MilitaryForums.co.uk

OK so a friend of mine is very skinny, hes thinking about using steroids to gain weight in order to apply for the parachute regiment. Hes tried everything else, working out with a high protein diet, but nothing. Hes seriously pissed off and cant even gain body fat..this is the only other option.
Do the army medical officers screen for drugs when it comes to the medical examination?

Don't do it!!!!
If he's still skinny after trying everything, he's meant to be skinny. Best not to mess with things like steroids.

Why is there this obsession with gaining weight? It's beyond me!!!! Just get Farking fit, you don't have to be big. In fact if he's going Para Regt, it will go against him, carrying weight and Tabbing requires fitness and stamina, NOT over sized biceps sucking all the oxygen out of your blood

Tell your mate he'll be wasting his time, money and effort and just concentrate on being fit!

My friend doesnt have internet access, but thanks you all.
He also wonders what fitness targets are required, for example how far in miles do you need to be able to run etc.
I told him 10 miles as i also want to join and have some knowledge.

Bryan, drugs checks are thorough and standard, keep away from them. Print off the fitness info at the top of these pages, they are marked as 'stickys'.

When going for joining, make sure you can run at least 3miles in under 25mins. You'll be asked to do a basic Fitness Test when you apply, which is 1.5 miles squad run done in around 15mins (you could walk it) then it's an individual best for the last 1.5, you should be able to do it in under 9min 30. when I was a Jnr, I could do it in just under 8min (in boots).

Forget about running 10milers, you'll build up to that during your basic and believe me life is too short, worry about your basic fitness levels...

you should be able to do 50 press ups in 2 mins and the equivilant in situps but as long as you can improve and show willing, you've got a chance...Remember, it's not just about the physical it's more about the mental...

Thanks..you dont want to now how much i have been worrying about the 10 miler, i have been jumping straight into the deep end. I can do 50 press ups in around one minute, they are no problem. No to pracice the 3 miler.
Any tips for when running?

Put one foot in front of the other, then repeat at a fast rate!

That's alternate feet, don't keep putting the same one forward, you'll fall over!

Or set a new skipping world record!

Don't forget to bend your knees and lift your feet or you'll be striding..

Then he could be a Guardsman!!!!!

Maybe not

Steroids can do you a lot harm and can give you wild mood swings, people have even become suicidal after taking these drugs. Tell your mate just to work on his fitness and forget the drugs. his health is more important than any thing else.

I had an eye injury and was put on steroids to help cure it . I had to phone the doc [civvy but I was still serving] and ask him if I could also have food on prescipition as I was was eating everthing I could lay my hands and it was costing me a fortune. Needless to say I put on weight,
one of the otther effects it had on me , I went for a drink one night and downed 19 pints of Guiness and you wouldn't have known I had a drink,not that night anyway. STAY AWAY FROM THEM.
ps somebody said they give you big tits but I wouldn't know.

Steroids are dangerous, they can damage a person's health, especially if used in large doses over time.

Although they may build muscle, steroids can produce very serious side effects in both males and females. Using steroids for a long time can negatively affect the reproductive systems. In males, steroids can reduce the amount of sperm produced in the testicles and even reduce the size of the testicles. Steroids also can cause impotence in males.

Females who use steroids may have problems with their menstrual cycles because steroids can disrupt the maturation and release of eggs from the ovaries. This disruption can cause long-term problems with fertility.



Steroids taken for an extended period of time can also:

Stunt growth in teens by causing the growth plates in the bones to mature too fast and fuse
Cause irreversible liver damage
Enlarge the heart muscles
Cause violent, aggressive mood swings
Contribute to heart disease and increase cholesterol and lipid levels
Increase breast growth in males, especially teens
Create irreversible stretch marks
Heighten a person's tendency to lose hair
Cause muscles to ache


In addition to these, teen girls and women risk additional side effects:

Permanent effects of male hair growth or male-pattern baldness
Deepening of the voice
Enlargement of the clitoris

The health problems caused by steroids may not appear for years after
the steroids are taken. The risk of steroids causing bones to fuse early and preventing a teen from reaching full growth potential is significant - and at an all-time high.