• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Bodybuilding

Victor Martinez On How To Prevent Gyno & Catch Early Warning Signs | GI Podcast

by Jacob Ladon Published on Apr 19, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Victor Martinez and the GI crew discuss the realities of gyno in bodybuilding, how to prevent it, and what to do if you have it

Gyno is a dreaded word in the bodybuilding industry. It’s a seemingly small change in the body that can completely transform the hard work put into sculpting a bodybuilding physique. At its best, it can make you feel embarrassed. At its worst, it can hurt your score during a competition. In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, Victor Martinez explains in great detail what gyno is, why it’s a problem in bodybuilding, and how to prevent it or catch it early to save your physique.

You’ve probably seen it before. A bodybuilder steps on stage but their chest looks off. They appear to have a form of sagging “man boobs.” In fact, you may even notice this in some of your friends who don’t exercise at all. This is different from ordinary fat on the chest from weight gain. This is gyno – and it can become an annoying problem to deal with especially for bodybuilders using steroids.

Gyno, or Gynecomastia, is swollen male breast tissue caused by a hormone imbalance. This can happen naturally in some people who eat an imbalanced diet. But it is also a known problem for bodybuilders who use PEDs to alter their hormones in order to improve their physiques.

This problem rarely is seen on the pro bodybuilding stage – but can be a very real issue that affects aspiring bodybuilders as they attempt to go pro and win big name shows. However, that doesn’t mean that pro bodybuilders are immune from this condition. Most recently, William Bonac was criticized for competing with gyno at the 2022 Arnold Classic. He addressed the issue and chronicled his process of reducing the condition.

So if steroids are often used by pro bodybuilders to achieve mass monster physiques but gyno can cause lower competitive scoring – how does one avoid this condition and succeed in the sport? Victor Martinez talks about this in great detail on the GI podcast. Let’s jump into it.

Why are bodybuilders susceptible to gyno?

Now that we understand how hormonal imbalances can cause gyno – why do bodybuilders seem to be at higher risk for suffering from it? As mentioned above, the use of steroids and other PEDs can alter a man’s hormones significantly and thus trigger the development of gyno.

More specifically, Victor Martinez explains how the use of steroids being processed by the body eventually leads to an increase in estrogen. This is what eventually leads to the growth of gyno.

The good news is that this does not affect everyone and is largely determined due to a person’s genetics. You can also detect gyno developing early to stop it from taking shape and causing a world of headache.

How to detect gyno early for bodybuilders

Victor Martinez has been in the bodybuilding industry for majority of his life. He’s been open about his own personal use of steroids in his pro bodybuilding career – and worked with and spent time with many other bodybuilders for many decades. Martinez uses this history of experience to help warn young bodybuilders about gyno and how to catch it early.

Martinez warns specifically of the “gyno itch.” He says that a bodybuilder developing gyno will start to notice that their nipple area is itchy. They may even find themselves mindlessly scratching their nipples throughout the day. Victor Martinez explains that if you notice this happening to you while using steroids – to take action now rather than hope for it to get better.

If you do not catch gyno early, eventually your nipple and chest area will swell and over time harden into a mass. Once that happens, there is very little you can do to fix it naturally and will require a surgery.

Many bodybuilders who may catch early warning signs don’t take action because they are enjoying the benefits of steroids too much. They secretly hope or convince themselves that the situation will pass. This is the wrong way to think and will only cost you more mental pain down the road.

What to do if you start developing gyno

So what do you do if you catch the early warning signs of gyno? It may sound frustrating but Victor Martinez states that the best way to fix the issue is to stop using steroids entirely. After taking the time to come down from the steroids – you then add each substance back into your protocol one at a time. This way you can isolate what substance is specifically reacting in your body and causing the gyno.

This is something that many aspiring bodybuilders don’t want to hear. It clearly puts a slow down on their progress. Martinez points out that slowing down to fix the problem early is much better than ignoring it and having gyno issues later. This will also hurt your physique – and become a much more costly fix when it requires surgery.

The use of estrogen blockers to prevent gyno: do they work?

Victor Martinez also discusses with the GI team about the use of estrogen blockers to help prevent gyno in bodybuilding. The basic concept is this – take steroids to build bigger muscle and then use an estrogen blocker substance to reduce the estrogen created after long term steroid use.

Martinez does agree that estrogen blockers can work – and that bodybuilders will use them to preemptively avoid gyno. But it’s also important to note that estrogen blockers can also reduce the effect of steroids. It’s a delicate balance. Victor Martinez recommends anyone who wants to try and use estrogen blockers should wait until at least five weeks after starting a steroid cycle.

Wrap Up

Victor Martinez goes into great detail discussing gyno, what causes it, how to catch it early, and how to prevent it. There is far more detail than we can cover in this recap article. So make sure to watch the full Generation Iron Podcast episode above. Also make sure to check back every Tuesday for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.

About Jacob Ladon

Jacob Ladon is a staff writer and former amateur bodybuilder. He has been passionate about bodybuilding since he was 15 years old and discovered the joys of training in the gym. He reports and comments on all bodybuilding related matters.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • best nitric oxide booster

    Do Nitric Oxide Boosters Work?

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility