What steroid cycles are females taking?

Summary

In this candid conversation, Coach Greg and Dr. Sunny Andrews discuss the evolution of Women's Wellness in bodybuilding, touching on the shift from curvier, more feminine physiques to increasingly muscular competitors. They explore the use of performance-enhancing drugs at the elite level, including steroids, SARMs, and diuretics, revealing the reality behind achieving top-tier physiques. The conversation also addresses the challenges of setting clear standards for divisions and questions the natural vs. enhanced debate, with a focus on how bodybuilding categories for women have transformed and the role of PEDs in these changes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Women's Wellness bodybuilding was initially introduced to offer a more natural, curvy look, but has evolved to reward more muscular and lean physiques.
• 😀 There is growing concern that Women's Wellness competitors are getting too big and lean, with some looking more like bodybuilders than Wellness athletes.
• 😀 The idea of setting weight and height caps for female divisions, similar to men's categories (e.g., 212 and Classic Physique), is discussed as a potential solution to prevent excessive muscle growth.
• 😀 Common performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) used in Women's Wellness include Primo, Anavar, Winstrol, Masteron, Clenbuterol, anti-estrogens like Arimidex, and even Trend and testosterone.
• 😀 Women in top bodybuilding divisions, such as Olympia-level Wellness competitors, are rarely natural, with most using PEDs to enhance their performance and physique.
• 😀 Despite their natural appearance, many elite athletes in the Wellness and Bikini categories use PEDs to achieve their physique, including drugs like HGH, Clenbuterol, and diuretics.
• 😀 There is a significant difference between what is considered 'natural' and the reality of achieving such physiques in elite bodybuilding without performance-enhancers.
• 😀 The shift towards bigger and leaner physiques in categories like Bikini and Wellness shows a trend where 'bigger is better' is rewarded, leading to increased PED use.
• 😀 The introduction of new categories like Bikini and Wellness in bodybuilding has historically been driven by the need to accommodate growing muscle size, not necessarily promote a natural or healthy look.
• 😀 Although some may argue that bodybuilding at the highest levels could be achieved naturally with enough dedication, the reality is that most competitors use PEDs to gain an edge and maintain competitive physiques.

Q & A

What was the initial expectation for the Women's Wellness division when it was first introduced?

The initial expectation was that Women's Wellness would feature competitors with slightly higher body fat compared to bikini competitors, promoting a healthier and more balanced physique that was still curvy and attractive.

How has the physique standard for Women's Wellness evolved over time?

The standard for Women's Wellness has shifted from a softer, fuller physique to leaner and more muscular physiques, with some competitors now resembling athletes from other categories like figure and bodybuilding.

What was Dr. Andrews' reaction to the introduction of the Wellness division?

Dr. Andrews was excited about the Wellness division, especially after seeing the Brazilian version of Wellness, which featured fuller, healthier-looking competitors. However, over time, the standards became more muscle-focused.

Why do Coach Greg and Dr. Andrews believe weight caps might help in Women's Wellness?

They believe that introducing weight caps would help prevent competitors from becoming too large and muscular, ensuring that physiques stay balanced and aligned with the original Wellness vision.

What is the challenge with judging and physique standards in Women's Wellness?

The challenge is that the judges have had difficulty settling on a consistent standard. Some athletes come in with excessive muscle mass, blurring the lines between Wellness and bodybuilding categories, making it hard to define a clear ideal physique.

What performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) are commonly used by elite Women's Wellness competitors?

Common PEDs include Primobolan (Primo), Anavar, Winstrol, Masteron, Trenbolone, anti-estrogens like Arimidex, Clenbuterol, and even diuretics. These substances help athletes achieve the required muscle definition and conditioning for competitions.

How prevalent is drug use among top Women's Wellness competitors?

Drug use is widespread among top competitors, with most athletes at the Olympia level likely using performance-enhancing drugs to achieve the muscle mass and conditioning required to compete at such a high level.

How likely is it that a natural athlete could succeed at the top level in Women's Wellness?

It is very rare for natural athletes to succeed at the highest levels of Women's Wellness, as the current standards demand high muscle mass and conditioning, which are typically achieved with the aid of PEDs.

Are there any significant differences between the use of PEDs in Women's Wellness and other divisions like bikini or figure?

While there may be some differences in the specific drugs used, PEDs are prevalent across all divisions, including bikini and figure. Women in these divisions may use substances like HGH, Clenbuterol, and anti-estrogens to refine their physiques.

Why is there a controversy regarding natural competitors in Women's Wellness?

The controversy arises from the increasing muscle mass and conditioning standards that require athletes to use PEDs. Many people assume that top competitors are natural, but in reality, the use of drugs is widespread, especially at elite levels like the Olympia.