A Triad of Physical Masculinities: Examining Multiple ‘Hegemonic’ Bodybuilding Identities in Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Online Discussion Groups

Abstract

ABSTRACT The last twenty years has seen increases in nonprofessional sportspersons using anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Although some women use AAS, most users are men. Few studies examine men, masculinities and AAS. Of the limited studies available, many link a ‘hegemonic masculinity’ with men’s AAS use; adopting a singular identity perspective and generalizing ‘steroid use.’ However, bodybuilding is diverse, often encompassing different goals surrounding muscularity, size, weight and appearance – thus, bodybuilding identities are unlikely to be singular. This research questions narrow perspectives, developing an in-depth investigation that recognizes AAS use can be complex and depict multiple performance-enhancing drugs and usage routines. This study conducted a detailed thematic-content analysis of 351 user-postings from eight pro-AAS online discussion boards to examine linkages between men’s understandings of masculinity, male physicality, and how conceptualizations influence different trends for using AAS. Research applied R.W Connell’s hegemonic masculinity as a theoretical lens to interpret findings. Findings uncovered multiple and diverse notions of bodybuilding masculinity linked to three distinct notions of identity connecting different AAS practices (The Nattys, The Cyclers, and The Blasters-and-cruisers). An analysis of interactions between different bodybuilding identities is presented and discussed, alongside implications for masculinities theory and further study in this emerging but important field.