Calum Von Moger is offering words of wisdom to the next generation of lifters hitting the gym. In an August 15 video, he warned against starting steroids and emphasized that long-term use will lead to significant side effects.
When he first started bodybuilding, fans expected Von Moger to reach tremendous heights. He played bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film Bigger, with many assuming it was only a matter of time before he was battling on the prestigious Mr. Olympia stage.
Though Von Moger found some success onstage, that story didn’t quite pan out. Facing mental struggles, Von Moger jumped out of a two-story window. The injuries were so severe that doctors placed him in a medically induced coma. Fortunately, the bodybuilding star made a full recovery, but trouble followed.
Von Moger was later arrested for a road rage incident. Then, he tragically lost his brother to suicide in 2022. This pushed him to step away from social media and find a new life in Thailand. Now in a clearer headspace, he is laying out why most should steer clear of performance-enhancers.
Calum Von Moger Reveals Why Young Lifters Should Stay Natural
During the video, Von Moger emphasized that steroids have become more expensive.
“For me to find and source steroids, one, it was a lot harder than it is today. Two, it’s a lot more expensive, and three, I had proper guidance and help at the beginning. If you haven’t started and are considering it, I would say don’t. Just stay natural. Look after your health,” said Calum Von Moger.
Most importantly, he shared that abstaining from steroids can help you avoid major side effects:
“One, you’re going to save more money because it’s expensive, and two, you’ll obviously save on doctors’ visits and all that sort of stuff, and you are basically completely eliminating the risk of all sides that steroids bring, and there’s a lot of them.”
Von Moger said lifters notice the new muscle and gains, but eventually, the side effects catch up. He added that prolonged use typically leads to stronger side effects.
“Look, my hair is starting to recede; your balls shrink up. All these things come later that you won’t see at the start. All you’re going to see at the start is gains and muscle mass and stuff, and you’ll feel great but eventually, the sides will kick in, they will come. The longer you take them, the more stretched out it’s going to be and the more severe the sides [effects] are.”
He believes it’s best to train naturally for a few years before considering steroids. According to Von Moger, pursuing a career in competitive bodybuilding is the only legitimate reason for taking them.
“If you’re starting out and thinking about steroids, don’t take them. Train at least five or six years first, see what you can bring your physique to naturally.”
“See what your genetic DNA makeup is capable of, and do it that way. If you are considering it, and you want to do it, then make sure you have a really good reason to. The only reason that I would say that you should take steroids is if you want to become a professional bodybuilder.”
While he hasn’t stepped onstage in years, Von Moger still hits the gym with serious intent. He recently walked through a high-volume upper body workout at Gold’s Gym Venice. He shared that his goal was to lose 10 pounds and wasn’t concerned with losing some muscle.
Von Moger continues to lend a helping hand to anyone in the fitness industry. Though steroids remain popular for some, he believes you can build an impressive physique without them.
“If you’re just trying to be an influencer, there’s no need. All you need is a six-pack, a decent chest, and some biceps. You don’t need to be ripped and massive.”
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