They go by many different names including anabolic steroids, steroids, anabolics, juice, gear, and roids. But no matter what you call them, these powerful muscle-building drugs are now ingrained in the consciousness of bodybuilders and athletes everywhere. It's safe to say that these drugs are rampant at all levels of sport from low-level amateur to upper echelon professional.

What they are

As news of the drug's protein-building and muscle-promoting properties became known, it wasn't long before weightlifters, bodybuilders, and athletes in other strength and power sports started taking them.

Who uses them?

Medically, these anabolic drugs are used for treating such conditions as delayed puberty, some forms of impotence, combating such wasting diseases as AIDS and cancer, anemia, and osteoporosis. Despite their legitimate medical uses, the biggest market for most of these drugs is in sports; and the sport most closely associated with these drugs is bodybuilding. It's well known that virtually all professional and top amateur competitive bodybuilders use steroids in their stacks and cycles. And for every pro or national competitor who uses them there are probably a thousand recreational bodybuilders who will never compete. But it's not just bodybuilders who use these muscle-building agents. Many of the world's top track and field athletes also use them. And such sports as football, rugby, and powerlifting, see rampant usage.

How are they Used?

Anabolic steroids can be taken in a number of different ways. The two most common are orally (swallowing a pill) and injection (using a hypodermic needle to inject into the muscle). Orals are easiest to use but because of their chemical modifications, produce more side effects. Injectables require the use of a needle and all the risks that accompany breaking the body's outer protective barrier. But this version is easier on the system with fewer side effects. A third method of delivery involves a patch containing creams or gels that absorb through the skin directly into the body.

What are cycles and stacks?

Most bodybuilders don't just randomly pop pills and stick needles into their asses (at least the smarter ones); they combine the drugs into stacks and cycles. A cycle is a period of drug use followed by a period of nonuse. The most popular cycle would be 8 to 12 weeks on and 2 to 3 weeks off.

Pyramid Power!

Probably the most popular variation of this cycle is called the pyramid cycle. In this case the dosages start out low, gradually increase in potency, peaks for a few weeks, and then start to gradually decrease. There follows a drug-free period after this cycle before the user may start again. It's thought that by arranging the dosages in this way, the body has time to adjust and avoid the side effects that sometimes occur. This type of cycle also gives bodybuilders and other athletes a better chance of passing drug tests.

Although the risks are greater, bodybuilders rarely take just one steroid in a cycle. Instead they take two or more drugs at the same time in what's called a stack. Bodybuilders stack steroids because they find that drugs sometimes magnify each other's effects by a process known as synergism.

The long arm of the law

Prior to 1991, bodybuilders could use steroids with relative immunity. That is, they didn't have to worry about law enforcement agents knocking down their doors or raiding their gym bags. That all changed with the first federal Anabolic Control Act of 1991. Once this piece of legislation became law, steroids became part of the drug war and were placed in the same category as such street drugs as heroin and cocaine. Although prosecution mainly takes place at the state level, bodybuilders would be wise to seek alternatives to these drugs.

The legal alternatives!

Given the social stigma of using steroids and the potential for doing jail time, bodybuilders should check out the latest legal steroid analogs. These powerful compounds are outstanding for building muscle size and strength. They'll also shred your muscles by eliminating body fat. These natural agents are made with pharmaceutical grade ingredients and are perfectly legal.

© Bob Howard 03/24/2006