In the world of bodybuilding, the line between natural physiques and enhanced ones can sometimes be blurry. While you can’t know for certain without medical testing or admission, there are a number of visual and behavioural clues that can suggest whether someone is likely natural or using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). Here are ten of the most commonly discussed indicators.
1. Unnaturally Rapid Muscle Growth
Natural lifters build muscle slowly, even with perfect training and diet. Gaining 20–30 pounds of lean muscle within a year—especially after the first few years of training—is extremely unlikely without chemical assistance. Steroids speed up protein synthesis and recovery dramatically, which can result in sudden, noticeable size increases.
2. Extreme V-Taper with Massive Delts
Steroids increase androgen receptor density, especially in the shoulders and traps. This often gives enhanced lifters disproportionately wide delts and thick traps compared to their arms and chest. Naturals can build impressive shoulders, but the “3D,” balloon-like look is harder to achieve without assistance.
3. Paper-Thin Skin and Extreme Vascularity
While low body fat and genetics influence vascularity, steroid users often display veins across the lower abs, shoulders, and even glutes when lean. The skin can appear almost translucent, especially during cycles, as water distribution, fat levels, and skin thickness shift unnaturally.
4. Consistently Full Muscles Even When Lean
Natural athletes typically appear “flat” when dieting hard because glycogen stores and fullness drop. Enhanced athletes often stay round and pumped-looking at very low body fat due to increased nitrogen retention and muscle volume.
5. Very Low Body Fat with High Muscle Mass
Most naturals must compromise: either gain size with some fat or get lean and lose muscle fullness. Steroid users are often able to maintain shredded abs, striated legs, and thick arms simultaneously—an exceptionally difficult feat naturally.
6. Unusual Recovery Speed and Workout Frequency
Training the same muscle group heavily 5–6 times a week and recovering without fatigue or regression is rare for natural athletes. Steroids dramatically shorten recovery time, allowing for more sessions without overtraining.
7. Sudden Strength Spikes
Gaining 20–40 kg on key lifts in a short period, especially after years of training, is a common red flag. While strength can improve naturally, steroid cycles often produce rapid, almost explosive progress.
8. Acne, Hair Changes, and Skin Texture
Back acne, unusually oily skin, accelerated hair loss, or sudden facial hair growth patterns can all be side effects of anabolic use. These changes are caused by hormonal fluctuations and elevated androgen levels.
9. Hormonal Body Changes
Certain body changes are hard to hide:
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Gyno (puffy or enlarged nipples from oestrogen imbalance)
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Shrinking testicles
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Water retention in face or midsection
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Flushed or reddened skin
Natural lifters don’t typically experience these unless there’s an underlying medical issue.
10. Unrealistic Progress After Years of Plateau
Most natural bodybuilders reach their genetic ceiling after 5–7 years of consistent lifting. If someone who looked average for years suddenly becomes competition-ready in six months, that’s suspect.
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