By Dan Harries of Muscle Radar
WE ALL know the "before and after" photos that flood bodybuilding social media: shredded physiques, bulging biceps and triumphant smiles. They fuel our motivation, inspire us to push harder and promise a path to self-improvement. But what about the journey behind those transformations? What about the struggles with body image, the relentless pressure to be "perfect" and the sacrifices that often go unmentioned? All of these contribute to mental health in bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding can be incredibly rewarding. It teaches discipline, fosters a strong sense of community and pushes you to achieve goals you never thought possible. However, it can also be a breeding ground for anxiety, depression and, particularly, body dysmorphia. A distorted perception of your own physique can be crippling, both on and off the stage. And it means mental health in bodybuilding can be fragile.
While bodybuilding demands immense dedication and can be incredibly rewarding, it's also crucial to understand and address the psychological challenges. This article aims to equip bodybuilders with the knowledge and tools to build a resilient mindset, navigate the complexities of PED use and, ultimately, find true strength beyond just muscle mass.
Bodybuilding demands extreme dedication to diet and training. But that intense focus on your body can easily tip into obsessive self-scrutiny. We're constantly judging ourselves against impossible standards, fueled by social media's highlight reel of genetic elites and photo editing.
This constant comparison creates anxiety and can lead to a disconnect between how we actually look and how we think we look. It can negatively effect mental health in bodybuilding. A recent report from The Sun found that body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects approximately 1 in 50 people in the UK, with media portrayals of idealized physiques fueling unrealistic expectations and mental health struggles.
It's time to pull back the curtain and confront the toxic aspects of the bodybuilding culture that can warp our perceptions.
Bodybuilding, at its core, is a subjective sport. Judging criteria, while outlined, often comes down to individual preferences, fleeting trends and even subconscious biases on the part of judges. This means there is no definitive "perfect" physique, no magic formula that guarantees victory.
The constant striving for an unattainable body can leave athletes feeling perpetually inadequate, no matter how much progress they make. It's important to remember that the goalposts are always shifting and that external validation should not be the sole measure of success.
Instagram, Facebook and other platforms are powerful tools for motivation and community building. However, they can also be a breeding ground for comparison and self-doubt and can negatively effect mental health in bodybuilding.
Heavily filtered images, strategically posed photos and misleading claims of "natural" physiques can create an unrealistic standard that many bodybuilders feel compelled to chase.
Research from the Mental Health Foundation (2024) highlights that, while physical activity improves mental health, body image concerns can prevent participation in fitness and sports.
Learn to critically evaluate the images you see online and remember that they are rarely an accurate reflection of reality. Unfollow accounts that trigger negative emotions, limit your screen time and make a conscious effort to focus on your own journey and progress.
The extreme dietary restrictions required for contest prep can also take a toll on mental health. Restrictive dieting can lead to increased anxiety, irritability, obsessive thoughts about food and even eating disorders.
It can often be beneficial to work with a qualified and reputable coach to create a sustainable eating plan that nourishes your body and mind. Learn to manage cravings in healthy ways, plan for occasional indulgences and avoid the cycle of restriction and binge eating.
The allure and illusion of PEDs promise huge changes such as increased muscle mass, strength and faster recovery times. It is important to remember the reasons these can be problematic. I’m not saying these are "good" or "bad" and whether or not they should be taken. However, it is crucial for bodybuilders to look after not just their body but also their minds.
Hormonal imbalance and mental instability is another factor. There are reports of elevated aggression and mood swings and links between PEDS and depression, anxiety and low self esteem as your levels and hormone balances are affected. Remember to thoroughly research any PEDS for its mental side effects and ways to mitigate this.
According to the NHS, misuse of anabolic steroids can lead to severe health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, liver and kidney tumors and high blood pressure. Furthermore, the Mayo Clinic reports that PED use has been linked to heightened aggression, anxiety and depression.
PEDSs are by no means magic either. You’re not going to be looking like Ronnie Coleman or Dorian Yates after a few cycles or even a few years of training. Those physiques take many, many years of consistent training, PED use, strict diet and last but by no means least, passion. Take the ever growing Classic Physique division, it will take years of utmost dedication to even get close to IFBB pro level – even if you do have ‘elite’ genetics.
While not physically addictive, the pursuit for improved performance may lead to an addiction, where the lines become blurred. However once you do come off you may experience withdrawals such as low testosterone, fatigue, mood changes and depression.
I can’t emphasise enough the importance of thorough research and obtaining PEDs from reputable sources and even with a good source and potency reports, these days, you still can’t guarantee that your batch is not underdosed.
Make sure to look up guidance on proper cycling, dosages and post-cycle therapy (PCT). There are plenty of resources out there from people like John Jewett to books like William Llewellyn’s Anabolics bible. There’s no excuse for not being clued up in 2025.
I also want to stress the absolute necessity of regular blood work to monitor health markers and identify potential problems. There are plenty of places online now offering this sort of service at various prices, usually about £70 but gets more expensive depending on how detailed you want to go. Some only need a finger prick blood sample which can easily be done at home.
It is difficult to get out of the "never good enough" mindset, but by being aware and taking positive steps, it can be done. It can be easy to focus on external success. Winning titles and a pro card may be important, but that is not the only type of growth that can be achieved and not everybody's goal either.
It is difficult to have self compassion when everything revolves around perfection. Practice some self-kindness and acceptance (like treating yourself with the same care and understanding you would offer a friend). Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with more positive and realistic thoughts.
If bodybuilding is just about the body, then is it just a superficial pursuit. What made you start?
Connecting to that reason for starting can be a great way to take the pressure off. Just remember it’s OK to take a couple of weeks off if you need to. You don’t have to answer to anybody and trust me, take some time off Instagram or social media, it will do you a world of good.
Bodybuilding is often an individual sport, but that doesn't mean you need to be alone. It is essential you have support that can make the difference on how you deal with mental stress. This can be within the bodybuilding community, finding local gyms and mentors and can be used to bounce ideas off and open up about issues you may have.
Build a healthy support system within the bodybuilding community. We understand what you are going through better than anyone, use this to your advantage by opening up and talking about things. Your family may not understand what you are going through in bodybuilding, explaining this and getting them onboard can be the difference between good or bad mental health. Also, getting help from a professional may assist in understanding any underlying issues, and help you to refocus.
Bodybuilding will always have its challenges and pressure. But by being open and aware we can break from the toxic sides of the sport. It is about being the best version of yourself by any means and not sacrificing your body or mind.
The key to success comes with not only pushing yourself to the limit but listening to your body and mind and knowing when to step back or seek help. By finding your strength it is also possible to push the stigma surrounding mental health.
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[1] The Sun. "Rise of 'girls' disease' that's driving young men to attempt suicide." Link
[2] Mental Health Foundation. "Moving more is good for our mental health, so what's stopping us?" Link
[3] NHS. "Anabolic steroid misuse." Link
[4] Mayo Clinic. "Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks." Link
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