A Triad of Physical Masculinities: Examining Multiple ‘Hegemonic’ Bodybuilding Identities in Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Online Discussion Groups

ABSTRACT

The last twenty years has seen increases in nonprofessional sportspersons using anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Although some women use AAS, most users are men. Few studies examine men, masculinities and AAS. Of the limited studies available, many link a ‘hegemonic masculinity’ with men’s AAS use; adopting a singular identity perspective and generalizing ‘steroid use.’ However, bodybuilding is diverse, often encompassing different goals surrounding muscularity, size, weight and appearance – thus, bodybuilding identities are unlikely to be singular. This research questions narrow perspectives, developing an in-depth investigation that recognizes AAS use can be complex and depict multiple performance-enhancing drugs and usage routines. This study conducted a detailed thematic-content analysis of 351 user-postings from eight pro-AAS online discussion boards to examine linkages between men’s understandings of masculinity, male physicality, and how conceptualizations influence different trends for using AAS. Research applied R.W Connell’s hegemonic masculinity as a theoretical lens to interpret findings. Findings uncovered multiple and diverse notions of bodybuilding masculinity linked to three distinct notions of identity connecting different AAS practices (The Nattys, The Cyclers, and The Blasters-and-cruisers). An analysis of interactions between different bodybuilding identities is presented and discussed, alongside implications for masculinities theory and further study in this emerging but important field.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for this research was sought and secured from Robert Gordon University, School of Applied Social Studies (April, 2021).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

¹ The term ‘shredded’ typically refers to low body-fat percentage. This accents the visibility of different muscles and muscle groups. It is a popular term in bodybuilding circles.

² There is a trend for some qualitative, sociological research to promote specific (and often costly) analytical tools as necessary to conduct strong qualitative research. However, there are many free-for-use and open-source alternative software tools available. In this case, I have chosen to leave absent the name of the software used.

³ ‘Natty’ is a well-used descriptor in online and wider real-world circles for a natural bodybuilder who does not use (or claims not to use) AAS.

⁴ Trenbolone (Trenbolone acetate) is an AAS developed for cattle livestock to increase muscle density, growth, protein synthesis, feed efficiency and total lean mass. It has never been approved (nor is designed) for use in humans. Despite this, it is a popular AAS for bodybuilding.

⁵ This blank section contained the user spelling of a hate speech term. The alternative spelling is possibly to avoid the removal of postings containing words flagged for hate speech. The term has specifically been recognized as used to attack men’s masculine and sexual identities in various contexts (see Pascoe 2005, 2011). I have chosen to blank the actual word used by the forum member.

⁶ All synthetic and stronger metabolites of testosterone.

⁷ A combination of drugs, used post-AAS cycle to restore natural testosterone production in the testes and help the body recover natural (pre-AAS use) levels of testosterone.

⁸ A drug used to prevent an AAS-mediated rise in excess estrogen, in men.

⁹ Also called Ligandrol; A SARM: Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator drug, similar to some AAS in effects.

¹⁰ Also a SARM.

¹¹ A hormone-related drug made from the urine of pregnant women.

¹² A hormone-related drug made from the urine of post-menopausal women.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have no funding to report.

Notes on contributors

Nicholas Norman Adams

Nicholas Norman Adams is a postdoctoral research fellow at Robert Gordon University. He completed his PhD in 2019 at The University of Aberdeen; ethnographically focussing on linkages between men, masculinities, safety and risk on a remote UK North Sea oil and gas drilling platform. He continues to study linkages between men and masculinities, risk behaviors and health in a variety of different social contexts. He is a Chartered Psychologist; a member of the British Psychological Society and a Science Council Registered Scientist.