CROSSFIT: the 7 best products

CROSSFIT: 7 products prohibited in competition but very effective

This article explores a selection of PEDs (Performing Enhancing Drugs) banned in Crossfit on the premise that knowledge is the key to power.

The information here is designed to give you an indication of how these drugs work in the human body.

CROSSFIT PROHIBITS THE FOLLOWING CLASSES OF DRUGS:

• Anabolic agents
• Street drugs
• Diuretics and other masking agents
• Peptide hormones and analogues
• Metabolic and antiestrogen modulators
• Beta-2 agonists (allowed with prescription and TUE and by inhalation only)

 

TESTOLONE – RAD140

In 2017, Ricky Garard, a 23-year-old Australian, lost the $76,000 he had won for his third-place finish overall and his first-place finishes in the Madison Triplet and Cyclocross events. He was also banned from participating in any event sanctioned by CrossFit during the 2021 season and his invitation to participate in the Reebok CrossFit 2017 was canceled. He tested positive for testolone and a beta-2 agonist called endurobol.

Testolone, also known as RAD140, is a research compound being studied for the treatment of cancer and muscle wasting disorders. It is an orally bioavailable androgen receptor modulator (SARM) capable of increasing lean muscle mass and enhancing the effects of testosterone.

 

ENDUROBOL – GW 501516

Endurobol (GW 501516 or Cardarine) is a research chemical developed in the 1990s to prevent and treat tumors in the colon, prostate, and breasts. Studies conducted in the early 2000s showed that GW 501516 and other PPAR agonists were also able to halt metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes through specific gene expression. Endurobol has also been shown to burn excess fat tissue, improve recovery, and significantly increase endurance.

 

OSTARINE

Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM). It was developed by a pharmaceutical company known as GTX to help people fight muscle wasting. The end result is achieved by binding the androgen receptors in the same way as prohormones or anabolic steroids.

 

LIGANDROL – LGD4033

Carlos Castillo, from the Latin America region, obtained a positive result and a sanction of 4 years.

LGD-4033 is an investigational single-agent androgen receptor modulator (SARM) intended for the treatment of conditions such as muscle wasting and osteoporosis. The ligandrol works similarly to other SARMs: it selectively activates androgen receptors to promote anabolic activity exclusively in muscles and bones.

 

hGH – Human Growth Hormone

Growth hormone, produced by the pituitary gland, stimulates growth in children and adolescents. It also helps regulate body composition, body fluids, muscle and bone growth, and sugar and fat metabolism. hGH stimulates numerous metabolic processes within cells. Growth hormone affects the metabolism of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and minerals. A major role of growth hormone is to stimulate the liver to secrete insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I stimulates the production of cartilage cells, leading to bone growth, and also plays a key role in muscle protein synthesis and organ growth.

ThehGH Growth hormone is prohibited both in and out of competition under Section S2 of the WADA Prohibited Substances and Methods List. Some of the effects attributed to growth hormone, which may explain its potential use as a doping agent, particularly in strength and endurance sports, include the reduction of body fat (lipolysis), the increase in muscle mass and strength (anabolic effect), and its tissue repair (recovery) effects on the musculoskeletal system. The anabolic actions of growth hormone are primarily mediated by IGF-I and include increases in total body protein turnover and muscle protein synthesis. Growth hormone also appears to be used synergistically with other performance-enhancing drugs, which may have an effect, even if indirect, on muscle anabolism and athletic performance.

 

ANAVAR – OXYANDROLONE

Megan Benzik, an individual athlete, was banned for 4 years after testing positive for Anavar earlier in 2018.

Anavar is one of the most popular oral anabolic steroids of all time. Originally produced in 1964, Anavar was the brand name for oxandrolone. Anavar taken at the high doses required to build lean muscle can lead to the suppression of natural testosterone production, liver damage, heart attacks, and strokes.

 

ARIMIDEX – ANASTROZOLE

Tony Turski, a 56-year-old athlete from Southern California who finished second in the Masters Men 55-59 division in 2017, tested positive for Anastrozole.

Anastrozole is used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation therapy, to treat early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women (life changes; end of monthly menstruation). This medication is also used in postmenopausal women as a first-line treatment for breast cancer that has spread within the breast or to other parts of the body. Anastrozole works by reducing and limiting the amount of estrogen secreted in the body, thereby maximizing the effects of testosterone.