Elexia abandons members who use steroids

A controversial topic discussed in the Norwegian media today is the tactic among others the fitness center Elexia, uses to deal with the increased steroid use among fitness entusiast. Yesterday the website Treningsforum.no opened for discussion around the topic at this link:   Abandons members who use steroids

Shortly summarized:

- Anabolic steroids is a widespread and growing problem, and a doctor points out the role of importance fitness centers has in putting an end to this, and the centers agrees.

- One of the initiatives that has been done is to remove the heaviest weights!
and several centers has signed a "drugcontract" with their members. Allowing the centers to drugtest their customers.

- in occasions members has been abandoned from the centers because of use (or suspicion of use).

- Especially worrisome is the growing population of youngsters using.

Well - one of the initiatives I react on, is the removal of the heaviest weights. They lost customers to it, and  the undertone in my opinion sounds like they just assume that people are using steroids if they are strong.

What about the athletes?

What about training enthusiasts who has worked their ass off, aiming for the higher weighs - and suddenly someone takes their toy away?

"EY, where did my motivation go??"

Every big guy you se is not on steroids!

Isn't there other preventative measures that could be used, instead of putting people in boxes. I really don't think this is the way to get rid of the problem, they will just find another and better gym (both the people who are clean and strong, and the ones on steroids.)

Maybe move the focus  to prevent people from starting, instead of chopping the neck of those who is "in the game".

In my opinion - information would be a great measure to take!
Give information about what it is, how it works, and consequences. Make this obligatory for all schools. Hit the target group of young people as a first line prevention.
This will not only take away much of the curiosity, but also helping people to earn knowledge about the subject.
Many of those who start, have NO CLUE about what they are going to. They are told the sunshine part of the story, and dont know how dark it can get in the night. Maybe with some information, they wouldn't take the same choices.


AND also for those using steroids, I really don't think to criminalize a big population is the way to go.
Wouldn't it be better to have more control? Isn't it better for the user to i.e. have the ability to talk to their doctor in a open manner? And to have a more open tone around it when it comes to friends and also media, so people could talk freely about experiences they have. To criminalize would just make the "communities" more closed, and less information will be brought to the light.
Also seen in the Norwegian media lately, is "users" coming out in the light, telling their story, including the darkest parts. - Isn't this something we want to be continued?


What are your thoughts around this?
Is it okey to label people and put them in boxes?
Could information be one way to get to a solution?

Just writing my thoughts here, but one thing I really stand for is that-
all people have same value and should be treated accordingly :)


Read more about nutrition, training, and discussions around topics like this at:
Treningsforum.no