Ronny Terry is a Swindon-based personal trainer and fitness writer.
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ANABOLIC steroids are drugs or substances chemically similar to testosterone, a male hormone necessary for muscle growth, development, and functioning of reproductive organs.

Testosterone is produced naturally in the human body and men make around ten times more than women. They were first synthesised in the 1930s and have been present in sport ever since. Every year there are stories of athletes failing drug tests, so much so that we now barely take notice.

Steroids allow athletes to train harder and recover faster, gaining more muscle, strength, speed and power than possible without their use. Steroids are a class C drug which means it is not illegal to possess them, but it is to supply. They are prescribed for medical reasons, but doses are often fairly low.

Sadly, far removed from the upper echelons of elite competitive sport, steroids are now commonplace within many commercial gyms. It is estimated steroid use now doubles that of heroin, and the average age of the user is dropping. Men in their late teens and early 20s looking for a shortcut to a dream body are now using steroids despite being nowhere near their natural potential for strength and size. Perhaps pressured by society, they buy ‘gear’ from the internet but have little clue what they are sold and this places them at further risk.

Using steroids can result in heart, liver and kidney problems as well as aggressive behaviour, depression, and mood swings. They are often injected but oral forms are attractive to those afraid of needles. Steroids can be stacked with other steroids and substances to maximise muscle gain and minimise unwanted side effects that can include hair loss, acne and loss of sexual appetite.

They are dangers associated with taking any drug, and steroids are no different. Drug pharmacology is not the sort of thing you can learn in an afternoon and you are nothing short of a fool if you pop a few pills and think they will enhance your life.

Getting a beach body doesn’t require the use of steroids. Stick to creatine and protein shakes, and with a smart training regime and healthy diet you’ll get there.

If you think you have a problem with steroids or any other drug speak to your GP.