If you have an interest in fitness, then I highly recommend watching Bigger, Stronger, Faster. I rarely watch the same film more than once. I’ve seen this one three times already. It is a keeper.
Bigger, Stronger, Faster* is a documentary about heroes, family, strength and steroids. If your only source of information about the dangers of steroids has been the mass media, you’ve been misled. This documentary provides not just a balanced view on the health risks of steroids, but goes much deeper into the ethics. There is also an excellent section that exposes the before and after photo shoots used by supplement companies used to sell product.
Besides the medical angle, BSF tells the story of three brothers that grew up in the 1980s. They had their heroes and their heroes told them not to take steroids, because steroids were cheating. The brothers wanted to get big and strong, so they started lifting weights and even pursued power lifting. As these men grew up they learned their idols were juicing. How they each responded was an excellent story in itself.
Guys understand how women can get poor body images by being continually exposed to super models, Hollywood actresses and other extreme measures of beauty. Bigger, Stronger, Faster covers the much less discussed male body image issues, including a section on how the GI Joe doll has gotten much more muscular since the 1960s.
Bigger, Strong, Faster is a must see.
i saw that a while back. if i remember right, they make a case for steroids being relatively safe. that may be true. i want to be strong but consider steroids as cheating my way toward strength. to each their own i guess.
@Chuck – That will be the topic of my next post.
I look forward to your next post MAS… Personally I don’t understand the desire to be so bulked up (I personally find it unattractive) but if someone wants to do that it’s their business…
However, I’ve always wondered why it mattered if athletes or body builders use steroids or not. Whether it’s safe or not is another thing and I’m all for informed decisions and transparency. Is it cheating to utilize ALL the resources at hand? I really am curious.
@Jenn – Bigger, Stronger, Faster will help you understand why men want big muscles. It did a great job on that topic.
I personally believe than although bodybuilders have become more and more freaks of nature thanks to steroids, the male desire for huge muscles probably peaked in the early 1990s. After the Cold War, I noticed our action stars went from being bodybuilders to more martial artists. Also today there is more of a focus on leanness (excessive and sometimes CGI) than big biceps.
Is it cheating? Depends upon the sport and then the opinions vary widely. It is accepted in bodybuilding, but reviled in modern baseball.
interesting i’ll have to rent it.
looking forward to your next post — because i agree with chuck!
[...] I posted a review of the documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster as a setup to discuss my own thoughts on steroids. Although my thoughts on nutrition and fitness [...]