The Domino Effect of Drugs in Bodybuilding

by Fred Yale

Anyone who exercises and follows a nutritional regimen is “bodybuilding.” Most who get into bodybuilding never actually compete, and most people in gyms don’t take sports enhancing chemicals! What I am saying is that the number of bodybuilders at the competition level is minute. Even within this small group of competitive bodybuilders, the percentage who use drugs is very small. However, the small number who do use drugs continue to plague everyone who bodybuilds, especially those who compete naturally in the sport of bodybuilding.

The number of active competitive bodybuilders seems to have dwindled substantially in this country. So much so, that a large number of drug-free contest promoters are not failing anyone for use of banned substances at their competitions. Why? They need the entries and the audience those competitors may bring in. Also, they’re afraid of lawsuits that could occur for failing someone. Basically, their hearts aren’t into drug-free bodybuilding. They may as well not call it a drug-free show, but they feel a need to be against drugs, possibly to assist in obtaining sponsors. In any event, this lack of following through on what is advertised as a drug tested competition has made the truly drug free athlete second-guess some of these “drug-tested” shows.

Take a look at the top bodybuilding magazines. The same small group of pro bodybuilders (and not drug free ones either) is featured over and over again! Even more irritating to me is that these top bodybuilders endorse natural products and give the impression that they obtained their appearances almost solely from these particular products. This presents a problem for competitive drug free bodybuilding as a sport. Potential competitive, natural athletes perceive that everyone looks like this at competitions, and early on decide to never compete. Potential natural competitors are lost! This advertising creates the perception that everyone looks like these pro bodybuilders. They don’t!

I promoted bodybuilding competitions for the AAU Junior Olympic Games from 1995 to 1999. This was a national event that was run with many other sports in which up to 8,000 boys and girls age 19 and under took part. It took on the spirit of the regular “Olympic Games” and was held in many different cities. It was a fantastic family oriented event that lasted over a week. The Junior Olympic games continue today, but without the sport of bodybuilding. Why? For many reasons, but as it pertains to what I’ve already mentioned, it is because of the misconceived belief that everyone is on drugs. The Junior Olympic Games were even tested for drugs! In any event, no matter what I did to promote this incredibly enjoyable event, I always got the question, “How big are these kids?” No matter what my reply was, the feeling remained that everyone was huge and on drugs. I could not change this way of thinking. Therefore, I could not market enough interest to sustain the activity. Remember that this was the Mr./Ms. Teenage America title! Many great natural teens across the country will never get to experience the thrill of representing their state and going for the gold in an Olympic Games, and in large part due to a minute number of “huge” bodybuilders in the game.

Competitions that offer teen divisions cannot easily be found these days. Teenagers should be the foundation of our sport. These advertised drug-free shows must honestly test for the use of banned substances and fail athletes when necessary. Market this, recruit the teens once again, and rebuild this natural sport.

In all my years associated with this business (gym owner, health store owner, promoter, judge, emcee, trainer, and strength coach), I have found that a large majority of competitors are genuinely concerned for their health. We must strongly promote drug-free bodybuilding through honest marketing avenues, not through deceptive advertising ploys and promoters who are just looking for “numbers.” Promoters must encourage teen competitors to participate by establishing a proven track record of honest drug testing. Company owners need to be honest in their advertising. Although they may be profiting financially, they can’t promote one’s health and well being by fooling the customer or competitor. A major supplement producer once told me candidly that, if he did not use “steroid users” in his ads, he would not make any money! I’m happy to say that there are a few companies that don’t adhere to this practice. To the rest of you I say, “Get on board!” There is business for everyone on the natural and honest level.