can't imagine placing an additional 90 lbs. of muscle on my current frame. Shaking my head at the thought of it and what I might actually look like.
In order to complete the FFMI, you need to know your body fat percentage, along with height, weight and gender. General ranges for male and females:
Average FFMI: Males (18-20), Females (14-16)
Above Average FFMI: Males (20-22), Females (17-18)
Excellent FFMI: Males (22-23), Females (18-20+)
Superior FFMI: Males (23-26), Females (20+)
Suspicious Steroids FFMI: Males 26+
Final thoughts:
These findings and my own humbled opinion (IMHO) are all preliminary and the Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI) might be a useful initial measuring screen for possible steroid use or abuse.
So next time you are wondering if the guy or gal is using steroids next to you in the gym or if you are attending a high school reunion and "they are jacked or swollen", utilize this knowledge to cut throw the BS of the BRO SCIENCE.
Disclaimer: Sharing a study in NOT an endorsement. You should read the orginal research yourself and be critical.
