Chris Bumstead, the 6x Mr. Olympia Classic Physique titleholder, knows that steroids can help athletes perform better than expected, but he is strictly against their usage due to the health hazards they can pose.

On February 19, Coachify AI shared an Instagram clip of the December 15, 2023, episode of the PBD podcast featuring Bumstead. It displayed 'CBum' highlighting multiple reasons behind encouraging bodybuilders and other athletes to stay away from steroids.

The retired Canadian bodybuilder revealed one of his experiences, stating, “I was doing a Q and A in Dubai the other week, and some kid, probably 17, asked me if he should get on steroids. And I am like, 'No'”.

He continued, “The side effects to it can vary so greatly depending on the person, you just never know what you’re going to”.

According to Bumstead, one of the major health issues arising from steroids is that even a single cycle could permanently stop a person's natural testosterone production [in men].

CBum also highlighted, “It can lead to more risks of heart disease, an increase in cholesterol, it can affect your liver, all of your organs, it can be very damaging” if not taken properly.

As a result, he advised every athlete, “don’t even begin to touch it”.

A meta-analysis by Liu Mingxing and team, published on NIH, USA, identified the potential health hazards of steroid use. They include hypertension, stroke risk, and heart disease.

However, Bumstead is far from being the only noted bodybuilder who has discouraged steroid usage publicly.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chris Bumstead’s Are on the Same Page Regarding Steroids

During an interview with Men’s Health in 2023, the 7x Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger, echoed Bumstead's take on steroid usage. According to 'The Austrian Oak', “Bodybuilding always was considered a safe sport. But now it’s not. Now people are dying."

Schwarzenegger opined that abusing d**** [steroids] was at the core of this alarming situation. He said, "They’re listening to charlatans. If I want to get medical advice from a doctor, I go to UCLA, or I go to the Cleveland Clinic”. The Predator actor also prophesied that steroid users will "regret it later."

So, despite top-level bodybuilding legends discouraging steroid usage, what do you think makes many athletes fall for them?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy