Not only youngsters, but also middle-aged men and women have now become figure conscious. To achieve this dream figure, many are resorting to shortcuts such as taking health supplements and steroids without any doctor’s advice. Many are also lured by errant gym instructors to use steroids, ignoring their long-term negative fallout, reports Abilash Mariswamy.
Awell sculpted body is now something that many aspire to achieve and flaunt, especially in social media. And the trend is not confined to the youth; many middle aged men and women have also become very figure conscious.
However, instead of taking the long hard road of regular exercise, healthy lifestyle and proper diet to achieve this dream figure, many are resorting to short cuts such as taking various health supplements and steroids, often without any doctor’s advice.
Many are lured by some gym instructors to randomly use steroids, ignoring its long-term negative fallout. The unauthorised sale and easy availability of steroids in the city also compounds to the problem.
According to sources who work in the fitness industry, the use of steroids is to fast-track the development of body and muscles, which encourages people to opt for them.
Youngsters, who are keen to develop muscles, and are often lured by gym instructors to the use of steroids, mostly in the form of injections or tablets. They tell them that instead of two to three years of hard work, a well toned body can be achieved in a few months.
“Most people take steroids to achieve results in a shorter time. It’s not the ideal way to reach targets. Also, there are numerous steroids each taken for its own purpose and thus side effects also vary. People who suggest these steroids should be well versed about its effects and side effects, also how long the cycle should be taken and most importantly to stay in safe limits, give gaps and detox the body,” said Vandana, HIIT trainer at F45.
Some of the instructors are paid in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 a month and steroids provide an avenue to earn some extra bucks. They procure relatively cheap steroid brands and sell them at high rates. They make a neat profit at the cost of users’ health, say health experts.
Neurabol, stanozolol tab, deca-durabolin, sustanon, proviron, testoviron and aquaviron are some of the easily available and abused steroids. Gym instructors procure them through some conniving medical shop operators.
Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road said, “There is no shortcut to fitness. Only the right diet and workout can get you a dream body but it is a goal that cannot be achieved in a short time. People are risking their lives for faster results. One needs dedication and perseverance when it comes to fitness. There is no shortcut to fitness. Steroids can cause liver toxicity, and have a long-term effect on bone functions and the immune system.”
Most people take steroids to achieve a faster result, in a shorter time. It's not the ideal way to reach targets. Also, there are numerous steroids each taken for its own purpose and thus the side effects also vary. experts who suggest should be well versed with the effects and side effects, also how long the cycle should be taken and most importantly to stay in safe limits give gaps and detox the body
— Prof Gurunath Shenoy,activist
There is no shortcut to fitness. The right diet and workout can get you a dream body but it is a goal that cannot be achieved in a short time. People are risking their lives for faster results. One needs dedication and perseverance when it comes to fitness. There is no shortcut to fitness. Steroids can cause liver toxicity and have a long-term effect on bone function and the immune system
— Dr Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Clinical Nutritionist, Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta Road
Steroids can also take a toll on sperm count
Ravikumar (name changed), is a bodybuilder who used to do intense workout and regularly consume steroids. He was also a state level bodybuilding champion and won many medals and awards to his name.
However, when he and his wife thought of starting a family, she was not able to conceive for almost two years. Upon detailed investigation, tests revealed that his sperm counts were too less to conceive.
It also concluded that his intense workouts along with steroid consumption had caused a decline in his sperm count and his potential to reproduce. And gradually he lost his ability to hold on to his erection, causing erectile dysfunction.
Ravikumar said, “I was totally shattered and never had any idea that even with such a healthy body I would be facing such complications. All the medals and awards I won were making no sense to me and I felt very humiliated.”
On suggestions from friends, he decided to visit Dr Manjula B.C., gynaecologist and IVF specialist, Indira IVF hospital in the city.
Dr Manjula said, “He never thought that gym and exercise would harm so severely, as it was also assumed to be a part of wellbeing. He was informed that with advancements in sperm aspiration techniques it is possible with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) to conceive.”
Ravikumar was recently blessed with a healthy baby and is now following his passion as well as leading a happy family life.
“Medical science has made so much advancement. I am really thankful to Indira IVF hospital in treating my problem. I feel highly elated and I am back to taking part in bodybuilding competitions, but without steroids,” Ravikumar added.
