by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN

I keep in mind years in the past when the entire pretend natty topic grew to become common, and all of the YouTube channels had been making movies calling folks out for claiming they had been natty and never utilizing steroids or PEDs.

In the present day, folks and customers are a lot smarter, and even those that aren’t within the health trade can pinpoint what to search for with regards to determining if somebody is a pretend natty or not.

On this article, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into this entire pretend natty development and talk about why somebody would wish to declare natty standing and the way YOU can inform if somebody is natty or not.

Disclaimer: This text is my opinion, and never each state of affairs is 100% correct in all instances, as you could have folks with wonderful genetics and who work onerous to realize their physique. It isn’t advisable that you simply use what’s beneath to publicly name out anybody for being a pretend natty.

What’s a Faux Natty?

The time period “pretend natty” refers to somebody who claims to have achieved their physique with out utilizing anabolics or performance-enhancing medicine (PEDs) when, in actuality, they’ve used such substances.

The time period “natty” is brief for “pure,” and it’s generally used within the health and bodybuilding trade to explain people who rely solely on pure means, similar to implementing train, food regimen, and complement routine to attain their physique.

A pretend natty, subsequently, is somebody who deceives others by presenting themselves as a pure athlete however secretly makes use of or has used PEDs similar to anabolic steroids, human progress hormone (HGH), or different substances to reinforce their outcomes previously. This time period is usually used to criticize people claiming their wonderful physique is solely the product of onerous work and pure genetics after they have truly taken shortcuts via drug use.

The persistence of individuals to assert pure after they’ve used medicine exposes their dishonesty and undermines their credibility. Sadly, that is the world we dwell in the place many individuals are a pretend natty, however they declare they’ve by no means touched something, by no means would, and that they’re pure for all times. It looks as if an episode of Maury the place he would learn, “The outcomes of the take a look at have decided that was a lie.”

Why Would Somebody Declare to Be Natty If They Aren’t?

Many people would have a look at the scenario with a pretend natty and query why they’d really feel the necessity to lie about their pure standing. Why not simply inform the reality, proper?

Nicely, there might be a number of the reason why somebody may declare to be “natty” or pure after they aren’t. These causes can fluctuate from particular person to particular person, however beneath are a number of doable causes.

1.      Public Notion

Being seen as a pure athlete typically carries an encouraging picture of onerous work, self-discipline, and genetic superiority. Some folks might wish to keep this notion to achieve admiration, respect, and validation from others within the trade and even most of the people round them, like household and associates. Claiming to be natty might help them set up themselves as a task fashions or match particular person within the eyes of others when finally, they’re a pretend natty within the eyes of the trade.

2.      Aggressive Benefit

Within the health and bodybuilding trade, claiming to be natty may give somebody a perceived “benefit” over their opponents with regards to evaluating physiques. By presenting themselves as drug-free, they can achieve numerous sponsorship alternatives, endorsements, or different advantages which might be unique to pure athletes. In the end, being a pretend natty and mendacity about PED use is only a means to enhance their possibilities of monetizing their physique on social media and on-line.

3.      Ethical Justification

Some people might really feel the necessity to justify their achievements morally or ethically. By claiming to be natty, they might alleviate guilt or judgment related to utilizing PEDs, as many individuals view them as “cheaters.” That stated, many people who find themselves of faux natty standing might consider that their onerous work and dedication will compensate for any shortcuts they’ve taken via drug use.

4.      Worry of Penalties

Admitting to PED use can have authorized, skilled, and private penalties. Some folks might select to assert natty to keep away from these potential repercussions and can blatantly misinform keep away from any penalties they might face. That is very true in sports activities the place PEDs are strictly prohibited and may end up in bans, fines, or harm to their status (assume alongside the traces of Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire).

Is There a Technique to Inform Who’s Genuine and Who’s a Faux Natty?

Figuring out with absolute certainty whether or not somebody is a “pretend natty” or 100% pure might be difficult with out concrete proof, and lots of doubters might must take their phrase for it if they will’t show they’re a pretend natty.

Nonetheless, some particular indicators and elements can increase suspicions or trace at an individual’s potential use of anabolics or medicine.

To preface the beneath, it’s essential to method this matter with warning and keep away from making false accusations, as assumptions might be damaging and will even result in lawsuits if the particular person is definitely pure and finally ends up proving it. However getting that out of the way in which, there are some elements that may be thought-about that I’ve laid out beneath.

1.      Unusually Fast Progress

If somebody experiences speedy and important muscle progress, insane features in power, or had a significant transformation in a really brief interval, it might increase suspicions of PED use. Whereas genetics, coaching, and food regimen play important roles, the extent of progress can generally point out the potential use of PEDs. It tends to be a lot simpler and sooner for folks to drop a few pounds than it’s for them to achieve lean muscle mass.

2.      Excessive Conditioning

Sustaining an especially low physique fats proportion whereas retaining important muscle mass all 12 months spherical tends to be difficult (for most individuals) with out utilizing PEDs. If somebody persistently seems extraordinarily lean (low single digits when it comes to physique fats) and muscular, it may be a sign of potential drug use, though it’s not definitive proof.

3.      Disproportionate Growth

PEDs can typically result in imbalances or exaggerated growth in sure muscle teams. If a person has a noticeably bigger or extra outlined muscle group than the remainder of their physique, it might be an indicator of PED use. For instance, you could discover the higher physique of somebody is insane. They’ve a giant chest, large capped delts, insane v-taper, and large arms, however then have toothpicks for legs, which can be an indication of potential drug use.

4.      Reversal of Pure Limits

Human physiology has sure limits with regards to muscle progress. If somebody surpasses these limits considerably, it may possibly increase suspicions. Nonetheless, it’s important to contemplate genetic outliers and particular person variations earlier than leaping to conclusions. One factor is being in insane conditioning in your 50s and up. There are people who find themselves of their 50s and 60s who look higher than guys of their 20s and 30s. Whereas it might not be particular that they’re a pretend natty, it raises some suspicion that they’re probably utilizing one thing.