Fitness is always a curious subject. Although trainers always tell their clients never to judge their progress based on another person’s progress, everyone who’s into fitness would inevitably look at another guy and say – why is he getting better results? Is he doing something that I should be doing? What if I’m doing it all wrong?
It’s always the same story at the gym. You work out, you see some other guy do the same workouts you do, and for some reason, he gets bigger a lot faster than you do – and not only that, he also gets his body fat in check. While you’re getting decent results, some guy is getting ripped at a rate you never thought was possible.
Aha! He’s juicing.
Juicing is the term used for guys who use unnatural substances that help them gain muscles fast. Everyone is aware of the health risks, but people who really want to gain results no matter what the cost would be interested in the idea that a substance could help them reach their goals faster.
Using anabolic steroids is an open secret in the fitness community for a reason. Some people still think that juicing gives men an unfair advantage compared to those who are full natty, or those who shun the use of anabolic steroids. There’s always a case to be made for guys who use anabolic steroids just for their pleasure, but then again, the health risks have to be considered.
Some men will openly admit to using anabolic steroids, but some are extremely tight-lipped about the subject. As an observer, you can only speculate, but there are telltale signs that guys use anabolic steroids. Here are just a few:
- Back Acne or “Bacne”
Bacne is a term coined for the unfortunate side effect of using anabolic steroids that cause massive acne breakouts, commonly at the upper back portion of the body. Most guys who are on their initial cycle of anabolic steroids have widespread acne breakouts that develop into painful, pus-filled sacs.
The acne breakouts are caused by the increased secretion of the sebaceous glands on the skin, which can clog pores and cause acne and infections. Men who have back acne tend to wear dri-fit shirts when working out, as opposed to the usual tank top. In some cases, the acne breakout becomes so intense that the inflamed pustules have a visible lump even when covered. Anabolic steroids aren’t the only cause of bacne, but it’s a common symptom among guys who take the substance.
- Gynecomastia or “gyno”
Gyno is another term used for a side effect of anabolic steroid use, which is the abnormal growth of breast tissue in men. Since the body has too much testosterone, the levels of hormones derived from testosterone also increase – and that includes estrogen. Testosterone is converted into estrogen through the aromatase enzyme, and that causes breast tissue growth, libido loss, mood changes, and erectile dysfunction. In some cases, gynecomastia can be so severe that the only option is to have the abnormal tissue growth removed through surgery.
Outside of anabolic steroid use, gynecomastia is a common occurrence in overweight men. Being overweight causes an overproduction of estrogen, which causes breast tissue growth, but this can be easily fixed by weight loss.
- Rapid muscle development
The main purpose of using anabolic steroids is to accelerate muscle growth, but how can you distinguish between natural muscle growth and muscle gains assisted by anabolic steroids?
As it turns out, there is a saturation point in muscle development where it becomes more difficult to gain more muscle mass. When a person starts working out, you can expect fast muscle growth. With the right diet and workouts, a person can gain about 24-30 pounds of muscle in his first year, but after that, muscle growth slows down.
If a man is able to sustain his muscle mass and body fat percentage, while still gaining more than 20 pounds of muscle every year after saturating his muscle growth in his first year, you can almost guarantee that the guy is using anabolic steroids.
- Testicular atrophy
When a person injects steroids into their system, the body’s natural testosterone production literally shuts down. Testosterone production works through biological signaling between organs, and if the body detects that it has more than enough testosterone, it stops making more testosterone.
Most of the body’s testosterone is produced in the Leydig cells in the testes, and when it stops producing testosterone, the testicles shrink. The same goes for muscles when you stop working out; the body breaks down muscle tissue, resulting in the loss of muscle mass. When a person cycles off testosterone, there is a chance that the body will regain the ability to produce testosterone, which will bring the testicle’s size back to normal, but in severe cases of anabolic steroid abuse, the damage becomes permanent.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Perhaps the most damaging side effect of anabolic steroid use is its impact on the prostate. Testosterone is converted by the body to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen that causes non-cancerous prostate growth and male-pattern baldness. Prostate enlargement is a common symptom among serious cases of anabolic steroid abuse, and in some cases, surgery is required to remove the abnormal growth.
BPH causes urinary incontinence, nocturia (urinating frequently at night), increased urination, dribbling, intermittent stream, hesitancy, and more. This happens when the prostate becomes large enough that it presses against the urinary tract, which then prevents the person from emptying their bladder naturally.
Whether you’re for anabolic steroid use or not, there’s no denying the truth that testosterone has such a huge impact on muscle growth and performance, but it’s best if it’s done naturally. Instead of injecting synthetic testosterone on your muscles to promote growth, you can use premium testosterone-boosting supplements such as Male UltraCore to help your body increase testosterone production and sustain high levels of testosterone. The key is to maintain a healthy balance of hormones to prevent side effects. Using Male UltraCore allows you to maximize your body’s testosterone levels and muscle performance while minimizing the side effects commonly associated with testosterone.
