Cynicism. It has become a staple in the sporting culture, somewhere in between Sammy Sosa suddenly forgetting how to speak English and Mark McGwire telling the world over and over (and over) that “he isn’t here to talk about the past” in front of the very same grand jury on steroid use in baseball. On that fateful day, the idea that our favorite athletes became great by drinking their milk, taking their vitamins, was as gone as a beef’d up Barry Bonds home run ball.

Now, we love to hate. Every athlete who emerges with a breakout year is met with a skeptic eye.  There’s nothing that could really surprise the public these days.

Or is there?

Even after the scandals, the tell-all books, and the mental asterisks we have placed on an entire era of America’s Pastime, each sport still has a sacred cow or two that fans cling to as their rock of purity in uncertain times. Here are a few athletes left that would really, truly, turn the sports world upside down if we found out that their performances were enhanced by anything more than a delicious bowl of wheaties.

Baseball: (tie) Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter:

This is the easiest sport to make this kind of designation because of how greatly its been affected by the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Pujols and Jeter are clear choices, but for entirely different reasons.

Lets start with Pujols, who he carries the same power pedigree that Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa had before him, however without the same dark cloud that has put their vast career accomplishments in question. This year Pujols may reach a number that may have become an even larger milestone: 61, the long cherished single season home run record that Roger Maris set in 1961, which stood until the hulking trio shattered the mark, starting with McGwire (70) and Sosa (66) in ’98 and Bonds (73) in 2001. If Pujols were to hit 62 or more this season, many would happily crown Pujols the single season home run king, because he’d have done so unlike any other: Naturally.

Derek Jeter never has, and never will challenge any home run records, but he must be mentioned because of what he DOES do: win. In an era where athletes have become obsessed with the name on the back of their jerseys, Jeter’s focus has always been about what’s on the front. The results, the stuff of legends: 4 World Series championships, a world series MVP, and perhaps most importantly: he’s synonymous with winning, clutch play, and doing it all the right way. Jeter might be only superstar of the so-called “steroid era” that would really shock baseball today if his squeaky clean image on the diamond was shattered.

Football: Peyton Manning

It was not too long ago that football, not baseball, was the sport that most associated with the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs, and with good reason: a sport full of huge, muscular guys, who at the same time fly around the field like a group of sprinters, it doesn’t seem natural. Such speculation, and rampant use was halted for the most part with an extensive drug testing policy and stiff punishments for offenders, very few of which have been superstars. This leaves a lot of room to discuss who would shock and disappoint the public most with a positive test. At the end of the day, the debate comes down to the two faces of the NFL, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. What separates Manning here, is quite literally, what’s inside him.

Peyton Manning was born to play quarterback; it’s in his DNA. His father, Archie, was a long time starting quarterback in the 70’s and 80’s and his younger brother, Eli, like Peyton has a super bowl victory and MVP on his resume. Both were also the first players chosen in their respective draft classes. Manning, in recent years, has also transformed himself from all an all business gunslinger, to a surprisingly charismatic pitchman for a variety of products. It’s nearly impossible to turn on a television during the football season without seeing the “6’5 quarterback with the laser, rocket arm” convincing us to buy cell phones, satellite dishes, and sneakers, and he does so with an unexpected level of comedy that has made him beloved beyond just fans of the sport.

The combination of on and off field success has provided him a huge fan base to potentially disappoint if he were to ever be associated with steroid use. It is almost impossible to conceive that someone with Manning’s background would ever need or want to resort to using performance enhancers, especially with most of his success being attributed to his mental and genetic gifts.

Such a discovery might have the most impact of any athlete in any sport, as it would create doubt for every other player in the sport, it would create a “if he can do it, who couldn’t?” sort of attitude amongst fans and analysts of the sport, creating the type of witch-hunt atmosphere that is present in baseball today.

Basketball: LeBron James

“King” James belongs on this list because of the too-good-to-be-true nature of him as an athlete. He has met all the considerable hype at every level, which began as far back as grade school, he comes off as very likeable, one of the first athletes you’d love to sit down and have a beer with, and plays with the flash and style that make all his games Must See TV. Now would be a good time to list stats, but for our purposes in this article, two numbers stand out above all:

6’8 and 250

These are James’ height and weight respectively according to his player profile at nba.com, and most regard the weight to be 10-15 pounds too low. However, despite being sculpted like a Greek god, James manages to run the floor like a gazelle. In baseball, a guy with this kind of game would be tabbed as the stereotypical juicer. In Basketball? He’s just one of the two best players on the planet, and the perfect package.

James is more than that though; he is probably the last athlete right now with those sorts of measurements that the sporting public takes at face value, just an anomaly that we’re lucky to have the pleasure to watch. It’s almost like a trip back to simpler times in the sporting world, where this was the rule, rather than the exception.

Swimming: Michael Phelps

A piece like this cannot end without mentioning Olympic hero Michael Phelps. Phelps captured Americas hearts along with a record eight gold medals at last summer’s Olympic games. Phelps is American athletics because he is what we expect of our country on the international stage: the best, no questions asked.  Finding out that he took anything illegal… well, anything illegal that actually helped him, would wipe out all of that, as well as all of the emotions that went along with watching him perform at that level.

As well as one of the few breaks left from our cynicism.

So you wanna get big? And let me guess, a lot of people have told you that you can’t get big without supplements, right? Well, before you even open your wallet, you better know what you’re buying because the supplement industry is full of broken promises and fallen dreams!

The only way to avoid the bullshit is to smarten up and educate yourself about the over 8000+ supplements available.  Lucky for you, all you have to read is the cliff notes because yours truly has been studying and using supplements for over 10 years. You don’t need a doctorate in pharmacy because I already have one.  So get ready because you won’t find the following information anywhere else.

First rule of the supplement club, know your supplement categories! (Don’t worry, I’ll discuss each category in more detail in future articles)

PROTEIN

Protein is the building blocks of muscle. When you lift, you break your muscles down. The only way they’re going to grow is if you build them back up.  And you do that by putting your body in a positive nitrogen balance, a.k.a. a fancy term for saying you must consume more protein than you use!

There are several different types of protein, which defining each type is beyond the scope of this article (but will be in a future article). Just know that a lot of the manufacturers are going to try and convince you “x” type of protein is better for you than “y” protein.  Don’t get caught up in semantics.  Just make sure you’re consuming more than you’re using, and that one of your shakes is immediately following your workout.

CREATINE

When you lift weights, your muscles use energy. One of the substrates used to create energy is phosphocreatine (creatine).  Unfortunately, your muscles do not contain an endless amount of creatine. In fact, in most individuals, your muscles aren’t even at their storage capacity for creatine.  So how do you overcome this? By taking creatine.

Creatine allows your muscles to do more work. When “more work” means more reps and sets, your muscles are going to get bigger. Remember, and do not ever forget this, progressive overload, increasing the amount of work you do from workout to workout, is the key principle to muscle growth.

Do not be fooled by these second and third generation creatines. Time and time again, studies have shown plain old micronized creatine is just as good as, if not better than, these supposed “superior” creatine derivatives.

NITRIC OXIDE PRODUCTS

The manufacturers will have you believe that these products cause vasodilation of the vessels that supply blood to your muscles, thereby bringing your muscles more oxygen, nutrients, and energy.  With this increase in oxygen, nutrients, and energy, you will not only be able to work out longer, but you’ll also switch your body into a state of anabolism.

Hogwash. These products are pure vanity products.  All show no grow! They’re perfect for those that spend more time looking at themselves in the mirror than lifting weights.

PROHORMONES

These products are basically legal steroid alternatives.  Every time one is taken off the market by the FDA, a company puts a slightly different version back on the market.  There are too many to name here. However, they all have one thing in common: they act like testosterone.  Do they work? Yes, the majority of them do. Are they worth it? No. You get all of the side effects of regular steroids and only ¼ of the muscle growth.

FATBURNERS

Once again, there are too many to name. The large majority are all talk (like Hydroxycut). Is there a fatburner that’s going to make you lose 30 pounds? Absolutely not. If there was, trust me, it would be a prescription drug. In all reality, there’s probably not a fatburner that’s going to make you lose 5 lbs.   The only benefit I see to using a fatburners is when someone is on a severe low caloric diet, and in desperate need of energy.  If you just can’t seem to get enough energy to get out of bed and hop on the treadmill, a fatburner may help.  Otherwise, stick to a good, clean diet and exercise.

MISC.

Some supplements just don’t fall into any category. Beta alanine is an example. If I had to give a brief description of each, you’d be reading this article for hours. So, instead of touching on every supplement that doesn’t fall into one of the above categories, I’ll just write future articles on the ones that are actually worth the purchase price.

So now you’ve been educated, but please don’t stop here. Future articles will get into the real “nuts and bolts” of the supplement industry. We’ll talk about the various kinds of creatine available, if nitrous products are worth the money, how much protein you really do need each day, how to save big $ on supplements without sacrificing results, and what’s the most important meal of the day, among other things…

Now get out and lift!

Written by Dr. T.J. Allan, Pharm D. and founder of Muscle-Geeks

WHAT EXACTLY ARE STEROIDS?

Now there are two types of steroids. This article will focus more on the anabolic steroids because it is baseball and beach season. Yeaaaaah!!!

First off, the other steroid is called a corticosteroid. This drug has potent chemical substances which can reduce swelling and inflammation quickly. These drugs are closely related to cortisol, a hormone produced on the cortex of the adrenal glands. This steroid is basically used in doctor’s offices, and is normally used for arthritis treatment. Most of us college students do not have to worry about this stuff at all.

Now the main steroid that this article will address is the famous anabolic steroid. This steroid is also called Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). To break down the meaning of this drug: “Anabolic” refers to muscle-building and “androgenic” refers to increased male sexual characteristics. “Steroids” refers to the class of drugs. They promote the growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics in both males and females. You build muscle mass!

MOST COMMON STEROIDS IN SPORTS

Generic Name: Bolasterone – Street Name: n/a

Generic Name: Boldenone – Street Name: Vebonol

Generic Name: Clostebol – Street Name: Steranobol

Generic Name: DehydroehIarmethyItestosterone – Street Name: Turnibol

Generic Name: Fluoxymesterone – Street Name: Android F, Halotestin, Ora-testryl

Generic Name: Mesterolone – Street Name: Androviron, Proviron

Generic Name: Metandienone – Street Name: Danabol, Dianabol

Generic Name: Metenolone – Street Name: Primoboian, Primonabol-Depot

Generic Name: Methandrostenolone – Street Name: Dianabol

Generic Name: MethyItestosterone – Street Name: Android, Estratest, Methartdren

Generic Name: Nandrolone – Street Name: Durabolin, Deca-Durabolin

Generic Name: Norethandrolone – Street Name: Nilevar

Generic Name: Oxandrolone – Street Name: Anavar

Generic Name: Oxymesterone – Street Name: Oranabol, Theranabol

Generic Name: Oxymetholone – Street Name: Anadrol, Nilevar, Anapoton 50

Generic Name: Stonozolol – Street Name: Winstrol, Stroma

Generic Name: Testosterone – Street Name: Malogen, Malogex, Delatestryl

Generic Name: Human Growth Hormone – Street Name: Human Growth Hormone

MOST COMMON USES

Well the obvious reason is to build muscle and to get BIG! After all we are in the beach season and everybody wants to have the best body possible. People use steroids to increase muscle mass and/or decrease their body fat. And since working out in the gym may take a while for results, steroids boost the process up. Athletes use steroids to improve their athletic performance. We all see this by every single day there is a new professional athlete, mostly in baseball, who was discovered taking steroids. Many people who take steroids suffer from muscle dysmorphia, which is when people have distorted images about their bodies. Men with muscle dysmorphia think that they look small and weak, even if they are large and muscular. Similarly, women with this condition think that they look fat and flabby, even though they are actually lean and muscular. Some young adults use steroids because it is part of their high-risk behavior. They want to try it and see what the effects are.

HOW EXACTLY PEOPLE USE ANABOLIC STEROIDS

There are three ways people normally abuse steroids. The three ways are cycling, stacking, and pyramiding. Here is the description of the three:

Cycling: Taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period, and starting again.

Stacking: Meaning that they take two or more different anabolic steroids, mixing oral and/or injectable types, and sometimes even including compounds that are designed for veterinary use.

Pyramiding: This is a process in which users slowly escalate steroid abuse (increasing the number of steroids or the dose and frequency of one or more steroids used at one time), reaching a peak amount at mid-cycle and gradually tapering the dose toward the end of the cycle.

IS THERE A SAFE WAY TO TAKE STEROIDS?

Surprisingly the answer is yes! Here is the safe way… Steroids should be administered in cycles, with six to twelve weeks on and ten to twelve weeks off. Now you might think, why the should I take such a long break? What is this 10-12 week off nonsense? Relax, here is why… This break allows your hormones to return to their normal levels, which helps prevent major side effects from the steroids. But remember this helps prevent side effects, you can always get hurt from steroids.

HOW MUCH WILL IT CO$T

For 20 pills of steroids it will probably cost you around $60-$100. So it is about $5 per pill. Pretty expensive for shit that can hurt you, but it does get you big! To have a bottle of a type of steroid to inject yourself with will probably cost you around $100 too. This bottle will most likely be a 1000mg bottle, still muy expensivo.

THE REAL SIDE-EFFECTS OF TAKING ‘ROIDS

Some major effects that can come from the use of steroids are liver tumors, jaundice (yellow staining of the skin and in the eye, sexy for girls right?!), fluid retention, and high blood pressure. For guys, this steroid shit messes up our bodies! Some effects are shrinking of the testicles, reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, development of breasts. This is freaky shit! Others include acne on the skin, heart attack, stroke, liver cancer, insomnia, stop growth, and if you inject steroids the needles may not be sterile which can lead to infections and even diseases.

Steroids also have an effect on a person’s behavior. When people take steroids in high doses they normally have an increase in irritability and aggression. Some steroid abusers report that they have committed aggressive acts, such as physical fighting or armed robbery, theft, vandalism, or burglary. This is insane!

HOW ARE STEROIDS EFFECTING OUR HISTORY?

It seems like every day in the news, on sportscenter, and in the newspaper a new professional athlete especially in baseball is caught using steroids. The latest one was Sammy Sosa but big names have been heard in using steroids: Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Giambi, Jose Canseco, Manny Ramirez, and so on. The list goes on for a long time. It is a shame that we see these athletes being scrutinized for “cheating” in baseball. These were players we all looked up to and still do, and yet they say they did not cheat but who knows. Records have been broken by “lies”, “cheating”? Until the truth comes out we do not know, but all we know is some of our favorite players have taken steroids, and they are slowly destroying a sport which thrives in America!

Here is a website which shows every baseball player involved in steroids.

http://www.baseballssteroidera.com/

THE RECOMMENDATION

Alright guys, this recommendation is very simple: Unless it is prescribed by a doctor, STAY AWAY FROM STEROIDS. You do not need them. They cheat you and your body. Work out at the gym, eat healthy, and make the right choices. That is the way to a clean, healthy, and amazing body. Steroids will ruin your life. Stay safe, be clean, and workout hard to maintain the body you desire. Besides, you don’t want to look like the tools on this post.  Aside from that, girls prefer a lean and chiseled guy over one that can hardly move.

Further Reading:

NIDA InfoFacts: Steroids (Anabolic-Androgenic)

Anabolic Steroid Abuse

What Are Steroids?

There Are Many Different Types Of Steroids That You Need To Avoid

How To Use Steroids Safely

Anabolic Steroid Abuse

Timeline of Baseball’s Steroid Era