Steroids, syringes and stigma: the quest for the perfect male six-pack

In the search for a quick route to a muscular physique, many young men turn to controversial anabolic steroids to achieve their goals. But in the wake of deaths in the bodybuilding community, do the statistics showing a fourfold increase in their use, really add up?
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This video was amended on 7 December 2017 to remove potential for misunderstandings about who in the video was a steroids user. No one in the video other than those who say they use or used steroids should be taken to have done so
Under Construction footage courtesy Dave Crosland / JG Films
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#Steroids #SixPacks #MensHealth #Bodybuilding #Muscle

[@theGuardian]

Modern masculinity: why Jordan Peterson is filling the void ► kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIrRgGWtqq6ceMk

[@steroidsR4losers]

The ROIDERS are too SCARED to come off of the STEROIDS because they would LOSE all their "size" and "strength"! This just proves that the ONLY difference is the STEROIDS between someone that uses and not uses! The difference is NOT because they lift weights, eat and sleep. People that lift WITHOUT STEROIDS do that! You are NOT FOOLING us! Lift weights WITHOUT STEROIDS and let's see how "big" & "strong" you REALLY are! Stay natural buddy!

[@danielparkinson5834]

Yeah totally, if you mean by crying like a girl at the drop of a hat 😂

[@joebloggs3055]

Fake natty doctor at the end love it.

[@syedwaleedshah2830]

Joe Bloggs wtf is natty...can't understand your lingo mate..

[@forgetaboutme703]

gearhead natty is short for natural

[@GangBlud]

ye lol. Probably lied because he has a Gym Shark sponsorship..

[@ComedyBee]

Big HgH hands on him

[@battams1]

Gotta lie because of Gym Shark sponsorship

[@aski7817]

Last guy clear fake natty

[@ericsuper2832]

a Ski true

[@DRAK0GEAR]

Yepp

[@DCJayhawk57]

Not only that, he has a disproportionately tiny neck a la Scooby.

[@keksterbojester818]

a Ski and I suppose you're some kind of hero for stating this? What are you hoping to accomplish here?

[@Zorororonoav1]

kekster bojester exactly what the video is addressing..

[@aledmorgan92]

"I want to inject in my biceps because I'm doing biceps today." Wut

[@tescoprimark1299]

Was looking this comment 😆

[@juggalogamer8541]

And I'm pretty sure that's the only muscle group most guys only do

[@brettlinthicum6649]

@@juggalogamer8541half the dudes in my gym have rounded shoulders because all they hit is chest and arms….they look funny

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

So.... I understand what you're saying that it's a dumb way to think about it. However there ends up being a lot of merit to this in that the injection (assuming he does bilateral shots in each bicep) creates localized pain which allows you to feel the muscle better and have better connection. Also, the localized trauma to the area will cause added blood flow and more nutrients to the area. So he's right.

[@ScottishTurkey538]

Rob Lipsett got more screen time here than on the actual show

[@Giladbriggs2222]

So true

[@ScreamingSeal]

I like how the video is about stigma about steroid use and the doctor at the end lies about being natural 😂

[@erich1380]

Solid physique bro 👍

[@juggalogamer8541]

Lol true

[@neilrogers6123]

Defo on gear

[@tjmac7]

He would be up in front of the GMC to explain himself.

[@tonybilco1317]

Doctor definitely on steroids...

[@DK-mc3um]

That guy at the end of the video isn't natural haha, he's blasting all kinds of gear

[@TheThunderwars]

Harry Tester Aaaaallll kindzzzzz

[@jayn8392]

Sure looks juicy. I bet if he takes the hat off he's balding pretty bad.

[@jd9799]

Last guy the doctor, natural me backside, he has access to pharmaceutical steroids, sure why not

[@akalion213]

Why not? Because of the negative health effects maybe?

[@jd9799]

Akalion health affects are very minimum

[@fleminem1]

Amil the A and E doctor at the end claims natty LMAO. Arms the width of a childs head.

[@matt49125]

Lol. Yeah that doctor is a complete conman

[@joebloggs3055]

Putting him on the end made the whole thing lose its credibility.

[@darkknight17]

Lewis Fleming he's probably stealing medical grade from the hospital hahaha

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

He looks huge... Beside a 6foot tall 140lb journalist. There are high school kids who have lifted for 2 or 3 years naturally who are bigger than him.

[@westonlittle1149]

Rich piana is dead but he was a great man.

[@akalion213]

Not really

[@AFXSnares]

Disgusting to see these weasels using Rich's videos to push their biased 'journalism'.

[@akalion213]

Excuse me?

[@philipmeisterl]

i actully think he was because he was honest

[@volumzala]

What's your problem with this journalism rez hahaha, seemed fairly nonjudgmental and allowed different lifters to talk

[@worldsbest91]

Rich piana was on everything under the sun, not just steroids

[@bloozism]

Rich piano is the number 1 Natty. Remove this slander.

[@Mocski00]

Lol, course my man at the end is natty :)))

[@warbob2430]

The thing about steroids is that there's no way to achieve a certain body without the use of steroids, we just don't produce enough testosterone naturally. The problem is many amateur bodybuilders are taking steroids before they even reach near their potential limit. I personally would never take steroids. I don't like the look of huge muscles, and I surely don't want to have trouble that being heavy would bring.

[@akalion213]

The problems have nothing with being heavy...

[@athletemusician8098]

The physique of an Olympic swimmer is far greater, healthier and more functional than a 300 lbs steroid infused bodybuilder.

[@gianni_schicchi]

@@athletemusician8098ridiculous statement. You’re assuming there’s a single metric for healthier and there isn’t.

[@jeremyleidy5566]

​@@athletemusician8098absolutely. Being 300lbs muscle is just as unhealthy for the heart as being 300lbs 30% bf.

[@prianshubhatia2759]

They are not natural as well brother ​@@athletemusician8098

[@6subswith0vids80]

"The protein shakes aren't cutting it"? Of course they are not going to do something that food doesn't already do.

[@Liberty_Freedom_Brotherhood]

Someone do a stock check at that doctors pharmacy! I think there may have been a miscount for growth hormone and insulin!

[@marcuszingmark]

"My mum is a nurse".

[@lottabee]

Marcus Zingmark "Me mum!"

[@TheCondescendingRedditor]

Rob Lipsett is not on steroids. Dude looks natural as heck.

[@JamesPiccone]

Bahahhah😂 That redhead dude has 100% fugazi steroids from China!!

[@3finnian]

Having a six pack made me happy, I'd smile every time I looked in the mirror

[@mpforeverunlimited]

Why is it okay for someone to staple a rubber penis to their leg and parade around as a man and take steroids but someone who just wants to work hard and put on a bit more muscle than usual and take steroids is looked down on?

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Bc of all the crazy misinformation out there with regards to how bad steroids are for you. Which, if that were true.. We would have an absolute epidemic of dead meat heads and fitness girls. It's very very simple to use steroids in a way where youre safe guarded from long term issues as best as we know how

[@God8-O]

When start learning more about this stuff you'll find out everyone's juiceing, even all your favorite, "Natty" pro athletes. "But he's tested!!!" go off a month or so before the competition and no problem.

[@jhaid4664]

just me or did these guys sit uncomfortably close to one another during the interviewing haha

[@erich1380]

Jack Haidary very lol I thought they were a couple at first

[@jondovik6250]

Thats the weirdest thing I have heard. But funny.

[@josievor7661]

I really do believe this is the "male" equivalent to anorexia. In both cases, those affected completely ignore the unhealthy effects and lose their touch reality. Women with anorexia are never skinny enough and these men are never big enough, although everyone else can clearly see that they have gone beyond limits.

[@Exsugarbabe1]

Agreed, I think these men fall for pressure and have personal problems, they should be helped just like alcoholics or anorexics, sending these people underground does no good to anyone.

[@josievor7661]

I think the problem is that most people do not consider this to be harmful (unless steriods are involved) All they see is young men working out, which is generally a good thing in a world where the obesity rate is rising. However, I honestly do not believe that their way of working out is healthy. They ruin their entire body.

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

Josie Pinozzi given that males actually get anorexia, synth abuse can't be a "male equivalent" and why isn't there any concern for women who abuse steeoids? Stop trying to feel special. ATHLETES abuse steroids of both sexes and they need to stop it by testing more frequently!

[@josievor7661]

I'm very well aware of the fact that men can be anorexic and women can abuse sterioids. However, while women feel the pressure by society to be skinny, men feel the pressure to be big. So therefore it is more common for women to become anorexic and men to be addicted to working out. There also other reasons why people become anorexic, which also count for men. However, I also believe the steriods arent the only problem, although they are the aspect that causes the most health issues. To me the obsessive thinking is just as bad because it causes mental stress. It is the main reason you are stuck in this disorder in the first place. There are also people who obesessively over excercise without using sterioids. It might not be as bad for the body, but it is still a disorder, which negatively impacts your life. That being said, I'm just as concerned about women abusing steroids but I believe this problem is more common for men to have. And why would I feel special? All I did was post an opinion about a problem, which is debated by experts but not widely considered by the public as such. I just wanted to say that anorexia is not the only unhealthy beauty obsession.

[@ViciousHaze6378]

I must live in a different world because the majority of guys i know dont do gear for appearance. But performance. We have a tendency to make fun of guys who are all show but no go. Caring more about appearance over performance is a female trait aka beta males

[@dragonspirit1639]

What is the name of that trippy music at the end?

[@kartikeyapanwar]

Waiting for the mandatory comment about how this is about patriarchy and feminism will solve the problem.

[@rub1tan679]

Doctor at the end BANG ON IT ❗️❗️❗️

[@arcad1an292]

Using anabolics should have nothing to do with the law.

[@TradeCraftMediaSolutions]

The university guy is wrong, sounds daft to say but steroids are not illegal to own or use in the UK!

[@breadman2983]

Also if u look at all those guys with washboard abs in photos, part of its photoshop and they put them on a water diet (they completely dehidrate them like 12 hours before the show so that when they get there they looked ripped but they're suffering hard)

[@HigherQualityUploads]

Ironic that they got his puny boy to interview these big men.

[@Hanuman_]

this was a good video real effort was put into this instead of the usual biased stuff we get from journalism, you should probably disable comments tho, ironically the very mindset you warn about is fuelling these comments below, with tons of insecure people saying, he looks terrible, he is a fake natural. pretty pathetic really :/

[@pompomp1744]

Good watch 👌

[@dors.sc1]

its really not that hard to get a six pack, it just takes a while depending on where you started, if you have the patience to stick to the diet you'll get it.

[@o0oanaboliccamelo0o86]

Six pac for kidz , the hardest muscles to grow is legs and back

[@Dylski.]

growing up is realising that ur back and chest are where the real gains are 🤣

[@timclark1218]

If your selling your body on KZbin and you’re not on steroids then you’re not making the most of your business

[@JonathanClark1708]

Good video. Wish it was longer and more depth was put into this. Dave and Thomas could of really gave you a much better insight

[@TK-nc3ou]

I dont understand why people want to overweight.

[@mattm1294]

In regards to the last guy, I love when non users try to weigh in on how steroids work. Lol you

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

RIP Piano

[@dwagz6311]

It's just a personal choice like consuming anything else. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@proteinman1981]

It's cheating, want to get big and strong, start at 5 years of heavy training - earn it like a man

[@6subswith0vids80]

proteinman1981 Cheating who? Only if you pretend to be natural when you're not; e.g. see the last person in the video. Nobody will be able to look like him drug-free even if they trained for 80 years straight.

[@vouvray59]

Illegal use of a controlled substance.

[@dwagz6311]

Fart Unjust, victimless laws are to be ignored.

[@sajid8975]

If you are not competing, steroids are unnecessary. You don't need fast results.

[@The_Unintelligent_Speculator]

Just be confident in your own body folks.

[@dragonspirit1639]

What’s that gloomy tune at the end of the video called??

[@miguelalmeida3131]

Great documentary, but a six pack can totally be achieved without drugs. The big majority of people just need a calorie deficit

[@adamlittlewood1453]

Safe and correct use have great benefits to be an elite athlete/bodybuilder u do have to go the extra mile.its a choice in the end but research is key

[@47bricklayer]

The average person's understanding of PEDs reminds me of the 1937 movie "Refer Madness".

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Couldn't agree more!

[@100oldskool]

Most Guardian readers would rather be lifting soy lattes..

[@gloomypika3974]

never watched Love Island but from what i see at the start of the video the guys look pretty natty to me

[@ellulturner]

Daza Forsworn you say that but I doubt they put any effort in to get that physique, half theses guys have about 1 brain cell. They look natty they most likley aren't

[@LukeWhitehead55]

Pretty sure Rob Lipsett is natty and he was in that love island intro, check out his youtube channel

[@kuba9680]

You give these people too much credit Everyone in crossfit is on juice, but you wouldn't be able to tell by watching them lift

[@bigmikeobama523]

Daza Forsworn everyone's on steroids

[@Ajakz100]

Not hating but i am gonna guess they never built a natty foundation and that is why

[@cuptoyou1244]

RIP Rich

[@kzsposeidon3121]

Not taking any, but understand when people take them.

[@gezthecarpjones]

thing is I was 26st March 3017 just over a year and I can tye my own shoe lenses and I'm 19st of happiness .... saved my life blast and cruise

[@mikejones-ek4oq]

Tf rich is most natural vengan body builder in the universe.

[@peterpalmato467]

Natural vengan

[@simplifiedfit1998]

This should never be illegal to begin with

[@rendeath]

Tom Moore, take those spices off your vent hood, the heat will degrade the flavor.

[@juggalogamer8541]

0:12 NO Legs!!

[@MrKillfield]

Wow, this was actually pretty unbiased. Well done

[@elgringiototote]

Too many guys take steroids that just don't need to, and won't train at the level to even take advantage of the injections. Theyre too dangerous, and too damn expensive to help you get a six-pack, which they don't get you unless your training, and more importantly, nutrition is 100% on point

[@Houndic]

SHAKE TIME GODDAMINT

[@staabelgapler]

"doing it the safe way" Oh boi 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@warbob2430]

These steroid users are dying, not because of the steroids IMO, but because of the weight. It's still too much weight to possess that makes it unhealthy. If you weight over 250lbs, in most cases there's going to be problems. These guys are too heavy. You don't normally see smaller body builders dying as frequently as the big dudes.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Absolutely!

[@412fish]

Why does the interviewer sit so close to everyone??

[@hayinka7691]

Am I the only who found odd sanding a skinny guy to interview this guy's?

[@epicfrog0]

Roiding for that physique? Have you tried actually lifting?

[@boulderthefat3839]

Anyone whos taken gear cant possibly say their harmless

[@mrnice1295]

So you wait till doctor say come off but you say you're health more important so why do it in the first place to wait to hear doctor say you should know that your health way more important than looking ok

[@KneeBenderservant]

4:05 Did I just see him inject his knee with about 3 ccs? WTH

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

No sir... That's his gastrocnemius (upper calf)

[@ryanb1757]

the last guy is clealry a fake natty

[@pumpkinspicenick923]

And not one rep was done

[@fitnesscafe9289]

There ain't any safe way mate if u choose that round .. its like two sides of a coin like light and darkens

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Huh? There's plenty of safe ways it's actually very very basic and simple

[@paer6701]

Reporting done right. Unbiased and factual, left for the viewers to make up their own mind.

[@xr5431]

me looking at that "natty" guy at the end made me natty ^^

[@Loretta2004]

could somebody jack up the background music so we can not understand anything?

[@mega1842]

the last guy is bullshitting us when he says he's natural

[@LionhartM]

Lol it's always amusing to me seeing guys who can't believe someone is natural just because they couldn't get buff without roids. Dude, everyone has different genetics, and genetics are HUGE. I've been accused of roid use since I was 15 and I've never touched the stuff. I've always been a super-responder with building muscle.

[@codealvo]

This dude kinda sounds like Hagrid lol

[@Insufficient202]

It’s shot day today 💪

[@FightCain]

i wanna see them wear cog armor.

[@josemelendez942]

Steroid users is consequences in the end

[@ukhomegymdisciplinegym4021]

I bought for myself for years from Bulgarian pharmacy. Some stuff like Tren I buy from UGL

[@ukhomegymdisciplinegym4021]

Next working day delivery for all Uk

[@milansennesael3472]

the drugs weren't blanmed for their deaths, but they should have been. these guys took insane amounts and should be no surprise that this lead to their deaths

[@commentconnoisseur1001]

right babe?

[@MattB27589]

That ginger fella needs to get his money back. Those steroid bottles are filled with water mate 😂

[@davegotgamedavegotgame7137]

Any one see at the very beginning of this how big guy takes all the seat and little guy has no room?..does anyone know why?..its bc it's in our DNA as males and other animals it's to show hes the dominant Male the alpha male..theres room for both of them to sit there but he legs are wide open and hes leaning back..we as alpha Males do this as well as sits up straight and hold head high but not in a cocky way..

[@Jed67]

That last guy😔🤦‍♂️natty not even once

[@Dee-ye2dk]

Hey w.e helps you, but at the end of the day once you stop using all those unnatural gains are gone.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Well.. No. That's not how it works. But once you start, you simply stay on trt indefinitely. Problem solved

[@jimmierustler4887]

RIP Rich Piana.

[@bobross9602]

Rip rich, 5% baby

[@Zyzz69420]

So what's everyone here blasting/cycling atm? 300 Test and 400 tren a for me

[@SuperDipMonster]

Chris 300 test e cruise, 300 equi blast. Equi site feels like I've been kicked.😀

[@joelscb]

SuperDipMonster where do u source your roids?

[@SuperDipMonster]

Chef, friend of a friend. It's recently become illegal where I am, so I can't say anything. I can guarantee that you know someone that can get hold of some, though.

[@xExplodingStarx]

20000 test 15000 tren

[@joelscb]

SuperDipMonster good to know. Im honestly thinking of starting a test 400 e cycle

[@psycho007166]

Tmcycles ftw! Tom is the man!

[@nitaigauranga3849]

you can't give booze to a baby!

[@papajohnsuk5965]

Remember guys, tren harder, but play faster

[@preston9135]

big on the outside weak n small on the inside just work out n eat right

[@adonnarowe1811]

Bro that doctor is on steroids!

[@frankrizzo5057]

Dr. On steroids.

[@steerpike66]

You know a baby lifter isn't a real lifter when he's wants a ripped six-pack for the girls and not traps up to his ears for the bro's.

[@a.anightcraft1029]

You can use steroids if u want because that's you and your opinion But for ME nah it has more bad side affects then good ones

[@ivanmarconetti4029]

i have a question, steroids can make me white and blonde? 👱

[@juggalogamer8541]

Both those bodybuilders died because they were extremely huge an unhealthy too many drugs too much plastic surgery let's be honest

[@shahnutritiontraining799]

the ginger guy takes steroids 😂 u can't bloody tell

[@erich1380]

shah nutrition training non existent arms lol

[@shed77]

Thomas Maw is his name, he recently competed. Have a look at his physique now

[@X_Online801]

LOL. His got a decent amount of mass now.. I saw one of his videos recently.

[@SY-it7xs]

Takes a long time to get nearly as big as rich piana, dallas mccarver etc. 10 years plus.

[@hugster2000]

shah nutrition training most guys who use u wouldn’t know. You need the genetics, nutrition and training to really get the benefits.

[@steventhursby745]

They are not illegal

[@SheepKing0]

As if anyone think the love island cast are aesthetic they're nearly all +18%

[@usmanjilani181]

Most people nowadays who take steroids look rubbish. They don't even have a solid foundation before taking steroids. If you want to take steroids, you need to be training for at least 15 years with proper nutrition before even thinking about going on the gear.

[@HumanGorillaHormone]

Lol if this were true everyone at the Mr Olympia would be 45 years old as rookies