Our lifestyles have had two off-shoot effects: one, that there’s been an increase in the number of obese people, and two, that these people, conscious of their size thanks to skinny thin heroines and six-pack abs heroes, have began to hit the gym. Heartening as that may be, we live in a generation that’s constantly looking for the short way out, and that’s turning out to be the bad news.
A quiet practice growing in a number of the gymnasiums across the city is the supply of steroids to youngsters trying to chisel an enviable physique. Menabol, Suprastin, etc., are names of a few common steroids that are popular among gym-frequenting youngsters despite the restriction on sale without prescriptions. Improving strength, endurance and health seems to have become less important as opposed to instant muscle growth and a profile picture to show off.
Falling prey to these ‘supplements’ being provided by trainers for the enhancement of body muscles, this is often at the risk of being unmindful of the side effects. Besides this, there is also the alarming rise is the consumption of anti-obesity drugs, again courtesy the gym trainer, to shed down a few extra-kilos without really sweating it out.
“A three-month course of Oxylitpro, about 90 tablets that cost around `3,600, is most common. Another tablet, Lipo6 is also equally popular. One should consult a doctor before taking them, but it is being consumed straight away at gyms across the city,” says a trainer at one of the gyms, under the condition of anonymity.
The numbers aren’t just being noticed by trainers, but by doctors in the city as well. Dr Krishna Mohan Reddy, a general physician at Yashoda hospital, has come across a number of people using anti-obesity drugs without a doctor’s recommendation.
“Common anti-obesity drugs like Orilistat need continuous monitoring by a general physician or endocrinologist. It might otherwise lead to allergy, giddiness, vomiting sensations, headache, motions etc,” he explains, also pointing out that a drug called ‘Sibutramine’ was banned from the market a couple of years ago because of the side effects it created.
About the availability and prices of anabolic steroids, a regular gym-goer and a management student, Tanveer Ahmed, says, “Supplements are basically available in capsules and gunshots which starts from `1,000 onwards and can be available in luxury prices also. Youngsters usually between the age of 17 and 21 get duped at the hands of trainers for these shortcuts.” According to him, it is the trainers who secretively deal with individuals and convince them to spend money on these as an ‘investment’. Doctors say anabolic steroids can cause kidney problems, neurological problems as well as impotency. Also, the muscle enhancement is temporary and that a person shrinks once they stop consuming these drugs.
Whether you are a beginner taking the first steps towards fitness or a heath freak who wishes to maintain a natural physique, a strong body and sound mind, experts say, could only be possible through a well balanced fitness training program.
Says our very own Hyderabadi, D Laxman Reddy, winner of Mr World Title in 2010 in Musclemania World Championships held at Las Vegas, USA, “A lot of youngsters, inspired by actors, fall for anabolic steroids that expands body muscles. But they don’t see the kind of hard work they have put in to develop a six pack, and instead are looking for short cuts. If original steroids are very expensive and rare to find and definitely pose side effects, the locally available ones are worse.” Stating that whatever is available in local markets are all fake, he further adds, “It’s not just that health businesses today have become commercial, but also, no one wants to work hard. One should have a deep passion, determination in building body, have patience and put in hard work. The body cannot be built in a few months.”
So is Bollywood or Tollywood to blame? “Not really. Being inspired is fine, but people need to be aware about such wrong practices. Look at construction workers; they have better six pack abs than film stars.”
Another body builder and trainer, who wished to remain anonymous, says, “There are thousands of trainers in the city today. Neither are they all professionals nor do they have complete knowledge about human body,” adding that a trainer doesn’t have to be a body builder but should have a basic understanding of the science behind fitness and deal with each individual differently, taking into account their medical history, blood group and so on.
Meanwhile officials at the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) in the city who claim ignorance of sale and consumption of such steroids, maintain that as per their records, sedatives are the most widely abused drugs among youngsters. “We cannot stop anyone from consuming, but we definitely try to stop illegal sale. Drugs should be available for needy patients but at the same time, to ensure it does not go to wrong hands, we keep checking the amount sold by wholesalers to various retailers which gives an idea of its consumption,” said a senior official, adding that they they have been keeping a track on sale of sedatives and hypnotics at the level of wholesalers.
According to him, the Alprazolam and Diazepam group of sedative drugs, used as anti-anxiety and anti-hypertension tables, were mostly being misused. However, the DCA officials have noted the issue on steroids and plan on conducting an enquiry. Based on their findings, raids on fitness centres may be conducted.