The late bodybuilding legend Mike Mentzer provides some interesting knowledge on the subject of steroids.
When it comes to knowledgeable bodybuilders there’s no doubt that Mike Mentzer was one of the smartest. A true legend of the Golden Era of the sport, Mentzer was able to build a truly impressive physique on the strength of his knowledge and training methods. He was no doubt one of the most informed bodybuilders in his day.
Speaking on bodybuilding in general, there’s no way you can think of the endeavor of building massive muscle and not think of anabolic steroids. Whether it was the Golden Era, the rise of the mass monsters, or the modern era of the sport steroids have always been a subject of conversation.
There’s an argument that no bodybuilder can achieve the world class level of muscle necessary to dominate the bodybuilding world without utilizing steroids. Many bodybuilders don’t discuss the usage of steroids publicly. That’s likely due to the negative stigma the anabolic substance gets. Many athletes refrain from discussing steroid usage simply because the wrong idea can be conveyed.
Many bodybuilders are unlikely to discuss steroid usage because of a number of particular notions. Some want to avoid advocating for the usage of the substance, concerned about influencing young lifters into taking steroids. Another notion is that they don’t want to public to view their success simply through the lens of steroid usage. Many look at steroids as a magic drug that does all the heavy lifting. In reality, whether an athlete uses steroids or not, it requires a tremendous amount of rigorous training in order to reap the benefits.
Whatever there reasons, many bodybuilders are mum on the topic of steroids. But not Mike Mentzer.
A Rare Interview With The Legend
A recent video interview has surfaced of the late great bodybuilder discussing steroid usage, it’s effect on the body, and other tidbits of knowledge on the subject. The interview which took place in 1991 showcased just how knowledgeable Mentzer was on the subject matter. Take a look at the video below and hopefully get a bit more informed about steroids.
It’s clear that Mike Mentzer knew quite a bit about steroids. While you’d be hard pressed to refute most of the information Mentzer shares here, one thing he said could be challenged. He mentions that bodybuilders were unlikely to get larger and leaner in the future. When you see the state of modern bodybuilding, it’s clear that Mentzer couldn’t have anticipated the mass monsters of today.
Do you agree with Mike Mentzer in this interview? What are your views on the current state of steroid usage in modern bodybuilding?
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.