Flex Wheeler really known as bodybuilders drug addicts, and I’m right here for it. There was a time when bodybuilding was about constructing muscle. And whereas that also could also be true, issues definitely aren’t the identical within the sport.
Again within the day, you educated tougher than everybody else. You ate whenever you didn’t wish to. You recovered. You repeated the method for years.
At this time?
Too many individuals are on the lookout for shortcuts.
That’s why I discovered myself nodding together with what Flex Wheeler not too long ago mentioned in regards to the state of recent bodybuilding. His feedback weren’t meant to sugarcoat actuality. They had been meant to wake individuals up. And truthfully, I believe extra individuals want to listen to them.
Flex Wheeler Didn’t Maintain Again
Flex Wheeler has seen bodybuilding evolve over a number of a long time.
He’s watched the game develop. He’s additionally watched it change in methods he doesn’t essentially like.
One of many greatest points he identified is the obsession with medicine.
In response to Wheeler, many bodybuilders immediately behave extra like drug addicts than athletes as a result of they’re consistently chasing the following compound, larger dosage, or quicker consequence as a substitute of specializing in coaching and diet.
It’s a harsh assertion. However I don’t suppose it’s an inaccurate one.
Bodybuilding Has Turn out to be a Race for Fast Fixes
That is the place I fully agree with Flex Wheeler.
Someplace alongside the way in which, persistence disappeared.
As an alternative of asking methods to enhance their coaching program, individuals ask what drug they need to add subsequent.
As an alternative of fixing weak physique elements by years of laborious work, some flip to web site enhancement oils hoping to create the phantasm of muscle.
As an alternative of respecting the method, they’re trying to find hacks.
That’s not bodybuilding. That’s chemistry with dumbbells.
Coaching Ought to At all times Come First
The best physiques weren’t constructed in a single day. Even the legends who used performance-enhancing medicine nonetheless educated with unbelievable depth and consistency. They mastered the basics.
At this time’s tradition typically skips these fundamentals completely. Many youthful athletes suppose the syringe issues greater than the squat rack.
That’s a harmful mindset.
Social Media Has Made the Downside Worse
Social media deserves some blame. Daily, somebody is exhibiting off one other large transformation.
No person desires to attend 5 or ten years anymore. Everybody desires the “secret.”
That creates an setting the place medicine develop into normalized whereas self-discipline turns into optionally available.
Flex Wheeler has additionally spoken about how social media has distorted bodybuilding and folks’s notion of success. It’s troublesome to argue with that statement when likes and followers typically matter greater than contest placings.
Website Enhancement Oils Have No Place in Bodybuilding
I’ll most likely catch warmth for this. And I actually don’t care as a result of it must be mentioned.
Injecting web site enhancement oils isn’t bodybuilding. It’s beauty manipulation.
Constructing muscle requires years of progressive overload, restoration, diet, and consistency. Injecting oils right into a muscle to make it seem bigger doesn’t exhibit any of these qualities.
It merely creates the phantasm of improvement.
We’ve all seen physiques ruined as a result of somebody wished larger arms or rounder shoulders with out placing within the work.
That’s not spectacular. It’s unhappy. Some say Derek hit his arms. Others speak about Hadi’s shoulders. This isn’t something new. And sadly, it appears regular immediately.
Flex Wheeler Understands the Dangers Higher Than Most
One cause I believe Flex Wheeler’s opinion carries a lot weight is as a result of he’s lived by bodybuilding on the highest stage.
He’s overtly mentioned the substances used throughout his profession, the long-term well being penalties, and the truth that he now requires testosterone alternative remedy for all times after years of competing. He’s additionally handled critical kidney points and different well being issues following retirement.
He’s not talking from ignorance. He’s talking from expertise.
When somebody who’s lived by these penalties tells youthful athletes to suppose in another way, it’s value listening.
We Must Cease Glorifying Drug Protocols
One pattern I completely hate is the countless dialogue about cycles. Whole podcasts revolve round drug stacks. Boards debate dosages. Social media influencers overtly talk about what they take as if they’re reviewing a brand new pre-workout.
Flex Wheeler has beforehand defined why he’s uncomfortable overtly discussing steroid protocols. Whereas he understands that training has worth, he believes public figures have a accountability as a result of the improper data can affect others and probably trigger hurt.
I respect that place.
We spend extra time speaking about medicine than coaching ideas. Take into consideration how backward that’s.
Carry Again Actual Bodybuilding
I miss the mentality the place incomes muscle really meant one thing. The place enhancements got here from years beneath the bar. The place individuals revered laborious work as a substitute of shortcuts.
I’m not naïve sufficient to faux performance-enhancing medicine don’t exist in bodybuilding. They at all times have. However they shouldn’t develop into the complete dialog.
Additionally they shouldn’t substitute every little thing else that made bodybuilding nice. That’s the distinction.
I Agree with Flex Wheeler’s Feedback
Some individuals will criticize Flex Wheeler for calling bodybuilders drug addicts. Others will say he’s exaggerating. I don’t suppose he’s.
When somebody turns into obsessive about discovering quicker chemical options as a substitute of bettering their coaching, diet, restoration, and consistency, the game loses one thing.
Bodybuilding ought to reward self-discipline. It ought to reward persistence. It ought to reward relentless effort.
If these values disappear, we’re not celebrating bodybuilding. We’re celebrating shortcuts. And that’s precisely why I agree with Flex Wheeler.
Creator Bio:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is a globally acknowledged well being, health, and complement business knowledgeable with over 25 years of hands-on expertise. He’s the founding father of Weik Fitness and one of the vital prolific writers within the house, recognized for translating advanced science into clear, actionable content material. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State College and a number of business certifications, giving his work each educational credibility and real-world authority. His writing has been featured on 1000’s of internet sites and in 100+ magazines worldwide, together with FLEX, Muscular Growth, Iron Man, and Muscle & Health UK, and he has authored 30+ revealed books. Trusted by main complement manufacturers and media retailers alike, Matt is extensively considered one of the vital educated and dependable voices in well being, health, and sports activities diet.
