Most bodybuilders and powerlifters rely on anabolic steroids to develop muscles and boost their strength. It becomes a significant part of their regimen specially when participating in bodybuilding competitions. It is a fact that steroids can be used to achieve better body physique within a short period of time. However, there are some bodybuilders and powerlifters who prefer to develop their body the natural way. Bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions where performance enhancing drugs are prohibited starts to gain some popularity. In UK, a powerlifter who rely on traditional workouts and adheres to natural bodybuilding recently won 3 new world records.

In the recently concluded World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation’s World Championships held in Milton Keynes, England, Ron Nicodemus established 3 new world records. Nicodemus is a quality control manager at Fort Wayne and devotes his free time in powerlifting as his sport. He participated in the under-145 kilogram class at 45 to 49 age category. His impressive performances were as follows; bench-pressed 468 pounds, squatted 530 pounds and did a 601-pound deadlift. The combined total of his bench press, squat and deadlift was 1,599 pounds which all surpassed previous records.

Frank Gray of the Journal Gazette was able to interview Nicodemus about his great performance in the world championship. The powerlifter said that his achievement was due to his rigid training since August. He also shared his view on the use of steroids and human growth hormone in the bodybuilding and powerlifting sports. Drug free competitions and “open” categories emphasize the common use of anabolic steroids in bodybuilding and powerlifting. Even it promises fast results, Nicodemus prefer to excel in his chosen sport in a natural way. He’s proud that he was able to set new world records without the use of any special equipment to make it easier to lift like special shirts and knee wraps. These gears help the muscles contract and artificially give a lifter more strength. The most important thing was he made it without using any performance enhancing drug.

In the interview, Nicodemus said that time is already changing the sport. He told Gray that drug-free competitions have been growing in the past 3 to 5 years. One of the reasons why some athletes shun the use of steroids and other drugs is the risk of getting caught. It is also becomes a problem for some how to get these drugs, the cost, and the hassle of getting it from the black market. “I know of guys who have bought steroids and been burned,” getting a vial of olive oil instead of the real drug,” he said.

He added that more athletes are realizing that they can accomplish a lot naturally, just relying on a good diet and supplements. “Guys who are drug-free are putting up some pretty impressive weights,” the powerlifter said.

He also commented on the way the event was handled by its organizers. It was disorganized and the competition lasted for 14 hours which make the competitors exhausted.

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