Victor Martinez answers: are bodybuilders from past eras lying about their supposed limited steroid use in order to maintain their image?
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosts Victor Martinez, Ehsan Farahi, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin discuss a variety of topics including controversial wins in bodybuilding, effective diet techniques, and some less traditional tactics involving sex and athleticism. In a highlight of the episode, Victor Martinez shares his thoughts as to whether or not old school bodybuilding legends are lying about their former steroid use.
Victor Martinez and the gang return this week for another episode that covers a diverse range of controversial opinions as well as functional workout and diet advice for bodybuilding and fitness enthusiasts. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect in this recap:
- What was the biggest robbery in bodybuilding history?
- Do old school bodybuilding legends lie to make it seem like they did less steroids?
- What does Victor Martinez think the future holds for bodybuilding?
- Carnivor diet – good or bad for athletes?
- Fact or myth: should athletes avoid sex before working out or a competition?
We break it all down in our official recap of this week’s Generation Iron Podcast. Let’s dive in!
Are Old School Bodybuilders Lying About Their Steroid Use?
Victor Martinez on Steroid Use in the Old School Era
A fan question delved into the topic of steroid use among old-school bodybuilders, asking whether they might be lying about the amounts they claimed to have taken. Victor Martinez tackled this delicate subject with a balanced view.
He admitted that he couldn’t say for sure whether these bodybuilders were being completely honest, as he wasn’t privy to their personal protocols. However, Victor Martinez did offer some interesting insights into how steroid use has evolved over the years.
Quality Over Quantity in the Past
Victor Martinez explained that bodybuilders from earlier eras likely took fewer substances compared to today’s athletes, but this wasn’t necessarily because they were more cautious. Instead, it was due to the higher quality of steroids available to them.
Before the 1990s, it was easier for athletes to obtain pure, non-black-market steroids (often from Europe), which were typically more potent. Today, with many athletes relying on black-market sources, the quality has decreased, leading to an increased need for higher doses to achieve the same effects.
The Impact of Exaggeration
As for whether old-school bodybuilders are lying today to make themselves look better, Victor Martinez jokingly acknowledged that everyone tends to exaggerate to some extent when discussing their past achievements. However, he also believed that not all of them were lying, suggesting that the truth likely lies somewhere in between.
Victor Martinez’s key takeaway – he believes that the older generations of pro bodybuilders are not all active liars. They are likely telling mostly the truth, with a healthy dose of over or under exaggeration that naturally comes with age and being a public figure.
RELATED: Bodybuilders Are Dying – An Investigation Into Modern Bodybuilding, Health, & PED Use
What Was the Biggest Robbery in Bodybuilding History?
Victor Martinez’s Perspective on the Biggest Robbery in Bodybuilding
When asked about the biggest robbery in bodybuilding history, Victor Martinez didn’t shy away from the topic. He humorously hinted that there have been many “robberies” in bodybuilding, indirectly referencing his own controversial loss to Jay Cutler in the 2007 Mr. Olympia.
Fans have long debated that decision, with many believing that Victor Martinez should have claimed the title that year. However, Martinez shifted focus from his personal experience to discuss a figure he believes represents one of the most significant injustices in bodybuilding history: Mike Mentzer.
Mike Mentzer’s Controversial Loss
Victor Martinez pointed to Mike Mentzer’s loss as a defining moment in bodybuilding, marking what he sees as the introduction of “politics” into the sport. Mentzer, known for his incredible physique and pioneering training techniques, famously lost the 1980 Mr. Olympia to Arnold Schwarzenegger—a decision that shocked many.
Victor Martinez suggested that this was not just a matter of subjective judgment but a reflection of how bodybuilding politics had begun to influence outcomes. The idea that decisions were being made not solely on physical merit but also on what was best for the bodybuilding brand sparked a significant conversation among the hosts.
The Debate Over Flex Wheeler
Flex Wheeler, another bodybuilding legend, was brought up as an example of an athlete who, despite having one of the most aesthetically pleasing and balanced physiques in history, never won the Mr. Olympia title. Wheeler competed during a fiercely competitive era, and while it’s hard to pinpoint a single year where he was blatantly robbed, many fans and experts believe that he deserved the title at least once.
Ehsan Farahi weighed in, stating his belief that the 1993 Mr. Olympia should have gone to Flex Wheeler instead of Dorian Yates, adding another layer to the ongoing debate about fairness and recognition in the sport.
What Does the Future of Bodybuilding Hold?
Victor Martinez’s Vision for the Future of Bodybuilding
The future of bodybuilding is a topic that always sparks interest, and when asked about it, Victor Martinez offered a thoughtful analysis. He noted that bodybuilding has become more popular worldwide, with social media playing a significant role in this growth. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube have exposed bodybuilding to a broader audience, attracting more people to the sport and increasing the number of international athletes competing at high levels.
The Downside of More Competitions
However, Victor Martinez expressed concern about the growing number of bodybuilding competitions. While more shows create more opportunities for athletes to compete and potentially earn an IFBB Pro card, Martinez believes this has led to a dilution in the quality of competitors. He argued that the sport is starting to split into two categories: smaller shows that primarily attract amateur competitors and larger, more prestigious events that draw the top-tier athletes.
Martinez explained that in the past, fewer competitions meant that bodybuilders had to work harder to go pro and earn qualifications for major events like the Mr. Olympia. Today, with the proliferation of competitions, many athletes can earn a pro card without facing the same level of competition. As a result, there are more IFBB Pro competitors than ever, but only a few truly stand out or have a chance at excelling in top-tier events. This, according to Martinez, might not be beneficial for the sport’s long-term health.
The Carnivore Diet: Is It Good for Bodybuilding?
Victor Martinez’s Take on the Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet has gained popularity in recent years, and the hosts took some time to discuss its potential benefits and drawbacks for bodybuilders. Victor Martinez shared his thoughts, stating that the carnivore diet can be very effective, both for athletes and for the average person.
The diet, which consists entirely of animal-derived foods such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy, is high in protein and fat, which are crucial for muscle growth and recovery.
Individual Health Considerations
Martinez was careful to note that the effectiveness of the carnivore diet depends largely on the individual. He emphasized that no diet should be universally recommended, as each person’s health and dietary needs are unique. For example, someone with pre-existing cardiovascular issues might not benefit from the high-fat content of a carnivore diet.
The Challenge of Sticking to the Diet
One of the significant challenges of the carnivore diet, according to Victor Martinez, is the complete exclusion of carbohydrates. While carbs aren’t necessary for a healthy diet, cutting them out entirely can lead to intense cravings, especially if a person has been following the diet for a long time. Martinez warned that even a small “relapse” into eating carbs could trigger powerful cravings, potentially derailing one’s dietary progress.
Sex or Masturbation Before a Workout or Competition: Good or Bad?
Victor Martinez on the Impact of Sexual Activity on Athletic Performance
The episode wrapped up with a discussion on a topic that has long been debated in sports: the impact of sex or masturbation on athletic performance. Victor Martinez weighed in on whether sexual activity before a workout or competition is beneficial or detrimental.
Personal Variation in Effects
Victor Martinez explained that the effects of sex or masturbation vary from person to person. For some, these activities can be depleting, leaving them too relaxed or tired to perform at their best during a workout.
For others, especially those with naturally high testosterone levels, sex or masturbation might help them focus better by relieving distractions.
Competition Considerations
When it comes to bodybuilding competitions, Victor Martinez leaned towards avoiding sexual activity right before the event. He noted that most athletes, particularly bodybuilders, are so focused and physically depleted in the days leading up to a competition that sex isn’t even on their minds.
He also shared anecdotes about athletes who lost competitions after engaging in sexual activity beforehand, suggesting that it could have been a contributing factor to their defeat.
Wrap Up
This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast provided fans with deep insights into some of the most controversial and intriguing topics in bodybuilding. From the biggest robberies in the sport’s history to the potential future of bodybuilding, Victor Martinez and his co-hosts offered a mix of humor, personal experience, and thoughtful analysis. Whether you’re a seasoned bodybuilding fan or new to the sport, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the complexities and evolving nature of competitive bodybuilding.
You can watch the full episode above! And make sure to check back every week for new episodes on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
