It’s become more and more common for enhanced bodybuilders to buy their gear online. One glance at any of the numerous steroid marketplaces will reveal thriving, vibrant communities. Often excellently self-policed and regulated, these communities are a far cry from the shady fly-by-night locales that they are often depicted as. Nonetheless it doesn’t take more than a quick bit of detective work to notice the concerning number of young folk on these sites seeking a source of gear. Underage, unknowledgeable, and often only novice gym goers, these prospective buyers are a concerning factor in today’s bodybuilding world. While it is common practice for most gear marketplaces to discourage and turn away these individuals, it is impossible to 100% completely ensure the prevention of all sales to minors.

The flooding of marketplaces with these young customers has been somewhat exacerbated by the rise in popularity that SARMs have experienced over the past few years. Enjoying their status occupying a legal “grey area,” SARMs are often advertised as a legal alternative to steroids. In addition, some SARM producers (a certain popular YouTube channel for example) describe these substances as being healthier and safer than steroids. While some aspects of that statement are true, it is fairly common to find posts online made by young SARM buyers who have made their purchase without any real knowledge whatsoever. I have witnessed such scenarios as a buyer who had already started his cycle without knowing if he will need PCT, or even how long his cycle should last. Situations like this are unacceptable.

Another frequent critique of persons who have gained notoriety in this area is the use of certain drugs and/or dosages that they recurrently recommend to other users. One well known amateur bodybuilder has gained a reputation for utilizing shockingly high doses, and has stated in an interview that he does not routinely get bloodwork done. This sets a particularly poor example for beginner users. Another bodybuilder has often propagated the use of dangerous and addictive substances, all in the name of “crushing ignorance” (part of his brand’s slogan). A particularly concerning video made by this athlete described the use of 1000 mg of DNP (an amount that would kill almost anyone) by one of his friends for a period of time. A simple google search will reveal dozens of videos regarding almost any compound imaginable, many made by people with no real experience using steroids or containing conflicting and false information.

So how do we respond to this issue? By stopping the problem at its source. It is imperative that the industry as a whole lifts its invisible and unspoken prohibition on steroid discussion. After all, the best way to keep people safe is to educate them. Unfortunately bodybuilding’s “educators” at the moment seem to be the very people who we should most avoid listening to. The solution to this rise in false information is to spread truthful and accurate facts, something that the powers that be seem hell-bent on suppressing.

Steroids have been attached to a certain stigma that follows them wherever they are mentioned. While being completely undeserved, steroids are labeled as dangerous and unethical. This view will only continue to be more and more widely accepted among the public as long as people are afraid or unwilling to openly and honestly discuss gear. Being the biggest consumers of steroids and (typically) the most knowledgeable, it is up to bodybuilders to change this stereotype.

Written by Trent Wozniak

In 2016 we witnessed the return of The Gift in spectacular fashion. Silencing all rumblings about him coming in at less than his best in 2015, Phil Heath’s physique commanded the utmost respect and awe from the moment he set foot on stage last year. At only 37 years old, Phil hasn’t even begun to age or slow down. It’s sometimes said that bodybuilders peak around age 40, with that in mind it’s entirely conceivable that we have yet to see the best package Phil has to offer. Phil has made it clear that he expects to win no fewer than 10 Sandows in his career, and I see no reason to doubt the man. While it’s anyone’s guess how the placings will finally fall, I feel confident putting Phil in first.

Second place last year was taken by none other than Shawn Rhoden. Hailing from Jamaica, the Flexatron has consistently impressed bodybuilding’s fans with the kind of symmetry rarely seen even in top level physiques. 42 years old, Shawn has yet to show signs of aging as well. It’s often been said that if Shawn could improve his back and his legs in particular that he could closely contend with Phil for the number one position. Even back in 2015 we witnessed an authoritative display from Shawn, with some in the audience remarking after pre-judging that Shawn had appeared better than Phil himself. Analysis of the 2015 Olympia scorecard reveals that Shawn’s third place finish (after Phil and Dexter Jackson) was decided by only a single point. Just like last year, Rhoden has taken all of 2017 off from competing in order to focus on bringing the best package he possibly can to the Olympia stage. As a major Rhoden fan myself I’m not counting on him dethroning Phil, but if there ever was a year this would be it.

This brings us to last year’s third place finisher, the timeless Dexter Jackson. In the weeks leading up to the 2016 Olympia Jackson appeared confident and assertive, stating in an interview that “if you got me out of the top three, change your f***ing list.” Jackson’s prediction came true, though admittedly many fans thought the third place position rightfully belonged to Big Ramy. Whatever your belief, there’s no denying that 2008 Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson is a very real threat in this lineup. Furthermore, Dexter has mentioned in the past that he feels unrecognized as a former Sandow winner, and we can conclude that much of his motivation going into this year’s contest will be to put that lack of credit behind him. Like Rhoden and other Olympians The Blade has not competed this year, which means that the Dexter we see at the Olympia will be fully rested and ready for whatever may come.

Taking fourth place was the most impressive Big Ramy we’ve seen yet. Ramy has competed at the Olympia since 2013, and has improved his placing every single year (8^th, 7^th, 5^th, and 4^th). The most noticeable difference between the Ramy of 2016 and every other form of him that we’ve seen was his conditioning, which was markedly improved since 2015. Ramy had competed at 316 lbs. in 2015, and so drastically different was his 2016 look that it earned him the temporary nickname “Medium Ramy.” It’s often said that of the current Olympians, Ramy has the best shot at being the man to eventually take the mantle from Phil. While I hesitate to believe (as some do) that this will be that year, I greatly look forward to seeing Ramy take home a Sandow one day.

Cedric McMillan, Roelly Winklaar, and (hopefully) Brandon Curry can be counted on to duke it out for the last spots within the first callout and the first couple within the second. Though it’s likely that we’ll inevitably see surprises and shakeups in the top 10, we can realistically guess with fair accuracy what placing range most competitors will fall into. If there’s one thing that’s for certain though it’s that this year’s Olympia will feature one of the most stacked and talented lineups we’ve seen in many years, and witnessing how things will ultimately play out will be a fine spectacle indeed.

Written by Trent Wozniak