Have you heard or Ricky Garard, Ryan Elrod or female athletes Emily Abbott, Chantelle Loehner, Elly Kabboord, Lauren Herrera, Anna Fragkou, Rachel Campbell or Natalie Newhart? These CrossFit Games competitors made the news for testing positive for steroids. But, is the problem widespread or is it an isolated thing? Keep on reading to find out all the details you need to know about steroids in CrossFit, including CrossFit women and steroids.
Do CrossFitters use steroids?
Let’s find out everything you want to know about CrossFit and steroids.
Steroids in CrossFit: A Major Problem?
Crossfit is a relative newcomer in the health and fitness world. It is seriously addictive for some. People either love it and cannot get enough of it, or hate it. But what does CrossFit mean? It is a fitness program that combines a wide variety of functional movements into a timed or scored workout. It’s a competitive workout program that combines multiple sports and training.
But there is a darker side that has emerged with CrossFit. The notable use of steroids. Anabolic steroid is a derivative of the male sex hormone, testosterone. It’s a misperception to think that performance-enhancing drugs (PED) are used by professional athletes only.
Amateur CrossFitters use these substances not just to enhance their proficiency at their sport, but to develop body image for cosmetic purposes, like weight loss and muscle gain. It can be a tempting shortcut to take steroids to achieve some great results, but there are certainly some harmful side effects to be aware of.
And it’s not just the guys who are doing it. There are a number of female CrossFit athletes who’ve gotten busted for steroids. We’ll give you all the details you need to know about CrossFit women steroids.
Are steroids a big problem in CrossFit?
What You Need to Know About Steroids
There are a number of key things you need to know about steroids and other banned substances, including what exactly they are as well as the potential harm that they can cause. Here are some of the highlights.
WHAT ARE THEY?
Why are body-builders so big? Some have a strict regime of diet, weightlifting, fasting, liquid intake, and supplements. Others have gotten big the easier way, through the illegal use of them.
They are man-made chemicals. They are used in medicine to help people with anemia and the temporary relief of muscle and tendon pain due to inflammation. These are not anabolic steroids. They copy the effect of the male hormone, testosterone. These steroids build muscle and increase strength. They can be swallowed as tablets, injected directly into the muscle or through the skin in gels and creams.
ABUSE OF ANABOLIC STEROIDS
These substances are widely abused throughout the world. They increase lean muscle mass in conjunction with weight training. Many males and females use steroids to help them achieve a perfect body.
These drugs are usually illegally obtained on the Black Market. People of all ages have been known to misuse these drugs, especially adolescent boys who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder. They spend their time worrying about their imperfect bodies. They see themselves as physically weak and unmanly.
Often people think by taking anabolic steroids they will become fit and healthy. This is a falsehood: it’s a dangerous drug habit that can result in death and takes years off your life.
Compare this to someone like Rich Froning who says that he never uses drugs. Instead, he just works his butt off to get some great results!
CROSSFIT STEROIDS: ARE THEY DANGEROUS?
The side effects depend on the sex of the user, their age, the specific product, the quantity, and the length of abuse. These may include:
- changes in libido
- increased red cell count
- acne, particularly on the body, not the face
- low sperm count
- enlarged male breasts
- fluid retention
- hair growth in women and hair loss in men
- low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL) and high levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (HDL)
- pain in urinating
CrossFit Games steroids
PROBLEMS WITH OVERUSE OF STEROIDS
Overuse of anabolic steroids can be hazardous and lead to:
- cardiovascular problems including heart attack and stroke resulting in death
- liver damage leading to liver cancer
- bone weakness and calcium deficiency
- stunted growth in teenagers
- shrinking testicles and sterility
- shrinking breasts, increased facial and body hair, and deepening voice in women
CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR WITH PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS
There are also side effects on behaviour, including:
- aggression
- mood swings
- reckless behaviour
- addiction
CrossFit Women on Steroids?
Emily Abbott is one high-profile female CrossFit athlete who got busted for using steroids. Natalie Newhart is another one who tested positive. Find out more information about CrossFit women and banned substances here:
A common question is whether or not Brooke Ence uses steroids. When you take a look at the before and after pictures, it certainly makes some people wonder. However, she has not tested positive for them to date so we can only assume that she’s clean. Brooke Ence steroids: it seems like it’s not really a thing.
What do you think about female CrossFit athletes and steroids? Is it a big problem, or just a small percentage of athletes who are using banned substances? Is CrossFit Women Steroids really a thing?
CrossFit women and steroids
Crossfit and Steroids
There are a number of things to consider when you talk about steroids within the CrossFit community. Here are a few of the highlights, incudling CrossFit Games steroids.
ACCUSATIONS OF CROSSFIT AND PEDS
After several highly publicized scandals with elite CrossFit athletes, some experts declare that CrossFit is rife with steroids. Indeed the bodies of the CrossFit fanatics look artificially pumped. Taxing their bodies to such a degree is one reason for them taking illegal substances. They help recovery and enhance muscle growth.
CrossFitters were not surprised when the top Australian CrossFit Games athlete, Ricky Garad, was found cheating at the 2017 CrossFit Games and was stripped of his title and prize money, along with receiving a 4-year ban from competition. He responded that all the top athletes were on something, although most obviously deny this.
Again in 2018, the CrossFit Games banned their highest-profile female athlete, Emily Abbott, from America, along with 13 other athletes for drug cheating.
Another athlete in the news was Ryan Elrod who got a 2-year ban after testing positive during a regional competition. Although he was taking fertility drugs to help his wife get pregnant, the ban still stood.
CROSSFIT’S ANTI-DOPING PROGRAMME
CrossFit Inc has announced new and tightened testing procedures prior to the 2019 WorldCross Games, which start in Hong Kong at the end of July. CrossFit has partnered with Drug-Free Sports U.S., which analyzes for the NFL, NBA and 300 other elite sports and athletic organizations, to administer its testing program. It should be an interesting test of their ability to control the persistent use of steroids and other banned substances at their Annual CrossFit event.
We welcome the addition of an independent testing body with lots of experience of this popular athletic competition. The athletes and sponsors likely do too! It’s also worth noting that testing of the top athletes can happen at any time throughout the year, not just during major competitions.
If caught, athletes usually receive a 2-4 year ban from all official CrossFit competitions around the world. Is it worth it? Likely not for the top athletes who stand to lose a ton of money in way of prize money and sponsorships, not to mention respect from those around them.
CrossFit Steroids: A big problem?
CROSSFIT AND STEROIDS: NOT JUST THE ELITE ATHLETES USE BANNED SUBSTANCES
There is a much-published commentary that it is not just the elite CrossFit games athletes using steroids. It has been noted recently in a U.K. study that approximately 13% of 128 athletes have used anabolics and other performance-enhancing drugs. Participants admitted that they used these substances to develop their body image – 50%, lose weight – 41.6%. And gain weight – 25%.
THE TYPE OF ATHLETES IT PRODUCES
Take a look around at the athletes during the next CrossFit Games. Most of them are built, in a huge way and it wouldn’t be such a stretch for them to make the transition into professional bodybuilding. That’s how buff many of them are. Sure, there are exceptions, but we’re talking about generalities here.
It’s for this reason that many people think that these athletes must be on a banned substance. However, the truth is that CrossFitters are often huge because they train like almost nobody else in the world, especially with regard to dynamic weightlifting. This type of training naturally produces people who are ripped in comparison to most other athletes.
The winner of the CrossFit Games is declared to be the fittest person on Earth. This is quite an accurate description and it’s our belief that they got there through hard work, not illegal drug us.
IT HURTS PEOPLE WHO TRAIN CLEANLY
One of the major problems with those who get stronger and bigger with the use of PEDs without necessarily doing the years of training is that it makes an unfair playing field. What about all those people who did train for years without the use of PEDs? How can these two groups of people compete against each other? It just doesn’t seem fair, right?
The good news is that most major sports organizations take this problem very seriously and have a system in place that requires that their athletes get tested for PEDs on a regular basis every year or two, or at certain times throughout the year. This simple thing could be the answer that most sports fans are looking for as it can even the playing field and ensure a fair level of competition, as well as those within the organizations.
It’s our opinion this thing should not be left up to the individual. When big prize money and sponsorships are at stake, people will certainly cheat and some are willing to do anything to get a leg up. We hope that eventually, we might live in a world without this problem, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen!
A robust testing system could also add years to peoples’ lives as it will prevent people from getting started with PEDs in the first place. This simple thing could certainly be an answer to many of the problems in sport, even though it will take some change. Crossfit steroids: hopefully it won’t be as big of a problem in the future!
Of course, there are other ways to cheat as well. For example, Trevor Bachmeyer received a 4-year ban from competition for looping his CrossFit Open video.
Steroids in CrossFit: Learn More About this Problem
Do you want to find out more about peds, whether or not CrossFit athletes get tested, and more? Then the first order of the day should be to check out this short video:
Looking for Solutions – Health Promotion and CrossFit Doping
We believe the increased use of illegal substances in amateur sport requires a new approach by governments. An approach that emphasizes good health and harm minimization.
New strategies such as school education, testing of drug quality, and medical advice should be considered. There must be a social shift in the differentiation of Crossfit elite athletes and amateur CrossFitter. The emphasis should be on fun and health, not the body beautiful at any cost.
Basically, there is no shortcuts if you want to be a top athlete (or any elite athlete for that matter). This goal should be achieved through hard work, a strict diet, coaching and the right equipment. Of course, genetics plays a big role in this as well. It shouldn’t be achieved or helped by illegal drugs, which is actually cheating.
When you consider the side effects of steroids, it just isn’t worth it. This is to mention nothing of the bans from competition and loss of sponsorships if caught. CrossFit steroids, or in any other sport: It just isn’t worth it!
10 Athletes Banned from the CrossFit Games due to Anabolic Agents
These people tested positive for the use of metabolic substances, including a number of women CrossFit athletes including Emily Abbott:
CrossFit Steroids FAQs
There are a number of popular questions that people have about CrossFitters using steroids. Here are the answers to the most common ones.
Are there Steroids in CrossFit?
There are certainly some cases of people using steroids in CrossFit and some high-profile cases of people getting stripped of medals and prize money at major competitions like the CrossFit Games. However, the use of steroids in CrossFit certainly isn’t widespread, especially at the amateur level.
Why are CrossFitters so Jacked?
Some CrossFitters are so jacked because of the method of training as well as careful diet plans. The dynamic movements, combined with serious weightlifting can produce some extremely ripped athletes. Of course, some CrossFitters use anabolic steroids to assist with this but this practice is not widespread.
Do CrossFit Athletes Use Steroids?
There are certainly some high-profile CrossFit athletes who’ve gotten busted for steroid use, including Ricky Garard and Emily Abbott. However, CrossFit does have an anti-doping testing program in place and it’s thought to be not a widespread problem.
Who Tested Positive for Steroids in CrossFit?
There are dozens of CrossFit athletes who have tested positive for steroids in a range of age categories, both male and female. However, the highest-profile athletes include Ricky Garard, Ryan Elrod, Emily Abbott and Natalie Newhart.
What did Ricky Garard Get Banned For?
Third-place finisher at the 2017 CrossFit Games, Ricky Garard got stripped of his medal and banned from competition for four years for steroid use. He tested positive for testolone and endurobol, both of which are banned substances.
Why are Female CrossFitters so Big?
Some people think that female CrossFitters are so big because of the use of banned substances. However, it’s most likely due to heavy training and careful diet. CrossFit involves full-body, functional exercises combined with heavy weightlifting.
What Drugs are Banned in CrossFit?
There are a number of banned drugs for CrossFit athletes. They include the following:
- Anabolic Agents (steroids)
- Illegal street drugs
- Diuretics
- Peptide hormones/analogues.
- Anti-Estrogens and metabolic modulators
- Beta-2 Agonists
Do CrossFit Women use Steroids?
It’s certainly a common question whether CrossFit women, including Brooke Ence use steroids. There are certainly some female CrossFit athletes who’ve tested positive. However, the vast majority have not so it can be assumed to not be a major problem, and similar to any other sport where strength is a major factor for success.
Does Rich Froning Take Steroids?
Rich Froning is one of the most successful CrossFit athletes of all time and there are rumors abounding that he has taken steroids to achieve this success. However, he has never tested positive for any illegal substance and his great results can be attributed to great genetics, training, and nutrition.
Are there natural alternatives to steroids for improving performance in CrossFit?
Yes, there are natural ways to enhance performance in CrossFit, such as following a well-balanced diet, proper training techniques, adequate rest and recovery, and utilizing nutritional supplements that are legal and safe.
What is the CrossFit community’s stance on steroid use?
The CrossFit community generally condemns the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing substances. CrossFit promotes a culture of integrity, fair competition, and pursuing fitness goals through hard work, dedication, and adherence to ethical standards.
Are there drug testing protocols in place for CrossFit athletes?
Yes, CrossFit implements drug testing protocols to ensure fair competition. Athletes participating in CrossFit-sanctioned events may be subjected to random drug testing to detect the use of banned substances, including steroids.
Is it possible to achieve significant progress in CrossFit without using steroids?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to achieve significant progress in CrossFit without the use of steroids. CrossFit training focuses on functional movements and overall fitness, and with proper training, nutrition, and dedication, individuals can make remarkable improvements in their performance.
How can I Get Ripped Without Steroids?
If you want to get ripped, minus harmful substances, here are a few tips.
Getting “ripped” refers to achieving a low body fat percentage while maintaining muscle mass. It is absolutely possible to achieve a ripped physique without the use of steroids. Here are some essential guidelines to help you reach your goal naturally.
- Consistent Strength Training: Incorporate resistance training into your fitness routine. Focus on compound exercises that target multiple muscle groups, such as squats, deadlifts, bench presses, rows, and overhead presses. This will help build and maintain muscle mass while increasing your metabolism.
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Include HIIT workouts in your training regimen. HIIT involves short bursts of intense exercise followed by periods of rest or lower intensity. It helps burn calories, increase cardiovascular fitness, and boost your metabolic rate.
- Caloric Deficit: Achieving a ripped physique requires shedding excess body fat. Create a caloric deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. However, it’s important to do this in a sustainable and healthy manner. Aim for a moderate caloric deficit of around 500-700 calories per day, which should lead to a gradual and steady weight loss.
- Balanced Nutrition: Focus on a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair, so make sure to consume an adequate amount. Stay hydrated and limit processed foods, sugary beverages, and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Adequate Rest and Recovery: Allow your body enough time to recover between workouts. Get enough sleep, as it plays a crucial role in muscle repair and overall health. Overtraining can impede progress and increase the risk of injury, so listen to your body and prioritize rest.
- Cardiovascular Exercise: Incorporate regular cardiovascular exercise into your routine. Activities like running, swimming, cycling, or brisk walking can help burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness, and contribute to fat loss.
- Consistency and Patience: Achieving a ripped physique takes time and consistent effort. Be patient with your progress and maintain a long-term perspective. Consistency in your training, nutrition, and recovery will yield the best results.
Have your Say about CrossFit and Steroid Use
What are your thoughts about steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs within the CrossFit world? Or, on those athletes who got busted for PEDs and doping? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
Also be sure to give this article a share on Twitter, Pinterest, or Facebook. It’ll help other people, like yourself who want to raise awareness about this serious problem.
Steroid use in CrossFit
Not only is he an avid CrossFitter, but he is also a coach, holding level 1 + 2 CrossFit coaching designations. You will usually find Tony at the local gym where he uses his knowledge of proper nutrition and exercise to help athletes achieve their goals.
Last update on 2023-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
