GAY NEWS
Bigger, Faster, Stronger: New Film Explores Steroid Use in America
By J. Titterton
Published May 28, 2008
Published May 28, 2008
"There's something simply un-American about this."—Senator Joseph Biden, talking about the use of anabolic steroids to enhance athletic performance.
Head to just about any gym in the country—gay, straight, or otherwise—and you'll see obvious evidence of anabolic steroid use. We're not talking needles on the locker room floor—we're talking acres upon acres of seriously huge muscle. Of course, many gay men take steroids for doctor-prescribed purposes—primarily as a treatment to stop the wasting brought on by HIV. But numerous surveys and studies have shown that increasing numbers of men of all sexual stripes are taking steroids for the sole purpose of improving their athletic performance and/or appearance.
Want to learn all about the world of steroids and have a good night of entertainment in the bargain? A new documentary film called Bigger, Faster, Stronger explores the fast-growing underground culture of performance-enhancing drugs in America, trying to answer the who, what, where, when and whys that have caused the steroid phenomena. Brought to theaters by the producers of Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11, the film takes a similarly in-depth but also comedic look at the world of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs like human growth hormone (HGH), jumping from political speeches by President Bush to professional sports athletes busted for illegal drug use to the grimy gyms of serious muscle heads and power lifters.
The film centers around the narrative of the movie's director, Christopher Bell, and his two brothers, who grew up worshipping Hulk Hogan, Sylvestor Stallone, and other muscle gods and—like the men they idolized—ended up taking performance-enhancing drugs to realize their particular dreams. Bell ended up stopping his own usage shortly after he started, but his brothers continued to use them.
Bigger, Faster, Stronger has received critical acclaim at the film festivals where it has played and in the press. The film opens Friday, May 30 in New York City and Los Angeles, and in wider release on June 6. See Magnolia Pictures' release schedule to see if and when it's playing near you.
View the Bigger, Faster, Stronger Trailer
Check out the Bigger, Faster, Stronger trailer, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Take the RealJock "Do You Juice" Poll
If we had to bet on it, here at RealJock we'd wager that not every one of the bodies in the RealJock profiles was built without a little help from the steroid fairy. But we could be wrong—and the only way to know for sure is to ask. So have you ever taken anabolic steroids or a similar performance-enhancing drug? Take the RealJock "Do You Juice" poll below:
Head to just about any gym in the country—gay, straight, or otherwise—and you'll see obvious evidence of anabolic steroid use. We're not talking needles on the locker room floor—we're talking acres upon acres of seriously huge muscle. Of course, many gay men take steroids for doctor-prescribed purposes—primarily as a treatment to stop the wasting brought on by HIV. But numerous surveys and studies have shown that increasing numbers of men of all sexual stripes are taking steroids for the sole purpose of improving their athletic performance and/or appearance.
Want to learn all about the world of steroids and have a good night of entertainment in the bargain? A new documentary film called Bigger, Faster, Stronger explores the fast-growing underground culture of performance-enhancing drugs in America, trying to answer the who, what, where, when and whys that have caused the steroid phenomena. Brought to theaters by the producers of Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11, the film takes a similarly in-depth but also comedic look at the world of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs like human growth hormone (HGH), jumping from political speeches by President Bush to professional sports athletes busted for illegal drug use to the grimy gyms of serious muscle heads and power lifters.
The film centers around the narrative of the movie's director, Christopher Bell, and his two brothers, who grew up worshipping Hulk Hogan, Sylvestor Stallone, and other muscle gods and—like the men they idolized—ended up taking performance-enhancing drugs to realize their particular dreams. Bell ended up stopping his own usage shortly after he started, but his brothers continued to use them.
Bigger, Faster, Stronger has received critical acclaim at the film festivals where it has played and in the press. The film opens Friday, May 30 in New York City and Los Angeles, and in wider release on June 6. See Magnolia Pictures' release schedule to see if and when it's playing near you.
View the Bigger, Faster, Stronger Trailer
Check out the Bigger, Faster, Stronger trailer, courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Take the RealJock "Do You Juice" Poll
If we had to bet on it, here at RealJock we'd wager that not every one of the bodies in the RealJock profiles was built without a little help from the steroid fairy. But we could be wrong—and the only way to know for sure is to ask. So have you ever taken anabolic steroids or a similar performance-enhancing drug? Take the RealJock "Do You Juice" poll below:
wannagetbig2001 wrote:
man, I'd do them if I could find a good contact I can trust. I've worked hard a getting BIGGER/HARDER and its not gettin me there.
Jul 31 6:10 PM
SciFi_TriGuy wrote:
If I needed them to treat wasting, I'd consider it. Then I'd be under a doctor's supervision and it would hopefully extend my life a bit longer. But for pure vanity? No. I'd rather use that money toward an exciting vacation.
Jun 10 9:42 PM
gymrat4sir wrote:
I'd be juicing like crazy if I could get them!
Jun 06 2:45 AM
dennis_jr wrote:
I have not, however if I could afford it & had a guarantee that they're real, I most definately would. Just about everything in this day & age that we're able to put into our bodies can have a negative or adverse reaction. Nothing is fool proof, anything in excess is a bad thing. I always say if you're gona be stupid, then be smart about being stupid. Don't become blinded by the positive potential outcomes w/out first knowing the negative. You're choices may not always be right, at least make them educated.
Jun 03 6:50 PM
RbyHussein71 wrote:
The film sounds very interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing it. I think this poll is a bit skewed though. I think the "No-I think it's wrong" answer doesn't allow for the person that would answer "No", but does so based on personal preference and not judgment on the right or wrong of the issue.
Jun 02 9:31 PM
mikeinok wrote:
Other than sports that this is cheating, is it anyone's business when we all are pretty aware this day in age what it does to you just like smoking. Frankly it is just one more topic where we need to stay out of everyone's business.
Jun 01 11:09 PM
JohnnieRayRousseau wrote:
There really should be a "No, but I've been tempted" choice. I can't be the only one who feels that way.
May 29 11:42 PM
swooshaz wrote:
I think the poll is a little misleading. Having the only "No" selection read "No-it's wrong" gives guys only one choice. I think there should be at least another "No", and either be just "No", or "No - not my thing" or something along those lines. Just my 2 cents.
May 29 8:31 PM
McGay wrote:
I am heartened to see that, so far, at least, the poll indicates more guys feel steroid use is wrong. Medical reasons are one thing, any other reason is bogus. When someone who juices wins an athletic or aesthetic competition, it is not he who has won, but chemistry.
May 29 12:27 PM
Comicmuscle wrote:
Steroid use for sports is one thing, but the one thing that I have found that is almost more disturbing (and you never heard about) is steroid use for aesthetic purposes. In the course of being a writer, I've met a lot of people and among them are men (usually gay men, but not always) who juice simply to look good so they can have more sex or be admired more. Personally I can understand why a guy would do that, but in the long run, is that really worth it?
May 29 11:24 AM
muchmorethanmuscle wrote:
I'm looking forward to seeing it as well. I think I heard or read that nearly 76% of people who do steroids use them simply for cosmetic reasons and aren't even competitive athletes.
May 29 6:14 AM
ChicGymGeek wrote:
I'm very curious how this movie will be.
I like the fact the movie will be looking at the importance of achievement and winning by any means necessary. Steroid use in sports and athletics is a serious issue and should be addressed, but it looks like the guys making this documentary are going to be taking a tongue in cheek approach.
May 29 1:42 AM