Steroids in Sri Lankan Gyms: What Young Men must know before it is too Late

This post is also available in:

Steroids in Sri Lankan Gyms: What Young Men must know before it is too Late

You have likely, by training in a Colombo, Kandy, or Galle gym, noticed it. A man who used to be average 6 months ago now has arms twice his size. His shoulders are huge. He discusses cycles and PCT and shoots himself up prior to training.

The use of steroids in Sri Lankan gyms is rapidly increasing. And the majority of the young men who use them do not even know what they are really doing to their bodies.

In this article, we are not here to judge. It comes to tell you the truth that no one at the gym will tell you.

The reason why young Sri Lankan men are resorting to steroids

The stress to appear large is a fact. Social media is awash with unrealistically muscular bodies. Gym culture is a reward for size. And in Sri Lanka, where most men are required to train for 2 to 3 years without realising any significant change, steroids are a shortcut.

There is also the fact that they are so readily accessible. Others are being sold in the open right outside gyms in Borella and Pelawatte. Those are via WhatsApp networks. Some of them are imported into India under other brand names.

The scariest part? There are a lot of users aged 18 to 25. Their bodies are yet to mature. And they are injecting or swallowing substances that have serious long-term effects.

What Steroids Are

Anabolic steroids are artificial forms of testosterone, which is the hormone that stimulates muscle development in men. By taking them, your body is able to build up muscle more quickly than it would have otherwise. You recover quicker. You get stronger.

That much is true. Steroids are effective in muscle building. Nobody denies that.

Nevertheless, they are not magic. And they are not free. Each kilogram of muscle you gain using steroids will have a cost that will be paid in the future.

The Short-Term Effects You Will Experience

In weeks of taking steroids, numerous users can observe noticeable improvements. Their muscles grow. Their strength jumps. They are more assertive and secure in the gym.

But the drawbacks are swiftly forthcoming as well. The acne is severe and appears on the back and face. Mood swings take an extreme turn; one time euphoric and the other angry or depressed. Most men retain a lot of water and hence appear to be bloated instead of being lean. Sleep becomes difficult. And libido may be high at first, and later sink.

These are not uncommon side effects. These occur in the majority of users.

The Long-term Damage that No One Speaks Of

This is where the balloon bursts.

Heart disease. Steroids increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol. They cause the heart muscle to thicken. Heart attacks are occurring among young men in their 20s. This is not an imaginary case- this is being witnessed in hospitals in Sri Lanka.

Hormonal shutdown. Whenever you overload your body with artificial testosterone, your own production will cease. When a cycle is over, most men have a crash, low energy, depression, zero libido and muscle loss. Others are unable to maintain normal levels of hormones.

Infertility. The use of steroids causes deterioration of the testes, diminishing or killing sperm production. This is a devastating and irreversible outcome for young Sri Lankan men who aspire to have a family someday.

Liver damage. Oral steroids are especially toxic to the liver. Long-term use causes serious liver disease. Other users acquire liver tumours.

Gynecomastia. This is the growth of the breast in men. It occurs due to the effect of steroids being changed into estrogen in the body. Once gynecomastia develops, it cannot be reversed without surgery.

Gym Culture Problem

Steroid use in most of the gyms in Sri Lanka is seen as normal. Cycles are suggested to beginners by senior members. It is sometimes encouraged by trainers. The culture has the young men feeling that training is not enough.

This is false information.

Natural training, performed regularly for 3 to 5 years, will result in a truly impressive and healthy figure. The men who are unbelievable in their 40s and 50s are nearly the ones who trained without any training whatsoever, and with the regularity of it. Men who abused steroids at a young age (20s) commonly face severe health issues at the age of 35.

What to Do When somebody Offers you Steroids

This will happen. Something will be given to you in case you train long enough. It will be safe, they will say. It will be said that everybody does it. They will demonstrate their own outcomes.

Here is what to do. Ask them to present their blood test results to you. Inquire about their heart health. Inquire about their mood. Honest answers will not be given by most.

Then walk away.

Natural Alternatives that do Work

Steroids are not the solution, especially when you feel that you are not making any progress. These are:

Creatine monohydrate is safe, lawful and research-supported. It truly enhances power and muscle performance. Most supplements do not have the same effects on muscle growth as a good night of sleep. The basis of muscle building is eating adequate protein in the form of eggs, fish, dhal, soya and chicken. The only true secret of long-term gains in size is progressive overload, i.e. lifting heavier and heavier.

When you eat right, get 7 to 8 hours of sleep and exercise 4 days a week, you will have a body that you are proud of. It only takes longer than a steroid cycle. Nevertheless, it is permanent.

The Bottom Line

There is no merit in steroids. Not at 18. Not at 22. None without direct medical supervision of a diagnosed condition at any age.

The gym is meant to strengthen and improve your health. Steroids undermine both. They sell a short-term size at the expense of long-term damage.

Train hard. Eat well. Be patient. Greater is your health than larger weapons.